This chapter speaks of the primordial, formless source of all existence—the Tao—which is silent, independent, cyclical, and the origin of everything. It describes the hierarchy of the four greats: Tao, heaven, earth, and ruler, emphasizing that all follow the natural way.
Key Concepts
Tao
大
自然
四大
Cite This Chapter
Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 25, "A Formless Wholeness", laotzu.ai: https://www.laotzu.ai/tr/chapters/25/
Classical Chinese, translation, and AI reflection are shown separately; cite this chapter URL for references.
There is a formless wholeness, born before heaven and earth. Silent and vast, it stands alone and unchanging, moving in cycles without weariness. It may be the mother of all things. I do not know its name; I call it the Tao. Forced to name it, I call it Great. Greatness means passing on, passing on means reaching far, reaching far means returning. Thus the Tao is great, heaven is great, earth is great, and the ruler is also great. Within the realm, there are four great ones, and the ruler is one of them. Humans follow earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows what is natural.
Derin tefekkur
Bu bölüm ne hakkında?
This chapter speaks of the primordial, formless source of all existence—the Tao—which is silent, independent, cyclical, and the origin of everything. It describes the hierarchy of the four greats: Tao, heaven, earth, and ruler, emphasizing that all follow the natural way.
Bunun benimle ne ilgisi var?
This reminds me that beneath all my busyness and desires, there is a deeper, still essence that connects me to the universe. I am not separate from this natural flow; my life is part of a greater cycle of arising, passing, and returning.
Bugün ne yapmalıyım?
Today, I will sit quietly for five minutes, breathing deeply, and reflect on the phrase 'the Tao follows what is natural.' I will let go of one need to control and simply observe the world as it is.
There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth. How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.
AI Modern
There is a formless wholeness, born before heaven and earth. Silent and vast, it stands alone and unchanging, moving in cycles without weariness. It may be the mother of all things. I do not know its name; I call it the Tao. Forced to name it, I call it Great. Greatness means passing on, passing on means reaching far, reaching far means returning. Thus the Tao is great, heaven is great, earth is great, and the ruler is also great. Within the realm, there are four great ones, and the ruler is one of them. Humans follow earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows what is natural.
Tefekkurum
Bu bolum size ne ilham veriyor? Nasil uygulayacaksiniz?
