The dictionary defines these words
The definition of eternal: valid for all time; essentially unchanging. Lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning
The definition of infinite: limitless or endless in extent or size. Impossible to measure or calculate.
The Tao defines these words
The definition of eternal: it was never born, it can never die.
The definition of infinite: it has no desires for itself, it is present for all things.
I think of life as a timeline. I can point to a place of the timeline and say this is the point I was born. Further down I can say this is the point on the timeline that I got married to Rob. Somewhere in the future on that timeline will be where I die. But if the Tao was never born, then it doesn’t have a point on the timeline so it must be outside of that timeline. If the Tao is outside of the timeline, then it must be able to see all of the timeline at the same time.
The Tao has no desires for itself. This is a problem because I do have desires. I desire to be healthy, to live a long life and I desire that my children feel loved and are safe. I desire not to feel any pain or be in danger. I desire to feel pleasure, I desire to have friends and be socially accepted.
Since I tend to view myself as a finite entity with the definite beginning and end, and an entity that has desires and wishes, the Tao seems very separate from me. In chapter 6, it said “it (the Tao) is always present within you. You can use it anywhere you want”.
Is it our desires that trap us, our desires that prevents us from realizing the mystery? Is it my desires that make me finite?
How can my finite desiring entity ever hope to contain the infinite eternal Tao?