Taoism is not a religion, nor is it a philosophy. Rather, it is a
"way” of life or “path” of nature.  The Tao is the natural order of
things. It is the origin of all creation and a force that flows
through every living, physical or sentient being, as well as through
the entire universe. Taoism can also be called "the other way," It has
coexisted alongside other formal philosophies and religions for
thousands of years with little or no conflict.  In fact, when Buddhism
was banned in parts of China, some of their membership merely started
calling themselves Taoists and the Government left them alone.

The Tao that can be talked about is not the true “Tao”.  Tao cannot be
represented as a particular entity, thing or image.  The Tao can be
transmitted but it cannot be received. Tao is not directly
translatable to “God”. Any word which we can define is not “the” Tao.
The concept of a personified deity is foreign to a Taoist, as is the
concept of the creation of the universe. Time is cyclical, not linear
as in Western thinking. Tao is unknowable in “essence” but observable
in “manifestations”.  The Tao belongs neither to knowing or not
knowing. It is paradoxically “nothing”, yet it is “in everything”.  It
is the “NoThing that surrounds everything and gives “Things” form.
How can it be described?  "Thirty spokes on a cart wheel go towards
the hub that is the center — but look, there is nothing at the center,
and that is precisely how it works!"  Tao is explained as being the
“nothing” within all things. The Tao does nothing — yet nothing is
left undone.

Translated literally Tao means "stillness and movement".  However this
is just the virtual Tao which is itself a paradox.  Everything is
explained as being full of contradiction — for life there is death,
for happiness there is sorrow; when one exists its opposite also
exists — the Tao encompasses the contradictions and at the same time
supersedes them. Opposite and contradictory aspects (yin/yang) are
present in all things.

The Tao, in the broadest sense, is the “way” the universe functions,
or the “path” taken by natural events. Tao is the first-cause of the
universe as opposed to the creator of it. It is characterized by
spontaneous creativity and by repetitious cyclical alternations of
phenomena (such as day following night) that proceed without effort.
Effortless action (wu wei) may be illustrated by the conduct of water,
which unresistingly accepts the lowest level and yet wears away the
hardest substance. As the Tao operates without prejudice in the
universe, so should mankind disavow assertive, biased or purposive
action. The Taoist life is not, however, a life of total inactivity.
It is rather a life of unbiased action (wu-wei).
Much of the essence of Tao is in the art of “wu wei” (action through
inaction). Non-forceful, going with the grain or flexing with the
wind. This does not mean, "sit on your ass and wait for everything to
fall into your lap." What it really means is a practice of minimal
harmonious action. It is the practice of going against the stream not
by struggling but by standing still and letting the stream carry you
forward.  Water nourishes everything yet strives at nothing.

Taoism is based on the recognition that the reality as perceived is
included within but not comprehensive of the Tao (a tree is not made
of wood, a tree is wood).  So long as there is a notion of ourselves
as something different from the Tao, all kinds of tensions build up
between “self” on the one hand and real world “experiences” on the
other. Cultures which limit the definition of self to the facility of
consciousness, attribute unconscious workings to an external God. To
label the Tao as an unconscious energy is as much off the point as to
conceive of it as a personal ruler, such as God.  Tao often goes
unnoticed because the true Tao wishes to remain anonymous.

Stated positively: Tao is a life expressing the "self-so" (essence of
spontaneity). This allows self to manifest the simple, reduce
selfishness and have few desires. Each believer's goal is to become
one with the Tao. In realizing that you are one with the Tao, you
automatically “manifest” the power of Tao. However, power, as with
grace, is something which no one individual should lay claim to.  The
power lies outside the individual.
Tao people never try, they “do”.  To “do” means to provide the action
and let the Tao provide the results.  Tao people are detached from
judgment and do not waste time on self-criticism. Tao people never
struggle to be great, which is how true greatness is achieved.

Just as superior Taoists do not aim at the Tao, superior virtue is not
aimed at virtue. Superior virtue is not intentional virtue,
intentional virtue is considered to be inferior virtue.  Superior
virtue uses no force yet leaves nothing left undone. Inferior virtue
struggles by using force but leaves much left undone. When good deeds
are accomplished, we should not claim or point to them (humility).
Those who know they do not know are on the quickest road to wisdom.
Taoists believe that "people are compassionate by nature...left to
their own devices they will show this compassion without expecting a
reward." A Taoist is kind to other individuals; largely because such
an action tends to be reciprocated (what goes around comes around).
The ancient Taoists understood the “secret of art” and “the art of
living”. Living with Tao is like working with wood; one must never go
against the grain. To be skillful and creative, they had to have inner
spiritual concentration and put aside concern with external values,
such as monetary rewards, fame, and praise. The “Three Jewel Virtues”
to be sought are compassion, moderation and humility. Art, like life,
followed the creative path of nature, not the values of human
society.
They saw in Tao and nature the basis of a spiritual approach to
living.  Human beings, following the Tao, must refrain from all
striving and judgment. The Tao teaches us to take control of our lives
by facing our fears and surrendering our wants.  Tranquility in
disturbance leads to perfection. The ideal state of being is
simplicity and freedom from desire, comparable to that of an “innocent
child” or an “uncarved block”.