Introduction

This verse is primarily a summary of concepts that we’ve encountered previously in the text. It emphasizes the Dao’s place as the substratum of all that is (One becomes Many) and how everything will emerge, live, and return to it (Many becomes the One). 

The verse concludes by encouraging the Weaver of the Way to embody this capacity as the maturation of Daoist benevolence. Benevolence is a challenging concept in Daoism because it is ultimately impersonal and non-utilitarian. It is simultaneously the natural function of life and counter-intuitive to regular human sensibilities. 

Being a Weaver of the Way means supporting the life process in all its forms, each according to their need, without claiming achievement or enacting personal biases. The ethical questions that emerge from such a radical position are undoubtedly challenging and beyond the scope of this verse’s introduction. Generally, we each need to chew on that puzzle on our own. Here’s a head start from my inquiry, though…

Skillful means arise within the moment to provide a harmonizing influence in the cosmos. Right and wrong is a false start from this worldview; the initial point is to be fully present, trusting, curious, and committed to universal well-being. 

Translation

The Great Dao is boundless
  It can be either left or right.

Completion follows events,
  it cannot be claimed as a possession.

Phenomena submit to it,
  yet it does not control them,
    eternally without desire,
  It can be called “small.”

Phenomena return to it
  without being led,
It can be called “great.” 

Only like this can the sage become great;
  Because they are not being great
    they can become great. 

Commentary

The Great Dao is boundless
  It can be either left or right. 

The Dao is outside of time or space; it is the material of the fabric of time and space.

Consequently, it is the stuff that makes up the left and right sides of the human experience (see verse 31). One of the traps many people fall into is an attraction to “good” and an aversion to “bad.” While entirely understandable, it’s all the same Dao. Getting this has profound implications for our ability to move through life with the cherished values of kindness, love, tolerance, and peace.