What are Movement and Quietude in Taoism? 什么是动寂

It refers to an integrated and unobstructed mode of existence of The Dao that is unattached to either motion or tranquility.

When elaborating on the profound and mysterious existence of the Dao’s essence, Taoism often employs such seemingly contradictory correlative categories to illustrate that its noumenon is perfectly integrated, undivided, and interconnected without hindrance.

What are Movement and Quietude in Taoism?

The Compendium of Taoist Doctrines states: "Motion is defined by responding to all motion, hence it moves in all things; tranquility is defined by its inherent quiescence, hence it is tranquil in all things. Being tranquil in all things, tranquility yet contains motion within its quiescence; moving in all things, motion yet contains tranquility within its activity. From this perspective, the meaning encompasses four propositions. First, the proposition of motion-in-tranquility contains two implications: one is revealing the noumenon through its manifestations, and the noumenon, called tranquil, is precisely motion-in-tranquility; the other is subsuming the manifestations back to the noumenon, which is also named motion-in-tranquility. ... Second, the proposition of tranquility-in-motion also contains two implications: one is the noumenon expressing itself in action, and this motion is precisely tranquility-in-motion; the other is the noumenon arising into quiescence, which is also named tranquility-in-motion. Third, the proposition of motion-in-motion refers to motion upon motion, generating manifestations from manifestations—such as the Dao manifesting in countless incarnations, which embodies this meaning. Fourth, the proposition of tranquility-in-tranquility refers to tranquility upon tranquility, a quiescence that transcends all manifestations and the noumenon itself, an ultimate calmness without any origin or trace."

The essence of these four propositions centers on the interpenetration and perfect unity of motion and tranquility. In this way, the opposition between motion and tranquility is broken, and the profound mystery of the Dao’s essence is revealed.