When humans understand Tao, we understand the Tao within ourselves, not the true Tao. Tao doesn't belong to any one or any place; Tao is natural. It doesn't matter where you go, it will always be there. No one can claim ownership of it.
When you study the Tao Te Ching, you have to use your heart to try to imagine what Tao really is.
Tao is so important because it is connected to all the life forms - it's related to the whole universe. Nobody can say, "Tao has nothing to do with me. Why should I try to understand it?" because actually, Tao has everything to do with us.
If you cannot observe it, then you must meditate, contemplate and imagine it. It is wondrous that if you contemplate long enough, then eventually you will see it. When you are able to see something that cannot really be seen - that is wondrous.
The only reason we try to have no thought is to understand the universe, but how often do you want to understand the universe in your everyday life? The majority of the time you are dealing with your everyday life, so be careful not to go to the extreme.
We need to transcend our thoughts and desires to truly understand philosophy and the universe as a whole. However, in our everyday life, we deal with the micro universe and with our own affairs. Therefore we need to use our brain. To practice Tao is not to rid yourself of all thoughts. There are actually more occasions when you would use your true intention instead of non-desire.
Tao can be used by anybody, but it does not beling to anyone. It is just like air; everyone can breathe the air, but no one can claim ownership of the air.
The true "Way" cannot be used to look into the heart of another, and can only be appreciated and found on one's own. What others say is but "oral Zen" - Zen not practiced but simply preached or talked about.
Once you open your heart, you will start to absorb many things that come from the source - from Tao itself.
No words, phrases, or sentences are capable of describing or naming the Way, because once it is named, it is a false name and has to be eliminated. Once it is eliminated, only emptiness is left. When the false is abandoned, the true emerges.
In our lives, when we do not create something out of total honesty, it cannot last long.
Anything created with fake intention or pretense cannot last long.
