What is the Tao?

Tao is the basic, eternal principle of the universe that transcends reality and is the source of being, non-being, and change. The unconditional and unknowable  guiding principle of all reality.  This absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of yin and yang and signifying the way, or code of behaviour, that is in harmony with the natural order. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu reminds us …”the One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know” in reference to the Tao, meaning that the Tao is unknowable hence no word(s) are capable of defining it and language actually distorts it.