Book SummaryTao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Tao Te Ching

Shortform Introduction

The Tao Te Ching is one of the foundational texts of Taoism, written between the 4th and 6th centuries. This summary is based on the Stephen Mitchell translation, which modernizes much of the text.

While we have done our best to research the text and offer an accurate representation of the Tao Te Ching, areas of this summary are based upon interpretation. The piece is written as poetry and, as such, even Taoist scholars have different perspectives on what the language represents.

This summary is structured thematically, with each section pulling information from various sections of the text to best explain the ideas introduced in the work. We’ll discuss:

• The nature of the Tao
• Objectivity and balance
• Non-action
• Harmonious living

The Nature of the Tao

Older than any deity, the Tao is the natural order of the universe. It’s the guiding energy that lives within us and connects us to everything around us. Also known as the “Great Mother,” it paradoxically creates nothing while offering infinite energy to all beings, nurturing and caring for them.

As an omnipresent entity, the Tao is eternal and infinite. It was never born or created, and, therefore, it can never die or be destroyed. The Tao has no biases, being unconditionally available to all beings who want to live according to its teachings.

Because it's beyond the comprehension of human beings, the workings of the Tao can’t be described or understood, only experienced. The more that you try to understand the workings of the Tao, the less you’ll be able to engage with it.

The Master of Taoist Practices Versus the Average Person

A master of Taoist practices only concerns themselves with the Tao. By focusing solely on the objective truths of the universe, they avoid falling victim to their own prejudices. Conversely, the average person often engages with more shallow levels of faith, often using shows of faith to bolster their own biased view of the world.

A master is powerful because they don’t seek power. By not searching for more power, they are able to use the strength that the universe has given them effectively. Conversely, the average person is never powerful because they’re always seeking power, blinding them to the strength the universe has already given them.

A master never leaves anything incomplete because they never do anything without the universe’s prompting. In being selective with their actions in this way, they never take on more than they can accomplish. Conversely, the average person frequently leaves things incomplete because they take on more than they can accomplish.

Objectivity and Balance

To live according to the Tao, strive to achieve balance through objectivity. The Tao is the birthplace of all things and doesn’t discriminate between “good” and “evil.” In the same way, you must embrace all people and things, disregarding any sense of personal perspective and removing the concepts of “good” and “evil” from your mind.

When we label or define our surroundings, we create conflict, attributing particular qualities based on our personal biases. This manipulates our view of reality. For example, if you define modesty as “good,” then you’ll inherently paint anything you view as indecent as “evil.”

Instead of attributing qualities to the world around you, embrace things as they take their natural course. Don’t linger on the past or the future. Exist in the present, engaging with whatever the universe has brought you.

For instance, if the sun is shining, enjoy that moment of warmth. However, if it suddenly begins to rain, instead of mourning the loss of sunlight, embrace the refreshing droplets. Don’t label one as “good” and one as “bad.” Instead, enjoy the present moment.

Being Skeptical of “Knowledge”

To remain objective, you must be skeptical of “knowledge.” Knowledge is gained by learning new things. It can create a warped perspective as it’s often gained through biased sources, making it harder to remain objective and receptive to the calls of the Tao.

To prevent your knowledge from tainting your objectivity:

• Talk less. This will help you to remain objective, patient, and receptive to the energies around you as well as to the Tao itself. When people talk too much, they’re trying to prove their knowledge instead of embracing the wisdom of the Tao.
• Don’t presume that you have the answer. If you assume that you have enough knowledge to solve problems, you can’t remain receptive to the world around you. Accept that you don’t know everything and keep an open mind.
• Be independent. Don’t allow the “knowledge” of others to corrupt your relationship with the Tao. Your relationship to the Tao is unique and personal. When people lose their connection with the Tao, they turn to religion. Priests and gurus may offer guidance, but their guidance is derived from their own knowledge and understanding of the world, not the objective reality that only the Tao can reveal to you. It’s up to you to develop your relationship with the universe.

Chaos, Conflict, and Failure

If you stay centered within the Tao’s objective wisdom instead of relying on your own biased perspective, the chaos of life won’t cause you to spiral. Whether in anguish or in bliss, don’t let your emotions influence your perspective. Instead, rely on the Tao for guidance.

If you engage with the objectivity of the Tao in your daily life, you’ll be able to engage with it in crisis. Instead of overwhelming yourself with the big picture, take things day-by-day, completing small tasks as they arise. This daily practice in objectivity will allow you to remain unbiased in the most extreme of circumstances.

If you find yourself in conflict with someone else, respect your foe and don’t underestimate their abilities. If you underestimate your enemies, you’ll make careless mistakes and reckless...

Tao Te Ching Summary Shortform Introduction

The Tao Te Ching is one of the foundational texts of Taoism, written between the 4th and 6th centuries. This summary is based on the Stephen Mitchell translation, which modernizes much of the text.

While we have done our best to research the text and offer an accurate representation of the...

Tao Te Ching Summary Introduction: The Nature of the Tao

Older than any deity, the Tao is the natural order of the universe. It’s the guiding energy that lives within us and connects us to everything around us. Also known as the “Great Mother,” it paradoxically creates nothing while offering infinite energy to all beings, nurturing and caring for them.

As an omnipresent entity, the Tao is eternal and infinite. It was never born or created, and, therefore, it can never die or be destroyed. The Tao has no biases, being unconditionally available to all beings who want to live according to its teachings.

The Tao exists as part of a universal hierarchy:

1. The Tao: The supreme entity of the universe, the Tao is the source of all life.
2. The Universe: The workings of the universe adhere to the guidance of the Tao.
3. The Earth: The workings of the earth adhere to the guidance of the universe.
4. Humanity: Human beings should adhere to the guidance of the earth, though some fight against it out of selfishness, ego, or greed.

Though the Tao is immensely powerful, it’s unaware and uninterested in its own strength, remaining humble and objective. It is constantly at ease and at peace, never allowing its desires to impact its...

Tao Te Ching Summary Section 1: Objectivity and Balance

To live according to the Tao, strive to achieve balance through objectivity. The Tao is the birthplace of all things and doesn’t discriminate between “good” and “evil.” Likewise, you must embrace all people and things, disregarding any sense of personal perspective and removing the concepts of “good” and “evil” from your mind.

When we label or define our surroundings, we create conflict, attributing particular qualities based on our personal biases. This manipulates our view of reality in the process. For example, if you define modesty as “good,” then you’ll inherently paint anything you view as indecent as “evil.”

Instead of attributing qualities to the world around you, embrace things as they take their natural course. Don’t linger on the past or the future. Exist in the present, engaging with whatever the universe has brought you.

For instance, if the sun is shining, enjoy that moment of warmth. However, if it suddenly begins to rain, instead of mourning the loss of sunlight, embrace the refreshing droplets. Don’t label one as “good” and one as “bad.” Instead, enjoy the present moment.

Note: With objectivity comes uncertainty, as you can’t hold onto the...

Shortform Exercise: Maintain Objectivity

Objectivity is one of the most important aspects of living according to the Tao. If you allow your personal biases to influence your decision-making, you won’t be able to truly engage with the world around you.

Describe a time that you allowed your personal bias to influence your decisions in a negative way.

Tao Te Ching Summary Section 2: Non-Action

While we make things using tangible material, it's often the intangible space within these entities that we use in our daily lives. For example, while a house is made from wood or brick, it’s the empty space on the inside that people utilize for living.

To create usable emptiness in your life, embrace non-action (also known as wu wei, or 无为), or the willingness to remove personal desire and act only when the time is right. This makes you a vessel for the universe to utilize for a greater purpose that you may not understand. Instead of trying to control the world around you, release yourself from the burden of ambition and allow the universe to guide your actions.

When you fully engage with the Tao, you become like a newborn child. The world is new and exciting, and your perspective doesn’t taint your experience. When all is new, you have no expectations and can never be disappointed. This will let you find peace with anything that arises, even death itself.

When you empty your mind of all earthly desires and let your heart be at peace, you can engage with the serenity offered by the Tao. However, if you refuse to allow the Tao to be your guiding force,...

Shortform Exercise: Embrace Non-Action

To effectively engage with the Tao, you must wait for the universe to guide you. If you rush to action, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, embrace non-action, or the willingness to remove personal desire, and act only when the time is right.

Describe a time when you rushed to action, and the end result was less than ideal.

Tao Te Ching Summary Section 3: Harmonious Living

To achieve harmony, understand your place in the world and work to fulfill the function the universe requires of you—nothing more, nothing less. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t improve the world. It's sacred, and if you try to change it, you’ll lose touch with it. Instead, focus on what the universe requires of you, and you’ll find peace within your existence.

There’s a time for everything, including negative emotions and experiences. If you’re one with the Tao, nothing will faze you, not even death. Through the lens of the Tao, death is an unavoidable part of life. Instead of fearing death, embrace it as part of the cycle of the universe. This will allow you to live your life without apprehension.

In this section:

• You’ll learn to embrace harmonious living in your personal life by rejecting the corrupting forces of society and avoiding violence and aggression.
• You’ll see how leadership can lead to harmonious living on a larger scale.

Corruption

When the world is in harmony with the Tao, life can flourish. However, when humanity works against the Tao, the world becomes corrupted.

(Shortform example: If humanity was willing to live within...

Shortform Exercise: Be a Leader

You must trust the people you lead. If you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for conflict and insurrection.

Describe a time that you micro-managed or over-regulated the people you were in charge of, and it led to discourse or frustration.