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How does the Zhuangzi describe the Dao as present in all things?

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Understanding Taoism: Ancient philosophy and way of life — Taoism Questions and answers about the religio-philosophical Chinese tradition of Taoism.

In the Zhuangzi, the Dao is described as being omnipresent, existing in all things regardless of their perceived value or status. When asked to specify the location of the Dao, Zhuang Zhou emphasized its universality by noting that it is present in ants, weeds, potsherds, and even in substances such as excrement and urine.1

This perspective highlights the unity of all things within the ongoing, dynamic transformations of the Dao. By asserting that the Dao resides in the most humble or seemingly impure objects, the text rejects human-imposed hierarchies and distinctions, reinforcing the idea that the Dao is the fundamental, all-encompassing reality of the cosmos. This view of the Dao’s omnipresence reflects a process-oriented understanding of the world, where everything is part of a ceaseless flow of change and transformation.12