The enigmatic nature of the Dao in the Daodejing

3 min readSep 12, 2024

What is the nature of the Dao, often translated as the Way? This is one of the key questions that the Daodejing explores. The text presents the Dao as the fundamental principle of the universe, the source of all existence, and the ideal path for human life. Yet, paradoxically, it also describes the Dao as something that cannot be fully grasped or explained.

The Daodejing opens with a statement that immediately highlights the enigmatic nature of the Dao:

A Dao that can be spoken of
Is not the eternal Dao.
A name that can be named
Is not the eternal name.

This paradoxical assertion sets the tone for the entire text, suggesting that the true nature of the Dao is beyond human language and conceptualization. Any attempt to define or describe the Dao inevitably falls short of its essence. However, this ineffability is not a flaw or limitation of the Dao, but rather a testament to its all-encompassing nature. It is an invitation for further exploration, not an insurmountable barrier.

Chapter 1 goes on to describe the Dao as the source of all things, both the manifest and the unmanifest:

The origin of heaven and earth
Has no name.
The mother of the myriad things
Has a name.

This portrayal of the Dao as both the formless origin and the generative force behind all forms underscores its fundamental role in the cosmos. It is simultaneously transcendent and immanent, beyond all things yet present in everything.

One of the key aspects of the Dao in the Daodejing is its association with the natural order of the universe. This description in Chapter 4 highlights the Dao’s potential for infinite manifestation and its role as the primordial source of existence. The Dao is not a static principle but a dynamic process, constantly giving rise to new forms while remaining unchanged at its core.

The Dao is empty,
But when it is used,
It does not need to be filled.
It is vast and deep,
Like the source of the myriad things.

The Daodejing emphasizes that aligning yourself with the Dao means living in harmony with nature and the natural flow of events. This idea is encapsulated in the concept of wuwei or effortless action, which doesn’t mean passivity but rather acting in accordance with the natural way of things. As Chapter 37 points out:

The Dao does nothing,
But leaves nothing undone.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Dao is its paradoxical nature. The text often describes it in terms that seem contradictory or counterintuitive. Chapter 5, for example, compares the Dao to a bellows:

It is empty,
But inexhaustible.
The more it moves,
The more it yields.

This passage highlights the Dao’s qualities of emptiness and fullness, simplicity and complexity. It suggests that the Dao operates in ways that often defy conventional logic or expectations. The power of the Dao lies not in forceful action or accumulation, but in yielding, emptiness, and return to the source.

The Daodejing presents numerous examples of how the paradoxical power of the Dao manifests in the world. It speaks of the strength of softness, the advantages of humility, and the wisdom of not-knowing. By challenging conventional notions of power and success, the Dao invites you to look beyond surface appearances and to seek a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

The enigmatic nature of the Dao in the Daodejing

Written by Richard Brown