The Tao Te Ching, attributed to the ancient sage Lao Tzu, stands as one of the most profound texts in human history. Written over 2,500 years ago, it consists of 81 short chapters that explore the nature of reality, harmony, and living in alignment with the universe.
These verses reminds us that true wisdom often lies beyond words and rigid concepts.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery…
Lao Tzu begins with a profound paradox. However, this paradox reveals a key insight: The ultimate truth—the “Tao” or “Way”—cannot be fully captured in language. In other words, any description we attempt is inherently limited, like trying to contain the vast ocean in a simple cup.
Furthermore, the “nameless Tao” represents the formless source of everything—pure potential and the origin of the universe before creation. In contrast, the “named Tao” manifests as the world we experience daily: the “ten thousand things,” meaning all forms, objects, and beings.
When we release desires and expectations (“ever desireless”), we can glimpse the subtle mystery beneath reality. But when we are driven by wants (“ever desiring”), we only perceive the surface—the material manifestations.
Ultimately, both perspectives arise from the same source. For instance, the phrase “darkness within darkness” points to profound, hidden depths, serving as the gateway to true understanding.
Therefore, this verse gently invites us to embrace humility. In modern life, moreover, it serves as a powerful reminder to pause, let go of grasping, and simply flow with the natural way of things.
