non-being

  • How the Whole Way Shattered into a Hundred Schools

    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Tian Xia, an early pre‑Qin philosophical survey, assesses major schools including Mohism, Lao‑Dan’s Daoism and Hui Shi’s sophism. It laments how the complete ancient Way fragmented into partial one‑sided doctrines.

  • Chapter 22. Knowledge Wanders North (Zhi Bei You)

    This Zhuangzi ‑ Zhi Bei You chapter explores the ineffable Dao via allegories. It argues true Dao cannot be grasped by intellect or words, discussing universal Qi, life‑death transformation and famous idiom‑generating episodes.

  • Chapter 12. Heaven and Earth (Tian Di)

    Heaven and Earth (Tian Di) is Chapter 12 of the Outer Chapters of Zhuangzi. This wide‑ranging text discusses cosmic order, ideal governance, human nature, tools, desire and the danger of over‑civilization.

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 1

    The ‘Dao’ (or ‘Tao’) is the core of the Dao De Jing (or Tao Te Ching). The entire text, composed of roughly five thousand Chinese characters, is dedicated to explaining this ‘Dao.’ Yet, Laozi laments from the very beginning that the ‘Dao’ cannot be clearly defined. It is akin to truth or reality—no definitive…