Hello everybody, I have red recently the english version by Stephen Michel, first published by Harper Perennial in 1991: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.The name that can be name is not the eternal Name. The unnamable is the eternally real. Naming is the origin of all particular things. Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations. Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This source is called darkness. darkness within darkness. the gateway to all understanding." Here are three commentaries by Stephen Mitchel: "you realize the mystery": Infinitely marvelous, yet as ordinary as sunlight. Impossible to know, yet as easy as touching your nose when you wash your face. "This source is called darkness": Because none of our senses can perceive it. It is also called "light", because the less we obstruct it, the more radiant we are. "The gateway of all understanding": In order to understand, we have to remain in the darkness of not-knowing. Thank you for this discussion !

1. The First English Translation: John Chalmers (1868) The honor of the first published English translation goes to Scottish Protestant missionary John Chalmers. His 1868 work, The Speculations on Metaphysics, Polity, and Morality of the “Old Philosopher” Lau-tsze, relied heavily on early French translations. Chalmers' Chapter 1: "The Taou (Path) which can be spoken of is not the eternal Taou; the name which can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless (Being) is the origin of heaven and earth; the nameable (Being) is the mother of all things. He who is without desire sees the spiritual excellence (of Taou); and he who is always desiring sees only the bounds (of things). These two are the same in nature, but different in name. In their sameness they are called a mystery; a mystery of mysteries, the gate of all spirituality."

These three are the oldest english translations :) I think it is interesting how they tried to interpret it.

3. The Theosophical/Occult Lens: Walter Gorn Old (1904) Translators at the turn of the 20th century, like Walter Gorn Old, were heavily influenced by Western spiritualism and the Theosophical movement. They often translated "Tao" as "The Infinite" or "God." Gorn Old's Chapter 1: "The Tao which can be expressioned is not the eternal Tao; the name which can be named is not the immutable name. Non-existence is called the antecedent of heaven and earth; Existence is called the mother of all things. From eternal non-existence, therefore, we look to see the spiritual essence of things; from eternal existence we look to see the bounds of things. These two spring from the same source and differ only in name. This sameness is called the Mystery, the Mystery of Mysteries, the Door of all Spirituality."

2. The Definitive Victorian Version: James Legge (1891) Renowned sinologist James Legge included his translation in Oxford's famous Sacred Books of the East series. His version became the academic baseline for the West for nearly a century. Legge's Chapter 1: "The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth; (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things. Always without desire we must be found, if its deep mystery we would sound; but if desire always within us be, its outer fringe is all that we shall see. Under these two aspects, it is really the same; but as development takes place, it receives the different names. Together we call them the Mystery. Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful."

Let me begin. The Way that becomes A way... is not the immortal WAY. This tells us something very important. The moment we use the human rationality ... to try understand the ultimate... The origin and source of existence... We loose something. Our narrow human thought and views cannot grasp the reality of The TAO.... the WAY... which is immortal. So this speaks to me about one thing... Non judgement... This leads us as human kind to not try to force each others ideas on each other... because the way we describe.. is not the immortal way.... Its a response to the WAY... for sure... But doesnt address the absolute TRUTH ... Therefore we should not hurt each other... by judging... because if i do not know THE WAY.. however i follow A WAY... i can share the "A WAY:" yes but never be imposing. Always be accepting of others ... We are all living in existance in THE WAY... we cannot escape that... But we all see A WAY... in our own views. Be kind ... be accepting ... And have our spirits looking towards THE WAY... Together we all walk A WAY... towards THE WAY. Blessings