dao zhen

Master Wang Peisheng - Yin Cheng - was my first master in China. We had a wonderful connection, and he asked me to be his disciple; which I turned down for personal reasons. I met him by chance. A Buddhist monk in Japan gave me his phone number and told me to call him when I arrived in Beijing. I had no idea who he was, or how famous he was. I told some Taiji players in Temple of Heaven park I was going to study with him, and they pleaded with me to take them with me to the lessons! I started to understand he was someone of importance. He took me into his home, and we had tea in his bedroom. He told me to ask him anything, and also that he would teach me anything; as we had destiny together. I asked him what is the root essence of Kung Fu......... His eyes sparkled and he stood up and gave a long animated lecture on Qi, Yin and Yang, and the internal theory and principle that made up the root of proper Kung Fu practice. Actually, he was a master of Pa Kua Zhang before he was a master in Taiji. Yin Fu Lineage and also Cheng Ting Hua lineage. He was awesome, a real old school master and a gentleman. He had an amazing skill in issuing power, and it seemed he could even just push you around with direction from his eyes............ He could just launch you up in the air with no effort at all. His push hand skill is like something I have yet to encounter; his son is good, but states he is less than 15% of the skill his father has. I have very fond memories of him and the time we spent together.......... Here are some nice videos........ push hand principle free style movement linear pa kua zhang seven stars push hands applications

By my observation of my personal experience and of other students who have undergone the intensive training, these are very typical results. In fact, students with no previous experience have such experiences and more faster than what I experienced. This may be due to the fact that they have no preconceived ideas, and no bad habit in regards to improper practice. The system has a very exact time frame for when certain internal changes will take place; by my observation it is pretty exact, give or take a day or two. During such training, there are three sitting sessions per day. Each session lasts 1.5 - 2 hours. It is advised for the student to practice a fourth session in their room before sleep during the practice. So far, what I have seen in print and on video that is termed the "Tendon or Muscle Changing" and "Marrow Washing" is not really similar to what we were taught. In each sitting session, a different hand set is taught, with static hand postures, taoist mudra, and also instructions on where to place the Mind-Will, and how to use the Mind-Will. It seems each set is working on opening a different meridian pair, and when it is all put together in the daily sessions, it brings about very quick internal growth and change. Later the Jing is brought into play, and transformed into Qi. I personally also think there is a lot of transmission going on, but the instructor never mentions such things, nor makes any claims. For me, the most suprising thing I have observed in other students and myself is the general common experience of the students "entering" the "inner realm" by about day 10 - 12, and viewing such things as the Mysterious Pass, and other sites that lie in the Realm of Non-Existense. Also many people have come and gained cures form such things as AIDS, Stage 4 Cancer, Tumors, and other such chronic disease after taking part in the 14 - 20 day intensive training course. In short, I think if you are really learning an authentic lineage Taoist art, the transformations and openings should begin from day 1 - generally - It should not take a student 6 months - 3 years before they begin to feel something....... Feelings and experiences should be obvious and clear. It is very real, concrete, and obvious. The whole practice stems on the first steps of gaining internal quiet and stillness. It is nothing to do with visualization or imagination methods.

Mastery of money and being able to have independence in life due to the acquiring of money is one stage of our training and practice in these modern times. Look at how to gain the money, what work or projects you could do, and take the steps. You may be surprised at who you meet along the way, and what lessons and transformations take place. It took me many years to make a relationship with money, and learn my lessons about it. For me it helped to have a goal. Save the money to support an advanced practice program in the future. Use money as a tool to create independence and freedom from the confines of modern society. Do not let money use you.

I have heard stories from my elder Taoist brother that DaMo had a Taoist teacher when he came to China. Who knows for sure............ I would like to hear a legendary story on the subject though. I know my teacher seems to hold DaMo in high regards, yet has also spoken of him as if he was a Taoist Immortal or from the Taoist school. My teacher uses this method of Tendon Changing and Marrow Washing in the first stages of sitting practice to help open the channels, and cultivate the Qi in the Dantien. He has said that really the name should be looked at as such: Tendon Changing = opening meridian. Tendon is a metaphor for meridian. Marrow washing = to discipline and purify the heart. Marrow is a metaphor for heart. I think different schools may have different ideas, methods and meaning of terms. I was very surprised when I was trained in this method. After seven days of the training, all the channels were open in the body, and the Qi circulation was so strong and full that even coming into the training with 15 years of previous experience, I never could have imagined that Qi and Qi flow could feel like that. The transformation of the body, visual phenomenon, Qi sensation, and body sensation were unlike anything previously encountered, read about or heard about from others. Also after 15 years of intensive study in Pakua Zhang and Hsing Yi Chuan, it was the most intense and painful training I had ever undergone; from the standpoint of mental and physical hardship and related pain. Really if you train in depth with real Taoist methods, you may come to understand that you have approached life and training with a very limited imagination. What is the reality, and what you imagine may be very far apart from each other and unrelated.

I agree........ Find yourself a living teacher and guide. Sitting is simple. The ancient term used in many Taoism books is - Sitting in Forgetfulness - Tells you a lot just there....... The main aspect for sitting is to still the mind, as you said, if you sit, your mind screams after 15 min. Here is one point of view on how to begin the practice from my tradition. There are many other views from other qualified schools and traditions also. Seat yourself in the posture like the many Buddha statues. ---the legs crossed and the fingers of two hands interlocked, let the tongue touch the roof of the mouth, teeth lightly touching, breathing gently and softly in and out of the nose --- Compose your heart and purge it of all disorderly thoughts. Then gently settle your Mind-Will in the Lower Elixir Field. The Lower Elixir Field or the Lower Dantian (Tan Tien) is located in the empty space below the navel in the middle place between the kidney and navel -- a sphere of around 3.8 cm. Let the internal vision gaze upon that place; looking yet not looking. That is to say, persistently rest your mind in this vague space, with no time spent on pondering over other things. Here is a video from the Indian Tradition on How to Meditate - it has some good basic teachings and views - ~ ~ ~ How to Meditate / Complete Version ~

Some things I have been enjoying, while doing some exploration into the Tibet Traditions.......... I am really thinking there is some connections between Taoism and the Traditions of Tibet...... ~ Yogis of Tibet ~ ~ Yogis of Tibet 2 ~ ~ Yogis of Tibet 3 ~ ~ Yogis of Tibet 4 ~ ~ Yogis of Tibet 5 ~ ~ Yogis of Tibet 6 ~ ~ Yogis of Tibet 7 ~ This is short, but has some really wonderful scenes, and great commentary with brief philosophical explanation...... ~ Tibet Yoga Masters 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A friend of mine put togethert this slideshow of Wudang, and it includes a few various photos I took over the years....... ~ ~

I have a good friend who is a student of Wang Liping. Wang Liping teaches every summer on Hainan Island. It is a public workshop open to everyone. It is the traditional Nei Dan Internal Alchemy Training and Qigong that he teaches. A very large workbook is offered with diagrams, and instructions from the lectures. I think it is in July or August this year; not sure as I forgot the recent conversation. - Hainan Island Link - I remember it being held in this Taoism area - theme park - but again, not 100% sure, as we were just having tea and talking and he was showing me pictures of him and Wang Liping together, and the workshop handbook with the lecture contents...... - Hainan Wenbi Mountain Daoism Park - Address and phone of Wenbi Park: 联系地址：海南省定安县龙湖镇丁湖路口 联系电话：0898-66288075(海口) 0898-63733318(定安) 传真：0898-66288065(海口) 0898-63733263(定安) Most likely you would be able to contact them to ask about any workshops to track down the teachings you seek. There are many teachers of high level in Taoist Internal Alchemy and other traditions out there teaching small groups, and spreading their teachings in an open way for an affordable price and or a donation from the student. I heard from my friend - a Taoist Priest - Wang Liping never asked him for any money for his lessons and workshop; but maybe this is because he is a monk and has almost no money. I think prices for workshops and teachings should have some common ground, and not be abnormally high. I know of one teacher who used to hold Alchemy workshops in China for small groups. Generally his price was very affordable, and he even let students pay a lower price if they could not aford it. In the end, it seems the teachings should matter first, and spreading the proper method of practice to the students - the money and tuition fee should not be the most important factor. I think students should research many different teachers and options if possible, before choosing one to follow or make a large investment in. It has been my experience that many of the real great teachers are not known in the public light, do not have books written about them, and just teach a small group of students whom they meet by chance naturally. If you want to try a free method of Taoist practice that can help you to open the channels, and build the dantian, please click the link below. - How to Practice -

Hi guys. I am not versed in many of these terms at all, and most of my experience is with Taoist Internal alchemy. If you have any time, would you explain some of these terms and concepts to me, and any others that are related? ~ Rainbow Body ~ Maha Samadhi ~ Phowa transference ~ Any other related terms or concepts you wish to share....... Thanks. I am interested to view the internal process known and practiced in this tradition, and see the related links and or similarity to the tradition I am learning. Thank you for sharing. Sincerely.........

To really make gains, one must have a teacher in the begining. This is a fact. Teachers can take many forms though........ So instead of feeling that if you are without an in the flesh teacher giving you face to face lessons, you can make no gain or progress....... Begin right now to cultivate Tao..... It has been my personal experience that if we lay some foundation through self practice, and cultivate a heart of purity and sincerity, magical things can take place, and teachers will present themselves to help guide the student. In the begining some trust and faith are needed. Trust yourself, your inner self...... Have faith in nature and Tao............ How to get started on the path of Tao and internal cultivation......... 1. Work on your diet. Eat very clean and simple foods. Mostly of a vegetarian nature, no spice, no artificial things, no drugs and alchohol. If needed a little fish and chicken is fine from time to time. 2. Drink boiled water and hot drinks, do not drink iced drinks and cold water. 3. Regulate your sex life. Do not watch sex movies and magazines. Be naturally celebate, or have healthy sex once every 9 - 15 days. 4. Develop a very simple life, and do not be too busy. Limit strong emotional changes and reactions. 5. Practice sitting daily. Best is once in the morning and once in the evening if possible. Gaining stillness and emptiness is the starting point in any system of Tao.... - Heart Mind Fasting Meditation - - How to Practice - - Taoism Theory - Cleanse the Heart of All Desires and Passions Disciplining the Heart --- much akin to preaching devotion and devoutness as do many schools of religions --- is the process critical to the successful pursuit of Tao. The heart, we all know, is accustomed to yielding to the reckless actions of multifarious thoughts. So the process to rid oneself of stray thoughts, should proceed step by step, and the idea of rooting out all stray thoughts in an instant should be dropped. Seat yourself in the posture like the many Buddha statues. ---the legs crossed and the fingers of two hands interlocked, let the tongue touch the roof of the mouth, teeth lightly touching, breathing gently and softly in and out of the nose --- Compose your heart and purge it of all disorderly thoughts. Then gently settle your Mind-Will in the Lower Elixir Field. The Lower Elixir Field or the Lower Dantian (Tan Tien) is located in the empty space below the navel in the middle place between the kidney and navel -- a sphere of around 3.8 cm. Let the internal vision gaze upon that place; looking yet not looking. That is to say, persistently rest your mind in this vague space, with no time spent on pondering over other things. This is a gradual process. You should be patient with its dullness at the beginning. Only with both patience and persistence will you succeed. After an appropriate length of time when your Heart has assumed equanimity, it is the time for you to pay attention to inhaling and exhaling. Knowing where the Lower Elixir Field is but not putting your full attention there merits the great reward. It is like gazing over it, yet no gazing; it is a paradox. Perhaps we can think of it much like the sun gazes and shines over the plants and flowers, and the plants and flowers naturally reach up to receive the light and gaze of the sun........ Yet there is no forcefulness of the sun and it has no idea or intention to take such action...... We should gaze over the Lower Elixir Field in this manner in the first stages.....

This is a wonderful question, and a great topic. I also am sorry, but I do not have the experience to really comment on it....... It seems that from most research I have seen and from my personal experience, intensive meditation seems to be involved. One thing that has always stuck with me is the Tibet Tradition reference to a "Rainbow Body", and then during lectures with my guide in Taoist Alchemy and how he spoke of in the final stages, the body turns into "dust like" particals and there is a "Body of Light", and how this light expands out into the infinite emptiness....... then back..... gaining one with tao....... I do not know much of the Tibet tradition and the Rainbow Body, but it seems to also be a reference to gaining liberation. I personally have wondered these days about one simple point: 1. Is liberation something all people can gain in this lifetime through practice or.... 2. Is liberation something that is only an option for a select few who have the proper karmic conditions, and have done much leg work in previous lives to embody the proper attributes in this life to gain liberation (through practice of a proper method). From lectures with my guide, it seems that in speaking of "becoming an immortal" - (which is liberation from the Taoist perspective)...... "Every 6 - 9 generations there will be 1 - 3 beings on the Earth who will have the proper attributes to gain Immortality. Yet even those will have to take the basic first steps with a teacher, receive some instruction, and then practice on their own to gain the liberation and immortal status." It also has come to my attention that in order to gain certain experiences and levels, one must leave society. I personally am finding that while living in society, and having obligations with work and people, that there will only be a certain amount of time each day you can practice seriously. This in the end will lead to a limitation to the states you gain. Simply put you can not have work and responsibility, and suddenly slip off into the emptiness for 3 or more days..... Yet we can not have tempering of the heart, and learn to overcome our negative emotions and desires without having much interations in society. I am starting to see that it is a question of balance and timing. Liberation....... Transendance........ Immortality......... I think it is a fine pursuit to dedicate ones life to..........

Generally I think a lot of planning has to go in to do this properly. I also think money is the most important factor to consider. This is just a reality of our modern times. With money you may buy a piece of land, build a proper house, and have money to buy the needed suplies and food for the long term practice. You may also be able to make the house in some manner that has the basic comforts, so there is not a lot of worry in daily living. It is also important from my study to not go off too soon. First you should learn from living in the secular world, and cultivate in society. After making some progress in cultivation, and learning to feel peaceful and in harmony with society, deal with your desires and attachments, then it is a fine time to go off alone, or with a practice partner to cultivate in isolation. So work on cultivation and self mastery while in society, and at the same time save money for the future expense of the retreat practice. Perhaps another very important thing to consider is the gaining of a proper or true method of practice. Without knowing how to practice for the long term, and what dangers to avoid; some trouble could arise. I think it is fine to cultivate without a teacher if you have already spent enough time with a teacher to gain an intermediate level, and a good understanding of all the practice methods, theory, and how to avoid trouble in the practice. There are also internal teachrs that will arrive on the scene at a certain stage. It is viewed in Taoism theory to have one or two practice partners or companions with you is also a good idea. This serves a few purposes. You can support each other over the long term with any sickness, emotional trouble, or doubt that may arise. So it is something to consider to get a partner, and go off together for a retreat. In the old days there was also a practice of the 3 year retreat in Taoism. The student would go into the room for 3 years and not come out. The teacher and companions would visit to take out waste, or bring foods, but the room design was a special door that has only the bottom half to open so the student would not view any faces or body, just pass the waste and receive the food in this way. This was to be done for 3 years. In the old days, this was a precondition for being considered a teacher or having some ranking. I do not think many take part in such retreat training now, and as we can see, many freely term themselves, "Taoist Teachers" now. I hope to take part in isolated retreat training for the long term in the near future.

I am now waiting in the Gokurakuji Valley in Japan on another Visa document........ Here is some info on the Valley where I have a house and stay - Gokurakuji Pictures - Later I plan to visit this nearby temple which is said to be the first Zen training monestary founded in Japan - Kenchoji Photos - They have changed a lot of the rules in China for visa application and renewal due to the upcoming Olympic Games, so this time I have to apply outside of China. So waiting again, and able to get online....... Nice though, as it is a valley with green hills, bamboo, and many temples related to Zen and also Shingon Esoteric Buddhism...... Very peaceful feeling here..... I am thinking to stay a little longer, and go and visit the sacred mountain - Koya San - before returning to China. Also plan to visit a natural volcanic hot spring in Hakone or Izu - Onsen - Then just found out about a very sacred area and temple in Nara that will have a special ceremony during this time that takes place only once every 60 years - Nara Area and Temples - - Nara Buddhist Monk - Might as well make the most of this trip outside of China to get a new visa. Thank you for ordering our book, it was my first experience to work on and edit and compile such a work, and looking at it now, there are many mistakes. We have even talked on making a second edition, with the aim for an advanced student or serious student of tao; include more concepts and practical teachings on meditation and pursuing Tao. We have now finished half of the Chuang Tzu with commentary; such an amazing work. If there are any terms or concepts that you like or wish to discuss from the book, feel free to post or email me, and If possible, I am happy to talk on it. I also think it helps in understanding the book by taking part in silent sitting and or Alchemy practice while engaged in reading the work. Good luck in your exploration of Tao, and Gaining Union with Tao. If I have some free time, I will post some pictures of this Japan adventure........ With my best.

Cleanse the Heart of All Desires and Passions Disciplining the Heart --- much akin to preaching devotion and devoutness as do many schools of religions --- is the process critical to the successful pursuit of Tao. The heart, we all know, is accustomed to yielding to the reckless actions of multifarious thoughts. So the process to rid oneself of stray thoughts, should proceed step by step, and the idea of rooting out all stray thoughts in an instant should be dropped. Seat yourself in the posture like the many Buddha statues. ---the legs crossed and the fingers of two hands interlocked, let the tongue touch the roof of the mouth, teeth lightly touching, breathing gently and softly in and out of the nose --- Compose your heart and purge it of all disorderly thoughts. Then gently settle your Mind-Will in the Lower Elixir Field. The Lower Elixir Field or the Lower Dantian (Tan Tien) is located in the empty space below the navel in the middle place between the kidney and navel -- a sphere of around 3.8 cm. Let the internal vision gaze upon that place; looking yet not looking. That is to say, persistently rest your mind in this vague space, with no time spent on pondering over other things. This is a gradual process. You should be patient with its dullness at the beginning. Only with both patience and persistence will you succeed. After an appropriate length of time when your Heart has assumed equanimity, it is the time for you to pay attention to inhaling and exhaling. Knowing where the Lower Elixir Field is but not putting your full attention there merits the great reward. Yet, settling the Mind-Will elsewhere is bound to bring about a great mistake. In brief, you should transform the heart from Existence to Nonexistence in your mind, and empty and expand the Mind Realm to be more spacious and quiescent till all seems to have passed away. To be free from any ideas and thoughts for a long time can bring about the state of No Dreams whatsoever emerging in your sleep; which indicates that the Congenital Mind-Will or Shen is in the process of coming on the scene. If the heart is not disciplined enough, the Congenital Mind-Will or Shen shall always be unsettled and the Psychical Rays shall flicker continuously. Similarly, if the stray thoughts have not been given up thoroughly, the passions will always be in the growth phase and the Life Force will still be subject to all temptations. Only with your Mind-Will settling gently in the Lower Elixir Field, yet touching nothing at all, can the Heart become purer and purer. To cleanse the heart of its addiction to stray thoughts, there exists another measure Sitting in Forgetfulness, which is advocated by Lao Tzi and Zhuang Tzi. At the beginning, settle the Mind-Will in the Lower Elixir Field --- which was always compared by ancient men to the process of pouring fire into water, as the heart occupies the position of the Brightness Hexagram with the nature of the fire element while the kidney the position of the Dangerous Pit Hexagram with the nature of the water element. For a long time in this state a whiff of Yang Vita-Vapor will appear after "interaction" between the water and the fire. Assume the Buddha-sitting posture, with the chest slightly drawn in and the back or the spine moderately upright, the head elevated so that the two eyes can see levelly forward, the shoulders relaxed, both eyes slightly closed and the tongue tip leisurely raised against the hard palate, you can regulate the acquired respiration by the way of slowing the rate of breathing to such an extent that you can feel nothing at all coming in or going out. Certainly, this stage can be reached only through the long-term training. The above-mentioned preparations, you know, should be carried out moderately lest some overdoing should bring about constraints and uneasiness. The proper attitude should be to deal with them naturally and moderately and there should be no exertion in excess and no efforts in deficiency. Generally speaking, the Heart operates in a constant style of permanently diffusing all sorts of ideas and thoughts and intentions --- speeding outwardly, in a word. However, in Disciplining Heart the operation fashion is utterly contrary to that of daily thinking, that is to say, reduce itself to Inward Stillness and Emptiness. Reposing the Mind-Will gently in the region of the Lower Elixir Field and setting your eyes down inwardly upon the same region. Little by little slowing the breathing, you can perceive some minute changes have taken place in the region of the Lower Elixir Field as the time passes away --- initially, it is a black and opaque space, afterwards a slight light begins to flicker, then the darkness fades away by degrees and brightness fills up the space. After a period you can obtain the feeling that there seems to be a wave of warm Qi, which is slowly diffusing and then, of its own accord, it begins to be circling round the Lower Elixir Field. This is the time of the initial sprouting of the Yang Qi, and also of the Existence Arising from Nonexistence. So in a persistent way you rest your Mind in the Lower Elixir Field, the breathing slowly begins to die out --- which in a way, resembles the quiet state of a tortoise or the winter sleep of a frog. Of course, the Mind-Will should perch upon nothing, nor should one free them utterly to their own freedom --- which means that the Mind-Will seems to exist yet meanwhile to pass away. So with the flight of time the Mind-Will and the breathing will be more familiar with each other and later afterwards they begin to attach to each other, becoming one in a State of Unification of Heart-Mind and Breathing, and at last the Mysterious Pass begins to present itself. - Combination of the Heart Mind and Breathing / Heart Mind Fasting - ~ Above taken from Eternal Way by Wayfarer Will to Learn Emptiness ~

It was mentioned earlier that the great unification split into yin and yang. According to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, "reversal is the movement of the Tao." Both in the sphere of nature and human affairs, when the development of anything brings it to one extreme, a reversal to the other extreme takes place. Everything has its own negation. This is the principle of the Yin and Yang interaction in nature and human affairs. This concept is also associated with the Book of Changes (I Ching): "When the sun has reached its meridian, it declines and when the moon has become full, it wanes." The I Ching also says "Reversal is the way of the Tao." What is true with natural phenomena is also true in human nature. Yin and Yang were created due to the observation of instability in nature. Yin and Yang exist for the stability of nature. For example, in the vacuum near an unstable nucleus, a Yin and Yang pair (electron -positron) was created to render stability to the area. A stable atom exists mainly due to the presence of positive protons and negative electrons. Proper balance and harmony can be maintained by an intermingling of the Yin and Yang, the moon and the sun, the Earth and the Heaven, and the transformation of all things will proceed smoothly. There is an interplay and exchange between the male and female and all things will be produced. The Yang gives the beginning and the Yin completes it. The Yin and Yang concept is very simple. Yet it is quite difficult to understand it in a deep manner.　The concept is derived from the experiences gained by practitioners engaged in the pursuit of Union with Tao. The Yin and Yang interactions that occur in our daily life lie within the logic of our common sense. The successful practice of Yin and Yang in life leads to a great state of harmony. This is the basis of good health and as such is maintained by the Qi, which is both physical and moral. The concept of Yin and Yang is thus the cornerstone of dialectics in Chinese philosophy and Taoism The movement of Tao gives rise to Qi. The spontaneity of Qi gives rise to the interactions of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are the opposite expressions of the same reality. Mass and energy are the opposite expressions of the same Qi. Qi is the mass and Qi is the energy, yet Qi is also the transforming force between mass and energy. Energy is represented by Yang and mass by Yin. Yin and Yang are different and opposite; they undergo movement and transformation in the Infinite Emptiness. The union of Yin and Yang becomes harmony. This union of harmony is possible because they are opposite. It is because they are opposite that interactions take place. This is the source of interactions. The Yin and Yang concept is applied to all opposites in the universe, to substance and to motion. For motion and stillness also are intrinsic with Yin and Yang. Thus the Infinite Emptiness is the field; Qi resting is the mass - Yin; Qi in motion is the energy, Yang; and the Qi both resting and in motion is the transforming force. According to Lao Tzu, all things carry Yin and Yang, through the impact of the Qi, harmony is accomplished.

From the traditional Taoist scripture titled "The Serenity and Tranquility Canon" there carries a message which reads as follows: "Tao is formless, but it gives birth to Heaven and Earth; Tao is merciless and gentle, but charges and empowers the movements of the Sun and the Moon; Tao is nameless and without form, but always nourishes all of the myriad things in the Universe. We really don't know what name we should give it, being so grand, we are forced to call it Tao." By Lao Tzi's description, Tao does exists before the division of Yin and Yang, and serves as the original source of the entire Universe, the very beginning of Heaven and Earth, the root of all myriad things, and the pivot of all transformation and change in the Universe. Tao is free of any form, appearance, shape or something that could stand for it. Tao carries no color or smell, exists everywhere, and is always in a complete and constant state. It is so grand it fills up the entire universe. It does not decline or increase but exists forever. Being formless it cannot be named, but really exists as an entity. For people's convenience to recognize, distinguish and master the essentials of it, the name of Tao came into being. ~ From, "Revealing the Tao Te Ching"