Seek not, and ye might find

If Tao cannot be seen, then stop looking; if it cannot be heard, then stop listening; if it cannot be grasped, then stop grasping; if you cannot think your way to it, then stop thinking. As long as the Tao is viewed as an object or goal, it will forever be elusive and obscure.

We are like a person who is under the illusion of being imprisoned and frantically attempts to pry open the door to escape. Yet in reality this person is just breaking into a prison.

—Stuart Alve Olson in The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic

Related sayings: "Without a rope, people bind themselves." "Do, or do not, there is no try."

Christians talk about "accepting Jesus" or "allowing God into your heart" in much the same way, but few seem to realize what this really means. It means you have to open your heart and allow Deity (in whatever form) into it. You cannot invite Tao in; you cannot force Tao in; you can open your heart and give Tao a chance to come in. It reminds me of a song we used to sing in Sunday school (different application, but same idea):

Love is something if you give it away,
give it away, give it away,
Love is something if you give it away,
you end up having more.

Love's just like a magic penny.
Hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it spend it and you'll have so many,
they'll roll all over the floor!"