Imagining the Abyss

"There was something chaotic in nature which existed before heaven and earth. It was still. It was void. It stood alone and was not changed. It pervaded everywhere and was not endangered. It may be regarded as the Mother of the Universe. I know not its name; but give it the title of Tau. If I am forced to make a name for it, I say it is Great; being Great, I say that it passes away; passing away, I say that it is far off; being far off, I say that it returns. Now Tau is great; Heaven is great; Earth is great; a king is great. In the Universe there are four greatnesses, and a king is one of them. Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from Tau; and Tau takes its law from what it is in itself."