Tao Te Ching

Chapter 15
[Original text]

If you see nothing, it is called "Yi[1]"; if you hear it but don't hear it, it's called "Xi[2]";These three cannot be questioned [3], so they are mixed into one.Its upper part is not dark [4], its lower part is not dark [5], the rope [6] is indescribable, and returns to nothingness [7].It means the shape of nothing, the image of nothing, and it is called "trance".

If you meet him, you don't see the head, and then you don't see the back.Adhere to the ancient way, to control the present.Being able to know the beginning of time [9] is called Dao Ji [10].

【Note】

[1] Yi: colorless.

[2] Xi: Silent.

[3] Micro: invisible.

[4] To interrogate: infer.Interrogate, interrogate, interrogate, interrogate.

[5] 皦 (jiǎo): clear, bright.

[6] ambiguous: dark.

[7] Rope: endless.

[8] Wuwu: Things have no fixed shape, here refers to "Tao".

[9] Ancient Beginning: The Beginning of the Universe.

[10] Ji: Gang Ji, extended to the meaning of law.

【Analysis】

Some things are colorless and invisible, so they can be called "Yi"; some things are silent and can't be heard at all, so they can be called "Xi"; and some things have no real shape. , can't be touched at all, it can be called "micro".It is impossible to inquire deeply about these three, because they are originally integrated.

The apparent part of this mixed thing is not very bright, and the hidden part is not particularly dark.It has no beginning, no end, and cannot be expressed in clear language. In the end, it can only be attributed to the existence of extraordinary matter.This may be a shape without a shape, an image without a substance, a vague feeling of trance.

When we go to meet it, we can't see its beginning; when we follow it, we can't see its end.What we should do most is to follow the already existing "Tao" to grasp and control everything that we can see, hear, and feel now, and to recognize the beginning of the universe, which is what we call the law of "Tao" .

In other words, "Tao" is illusory, we cannot see, hear, touch, or perceive, but "Tao" does exist, and it moves according to its own unique laws every moment .If we can really find the beginning of the universe, see the so-called "Tao", and grasp the operation laws of "Tao", then we can grasp the root of everything in the world.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
Colorless said Yi.There is no color in the words, so you can't see it with a blind eye.Silently said Xi.If there is no sound at all, you can't hear it.Intangible said micro.Words have no form, and cannot be grasped.The three are called Yi, Xi, and Wei.Those who cannot be questioned are colorless, soundless, and formless. They cannot be spoken, and books cannot be passed on.Mix, combine also.Therefore, it is one of the three names.Say one is in the sky, not huh.皦, bright.Words are in the world, not ignorant.Ambiguous, somewhat dark.Those who are roped can move endlessly.Those that cannot be named are not of the same color, and cannot be distinguished from blue, yellow (red), white, and black;Matter, quality also.Restoring angelica to nothingness.Words have no shape, but can make shapes for all things.There is no substance, but an image for all things.Suddenly and suddenly, if it exists or if it is dead, it cannot be seen.There is no end to anything, and it is unpredictable.Eliminate passion and desire, and return to yourself.There is no trace of words, so you can't get it and see it.

The sage sticks to the ancient way, and he gave birth to one to control things, knowing that there should be one today.People can know that there was a beginning in ancient times, which means knowing the principles and disciplines.

(End of this chapter)