What is Tao?

The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao;

The name that can be defined is not the enduring Name.

"Non-being" symbolizes the primordial chaos before heaven and earth took form;

"Being" represents the generative force that births all things. Therefore:

By abiding in desirelessness, one may perceive the Tao’s subtle mysteries;

By observing with intention, one may discern its manifest boundaries.

"Non-being" and "Being" share the same origin, differing only in name—

Together, they form the profound mystery.

Within mystery lies deeper mystery:

The gateway to all wonders.

Notes:

1. Tao vs. "Way": Retained "Tao" (道) as a proper noun to preserve its unique philosophical weight, avoiding reduction to "Way."

2. Non-being (无) & Being (有): Capitalized to signify their status as metaphysical concepts, distinct from ordinary usage.

3. Subtle Mysteries vs. Manifest Boundaries: Contrasts the ineffable ("妙") with the observable ("徼"), balancing abstraction and concreteness.

4. Profound Mystery (玄): "Profound" conveys depth, while "mystery" retains the enigmatic quality of "玄." Repetition ("mystery within mystery") mirrors the layered paradox of the original.

5. Rhythm & Structure: Line breaks and punctuation mirror the cadence of classical Chinese, creating a meditative flow in English.