Classical Text 古典文獻 · Dao De Jing 道德經
Chapter 1 — The Nameless Source
体道
Part I — The Dao 上篇·道經
Original Verse
原文
道可道，常道。
名可名，常名。
無名天地之始；
有名萬物之母。
故常無，欲以观其妙；
常有，欲以观其御。
此两者，同出而异名，
同谓之玄。
玄之又玄，
众妙之门。
English Translation
英譯
The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao;
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth;
The named is the mother of the ten thousand things.
Therefore, always be without desire to observe its mysteries;
Always be with desire to observe its manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
Together they are called the Mystery.
Mystery upon mystery—the gateway to all wonders.
Key Concepts
核心概念
- Dào (道)
- The Way — the ultimate, inexpressible principle of the universe.
- Wú (無) / Yóu (有)
- Non-being and Being — the two states of the Dao from which creation arises.
- Xuán (玄)
- Mystery or Profundity — the deep, dark source of spiritual knowledge.
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教注疏
In the Liuren (六壽) tradition, the "Nameless" Dao is the primordial source of all Fa (法) or magical power. While we invoke specific names like the Liuren Immortal Master (六壽仙師) or Jiutian Xuannu (九天玄女), we understand these are "Named" emanations of the "Nameless" source.
The practitioner oscillates between Wu (Non-being) and You (Being). In meditation, one enters a state of Wu to observe the Miao (妙)—the subtle, internal workings of spiritual energy. In ritual action, one employs You (intent and name) to observe the Jiao (御)—the external manifestations and results of the magic.
Understanding that "names are not the eternal names" prevents the practitioner from becoming dogmatically attached to specific ritual forms, recognizing them as tools to access the formless Dao.
Complete Dao De Jing Explanation
Source: Dao De Jing (道德經), Chapter 1