Two Clusters of Meaning of Dao in Laozi
A. Dao as the way of nature, or the principle underlying all things:
- Ineffable, beyond verbal and conceptual expression
- Mysterious, obscure, never clearly or sharply perceived
- Origin, Mother, principle of fertility
- Inherently dynamic, changing
- Constant, unchanging
- Simple, unadorned, uncontrived (uncarved block)
- Empty, vacuous, pure potential, inexhaustible
- Indifferent to human values, purposeless
B. Dao as a way of life:
- Nourishing and valuing life
- Achieving longevity (long life), immortality
- Stillness, quiescence
- Yielding, non-contention, "feminine" virtues, water
- Non-action (wuwei)
- Spontaneity (ziran)
- Creativity
- Statecraft
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