The principle of “The Dao follows nature” is the core tenet of Taoism, as stated in Chapter 25 of the Tao Te Ching: “Man follows the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature.” Its essential meaning is that the operation and existence of the Dao follow its own inherent nature, and all things should abide by their own natural essence and laws rather than being forcibly interfered with by external forces.
I. The Core Connotation of “The Dao Follows Nature”
The original meaning of “natural”: not referring to “nature”, but “being as it is” Here, “natural” does not refer to the mountains, rivers, plants and other natural world as we understand it today, but rather the inherent state and spontaneous trend of things, that is, the way they are without external coercion or deliberate human modification. For the “Way”, it gives birth to all things in heaven and earth, but without will or purpose, it just operates “naturally”. For all things, “natural” is their own nature – birds fly, fish swim, trees grow, and this is their “natural” state.
The logical chain of the four-level emulation relationship in the “Tao Te Ching” – “Man follows the Earth, the Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows Nature” – is a set of progressive law-abiding relationships.
Human beings should imitate the earth: The earth supports all things and nourishes all living beings, yet remains silent. Humans should learn from the earth’s tolerance and composure, and follow the growth laws of the land to cultivate and live.
The earth imitates the sky: The sky has the sun, moon, stars, and the changing of the four seasons, with constant laws. The earth follows the sequence of the sky (spring growth, summer flourishing, autumn harvest, and winter storage) to operate.
The sky imitates the Dao: The order of the sky’s operation is essentially the manifestation of the Dao. The Dao is the origin of heaven and earth.
The Dao follows nature: This is the ultimate core – the Dao does not need to imitate any external things. Its essence is “nature”, being as it is and always has been.
The ultimate direction of this logic is that humans should follow the laws of the earth, sky, and Dao, and ultimately, follow the nature of “nature”.
II. Practical Manifestations of “The Dao Follows Nature”
On the political level: In line with the concept of “governance through non-action”, Taoism holds that rulers should govern the country by following the principle of “the law of nature” and should not impose their personal will through political orders.
Oppose harsh governance: Do not impose heavy taxes or strict laws, and do not force changes to the people’s way of life.
Follow the will of the people: Let the people live according to their nature, just as plants grow in accordance with the seasons. Only in this way can society be stable. The policy of recuperation and rest during the early Western Han Dynasty was precisely the implementation of this idea.
On the level of self-cultivation: conforming to one’s nature and purifying the mind to reduce desires. For an individual, “following the way of nature” means accepting one’s own nature, not forcing oneself and not going against one’s true self.
Let go of obsessions: Do not forcefully pursue fame and fortune beyond your capabilities, and do not distort yourself according to the standards of the mundane world.
Follow the natural laws of the body and mind: For instance, balance work and rest, avoid staying up late and damaging your health, and do not forcibly suppress your emotions. Keep your body and mind in a natural and peaceful state. This is also the foundation of Taoist health preservation thought.
In terms of dealing with the world, respecting the nature of all things means not only following one’s own nature but also respecting the natural state of others and all things – not imposing one’s will on others and not going against the laws of nature to transform things. For instance, not forcing others to live according to one’s own ideas and not overcutting trees to damage the ecology, these are all manifestations of “following the way of nature”.
III. The Connection between “The Dao Follows Nature” and Modern Society
The idea of “The Dao Follows Nature” can be transformed into the concepts of respecting laws and sustainable development in modern society.
Ecological aspect: Human production and life should conform to the laws of nature and not over-exploit natural resources, which is in line with the ecological view that “green mountains and clear waters are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver”.
Life aspect: Advocate a simple and peaceful lifestyle, abandon excessive desires and comparisons, and return to the essence of life.
