Product Description
Existing in China alongside Confucianism and Buddhism throughout the centuries, Taoism has had a major impact on Chinese intellectual and spiritual life. This concise guide offers an engaging introduction to the precepts, history and practices of Taoism, in a well-designed and attractively illustrated volume that includes dozens of color photographs.The book illuminates Taoism--its main beliefs and rituals, the key sacred texts, the status of the religion today. We learn that the term Tao(""Way"") signifies the natural pattern underlying all cosmic change and transformation, the way in which qi (life force) is endlessly created and dissolved to form the myriad phenomena of the universe. Focusing on one's development as an individual and on establishing harmony with nature, Taoism teaches that to achieve order and harmony in one's own life and in the cosmos, one must learn to perceive the Tao in nature and to act--or refrain from acting--in accordance with it. The idea of strengthening oneself through attunement with natural forces is also applied to the preservation of the body through the quest for longevity. Oldstone-Moore also illuminates the history of Taoism, ranging from its founding by Laozi, who is believed to have written the Tao Te Jing, the main text of Taoist thought, to the religion's decline in the early twentieth century, due to the impact of anti-religious movements, the most radical of which was Chinese Communism, to its recent resurgence. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, this volume would make a wonderful gift for someone interested in Eastern religion or Chinese culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great source of information
If you are interested in Taoism but not up for reading a giant book that will be way over your head, this is a great book to start out with.It is small, informative, and will be a good start in your studying of Taoism.

Tao to enlightenment, peace and harmony
Taoism is an indigenousphilosophy and religion ofChina over two thousand years.The Chinese word tao carries the meaning of a pathway, a way of life, a discipline, a method to follow closely and reason.In Taoism, it means a doctrine, teaching, rule of conduct and valuable speech.In recent decades, Taoism has gaining attention in the West.
Taoism, written by Jennifer Oldstone-Moore is a good introduction to the basic elements.It traces the origins and historical development, beliefs, practices, holy texts and sacred places of Taoism.She introduced Lao Tzu and his text, Tao Te Ching (The Classic of the Way and its Power, Chuang Tzu, Hua-na-tzu and Lieh Tzu in the philosophical side.Then, she brought out the religion side of the sects of Celestial Master, Chuan-chen, and Cheng-i.The pantheon of Taoism is full of gods and immortals from deified Lao Tzu, Tai-shang Lao-chuan (Lord Lao Most High to Huang Ti, Hsi Wang Muu, Kuan-ti and the Eight Immortals.She included a few important sacred texts such as Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu, Huai-nan-Tzu, Lieh-tzu, Pao-pu-tzu , Tai-ping Ching and Tao Tsang.She pointed out the ethical principles of flexibility, humility, embracing the feminine side and taking no action contrary to nature (wu-wei).She named the "Five Sacred Peaks" and other Mounts with their associations with different sects of religious Taoism such as Mount Mao ( Shasng-Ching Sect), Mount Lung-hu (Celestial Master) and Mount Wu-tang.
She devoted a chapter on the concept of time.The Chinese calendar is both lunar and solar with nodes or breaths and the years are organized into cycles of sixty with the combination of `Ten Heavenly Stems' and `Twelve Earthy Branches.It also corresponds with the Chinese Zodiac of 12 animals.She gave a brief description on the Chinese festivals in the year.
Of interest is the chapter on Death and the Afterlife.It explains hun, P'o and Chi and the Ten Tribunals of Hell which is structured as the Chinese imperial bureaucracy.Taoism also believes in immortality with the individual techniques of meditation, exercise and herbs.It is known as internal alchemy.External alchemy is the laboratory transformation of chemicals into pills to halt the decay and deterioration of the physical aging body.
The last chapter is about society and religion.It gives a big picture on how Taoism influences the Chinese culture in philosophy, architecture, medicine, arts, painting, calligraphy, and poetry.She particularly points out that Taoism values the feminine in the male-oriented culture.
Jennifer did a good job in presenting an overall orientation on Taoism.It is a well organized and highly readable book.A unique feature is that each chapter ends with a passage from a sacred text followed by commentary.This will lead readers to explore further on interest subject.However, there were a few minor points needed to get the record straight.On page 99, second paragraph reads "Taoism's relationship with the present government of the People's Republic of China is uncertain: only the monastic Taoism of the Complete Perfection school is officially recognized.Other Taoist practices are categorized as"supersitions" and are actively discouraged."She did not specify the time frame. A brief descriptive activities on religious Taoism in Mainland Chinacan be found in the book in Chinese published in 2001 titled A Brief History of Chinese Taoism. All sects participate actively in different conferences, one in August 1998 in Beijing.On Page 101, first paragraph said "Two notable Taoist martial arts schools are the Shao-in and Wu-tang".It has to point put that Shao-lin is Buddhist and not Taoist.
In today's global village, many westerners seek spiritual freedom by exploring Eastern tradition.Jennifer's bookwill be of great help and service if she would add a chapter on the development of Taoism in the West especially in America.Readers may follow her "Tao" in the pursuit of enlightenment, peace and harmony.

a fine academic introduction
This book very ably introduces Taoism to people who have an academic interest in the subject (as I do).

The text is brief and succinct, including the best brief history of religious Taoism that I've yet read. If that's what you're after, this is likely one of the better books you'll find. (BTW, like most scholars the author doesn't really distinguish between religious and philosophical Taoism much.)

The illustrations are fine, although you really should go to a busy Taoist temple if you get a chance because no amount of illustrations can compare to that experience. If you're primarily interested in Taoist art or liturgy, this is not a book I'd recommend.

The scriptural excerpts are well chosen, well explained, and very brief.

In short, if you are planning to go beyond the Taoism information in common introductions to world religions, or planning to study Taoism in some depth, this is a fine book. I personally was very pleased with it. On the other hand, if you've read two or three scholarly books on Taoism, there's probably here for you, unless you're looking for an overview to tie together what you've read. Of course, if you're hoping to practice Taoism or apply Taoist philosophy to your life, this is not really what you're looking for.

Short, to the point - a good academic overview of Taoism
This book, just over 100 pages of actual content, is first and foremost an academic look at religious Taoism. /Taoism/ provides a broad (but not very deep) overview of the history, beliefs, sacred places, peoples, and texts, and so forth. A lot of territory is covered, just not in great detail. Excerpts sprinkled throughout the book provide nice exposure to some classic Taoist texts. The whole thing is pretty lightweight and a breeze to read - I finished the book in an hour or so of reading.

As I said, this is primarily an academic look at Taoism, and it is mostly interested in the religious beliefs therein. The author is careful not to judge the religion or get into messy contrasts with Western religions, which I think is a fairly safe approach. However, this is definitely not a book to read if you are interested in details on the principles of Taoism as they might be applied in your daily life. /Taoism/ is a good place to start when researching the religious side of the followers of the Tao, but that's about it. ... Read more

Product Description
This title shows that, just as the Qabalah is linked to magical practices, so too is the I Ching. It explains the cultural tools of Eastern magical traditions, provides basic rituals, and discusses the gods, ritual instruments, and magical workings involved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Red Dragon, Yellow Horse
This is not a traditional commentary on Taoism. The title should make that clear enough. It's a book about common practices of meditation, magic, concentration, and ritual that run through Taoist practice, ritual shamanism, and what we might simply term general Asian magical practice(i.e., things that have a "magical" flavor to us nowadays, but back then were probably lumped into everyday ritual, healing, alchemy, meditation, etc.) All of these systems have common elements and have influenced each other greatly. It also obviously focuses on the I-Ching as a tool of illumination and awakening rather than a simple divinatory oracle we might consult to find out whether to buy chicken or beef for dinner tonight. This is not the main focus of this text however, and it spends more time outlining the very unique, interesting, and useful practices employed by Taoist alchemists, Onmyojin, and other masters of old.

If you want endless commentary on the I-Ching, don't buy this book. If you want some sort of manual about the root practices of Taoist masters via indigenous Asian shamanism, don't buy this book. If you're seeking to change your own pathwork by adding uniqueness, craft, style, and to employuseful tools and techniques to awaken or change your perception, buy and devour this book. I have read no other text that got me thinking so far outside the box of my normal work. Most of the methods and techniques outlined in the text will not necessarily be new to, say, Western magicians, but the difference is in the details; we certainly banish in Western magic, and we certainly invoke godforms or angels or relevant beings for banishment and protection, but it never occurred to me to actually become the god himself and chain and slay my own demons while in the throes of his obsession; we certainly form symbols and sigils in Wesetern magic, but it never occurred to me to draw them in nontoxic ink on edible rice paper and consume them in a ritual act of becoming one with the energy of said sigil.

This book is about the practical application of magical techniques and how to apply them to personal pathwork. It includes information about the ritual sword, central to Asian cultural mindset and somewhat similar to the ritual wand in Western magic, the creation talismans, the ritual fan, a unique form of banishing, the setting up of stone warriors for protection, the use of the Kuji-in and Kuji-kiri, and much, much more. It is a rich synthesis of these cultures' spiritual practices and a highly recommended addition to the library of any student of esoterism.

To all the aformentioned reviewers
I have not read this book but the aforementioned complaints make no sense to me.
Ninjutsu and Taoism(which is a form of shamanism) Started in Tibet/China.
While being seperate paths, they originated of one source thus I can see connections just from my own research.

Just a comment
I haven't read the book but I am about to buy it so this isn't a review it's just a comment on the other reviews.

I don't know exactly how the writing linked Taoism and Ninjutsu as I haven't read the book. I just wanted to say this isn't the first time I have heard of this.

It was in one of either of these two books I can't remember which (I would bet on the first):

Mind Manipulation
The Ninja - Steven Hayes

They discuss the development of alot of the psychoogical aspects from the Taoist 5 elements and there was a reference to some "5 element ninjas." There was even a Japanese word for them.

I remember this clearly coz at the time I was doing XIng Yi Luihe a Taoist art with the 5 elements at its heart. Also the 5 element ninja idea sounded cool.

I am not concluding anything...just offering a bit of info in passing.

PS. My rating was just to try and not mess up the rating by others.

Thelemic Taoism? .....interesting but not accurate.
If you're into Thelema, Aliester Crowley, The Golden Dawn, OTO, or similar topics, this may be a book for you. If, on the other hand, you want I book on Taoism, I would recommend any other but this one.

With the core topic about Taoism and the I ching, the author has wrapped them in a veil of Neo-Paganism and other-Asian practices. This book reads as a compilation of texts that others have previously written, with introductions into chapters quoting Aliester Crowley's text. If you are into Eastern philosophy and thinking, you'll easily discern that this book is not written with the type of focus or commitment to preserve that Asian flavor (some Asian practices blended with neo-pagan practices and presented as western thought).

The material presented herein is spread to thin and over to great of subject matter to have any solid foundation as a book on Taoism. Simply, the material presented is inaccurate.

The exercises he gives within this books pages are Shamanic at best (not Asian or Taoist) and a lot of detail is left out about these things he has decided to include.

The mis-use of mudras and associated practices demonstrates this sort of hodge podge approach, as does the using the "Assuming the form of Fudo" for everything....... Fudo is Japanese Buddhism, Taoism is Chinese Taoism. Also, Fudo's attributes are mis-represented in this text as is the symbolism that is associated with him (for example, his sword in this text is not drawn with the symbolic Vajra handle, nor is the definition of the weighted rope, held by Fudo, accurate). The "Diamond Thunderbolt" Mudra (which is Japanese Buddhist) is mis-used, and, the specific practices associated with its use are not included. I could go on.

If you are looking for good books on Taoism, please refer to books written by an actual Taoist Priest. I would recommend:
Taoism and the rite of cosmic renewal by Michael Saso
Blue Dragon White Tiger by Michael Saso

...... and interestingly, Fudo isn't mentioned in these text, nor is Aliester Crowley. ... Read more

Product Description
The Tao Te Ching is the classic source book for the spiritual tradition of Taoism.

It consists of 81 short verses, attempts to distill the vision of 'the Way" as the all-encompassing reality behind phenomena. Some of its pronouncements have found there way into common speech, such as "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Reading the Tao Te Ching brings you into contact with a source of wisdom and life that is timeless, wise, and profound. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A stimulating concise overview of the essentials of Taoism.
Philosophical Taoism, although an extremely profound system of thought, is not especially complex.Unlike Advaita Vedanta, for example, which revels in complexity and has a very extensive Sanskrit philosophic terminology, Taoism is much more straightforward and there are few technical terms for the student to wrestle with.

Its two main texts, the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu, can be read quite easily by anyone in unannotated bare-text versions such as those of Lin Yutang and John C. H. Wu.Most of what these texts have to tell us will be clear enough - though a lifetime could be spent pondering some of it - and most readers will probably be content to remain with the texts.

For those, however, whose curiosity has been aroused, and who would like to know something of Taoism's historical and philosophicalcontext and to read a brief scholarly analysis of its key ideas, I doubt there could be anything better than the present book by French Sinologist Max Kaltenmark.

Originally published in 1965 under the title 'Lao tseu et le taoisme,' it's a small book of just 158 pages and has been beautifullytranslated into clear and vigorous English by Roger Greaves.After a brief Introduction we are given separate Chapters on Lao Tzu, The Teaching, The Holy Man, Chuang Tzu, and The Taoist Religion (the magico-religious system which should not be confused with philosophical Taoism proper).The book is rounded out with a brief Conclusion, a Selected Bibliography of both English and French sources, and an Index.

Professor Kaltenmark tells us in his Preface that, because oflimitations of format, he was "forced ... to deal almost exclusivelywith essentials" (page v).His book, in consequence, provides us with a concise but wonderfully readable overview of Taoism, in both its philosophic and magico-religious manifestations, and nothing of real significance seems to have been overlooked.

In addition, the book is considerably enriched by its many striking and well-translated excerpts, not only from Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, but also from commentators such as Ho Shang Kung and other less familiar sources.Kaltenmark's is one of those books that oneconstantly returns to.I'm pretty sure that you would enjoy it too. ... Read more

Product Description
28 legends and fables featuring the Eight Immortals--an illuminating study of popular Chinese religious beliefs with special appeal for readers of the Tao Te Ching and Joseph Campbell's works on myth. To this day, the Eight Immortals are among the most popular figures in Chinese art, and their cult has affected every aspect of Chinese culture. Line drawings throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Introducing Daoism
This text is a very introductory view of Daoism. That being said it is largely comprehensive although not everything is said explictly. In this way this is less of a text book and more of an aggregation/summation of commentary and history of Daoism, which works quite well given the subject

Lots of Great Info!
If you're interested in information on the eight immortals, you'll have to look long and hard to find more information than packed into this slim volume.Think of the immortals as being cultural figures as well known and diverse as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy (or, for Thomas the Tank engine fans, as different as Thomas, Gordon and Henry), and you'll have a sense of the role the eight immortals play in Chinese culture.

Also, the introduction has the best discussion I've seen of the difference between philisophical taoism (which is the form best known in the West) and religious or mystical taoism.

Highly recommended if you're interested in the eight immortals and/or learning more about mystical taoism.

The eight immortals celebrate diversity
The eight immortals of Chinese myth are detailed here. There are several group tales along with some folktales focusing on each of the individual immortals. The eight immortals are of special appeal to modern audiences asthey embody diverse aspects of society, then and now. There is a warriorimmortal, a student immortal, a crippled immortal and an androgynousimmortal ("sometimes male, sometimes female)who seems to me to be alittle gay! There is also a woman immortal, and while only one woman out ofeight, it was still a statement at the time to have her included in thegroup. There are a lot of stories of the eight included here that you areunlikely to find elsewhere, and Martin Palmer provides some background forthe setting of the stores in his introduction that helps the reader betterunderstand them in context. My only complaint is I would have liked moreabout their evolution as a group over the centuries. Overall a good readfor people interested in Chinese folklore and positive representations ofdiversity in legends. ... Read more

Product Description
Completing Distinctions develops a new way of thinking about the connection between problems and solutions for family and systems therapists. The author suggests that addiction and other social and ecological dilemmas stem from the belief that distinctions such as hate and love, sickness and health, or problem and solution are irreconcilable oppositions. Flemons shows how such separations can be completed so that genuine healing can occur in individuals, families, organizations, and ecologies. Written in a playful style, the book includes short client-therapist dialogues that illustrate the author's approach. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A bold creative approach
I saw the only review so far was a poor one and this prompted me to speak up for an interesting and thoughtful book - not to balance out the other reviewer, but simply add another plain opinion.
Not often have I read such a rich confluence of ideas as in Flemons' book.I found myself constantly being engaged with the text, scribbling notes, ideas, and disagreements in the margins.It's like taking Goethe/Goodwin's worldviews and growing them with gestalt, taoism, Gregory Bateson, Laws of Form (G. Spencer-Brown) and poetry.The ideas are liquid and though there are many tributaries and turbulent flows, I found it to be clear.Definitely outside the box, as it were!

Didn't understand it
This seemed like the kind of thing I would like from the title, but I could not understand it. If I could understand it I might give a better review.

I don't think my lack of understanding is entirely my fault. I'm capable of understanding much - college graduate and all that.

Perhaps this one of those things that can be understood, but for which I am not prepared to understand.

Perhaps you would like to have a go. Good luck. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Read this book-- its a thriller!!!
This book told me about the two opposites of yin and yang, the tao te ching, the Toaist New Year, quotes from the Tao te ching, Weddings and funerals in the taoist religion, and the origin of taoism-- the legend of Huang Di, a chinese emperor who dared to live life with the secret to life, starting from his 19th year of rule, and ending with his final death at 99th year of rule. If you are intwerested in the religion Taoism i would read this book if Iwas you because it helped me with my religion paper. This really should help you no matter the age, dize or shape, this book is good for anyone who needs to research more!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This excellent essay was originally prepared at the request of Denis Twitchett, editor of the Cambridge History of China, in anticipation of publication in the second volume of that work to be devoted to the T'ang dynasty (618-907). While that project was experiencing delays, the essay became widely circulated among those interested in the history of Taoism, and has subsequently been published independently. The work sheds light on Taoism, China's great indigenous religion (if we see Confucianism as ethics and Buddhism as imported) during this vibrant and glorious period of Chinese history; without these insights, we can have only limited understanding of an important aspect of China's social, political, and of course, religious life. ... Read more

Product Description
Applying the ancient yet timeless 81 principles of Taoism to parenting, The Tao Of Parenting features instructive anecdotes from four families to demonstrate how Taoist teachings help parents raise good, healthy children. The stories are just as diverse as the families who tell them (a blended family featuring children from separate marriages, a couple with different cultural and ethical backgrounds, a single parent of twin boys, and a couple with different parenting techniques learning to compromise). Some of the Taoist principles used by these families include:* "Do Not Think of Self".Shows the rewards parents receive by making their children their number one priority* "The material is fleeting, the spiritual is everlasting". Demonstrates the rewards of caring for those in need* "Do Not Be Authoritarian".Shows how to foster self-reliance and responsibility in children while supporting their efforts, rather than controlling their every move* "Follow the middle road; it is the heart of knowing". Offers the benefits of parents being neither too permissive or too strict, but rather adjusting the rules for each child and each circumstanceThere are many more valuable lessons in this special book which can be used by parents of all faiths to help guide their lives and those of their children. Amazon.com Review
Greta Nagel, author of TheTao of Teaching, turns the spotlight of Taoist wisdom on theseemingly insoluble problems of parenting. As in her previous book, thetext is divided into 81 chapters, like the Tao Te Ching itself.Each chapter has a heading from the Tao, followed by a page or so ofexplication, and these passages in turn are followed by real-lifeillustrative stories from four families Nagel interviewed. The familystories help to flesh out the philosophical bones, showing how realindividuals solved (or sometimes failed to solve) their problems. As youwould expect from a book based on Lao-Tsu, there is great emphasis oncalmness, flexibility, listening closely to others and respecting your owncapacity for common sense and good judgment. The whole exercise will seem abit earnest to some people, but the format is user-friendly, and the basiclessons (e.g., "Tranquility is more important than perfection" and"When you don't know, say so") deserve repetition. Especially byparents. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Product Description
Using a combination of newly mined Sung sources and modernethnography, Robert Hymes addresses questions that have perplexed China scholarsin recent years. Were Chinese gods celestial officials, governing the fate andfortunes of their worshippers as China's own bureaucracy governed their worldlylives? Or were they personal beings, patrons or parents or guardians, offeringprotection in exchange for reverence and sacrifice? To answer these questions Hymes examines the professional exorcist sects andrising Immortals' cults of the Sung dynasty alongside ritual practices incontemporary Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as miracle tales, liturgies, spiritlaw codes, devotional poetry, and sacred geographies of the eleventh throughthirteenth centuries. Drawing upon historical and anthropological evidence, heargues that two contrasting and contending models informed how the Chinese sawand see their gods. These models were used separately or in creative combinationto articulate widely varying religious standpoints and competing ideas of bothsecular and divine power. Whether gods were bureaucrats or personal protectorsdepended, and still depends, says Hymes, on who worships them, in what setting,and for what purposes. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This excellent essay was originally prepared at the request of Denis Twitchett, editor of the Cambridge History of China, in anticipation of publication in the second volume of that work to be devoted to the T'ang dynasty (618-907). While that project was experiencing delays, the essay became widely circulated among those interested in the history of Taoism, and has subsequently been published independently. The work sheds light on Taoism, China's great indigenous religion (if we see Confucianism as ethics and Buddhism as imported) during this vibrant and glorious period of Chinese history; without these insights, we can have only limited understanding of an important aspect of China's social, political, and of course, religious life. ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This is an indispensable guide to the terminology, teachers, and traditions of this influential Chinese philosophy. Containing more than 300 entries, The Shambhala Dictionary of Taoism also includes illustrations, bibliography, and pronunciation tables. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The A to Z of the Tao
This dictionary explains the basic doctrines and terminology of the ancient Chinese philosophy in a clear and understandable manner. It does not cover the entire range of Taoist concepts as it is intended for the general reader.

The literal meaning of each entry is given when it differs from the definition of the entry title. In more than 300 entries, from Chai to Y? Yen, the book unlocks the meaning of concepts and terms that are nowadays encountered with increasing frequency in the media, sciences, psychology and health professions.

The Wade-Giles system of transcription is used instead of Pinyin and there are conversion charts from the Pinyin to the Wade-Giles system and vice versa.The book includes illustrations and concludes with a bibliography.

Most Worthwhile; a must for serious students of Taoism
From the time I first discovered this littlebook in the public library,it has been my constant companion.Although a Taoist sage or scholar maynot find it useful,to a beginning student it will be indispensable.Most works on Taoism are reminiscent of a Russian novel: lots of strangenames that the reader has a hard time remembering and keeping straight. With this book you can actually do it.There's an entry for just about anyname or term that you're likely to encounter, and the cross-references aresuperb. Some readers may be put off by the author's preference for theWade-Giles transliteration, rather than the official Pinyin.But onceyou've become familiar with the former, the latter will be easier to learn.I wouldn't hesitate recommending this book, even though, in time, thestudent will probably outgrow it.J. Thacker

A decent introductory dictionary
This work serves as a decent introductory dictionary to Taoistterminology, but is not nearly as comprehensive as it could be. I wouldhave preferred the use of pinyin romanization instead of the oldWade-Giles/Yale systems, and would also have liked to have seen the Chinesecharacters included (unlikely to happen in a text meant for the generalpublic, though) as well as the actual diagrams which are mentioned and notshown (the "taijitu", for example). For beginners this is a goodwork.For those who already have a fair knowledge of the subject, it's notreally necessary.Not a bad effort, though. ... Read more

Product Description
This is Volume Two of the four-volume Taoist Classicsseries, containing a compendium of the following four previouslypublished books, now under one cover:

1. Understanding Reality: A Taoist Alchemical Classic
2. The Inner Teachings of Taoism
3. The Book of Balance and Harmony
4. Practical Taoism ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An answer to Tom Corbett's review
After reading the 3 star review that is on here, I feel a need to get to the heart of the matter. First off, this book is very confusing and a lot of the information is purposefully vague. I bought this book about ten years ago when I was just starting out in my Taoist studies and none of the first part made any sense to me. I think that was for the better and I will explain why. The hardest thing about Taoist alchemy is that, as Thomas Cleary states in every introduction, there is a tendency of the practitioner to try and rush the process, inevitably leading to harm. Also, it is easy to pick up a few half-assed techniques and pass them on to other people, which will only increase ignorance all-around. My own experience was that I bought this book, was confused by the alchemical lore and focused on the Buddhist concepts. The third book in the series essentially breaks through the metaphorical lore and the author Chang Po-taun actually becomes fairly explicit in telling the reader what the second book was about. However, the second book teaches patience, and describes the process in great detail, though it is easy to overlook. Essentially, as the book says, nothing is apart from body and mind. There is nothing to worship or bow to. The essential point is to remember that the process is patterned on the natural course. Think of the sun and moon, and you understand wax and wane. Think of terrestrial time, and think of time and how the body perceives. They differ is some respects but not all. Focus on the breathing, and it will alert you to your state of mind. The puzzles in the book make no sense alone, except probably to very few, but read the second and third books together, and understand how energy makes things grow in the world, and how energy can also diminish things. With time, the book and your mind will complement each other. One other thing: The book talks about seeking a good teacher. This is the most difficult part. Good luck.

most excellent, most worthy.
Understanding Reality, the Inner Teachings of Taoism is an interesting book. as with any other religious philosophy, it has some good things to say about inner development. i found some of the books in this compendium to contain remarkable insight. once again, the things discussed in this book are sometimes most helpful, sometimes not. but each person to his own understanding.

i love the basic idea of alchemy that the human spiritual process is paralleled metaphorically by the refining of Gold. it requires mining, washing, firing, and collecting in a crucible. to me the whole thing has to be about the refining of character... thoughts and emotions and actions in order to become a spiritual immortal. there are close parallels with some schools of buddhism and hinduism. seeking of outer guides/spiritual masters both in this realm and in the celestial realms to teach and guide oneself, but ultimately its down to oneself.

i have had some interesting encounters thanks to the pointers in this book. the most dangerous and informative in some ways was 'death' himself. he who brings relief. suffering... he who eats the truth and fear... he who opens doors.this experience though i must say nearly killed me, but what i learnt from it was great. talking to 'true life' brought me back from the edge and the experience has taught me about 'life'. it must be said here that Jesus is True Life.

life (strength and freshness) can be know by his attributes (movement, attraction and function) .i had said that "true life is the true water of life", however though happy to agree with the term "living waters" i am happier to see life as more akin to flame, in that it needs to consume in order to spread and grow, and deprived of fuel/food etc it dies out. fire in the purest sense is love, from fire comes light and light is truth (purity), from truth comes colour and colour is being/life and beings, in all its multiversity. as well as being, life is also understood to be consciousness or mind, all of these things look back to truth (understanding) and truth looks back to love (kindness). And then finally love looks up to true love in order to sublimate the dualism... "loving kindness".

fuel ->fire ->light -> colour
goodness ->love ->truth/life -> being
service->kindness ->understanding -> this

therefore the most important modifier of being is truth, which is directly linked to and generates being, but truth will not be possible without love. n.b. consciousness (being) should not be confused with perception (truth). nor should it be confused with self (I). it is possible to understand why pythagoras saw fire as the supreme element.

above i look at the mechanics of fire/love as the ultimate first principle in all spiritual transformation. however believe as a christian mystic that it is of great value to love the love, to love the truth and to love being, not only as practical realities in daily life but also in the person of "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who is fire" (Blaise Pascal), in a personal way as a person. respect for the qualities representing God is of great value, but i believe of greater value to know 'him', in person.

deaths functions are weariness (extreme exhaustion) and lack of energy. a shadowy heaviness of spirit. life attracts, whilst death repels, any object so long as it retains a function retains life to some degree. for example a knife gains life through sharpening, but as it becomes blunt it looses its function... but can be resharpened.

true life, 'he who gives to those that come to him' can restore and preserve movement, function and attraction in our mortal bodies.

the gold is ourselves, we are purified, by the the fire of love, within our hearts and the spirit of truth. the spiritual journey has not begun until the heart becomes activated and blessed. the purpose of the mind is to guide, guard and protect the heart into its growth toward perfection. the mind is the beginning of the firing process, it regulates the fire in the furnace. positive and wholesome thoughts and blessings upon oneself and others, encounters with God and spiritual guides, activating ones organs and nerves brain etc (the body mind continuum) through focused concentration on them. all these things originate in the mind... but it is the heart/furnace that is affected. when you begin to feel regular changes and blessing in your heart (the furnace) then you will know that you are on the right track. buds begin to appear.

change, he who 'speaks fairly, without uttering a word', is the one who will bless you if your actions are pure, both of mind and heart. suffering is in what people do, suffering is in what you do. if you act fairly and loveingly, you will manage the change in your life for better and toward perfection. it must however be mentioned that "suffering is the ancient law of love" (Susa).

the elexir of the taoists is the potential within oneself, or the image of god/buddha nature. apparently everyone has this potential. the spiritual embryos formed by uniting the opposites and qualities within oneself, coming to a form of oneness in every aspect, and yet a twoness. the will and desire along with a focused mind that knows its potential can do all this. watch out for white tigers... a white tiger, then your on track.

notingness produces snow, as one immortal (yang po tuan) said, this comes about from exposure to nothingness, a seed is born. through vows one is able to annihilate ones self and attain emptiness. the emptiness becomes nothingness (this is a dangerous and uncomfortable state to be in) then a snow-flake is born, or i hope, many! patience.

i can only speculate about ultimate potential, having not attained it myself... it may be that one is what one desires to be and yet not yet what one desires to be. but not in the final conclusion (i speculate) "i have not arrived and yet i have" may not be sufficient... there is still work for me to do.

may whoever reads these words understand, and gain the inspiration to seek the ultimate potential hidden within themselves, having notrealised it yet myself.

i bow before God, the father, the son and the holy spirit.

with lots and lots of love, from, snow-flake. xxx
... Read more