‘Xiū dào’ literally means ‘to cultivate the Dao’ — where ‘xiū’ (to cultivate, refine, or practice) and ‘dào’ (the Dao, or the fundamental principle of the universe in Daoist philosophy) combine to express dedicated spiritual practice rooted in Daoism. It refers to the lifelong process of aligning one’s body, mind, and spirit with the natural flow of the Dao through meditation, ethical living, qigong, scripture study, and ritual observance.

This term is used primarily in religious, philosophical, and historical contexts — especially when describing monastic life, self-cultivation traditions, or classical Chinese thought. While historically associated with Daoist priests and recluses, modern usage may also appear in cultural discussions about traditional Chinese spirituality, wellness practices inspired by Daoism, or literary depictions of sages seeking harmony with nature.