What is Tao?

(Continued from the article Taoism: The Science and Philosophy of Life & Longevity)

If Taoism is the Science and Philosophy of Life & Longevity; then a logical question is; What is Tao? What is the source of that which Taoists study?

Most people translate Tao as the path or The Way. This is partially true, if you use the lower case version of tao. Others will mention being in harmony with nature, being at peace, flowing with what’s natural, balancing Yin & Yang etc… All of these are accurate descriptions but the question still eludes us, if Tao is the Path or The Way, then what is it the WAY of. What we are discussing here is not just tao, but TAO or Da Tao(大道, Great Tao). So what is this Da Tao or TAO that the ancient Taoists were speaking of. Quite simply TAO or Tao is the Chinese word for The Way of God. When a person is following The Way and he/she is in harmony with nature, at peace, balancing Yin/Yang, etc… they are literally walking with God, by elevating their body, mind & spirit. Let us look at a section from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu to see what he had to say about Tao. Note the following qoutes are from the “Tao Te Ching translated by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English”. Notice how the text reads when you replace Tao with God.

Section 21:
The greatest Virtue is to follow Tao (God) and Tao (God) alone.
The Tao (God) is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith.
From the very beginning until now its (God’s) name has never been forgotten.
Thus I perceive creation.
How do I know the way of creation?
Because of this.

Section 23:
To talk little is natural.
High winds do not last all morning.
Heavy rain does not last all day.
Why is this? Heaven and earth!
If Heaven and earth cannot make things eternal,
How is it possible for man?
He who follows Tao (God)
Is at one with Tao (God).
He who is virtuous
Experiences (God’s) Virtue.
He who loses the Way (God’s Way)
Feels lost.
When you are at one with the Tao (God),
The Tao (God) welcomes you.
When you are at one with (God’s) Virtue, The Virtue is always there.
When you are at one with loss,
The loss is experienced willingly.
He who does not trust enough
Will not be trusted.

Taoism developed its 8 Subjects/Pillars with the goal of helping a person to not only achieve balance, peace and harmony, but to literally create a system to completely elevate their body, mind & spirit so they could “walk with God”.

Let us review for a moment:

Tao is The Way of God, Taoism is the Science and Philosophy of Life & Longevity (designed to elevate a person’s body, mind and spirit), and a Taoist is a person pursuing this path in an active, engaged manner. It is interesting to point out that being a Taoist does not interfere with a person’s Religious beliefs or cultural customs. It is very common for someone to follow Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism etc… or be Agnostic and also apply the Taoist Principles and the Science of Life & Longevity to their lives in a meaningful way that further enriches, and deepens their life and understanding. Let us take a break for now and ponder the words of Lao Tzu. Before we meet again, make sure you go for a walk, breathe slowly and deeply, and take the time to enjoy family-friends-and nature.

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