Before the Universe - Lao Tzu

Something mysteriously formed,
formless and perfect
in the silence and the void,
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.

Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite.  Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.

For lack of a better name, 
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

Lao Tzu
Tao Te Ching

with thanks to The Beauty We Love

Definition of the Tao:  "The Tao is the absolute principle underlying the universe, signifying the way that is in harmony with the natural order of the Universe - living in harmony with the Universe and the energy in it, or Chi, that is guiding everything in the Universe."

 

Existence Beyond Words - Bynner

Existence is beyond the power of words
 to define: Terms may be used
But are none of them absolute.
In the beginning of heaven and earth
there were no words.

Words came out of the womb of matter;
And whether a man dispassionately
Sees to the core of life
Or Passionately
Sees the surface,
The core and the surface
Are essentially the same,
Words making them seem different
Only to express appearance.

If name be needed, wonder names them both;
From wonder to wonder
Existence opens.

From - The Way of Life
According to Lao Tzu

(translation of the Tao Te Ching)
by Witter Bynner

~

Solstice day is the peak of time,
a high pause in the year, when
we taste and see the majesty of
light solidified [in Nature].

The Formless sparkles in form...

For at the core of our soul is an
inward eye that cane see [the light]
hidden behind the ordinary...

Fred LaMotte

~

Photo taken by my brother :)