There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty. Solitary.
Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the Mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao.
The Tao gives birth to all beings, nourishes them, maintains them,
cares for them, comforts them, protects them and takes them back to itself,
creating without possessing, acting without expecting, guiding
without interfering.
That is why love of the Tao is in the very nature of things.
As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow.
The top is bent downwards, the bottom is bent upwards.
It adjusts excess and deficiency so that there is perfect balance.
It takes from what is too much and gives to what is not enough.
Those who try to control,
who use force to protect their power,
go against the direction of the Tao.
They take from those who have not enough
and give to those who have too much.
If powerful men and women could remain centred in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
and the law would be written in their hearts.
There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind;
A time for being in motion, a time for being at rest;
A time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted;
A time for being safe, a time for being in danger.
The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them.
He lets them go their own way, and resides at the centre of the circle.
Let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine.
Let it be present in your family and your family will flourish.
Let it be present in your country and your country
will be an example to all countries in the world.
Let it be present in the universe and
the universe will sing.
How do I know this to be true?
By looking inside myself.
The Tao was in the beginning.
All things issue from it; all things return to it.
To find the origin, trace back the manifestations.
When you recognise the children and find the Mother,
You will be free from sorrow.