What is the Relationship between Tao and Me?
The significance of Tao is in its immensity and ubiquity. Its mightiness guides the universe to carry on with changing seasons and evolving creatures. The countless aspects of the natural phenomena seem so capricious, and yet they actually move in order and in cycles. This divine truth also resides in each of us, known as the divine self, the natural quality of a person. It enables us to see, to feel, to taste, to hear, and to move without learning.
As we research the ultimate truth in the universe, we should also turn inward and into ourselves to discover that divine self. Thus Tao is our “True Self”.
Tao’s preciousness is not because it is too far to reach or to mysterious to comprehend, but because it is simple, straightforward and related to our daily life, we cannot be away from its essence.
Every movement we make, in order to see, to touch, to feel and to think, is associated with Tao. Consider how many wonders are hidden in our body, how delicately our physical functions are carried out. For example, when we shake hands, the components involved include the coordination of joints and muscles, the chemical reactions of energy, the transmission of information through nerve systems, and the actions occurring in our brain such as issuing orders, making judgments and analyzing situations. Even with the most advanced technology and the highest level of knowledge we have developed today. We cannot completely reconstruct such a function. Yet the ability to perform such a simple movement is there for all individuals, regardless of the level of a person’s knowledge and his/her being a grown-up or a baby, a scholar or an illiterate. These are the kind of abilities we come equipped with naturally, without learning or being taught. It sits within us and is in charge of all. Tao never diminishes nor inflates.
Worldly knowledge acquired through learning can be forgotten. A gymnast can abandon his/her techniques and a musician can lose his/her skills without practicing. The essence of Tao and its extension are always in charge of the macro-universe, nature, and the micro-universe, the human being’s self. We are associated with it unconsciously since day one. Because it encompasses the whole nature within us, we all call it “original self from God.”
Tao is within and surrounding us. It needs not be worshipped nor debated because its existence is unconditional, regardless of race, color, nationality, religion or status. It is impartial and stays constant.
In receiving Tao, we not only find the origin of the universe, but also the divine self. We get to know the highest power in the universe, as well as the genuine nature in charge of self. We discover the ultimate truth of the cosmos, as well as the integrity of ourselves. Recognizing that the laws which govern the universe also govern us, makes us able to return to our true nature.
【To probe further】:
The most essential concept in Tao is that we all possess it intrinsically. It is the wisdom and ability with which we were born without having to learn or practice. It is one’s conscience, which is like the spirit of God – the divine or Buddha nature. It is invisible and intangible. For this reason, we call it “genuine emptiness,” which means that to be really empty, it goes beyond emptiness and can therefore have marvelous existence in it. “Marvelous existence” is the foundation for the sky, the earth, human begins, all the creatures, and all existences. With omnipotence, Tao is called “Great Lord of All Beings,” this almighty being is not only in charge of the entire universe, but also in charge of oneself. So the proverb is, “Tao is within Self. It governs all the one’s abilities; if Tao deviates from one’s body the body becomes unless.” This is the treasure that we need all to realize and fully explore.
Introduction to Tao, Revised Edition (2001)
As we research the ultimate truth in the universe, we should also turn inward and into ourselves to discover that divine self. Thus Tao is our “True Self”.
Tao’s preciousness is not because it is too far to reach or to mysterious to comprehend, but because it is simple, straightforward and related to our daily life, we cannot be away from its essence.
Every movement we make, in order to see, to touch, to feel and to think, is associated with Tao. Consider how many wonders are hidden in our body, how delicately our physical functions are carried out. For example, when we shake hands, the components involved include the coordination of joints and muscles, the chemical reactions of energy, the transmission of information through nerve systems, and the actions occurring in our brain such as issuing orders, making judgments and analyzing situations. Even with the most advanced technology and the highest level of knowledge we have developed today. We cannot completely reconstruct such a function. Yet the ability to perform such a simple movement is there for all individuals, regardless of the level of a person’s knowledge and his/her being a grown-up or a baby, a scholar or an illiterate. These are the kind of abilities we come equipped with naturally, without learning or being taught. It sits within us and is in charge of all. Tao never diminishes nor inflates.
Worldly knowledge acquired through learning can be forgotten. A gymnast can abandon his/her techniques and a musician can lose his/her skills without practicing. The essence of Tao and its extension are always in charge of the macro-universe, nature, and the micro-universe, the human being’s self. We are associated with it unconsciously since day one. Because it encompasses the whole nature within us, we all call it “original self from God.”
Tao is within and surrounding us. It needs not be worshipped nor debated because its existence is unconditional, regardless of race, color, nationality, religion or status. It is impartial and stays constant.
In receiving Tao, we not only find the origin of the universe, but also the divine self. We get to know the highest power in the universe, as well as the genuine nature in charge of self. We discover the ultimate truth of the cosmos, as well as the integrity of ourselves. Recognizing that the laws which govern the universe also govern us, makes us able to return to our true nature.
【To probe further】:
The most essential concept in Tao is that we all possess it intrinsically. It is the wisdom and ability with which we were born without having to learn or practice. It is one’s conscience, which is like the spirit of God – the divine or Buddha nature. It is invisible and intangible. For this reason, we call it “genuine emptiness,” which means that to be really empty, it goes beyond emptiness and can therefore have marvelous existence in it. “Marvelous existence” is the foundation for the sky, the earth, human begins, all the creatures, and all existences. With omnipotence, Tao is called “Great Lord of All Beings,” this almighty being is not only in charge of the entire universe, but also in charge of oneself. So the proverb is, “Tao is within Self. It governs all the one’s abilities; if Tao deviates from one’s body the body becomes unless.” This is the treasure that we need all to realize and fully explore.
Introduction to Tao, Revised Edition (2001)
