Alan Watts — noted author and respected authority on Far Eastern thought — studied Taoism extensively, and in his final years moved to a quiet cabin in the mountains and dedicated himself almost exclusively to meditating and writing on the Tao. This new book gives us an opportunity to not only understand the concept of the Tao but to experience the Tao as a personal practice of liberation from the limitations imposed by the common beliefs within our culture. The philosophy of the Tao offers a way to understand the value of ourselves as free-willed individuals enfolded within the ever-changing patterns of nature. The path of the Tao is perhaps the most puzzling way of liberation to come to us from the Far East in the last century. It is both practical and esoteric, and it has a surprisingly comfortable quality of thought that is often overlooked by Western readers who never venture beyond the unfamiliar quality of the word Tao (pronounced "dow"). But those who do soon discover a way of understanding and living with the world that has profound implications for us today in so-called modern societies. The word Tao means the Way — in the sense of a path, a way to go — but it also means nature, in the sense of one's true nature, and the nature of the universe. Often described as the philosophy of nature, we find the origins of Taoism in the shamanic world of pre-Dynastic China. Living close to the earth, one sees the wisdom of not interfering, and letting things go their way. It is the wisdom of swimming with the current, splitting wood along the grain, and seeking to understand human nature instead of changing it. Every creature finds it's way according to the laws of nature, and each of us has our own inner path — or Tao.

Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text, probably from around the 6th century BC. While the authorship is still debated, most of the text is attributed to Lao-Tzu ("Old Master"), who was a court record keeper during the Zhou Dynasty. The text is considered an essential element of Taoist philosophy as well as having significant influences on Chinese religions, including Buddhism. This is a classic translation of the book by James Legge. Visit www.ArcManor.com for other, similar books.

Taoists and non-Taoists alike consider Lao-Tzu's Treatise on the Response of the Tao, written by the twelfth-century sage Li Ying-Chang, an essential guide to living. Presenting foundational teaching and practices of the Action and Karma school of Taoism, it is replete with stories illustrating the teachings and an introductory essay that discusses the more esoteric meanings of the passages. Told with clarity and depth, these seminal Taoist teachings offer guidance on leading a balanced, healthy life. Sponsored by the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism

"Ursula K. Le Guin, a student of the Tao Te Ching for more than fifty years, offers her own thoughtful rendering of the Taoist scripture. She has consulted the literal translations and worked with the scholar J. P. Seaton to develop a version that lets the ancient text speak in a fresh way to modern people, while remaining faithful to the original Chinese. This rendition reveals the Tao Te Ching's immediate relevance and power, its depth and refreshing humor, illustrating better than ever before why it has been so loved for more than 2,500 years. Included are Le Guin's own personal commentary and notes along with two audio CDs of the text read by the author, with original music composed and performed by Todd Barton."--Publisher's website.

Following the phenomenal success of his own version of the Tao Te Ching, a renowned scholar and translator delivers a 21st-century form of ancient wisdom into the modern world.

The premise of The Tao of Zen is that Zen is really Taoism in the disguise of Buddhism—an assumption being made by more and more Zen scholars. This is the first Zen book that links the long-noted philosophical similarities of Taoism and Zen. The author traces the evolution of Ch'an The The Tao of Zen is a fascinating book that will be read and discussed by anyone interested in both Taoism and Zen

Examines the traditional and modern Western interpretations of the Tao-te-ching, and its author, Lao-tzu.

A treatise and interpretation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching by Dennis M Waller. The Tao is an ancient philosophy of living in the natural world. It shows the way of how to get back to being your Authentic Self, your Spiritual Self. The Tao has the power to help you reclaim your life from the temporal ego identity that is imprisoning you. With the Tao you can discover your Authentic Identity by getting back to the being-ness and oneness of living in the Divine Consciousness. Through discovering these truths we can become the creators of the universe instead of the passive observers we have been. We can learn to live life in the infinity of the now verses living in the clutches of the Ego. The Tao shows us how to grow detached from the ego identity by becoming in direct contact with our true intent and motives that was meant for us. When we do, we begin to see ourselves as we truly are. It is being authentic that we become reconnected to the divine source. What is the Way of the Tao? It is the way things are in their own natural progression of life and death. The way of intelligent design as shown in nature, this is the way of the Tao. It is the way without dogmas, formalities or religion. To live in the Tao is to live in peace and harmony. The Tao gives you the knowledge of being one with the higher realm of divine consciousness and to experience the innerconnectiveness to all living things. It is to have the awareness of being in this world while knowing that you are not part of it because you are more than all of this. You are one and 10,000 things at the same moment. You are the song that the bird sings, the breeze blowing through the trees, the fish swimming in a brook, the warmth of the sun shining from above, the coolness of the earth below your feet, you are life and death, all at once and not at all. There is no separation in the Divine Oneness. The Tao contains the power to liberate you from the ego-imposed prison of the dualistic world. Living in the Tao can bring a deep inner peace and a reconnection to the divine source. The wisdom of the Tao is in a practical sense, a way to live life with the clarity of knowing the universal truth. When you are living in the Tao, you will see resistance and opposition fade away. Conflict and stress will become distant memories. The issues of life become irrelevant or will simply disappear once you start living your authentic self with the Tao. The Tao shows how to transcend all those insurmountable obstacles that the ego has created. There is another level of existence that is the real, true, genuine substance of who you are. This is the authentic self. The authentic self is the real you that can be found at your absolute core. It is the part of you not defined by your job, function, nationality, religion, race or role in life. It is the composite of all your skills, talents and wisdom. It is all of the things that are uniquely yours and need expression, rather than what you believe you are supposed to be and do. The choice we need to make is whether to trust in our own nature, to be of a pure heart and mind or to live in a world where we are trying to control everything. We have seen that going against our nature provides no comfort or satisfaction for our souls. For authentic satisfaction, for true peace, we must learn to realize who we are and where we came from. The truth is all around us. You can hear the voice of god in the laughter of children at play and in the songs of the birds. You can see God in all his glory throughout all of nature. It is all around us to see and experience. Remember you are part of this universe and here to experience it. Be your Authentic Self and be one with it all. To live in the Tao and live your purpose is to live life to the fullest.

The Tao Te Ching is a spiritual inspirational work that guides us through life helping us to live within each moment and find the beauty that is all around each of us. Simple beautiful and life changing. The Tao Te Ching is fundamental to the Taoist school of Chinese philosophy (Dàojia) and strongly influenced other schools such as Legalism and Neo-Confucianism.