Search the Community

Ni hao, Dao Bum, my story is a simple one but one I have never attempted to form into words. I was always into the martial arts, this proved a soft entrance to the Eastern spiritual traditions and forms of internal cultivation. Through meditation, qigong, tai chi and study within Mandarin, I found myself constantly staring into the eyes of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. I picked up a book from Barnes & Nobles that was a five book volume of the Chinese classics, which had a book from each school of thought. Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" (Dao De Jing), was the one that rang so clearly to me despite it's mysterious and often purposely confusing style of writing. It's a format that allowed me to find what I needed throughout various points in my life, the Tao Te Ching was a book of sage advice. However my thirst for more Taoist knowledge had only just begun. I began to read more and more, with each book, a new outlook on life and how to find my inner nature and become like the "uncarved block" (p'u). I delved deep into my studies; finding myself during the Spring and Autumn period history and writing's about Taoist philosophy and as far as modern Taoist sorcery, alchemy, divination, immortality, etc. They each provided an inkling into the mind of the Taoist throughout the many years. With peaceful hermit's like Lao Tzu, to radical extremist like the Yellow Turban Rebellion founder Jiang Jiao, Emperor's fearful of death that set out mass maritime expedition's in search of both an Island of Blest (where the "enlightened man or chen jen resided") and a mushroom of immorality. I've read the stories of the 8- Immortals and how they acted as saint like figures within Chinese History, I've read adaptations of the Taoist thought into modern life and living. Learned how the "Three Teachings" intermingled and their ideologies borrowed from one another. I am here strictly to exchange information and learn information about Taoism and the Three Teachings. Xie xie, zaijian, Lousy Lao Tzu

Hello all, I have not, until now owned a physical copy of the Tao Te Ching. I have audiobooks, and a file on my computer. However, I was visiting a book store and bought a few books (searching for the Ender's Game series books I did not already own). I came across a "economic and earth friendly" version of the Tao Te Ching. It was made from recycled materials, and a very thin compact edition. This was my main reasoning for buying it aside from owning a physical copy. I am not sure how I feel about the James Legge translation. I will absorb as much as I can, noting that these were very early translations from Chinese to English (also researching the back history of Mr. Legge). I want to know what all your opinions of this translation is, and what are the positives, and negatives of his work on it. Thanks everyone!

Hello everyone, I have no clue if this has been posted here before, and if it has I apologies for the repeat post. However, there is a nice audiobook for free download of the Tao Te Ching (with an extended extra of Wu Wei that I have not gotten to yet). I often find myself listening to this when I have the time. I hope somebody finds use for this. https://librivox.org/laotzus-tao-and-wu-wei-by-lao-tzu/ Thanks everyone