Raindancer

That's why I said "as possible", which I guess means that it can be quite different from the original text. As long as it stays true to the original meaning I think it's good enough. Are some texts really so cryptic that the meaning is lost? That's unfortunate, but not too surprising, given that the texts are very old.

Thank you for the tips/information! I will take a look at that, even though I'm not exactly sure what I would prefer. I would like the texts to be translated as clearly and accurately as possible, but without losing the "soul" (not sure how to describe it), I guess commentary might be both interesting and helpful. Yeah, I will look at that.

I'm just trying to find somewhere to start, these books are not available at the library on this island and I prefer reading/studying from books. I know I will not be able to practice it all, but I want to be aware.

I will invest in two translations of the I Ching (Wilhelm and Huang) and use the translation available online of the Chuang Tzu to start with. If I have any questions I'm sure I will find answers on this forum, you've all been to great help and I am very thankful I agree that those seem to be very different from each other, ernobe. I will make sure to not just read, but to study what I read to make sure I avoid misunderstanding the true meaning. I'm sure this forum will be to great help with that! I will keep that in mind, Apech. I know very little about the I Ching so I might understand things a bit better once I've started studying it. I have yet to learn all these words used, yaoci, gua and bagua, but I think I know what you mean. Again, thank you everyone!

Thank you both for the warning. If he is so unclear/confusing in his translation, is there a point in getting his translation?

Hmm, I see. Thank you for telling me. I found the first book (The Taoist I Ching) where I intend to buy the others from, so that one would be easy for me to get. I will take a look at the link

Yes, that would definitely be an option. I will still try to find it as a book since I don't like reading texts like that on the computer, but it's a good idea, I guess I could even print it.

Thank you for the information, Lost in Translation! After looking around I am quite positive that I will invest in that one Is it the full Chuang Tzu that can be read on this link? (site shared by Marblehead earlier in thread) My eyes don't do well with light text on dark background, so I am trying to find it in book form, but if that's the entire text I guess I could use that if I am not successful.

Okay, I've been able to find some opinions on different translations, and it seems like it might be beneficial to read a few different ones. For I Ching I've found translations by Richard Wilhelm (Cary F Baynes) and Alfred Huang available where I'm at, maybe that's an alright start. Trying to find the translations mentioned for Chuang Tzu now.

I see, that is good to know, thank you for telling me, Apech and rideforever! I will take a look at both and go from there. I will check out the I Ching, I assume there are plenty of different translations of that one as well. Is there one that is generally preferred?

Thank you for the advice, video links and the music/Tao Te Ching link, rideforever. Looks like it might be exactly what I need when it comes to meditation, I'll check them out Could I practice both Tai Chi and Qigong? Would one be better for me? Thank you for the recommendations, ernobe! I don't know if English versions could ever be 100 % "correct" since they're being translated from a language quite different from English, but ofc the closer the better one day I would like to learn Chinese so that I could read the original, not sure how hard that would be, though. I did some research before I picked the Tao Te Ching book that I have, which seems to be the best translation available in my native language. There might very well be better ones out there in English, so I'll check that out for sure. I also think I would like to read Tao Te Ching in English since I will probably read all the other works in English, to make it easier for myself. Thank you for the links, I'll check them out!

Thank you for your advice and in depth description. I've always found meditating to be quite hard because I easily start daydreaming, I have become better with practice, but I'm by no means perfect, so I will try to do as you advised. Is there any youtube video describing what you just did while they're doing it? I've found that I have an easier time learning if I see someone else do it, even if most of the action happen inside of them.

Thank you so much for your reply and for the link, I've looked around on that site some now (took me a while to understand the layout) and I will continue to look around there. Tao Chi might be a good addition to my routine then, thank you again

Thank you all for the encouragement! Sounds like I've found the right place I will have to look around some more on the forum when I get time (I work a lot this week). I'm not really sure where to start, but I'm happy that I found this place. I'm sure I will like it here!

xD Words of wisdom, I'll remember that, thank you

Thank you, Limahong. I've always felt like one with the nature, maybe it is not necessary to feel as close to humans.

Thank you everyone! And thank you for the information, Fa Xin. Alone might've been the wrong word, but I feel that I would like someone to talk to that feels the same, so I'm happy that I found this forum. I wish my dancing would lend some rain over here as well, but I've not been that successful. This is the driest summer I've ever experienced.