The First Chapter of "TAO TE CHING"

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu is one of the most translated books in world literature. TAO wisdom—the wisdom of Lao Tzu—is profound human wisdom that is intriguing, perplexing, and paradoxical.

To illustrate, the first chapter of the book is short, but is capable of many multiple interpretations and translations.

"The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

As nameless, it is the origin of all things; As named, it is the mother of 10,000 things

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery of all things.

Ever desiring, one sees only their manifestations.

And the mystery itself is the doorway to all understanding."

(Lao Tzu,ally  Tao Te Ching, chapter one)

If we could understand the Creator or explain His ways, then He is no longer infinite and eternal.

What it really means is: Human wisdom is limited and therefore we can never completely understand the ways of Nature or the Creator.

Mankind, once given a name with an identity, is only the source, but not the creator, of all things.

What it really means is: Man invents but does not create something out of nothing; only the Creator, who is nameless with no identity, creates everything out of nothing.

Ever humble, we see the mystery of all things in the Creator's realm of creation.

What it really means is: With humility, we may understand why certain things were created.

Ever boastful, we see only the manifestations of all things created.

What it really means is: With pride, we see the wonders of our own inventions, but not the mystery of the Creator’s creations.

And the mystery itself is the pathway to attaining greater spirituality and further understanding of the Creator.

What it really means is: Not knowing everything leads to further understanding of the purpose of creation by the Creator.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau