The Way of Life
(The Tao Te Ching)
A new translation by Dr. Gary Arnold

Tao: The Identity of Reality

and Appearance

beyond the physical self, the body,

beyond recognitions by any of the senses,

beyond intellectual reason,

beyond understanding of who we think we are,

and who we think others are,

and what we think other things are,

there is a reality.

that reality is beyond intellectual discriminations,

that reality is beyond any possible description,

or definition or interpretation.

beyond thought and form and time and space,

there is a gateway to this place.

it is direct experience.

it is Tao.

2

Knowing: To Affirm is to Negate

knowing the world that is,

one knows the world that is not.

so conflict dissolves.

why?

because there are no opposites,

there are no others separate from the one.

i can imagine there are separate things,

things that are just high,

things that are just low,

things that are just difficult,

things that are just ahead of me.

but imagining illusions does not make them real.

the wise man knows the unity of what is.

unity - is not conflict,

is not separation,

is not lack,

is not restriction.

3

Immediate Knowledge:

Know What Is, As It Is

what does it mean to be free of confusion?

it means not valuing what is not real,

and valuing what is real.

what is not real?

anything that is more than just experience,

anything that is of form, changing, anything limited,

any construct of ego, beliefs, fear.

anything that is more than Tao,

or less than Tao.

not valuing things that will pass away,

freedom is known.

valuing what will not pass away,

one is truly free to walk the earth in joy and love.

the wise man does not interfere so he walks without leaving tracks.

4

Renunciation:

Reality is Function; Reality is Substance

the wise man is free.

he is not a body.

he is Tao.

with Tao there is no "where".

there is no "where" he can not go.

there simply is.

what Tao requires is to experience beyond

thinking,

the reality of what one is.

do you wish to experience fear?

then experience that.

let go of your desire and demand

for specific form.

with that, let go of accompanying

values and desires.

6

Tranquility

your spirit knows you are one.

in stillness, you can find that place.

go beyond your thoughts.

go beyond your words.

go beyond your analyzing.

just experience. this is not about thoughts

and ideas.

just feel. have no conflict. there is no threat.

for a moment just rest in, just feel, oneness.

try to imagine unity. there is nothing "out there".

try to imagine feeling peace. there is only harmony.

your experience is one with you.

all you experience is your Self.

use it. it can never fail.

7

Unity of Self and non-self

the Tao is invulnerable.

the Tao is source.

knowing this i am at peace,

knowing that my source is the power

of the universe,

i remember i am invulnerable, protected, eternal.

the more i feel this, the more i recognize that

all the gifts i give, are given to myself.

one just has to be oneself.

8

Virtue: At One With The Universe

the wise man has escaped from the

belief in separation.

he takes delight in seeing everything, his choices, this thoughts, his brothers, each being,

everything he experiences,

as both other and self.

knowing he is not separate, even for a moment,

he discovers that above all else he

wishes to experience

the world in his oneness, in his invulnerability.

he sees, in fact, that it is his creation.

9

Quality of Nature

do you think Tao can be felt, tasted,

smelled, seen, or heard?

do you think Tao can be found in yourthinking?

of course not.

then why cling to them

when your senses and thoughts are not

perceiving what is real.

beyond the senses, beyond your thoughts,

lies true perception.

when will you let go of old beliefs, old values, old patterns?

when you no longer cling to your treasured beliefs,

and you let them go,

then, in that moment, you will be free.

10

The Mystic

Tao is in my mind.

everything i experience is a gift from Tao.

such is the power given me.

i am, in fact, a gift of Tao.

remembering this my source, i do not strive.

without thoughts of separation,

i see all of life as my own creation.

there is no 'should'. i experience only Tao.

there are no limits. i am complete in this moment.

there is nothing to accomplish.

i am that which is.

there is no part of Tao i do not know.

i am one with Tao.

at any moment i can choose to be aware.

which moment will i choose?