Tao Te Ching
is divided in 2 great sections: the Book of Tao, and the Book of Te. The first section is mostly interested in philosophical ideas regarding the Tao and its phenomenology. The secod part, addresses the problem of governing the country from the view of a Taoist (that is, a person who follows the Tao).
Its summary includes commentaries on the most known Taoist topics such as Tao, Wu (emtpiness), Wu-Wei (nondoing) and Fu (return). Generally speaking, the content of the book is made of
short essays approaching the phenomenology of Tao - the createor ansd sustainer of everytihng in the Universe, and the art of following the Tao which is the supreme goal of Taoist adept. Also the book presents the art
of governing the country and basically doing everything by following the Tao or Taoist rules. This is why many specialists consider the book a handbook of ruling addressed to the people of the high society of ancient
China. Much appreciated are the short statements that stress the relativity of everything in the universe including the natural pfenomena and the genral behaviour of men. below is a quote from the chapter...
All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing
this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is; they all know the skill
of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the
want of skill is. (Legge version).
You may study further the Tao Te Ching by taking our course Lao Tzu and Tao Te Ching Revealed. This course is intended for beginners and explains the main concepts and idea of the book, also
presents its history and structure. Learn more about this course by clicking here. -> See also The meaning of Tao Te Ching |