A disconcerting aspect of Taoism is its very definition. Taoism begins by teaching a truth; “The Tao” is indefinable (Imparting the meaning of the Tao is as impossible as attempting to tell a story verbally to a deaf person. Although indefinable, the Tao is often referred to as “The Way.” Taoism is more than just a "philosophy." or "religion." Taoists believe that the Tao is nonverbal in its essence and that it is beyond the bounds of language. The Tao Te Ching was "as much a philosophical document as it was about good governance." .] of moral behavior,” as Stephen Mitchell writes in the introduction to his translation of the Tao Te Ching (Nwman). It was a mystifying Chinese religious text traditionally attributed to Lao Tzu; the Chinese philosopher also known as the “Old Master.” Tao Te Ching describes the Tao “as the totality of the universe, an absolute and pervasive principle of all things in the universe, as the paradox of opposites, as the true reality of existence beyond the shadows of false appearance, and as originality and primordial unities” (Newman). According to Taoists, the main ethical foundation of their life is the Three Jewels: compassion, frugality and humility, often described as the three fundamental virtues that direct Taoists towards a path of courage, generosity and leadership. These Three Jewels are discussed in several circumstances in Lao Tzu's classic Chinese text Tao Te Ching. The Three Jewels help Taoists maintain balance in nature and encourage them to conform to what cannot be changed rather than fight adversity at all times. Although these Three Jewels are all that is needed to follow the Tao, they are difficult to practice. To minimize this difficulty, Taoists believe that one should accept the... middle of paper... Loa Tzu is right that one should neither try too hard to seek it nor keep from finding it. Here in this case, paradoxical as it may seem, doing nothing means doing something. Works Cited "Taoism 101: Introduction to the Tao | Personal Tao." Enter the site name in italics. Np, nd Web. 13 December 2013 "The Tao and Taoism - Carson-Newman". Enter the site name in italics. Np, nd Web. December 13, 2013 "By Dr. Tan Kheng Khoo - Taoism I - General." Enter the site name in italics. Np, nd Web. December 13, 2013 "Taoism and its Trait Model of Successful Leaders | Regenesys." Enter the site name in italics. Np, nd Web. 13 December. 2013 .