Defining the Tao

Lao Tzu began Tao Te Ching by saying that 'Tao' cannot be defined and that any definition is incomplete.

Words cannot extend to reality.

This is a very logical statement. After all, you cannot eat the word 'bread'. Nor could another person share your experience of bread through words alone.

Reality is tangible. It has substance.

As soon as you try to capture reality verbally you fail. Words are too limited. Thoughts are incomplete.

Reality is far too vast. The word is not the thing.