The Tao that can be spoken is not the Eternal Tao.
(Okay, looks like we’re done here…)
You can’t find Tao.
You never left it.
There’s nowhere else to reach.
Henry Wei said:
“For how can that which is to explain all things
be susceptible of an explanation?”
(I don’t know Henry, but props to you for trying.)
Tao isn’t a belief.
It’s what’s left behind when beliefs end.
It’s not something you can follow, capture, or understand.
But it’s here.
Tao is the creative force of the universe.
But it isn’t a bearded old man sitting on a cloud,
looking down upon creation
Form was born after creation—
Therefore, Tao is formless.
Judgement was born after creation—
Therefore, Tao holds no judgement.
Bearded old men were born after creation—
Therefore, Tao is not a bearded old man.
(You get the picture.)
You can’t see Tao.
You’re inside it.
You don’t experience Tao.
Tao is the experiencing.
Tao is your true nature.
We come to know Tao by emulating the traits of Tao.
In the way a river bends without needing to plan.
In the way silence fills a room once the noise stops.
In the rhythm behind every breath you forget you’re taking.
You don’t learn Tao.
You remember it.
Tao is the first cause.
The first movement.
And from it—
The ten thousand things.
Everything you see and feel,
Even what you think you understand—
Still moving.
Still moved.
What can we really say about Tao?
We have said too much already.
But you’re getting warmer.
