The Dao De Jing is a primary classical text of Daoism. Its name is challenging to translate, so it is often left untranslated. However valuable that approach is, there is also value in expressing its meaning in ways we can understand. Please consider this offering.
Dao is a term that translates as The Way and refers to cosmic principles and natural laws.
De connects to the actualized characteristics humans express when aligned with Dao. Those virtues include wisdom, courage, loyalty, trustworthiness, benevolence, morality, respect, and non-violence.
Jing is a term applied to the “classics” of any religious or philosophical perspective and derives from the meaning of a weave, or thread, in a larger tapestry.
Since this text intends to be a pragmatic primer for a way of life, giving the title a sense of activity makes sense. And so, I offer the title:
Weaving the Virtuous Way
The text opens with a description of The Dao, titled “The Body of The Way.” Here is my translation:
Spoken words about the Dao do not say it all.
Nor does any word written convey its essence.
The unnameable is the embryo of existence.
The act of naming gives birth to all things.
Become desireless and discover the mystery of life.
Through desire, behold its frontiers.
Both in combination – this is the mystery.
The most profound of mysteries.
All that is precious is found through this gate.
Commentary:
Spoken words about the Dao do not say it all.
Nor does any word written convey its essence.
The text's opening, confusingly but delightfully, makes a profound statement about the Dao. Dao cannot be shown to us. We cannot receive it from someone else. Whatever teachers teach or sacred texts transmit is not the natural law. So where can we find it? We can only see it within our own experience. The Dao is a never-ending, never-failing manifestation of life, a mysterious unfolding of truth. It is an ever-new and ever-present expression of this exact moment. We can only know it intimately by being open to the completeness of our experience at this very moment.
These translations are offered freely, and you are encouraged to share them.
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