Tao is the Chinese word that signifies way or path and is often times also referred to as doctrine or principle. In Chinese culture and religion, the Tao cannot be fully understood or defined by an individual and each individuals experience to Tao differs and as a result there is no clear cut definition for Tao. In poem twenty-five, the poet emphasizes many of the cultural definitions of Tao, saying that “Standing alone and unchanging, Ever present and in motion, Perhaps is the mother of ten thousand things.” The poet provides the reader with a very ambiguous definition of Tao, saying that is stands alone and has existed since the beginning of time, and has not changed. In the following verse, the poet provides yet another ambiguous definition of Tao by stating that it could be the mother of ten thousand things, which implies that the definition and meaning of Tao differs for each person and it is dependent on their personal experience with Tao. The theme of this poem is the importance of Tao to an individual and the natural exposure of Tao that an individual goes through during their lifetime. This can be seen in the following verses in which the author says “Man follows Earth. Earth follows heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. Tao follows what is natural.” The author is implying that if an individual wants to reach heaven, they must follow what is natural and what is natural is the earth and Tao is found on the earth