This quote refers to the Taoist concept of Tao, which is often translated as "the Way" or "the Path." In Taoism, Tao is the fundamental and ultimate reality beyond human comprehension, the source of everything that exists and the order of the universe.
"Fullness" and "emptiness" represent two opposite states or aspects of existence. Fullness could be understood as the presence of everything – matter, energy, life, thoughts, emotions, experiences, etc. Emptiness, on the other hand, could be seen as the absence of these things – the void, the unknown, the unmanifested.
When Zhuangzi says that Tao is the source of both fullness and emptiness, it means that both the manifest (fullness) and the unmanifest (emptiness) originate from Tao. All things, whether they are present or absent, tangible or intangible, known or unknown, come from the Tao.
However, Tao itself is neither fullness nor emptiness. It is beyond these dualities, these opposites. It is not confined or defined by them. It transcends them. This is a key aspect of Taoist philosophy – the Tao is beyond human understanding and categorization. It is the ultimate mystery.
In today’s world, this idea can be applied in several ways. For example, in personal development, it encourages us to see beyond the apparent dualities and contradictions in our lives. Success and failure, happiness and sadness, strength and weakness – these are all part of the same reality, the same path. They come from the same source.
Furthermore, it suggests that our true nature, like the Tao, is beyond these dualities. We are not defined by our successes or failures, our joys or sorrows. We are more than these. We have the potential to transcend them, to find a deeper, more fundamental reality within ourselves.
Finally, this quote can inspire us to adopt a more holistic, balanced approach to life. Instead of clinging to fullness (success, happiness, strength) and fearing emptiness (failure, sadness, weakness), we can learn to accept and embrace both. We can see them as two sides of the same coin, two aspects of our journey, and find peace and wisdom in this understanding.