tao Definition
(in Chinese philosophy) the absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of yin and yang and signifying the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order. It is also known as Dao or Daoism..
Using tao: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tao" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The concept of Tao is central to Taoism.
Example
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
Example
The Tao is like a well: used but never used up.
Example
The Tao is the source of all things.
Phrases with tao
a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Laozi, also known as Lao Tzu. The text's true authorship and date of composition or compilation are still debated.
Example
The Tao Te Ching is one of the most translated works in world literature.
Wu Wei
a concept within Taoism that refers to non-action or non-doing. It is the cultivation of a state of being in which our actions are quite effortlessly in alignment with the ebb and flow of the elemental cycles of the natural world.
Example
The practice of Wu Wei is an important aspect of Taoist philosophy.
two complementary, yet opposing, principles that shape the universe and all life within it. Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity, and nighttime. Yang, in contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity, and daytime.
Example
The concept of Yin and Yang is central to Taoist philosophy.
Summary: tao in Brief
Tao [dou] is the absolute principle underlying the universe in Chinese philosophy. It combines the principles of yin and yang and signifies the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order. The concept of Tao is central to Taoism, exemplified by the Tao Te Ching, a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Laozi. Other concepts within Taoism include Wu Wei, the cultivation of a state of being in which our actions are quite effortlessly in alignment with the ebb and flow of the elemental cycles of the natural world, and Yin and Yang, two complementary, yet opposing, principles that shape the universe and all life within it.
