This book, in my opinion, is the best introduction to early Taoism. It is available on Amazon (in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover) here. It includes a translation of Lao-Tzu’s Tao Te Ching.
Here is the ‘blurb’ on Amazon…
In ‘Sitting with Lao Tzu’, you will discover:
What it means to return to our Source, and how to do it.
How to live a truly authentic life.
How we are connected to all things.
How to stop striving and relax into the present moment.
How to trust the universe and act without forcing things.
What true wisdom is, and how to be truly wise.
How to bring awareness of the Tao into our daily lives.
How to reclaim our original simplicity.
Beaulac is obviously indebted to Alan Watts (see my previous post).
Welcome to ‘The Tao’. I am pleased to have you here and to embark on this journey together. This first blog post marks the beginning of our exploration into the fascinating world of early Taoism. I invite you to delve into the depths of this ancient philosophy, to question, to discuss, and to share your thoughts on any page (see the menu above), including this one and subsequent posts.
In my pursuit to understand the Tao, I have delved into the works of two remarkable Taoist sages, Lao-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu, as well as many books attempting to decipher their writings. However, I have come to realize that the Tao cannot be adequately explained within the confines of words or philosophical concepts; it is a mystery that surpasses our comprehension.
To borrow the words of Alan Watts, the Tao can be described as “the ultimate reality of the universe, the ground of being and nonbeing.” It is the “natural course, the flow, and the process of nature.” Yet, it is not something that can be fully understood or categorized. It is to be felt, intuited, and divined, but not explained. Despite its mysterious nature, we can gain some insight into the Tao through direct and immediate experience.
Central to Chinese thinking and Taoism is the principle of polarity, Yin-Yang. It serves as a much-needed correction to the dualism often found in Western religions and philosophies. Understanding and adopting this perspective can be transformative and a true “game changer.”
The Yin-Yang polarity is introduced to us in the Tao Te Ching. I say much about this most significant way of seeing and understanding reality.
I’m excited to embark on this journey with you and to witness the potential transformations that lie ahead. Together, let’s uncover the wisdom of the Tao and explore its timeless teachings. Feel free to join the discussion, share your insights, and let us learn from each other as we embark on this path of discovery.
