The Tao of Wonder Woman — Richard Kightlinger

The Tao of Wonder Woman

The essayistic blog has grown into examining Wonder Woman’s journey to becoming a sage. Using Lao Tzu philosophy, the Tao te Ching, I am attempting to find spiritual meaning to Diana’s story.

Chapter One, The Mystery

“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. The named is the mother of ten thousand things. Ever desire-less, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two springs from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.” *

To know Wonder Woman is to not know Wonder Woman. The woman, Diana or Wonder Woman to the world is a mystery. What we see is not what we know. To some she is scantily dressed and does not act like a woman. To others she is a beautiful woman and her abilities make her more beautiful. She is an example for many to follow. But to know the real Wonder Woman you must look inside, and the answers will only be the outward aspects and her accomplishments. “The Tao can be talked about, but not the Eternal Tao. Names can be named, but not the Eternal Name.” * Wonder Woman teaches us that the spiritual journey we are on is a private one. We never know the true nature of the journey until the end. And then the journey is a mystery.

Diana, Princess to the Amazons, was molded out of clay and given life from the gods. Her beginning is a mystery. She was the only child raised on Paradise Island, Themyscira, and the home of the Amazons. She has a Mother, Queen Hippolyta, but every woman is her mother and every woman is her sister.

The only way to find the Tao or to solve the Mystery of the Tao is to follow the Tao. The Tao is the Journey. The Tao is a spiritual journey. On this journey the physical, the spiritual and the emotional is named and found. The answers will become internal. We will become eternal and part of the Great Tao. No matter what we say or do we are on a spiritual journey. We follow the Tao no matter what we do or say.

The path Diana, Wonder Woman takes is no less the Eternal. Even though it appears she does not follow the same path as we do, her journey is no less mysterious or spiritual. The Tao Diana follows may not be the Tao we know but her path is the Tao she creates. Just like the path we create for ourselves. The more we examine the less we know. The only answers that will come will be the outward manifestations. The less we will know. This is what we know… Diana is imbued with the gifts of beauty, strength, speed, and wisdom from the gods and is the champion known as Wonder Woman. The Amazons of Themyscira teach peace through perfection of mind, body and spirit, but to have peace one must prepare for war. All the amazons ask is to have an open mind, an open heart, and to seek perfection. Diana teaches us acceptance through Love. Yes, she fights but she fights for Peace. Diana would much rather find a peaceful solution through Love. To her Love is eternal.

“I certainly understand the power of Comfort.” *

1 (translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English), http://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu01.html

2 Tao Teh Ching, by Lao Tzu, translated by John C. H. Wu, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London, 2003

3 “Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth”, November 2001, DC Comics

Chapter Two, Beauty and Ugliness

“Beautiful as Aphrodite, Wise as Athena, Strong as Hercules and Swifter than Mercury”

At the moment of her creation Diana, Wonder Woman, was given these gifts Beauty, Wisdom, Strength and Speed. But we know she is so much more that those attributes. The only reason we recognize her as beautiful, wise, strong, and fast is because there is ugliness, foolishness, weakness, and slowness. Diana is humble enough to know that there will always be someone more beautiful or someone faster.

The Tao suggests that the “difficult and easy complement each other; long and short exhibit each other; high and low measure each other; sound and silence harmonize each other; back and front follow each other.” * We know of these because we recognize it is opposite. To move forward on a journey, we must be humble enough to know that there will always be someone better. Therefore, do not possess what is created and do not take credit for a job well done, in so doing it will last forever. It is when we take the credit and try to possess what is ours that we begin to lose our way. The door to competition is opened.

Diana recognizes that there is always someone who has more, can do more or is more. Does this stop wonder Woman? No, she focuses on what needs to be completed in the moment and let’s go of the past and future. Diana looks within herself. She knows that the journey is within, not “without”. She focuses on her journey.

“Nothing like racing a speeding train for a little exercise.” - Wonder Woman*

1 Tao Teh Ching, by Lao Tzu, translated by John C. H. Wu, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London, 2003 (paraphrased)

2 “Dilemma” Wonder Woman, Hostess Twinkies Ad, 1978

Chapter Three, The Exalted

“The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If people lack knowledge and desire, then intellectuals will not try to interfere. If nothing is done, then all will be well.” *

On Paradise Island, all the Amazons are equal – Hippolyta is the Queen and she is treated as a ruler but the Amazon Queen is not afraid to get her hands dirty, to participate in the normal duties of all Amazons. All Amazons are welcomed to her home. She knows the names and lives of all the Amazons. Hippolyta has educated Diana in the ways of equality. When issues arise between Amazons it would be settled with competition. The winner will praise the loser and the loser will welcome the victor. Each Amazon has duties and careers, but each are trained in all careers. The farmers and hunters like the farming and hunting. The smiths and architects are talented and enjoy their areas of expertise. The soldiers choose to be the guardians. But all Amazons are always ready to step up to the roll of guardian…even Diana and Queen Hippolyta.

“Not exalting the gifted prevents quarrelling. Not collecting treasure prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If people lack knowledge and desire, then intellectuals will not try to interfere. If nothing is done, then all will be well.” *

“We are a nation of women, dedicated to our sisters, to our gods, and to the peace that is humankind's right. Granted life by Gaea, the goddesses, and the souls of women past, we have been gifted with the mission to unite the people of our world with love and compassion. We are the Amazons, and we have come to save mankind.” *

If everyone is equal, then there is no need to desire anything or anybody. Relationships are formed from pure connection physically, spiritually, or emotionally.

1 (translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English), http://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu01.html

2 In 1998, at the close of Wonder Woman: Secret Files and Origins #2, screenwriter Eric Luke introduced the 'Code of the Amazons'