taotechingcontemplation.com

About Tao

The author, Sue Dunham, has written posts for each verse of the Tao Te Ching. Each has come from contemplation of the meaning of different translations. My favourite translations and commentaries are listed under Resources.

A weathered bamboo scroll gently unrolled on a dark, matte stone table, its delicate rice paper brushed with elegant, flowing Chinese characters from the Tao Te Ching in deep black ink. A small, smooth river stone rests near the top edge as a simple weight. Soft morning light from an unseen window grazes the surface, creating subtle highlights on the ink strokes and gentle shadows along the scroll’s curled edges. In the blurred background, a single ceramic tea bowl and an ink brush rest, out of focus. Photographic realism, shot at eye level with shallow depth of field, composed with the scroll along the rule of thirds. The atmosphere is contemplative, refined, and serene, evoking ancient wisdom meeting modern minimalism.
An open, cloth-bound edition of the Tao Te Ching in simplified Chinese and English, resting on a low, natural wood bench beside a floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, a misty mountain landscape fades into soft focus through the glass, with faint silhouettes of pine trees. Diffused overcast daylight bathes the scene in cool, gentle tones, creating a calm, even illumination without harsh shadows. A single dry leaf lies between the pages as a bookmark. Photographic realism, captured from a slightly elevated three-quarter angle, with the book in sharp focus and the landscape softly blurred. The composition is minimalist and sophisticated, conveying quiet reflection and timeless philosophical depth.

Ancient Wisdom, Living Now

I have aimed to give you a personal explanation of each verse. To work with the esoteric nature of the translations, I have noticed what does seem clear and then allowed time and space for the mist to lift from the rest. I believe that this is part of being a student of the Tao Te Ching: to develop the capacity to be with subtle messages, perhaps recognising the enigma of life. This can help us live in a world where it can seem that everything is in grasp of the conscious mind. It is perhaps the most important insight of the Tao Te Ching.