In the first episode of _Fumbling Awake_ I offer my own *personal analysis* of the first verse of the *Tao Te Ching* — the concept of artfully *living the mystery* and understanding the Tao (Dao) or “The Way.”

*First verse:*

_The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao._

_The name that can be named is not the eternal name._

_The nameless is the beginning of heaven and Earth._

_The named is the mother of the ten thousand things._

_Ever desireless, one can see the mystery._

_Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations._

_These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness._

_Darkness within darkness._

_The gate to all mystery._

*Fumbling Awake®* is a web-series and podcast where Marshall Malone attempts to share his ideas and understanding of various forms of religion, philosophy, and spirituality.