The Tao
lit. โthe wayโ
The fundamental, ungraspable principle underlying the universe โ and the way of living in accord with it.
Origin
Central to Taoism, articulated in the Tao Te Ching attributed to Laozi (~6thโ4th century BCE). The first line declares the paradox: 'The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao.' Taoist practice emphasizes wu wei โ effortless action that flows with rather than against the grain of things.
Modern usage
Used in self-help, design, and management to mean 'the underlying way' of any domain โ 'the Tao of Pooh', 'the Tao of programming'. Often watered down.
Tags
Related
Eastern Traditions
Yin and Yang
Complementary opposites that together make up a whole โ dark and light, soft and hard, receptive and active.
Eastern Traditions
Zen
A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation โ and, casually, anything calm and unflappable.
Eastern Traditions
Dharma
Cosmic law, moral duty, or the right way of living for who you are.