The Essential Tao : An Initiation into the Heart of Taoism Through the Authentic Tao Te Ching and the Inner Teachings of Chuang-Tzu

Most Western (and Eastern) studies of the Daoist texts translated in this volume have been limited by reference to an extremely small range of expository commentary. In these translations, of an altogether different stripe from the familiar, Cleary makes use of commentarial traditions hitherto unknown to Westerners, as well as to Easterners unfamiliar with the Quanzhen school of Daoism. Western scholarship in this area has been limited by preconceptions based on solipsistic, nihilistic, or fatalistic views of so-called 'philosophical' Daoism, as well as by overly simplistic concepts of Chinese grammar and vocabulary. Therefore what is known of this tradition in the West has been restricted by its sources and suppositions, while the enormous range and variety of native Chinese interpretations has largely been untouched. It is not to be wondered, therefore, that Cleary's extraordinary new renditions of these works, informed by Quanzhen Daoist tradition, are found enlightening by those unafraid of enlarging their views, while irritating to those who require reassurance.

Of the three translations/versions of the Tao Te Ching, and commentaries on it, that I have read to date, I recommend Cleary's. Some readers complain that Cleary's translation isn't as 'readable' as other translations of the Tao Te Ching. Stephen Mitchell's translation is more popularly admired, but this says more about readers than the integrity of the respective texts. Reason suggests that a close and accurate translation should indeed sound foreign and awkward to 21st century Western hearers. Cleary is highly regarded for his scholarship of ancient Chinese texts, and his translation also includes the Inner Teachings of Chuang Tzu, with commentary/notes on both texts. The Tao Te Ching is a well-known battery of apparently counter-intuitive assertions, overwhelming contrary to materialist / consumerist / modernist assumptions, sometimes opaque and generally suggesting a need for scholarly commentary. Again, Cleary seems to be a trustworthy guide, dispassionate and well informed. The Inner Teachings of Chuang Tzu are more fanciful and perhaps somewhat less interesting, but in part underscore one of the Tao's thematic threads, that of knowing and not-knowing: "What is more, there is a great awakening, after which we know this is a grandiose dream. Yet fools think themselves to be awake. . . Even my saying you are dreaming is a dream too. This kind of talk is called extremely strange . . . Suppose I have a debate with you, and you beat me, I don't beat you--does that mean that you are actually right and I am actually wrong? If I beat you and you don't beat me, does that mean I am actually right and you are actually wrong? Are both right, or both wrong?" I won't feign any personal expertise or intimate knowledge of Taoism, but merely observe what seems fairly obvious to me--this volume is a sound "initiation into the heart of Taoism through the authentic Tao Te Ching and the Inner Teachings of Chuang Tzu."

Thomas Cleary, a recognised and respected scholar on Eastern religions and philosophies, is an acknowledged master also of translation from classic Chinese and Japanese tests. If one seeks out English translations of `The Taoist I Ching' or `The Art of War,' Cleary's version is probably the edition most likely to be found.Thus, the work in this book, `The Essential Tao,' an initiation into the heart of Taoism through the authentic `Tao Te Ching' and the inner teachings of `Chuang Tzu,' carries a great pedigree. It fully lives up to expectations. These two works, which together describe the essentials of the philosophy and practice of Tao, impart great wisdom and insight, and Cleary's translation keeps much of the distinctiveness of the original Chinese. The `Tao Te Ching' and `Chuang Tzu' cover a wide array of topics, from traditionally religious subjects such as mysticism, spirituality, morality, and cosmology, to more practical matters such as politics, economics, and even how to manage stress in a stress-filled world (which may account for the rise in popularity of Eastern philosophies as we hurry toward a 24-hour non-stop economy). `Few of the world's great books have achieved the perennial currency of these writings. Countless readers have found endless fascination and enlightenment in the pregnant aphorisms and fantastic allegories of these ancient texts.'Those who mastered the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, the teachings and wisdom of Lao-tzu, the Old Master, were sought after as advisors, spiritual leaders, mentors, and administrators. According to the ethos of Tao, the developments, insights and wisdom gained from following Tao must be shared, put to the service of all. `The Way is unimpeded harmony;its potential may never be fully exploited.It is as deep as the source of all things:it blunts the edges,resolves the complications,harmonises the light,assimilates to the world.Profoundly still, it seems to be there:I don't know whose child it is,before the creation of images.'Some of the aphorisms read as proverbs:`To speak rarely is natural.That is why a gusty wind doesn't last the morning,a downpour of rain doesn't last the day.'and`Be tactful and you remain whole;bend and you remain straight.The hollow is filled,the old is renewed.'These are hopes and promises of many religions, and the goal of many sciences and philosophies. The second work, the `Chuang Tzu,' is a great work of Chinese literature, in addition to being a source of Taoist wisdom. Written by Chuang Chou, the first Taoist master and scholar of the teachings of Lao-tzu, this work has allegories and symbols that have been contemplated since it was first written. Chuang Chou lived at a rather more turbulent time than Lao-tzu, and because of his learning, was sought after as advisors to kings, but declined, preferring not to become, as he put it, a sacrificial animal.Chuang Chou looked for freedom in many ways, psychological and social as well as political. He looked for freedo

Thomas Cleary, a recognised and respected scholar on Eastern religions and philosophies, is an acknowledged master also of translation from classic Chinese and Japanese tests. If one seeks out English translations of The Taoist 'I Ching' or 'The Art of War,' Cleary's version is probably the edition most likely to be found.Thus, the work in this book, 'The Essential Tao,' an initiation into the heart of Taoism through the authentic 'Tao Te Ching' and the inner teachings of 'Chuang Tzu,' carries a great pedigree. It fully lives up to expectations. These two works, which together describe the essentials of the philosophy and practice of Tao, impart great wisdom and insight, and Cleary's translation keeps much of the distinctiveness of the original Chinese. The 'Tao Te Ching' and 'Chuang Tzu' cover a wide array of topics, from traditionally religious subjects such as mysticism, spirituality, morality, and cosmology, to more practical matters such as politics, economics, and even how to manage stress in a stress-filled world (which may account for the rise in popularity of Eastern philosophies as we hurry toward a 24-hour non-stop economy). 'Few of the world's great books have achieved the perennial currency of these writings. Countless readers have found endless fascination and enlightenment in the pregnant aphorisms and fantastic allegories of these ancient texts.'Those who mastered the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, the teachings and wisdom of Lao-tzu, the Old Master, were sought after as advisors, spiritual leaders, mentors, and administrators. According to the ethos of Tao, the developments, insights and wisdom gained from following Tao must be shared, put to the service of all. 'The Way is unimpeded harmony;its potential may never be fully exploited.It is as deep as the source of all things:it blunts the edges,resolves the complications,harmonises the light,assimilates to the world.Profoundly still, it seems to be there:I don't know whose child it is,before the creation of images.'Some of the aphorisms read as proverbs:'To speak rarely is natural.That is why a gusty wind doesn't last the morning,a downpour of rain doesn't last the day.'and'Be tactful and you remain whole;bend and you remain straight.The hollow is filled,the old is renewed.'These are hopes and promises of many religions, and the goal of many sciences and philosophies. The second work, the Chuang Tzu, is a great work of Chinese literature, in addition to being a source of Taoist wisdom. Written by Chuang Chou, the first Taoist master and scholar of the teachings of Lao-tzu, this work has allegories and symbols that have been contemplated since it was first written. Chuang Chou lived at a rather more turbulent time than Lao-tzu, and because of his learning, was sought after as advisors to kings, but declined, preferring not to become, as he put it, a sacrificial animal.Chuang Chou looked for freedom in many ways, psychological and social as well as political. He looked for freedom

Any chance to read the Tao Te Ching, as well as get the essentials of Chuang Tzu under the same covers, must be celebrated. Unless you can read the Chinese original, you need many interpretations to gather a sense of the ineffable Dao, the Way of Life, and Cleary's is a worthy attempt. I like Feng/English and Mitchell's translations too, but in this case you also get a concise introduction to the whole of philosophical Daoism.