Chapter 25
The Great Oneness
Original
有物混成，先天地生。寂兮寥兮，独立不改，周行而不殆，可以为天下母。
吾不知其名，字之曰道，强为之名曰大。大曰逝，逝曰远，远曰反。
故道大，天大，地大，王亦大。域中有四大，而王居其一焉。
人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然。
吾不知其名，字之曰道，强为之名曰大。大曰逝，逝曰远，远曰反。
故道大，天大，地大，王亦大。域中有四大，而王居其一焉。
人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然。
Translation
There is a thing formed in chaos, born before heaven and earth. Silent and empty, it stands alone and unchanging, cycles without end, and can be the mother of all under heaven. I do not know its name, so I call it the Tao. Forced to name it, I call it Great. Great means flowing, flowing means far-reaching, far-reaching means returning. Thus the Tao is great, heaven is great, earth is great, and the king is also great. In the universe, there are four greats, and the king is one of them. Humans follow earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows what is natural.
Deep Reflection
What is this chapter about?
This chapter describes the Tao as the primordial source of all existence, transcendent yet immanent, and emphasizes the natural order of interconnected hierarchy where each level aligns with the next, culminating in the Tao's self-sovereignty.
How does it relate to me?
It reminds me to let go of control and trust the natural flow of life, recognizing that I am part of a larger whole, not its center.
What should I do today?
Today, before making a decision, I will pause and ask: 'What is the most natural, effortless action here?' I will trust that answer and move with the flow, not against it.
Related Chapters
My Reflection
What does this chapter inspire in you? How will you apply it?