The spirit of the Tao never dies;
It is called the Mysterious Mother.
The gateway of the Mysterious Mother
Is the root of heaven and earth.
Everlasting existence,
Its function is limitless.
Translated by Chiyan Wang
Edited by Robert H. Smitheram
The Tao is timeless and eternal, unchanging before heaven and earth and throughout the present time. The mysterious mother is creative, nurturing, and receptive—qualities essential and powerful to the functioning of the universe. Taoist cultivators trust in the unlimited source of energy provided by the Tao and the boundless potential of life it offers. Furthermore, by trusting in our own pure essence to provide nurturing energy for others, we connect to this endless source.