The Way is like an empty vessel That yet may be drawn from Without ever needing to be filled. It is bottomless: the very progenitor of all things in the world. . . . It is like a deep pool that never dries.

The Way is like an empty vessel

That yet may be drawn from

Without ever needing to be filled.

It is bottomless: the very progenitor of all things in the

world. . . .

It is like a deep pool that never dries

I do not know whose child it could be.

It looks as if it were prior to God.

 

When you look at it you cannot see it;

It is called formless.

When you listen to it you cannot hear it;

It is called soundless.

When you try to seize it you cannot hold it;

It is called subtle.

No one can measure these three to their ultimate ends,

Therefore they are fused to one.

It is up, but it is not brightened;

It is down, but it is not obscured.

It stretches endlessly,

And no name is to be given.

It returns to nothingness.

It is called formless form, shapeless shape.

It is called the intangible.

You face it but you cannot see its front.

You follow it but you cannot see its back.

Holding on to the Ancient Way (Tao)

You control beings of today.

Thus you know the beginning of things,

Which is the essence of the Way (Tao-chi).

 

Lao-tzu definition of Tao from his TaoTê Ching

Done