by Alan Watts

Format: Paper book
Length: 96 pages
Short description: An overview of Tao concepts and guidance for Tao experience, emphasizing the wisdom of letting life unfold and going with the flow.

Editorial review:
This short work is an easy introduction to the core concepts of Taoism/Daoism. Since the question, “What is Tao?” can never truly be answered Alan simply highlights it by examples of its operation. He also goes on to talk about the Dao De Jing and its core teachings. After which he talks about De and his favourite Daoist notion: Wu Wei (Non-acting/non-forcing). He then talks about Ying and Yang and the concepts behind the Chinese method of divination; the iChing.

A great little book that puts Alan’s thoughts very clear and succinctly.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Amazon
What is Tao?

by Chuang Tzu

Format: Paper book
Length: 352 pages
Short description: One of the great Taoist thinkers, Chuang Tzu, lived in the fourth century BC and is among the most enjoyable and intriguing personalities in the whole of Chinese philosophy.

Editorial review:
The Chuang Tzu. One of the most important Daoist books in the world and widely considered to be the partner to the Dao De Jing. Master Chuang lived after the author of the DDJ and has a much more historical grounding than Master Lao. This books influence on the world is still felt today, and the ideas contained within are relevant to almost every endeavour. In it the master playfully tells seemingly fantastical stories, which highlight some aspect of his thoughts regarding the Dao (the way), the De (the Power) and – fundamentally – the operation of all reality. That sounds like heavy stuff, but actually it is all woven around small stories about butchers, butterflies and mythical creatures. Not to mention the poking of fun at the Confucians of his time!

This is a joy to read from cover to cover and – once one has laughed at the puns and come back for a second time – the truly deep and involving philosophy comes to light. A Philosophy of acting in accordance with the Dao, being the way to happiness. A Philosophy of non interference with the operations of the world, or letting be. Of learning to act with the way so that small actions can have massive effects. Being the fulcrum. Or not getting in ones own way. Of not struggling against the reality of nature.

Put it this way: if Captain Ahab had read this book before going white whaling, he would have been able to return and live a long happy life.

This is a book it is easy to get wrong. Master Chuang does not teach Non-Acting, the ignoring of problems, rather he teaches to act without forcing. An almost gentile act that makes any struggle almost effortless. A follower of the Daoism of Master Chuang doesn’t curse the rain and run from eave to eave – getting more wet in the process – rather he/she walks with the rain and enjoys it. This is a book for people who like singing in the rain. Looking at the moon. Climbing mountains. Walking amongst parks. Playing games. Enjoying life by living with the world as a part of it, and not against it – locked up in your head awaiting death. This is the book of universal life.

Regarding this edition. All Chuang Tzu editions include long introductions. It clearly an ancient work and needs some context to be accessible. The introduction in this book is particularly good and covers all the important things one needs to know, such as who the historical man was, where he lived and how the lived. It points out some Chinese traditions to do with add extra chapters to existing works and that modern scholars think that Chuang himself only created an inner core of chapters, with the rest being added later.

If you have any interest in Daoism/Taoism then this is vital reading. It contrasts to the Dao De Jing in being far more readable and not so poetically inscrutable and shows that Daoism is truly a religion with a sense of humour.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Amazon
The Book of Chuang Tzu (Penguin Classics)

By HH Dalai Lama

Format: Paper book
Length: 144 pages
Short description: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with the Dalai Lama and really press him about life’s persistent questions?

Editorial review:
What is the “Art” of happiness? How does one find it? In this interesting book the Lama outlines more of his practical methods in relation to his beliefs. One of the most popular Buddhist masters in the world, and definitely the best known in the West, the Lama has a foot happily in both worlds, which puts him in the best possible position to bridge them. He has a truly beneficent nature and this comes across in all aspects of his writing. In other books he slightly looks down upon the “Lesser” vehicle and is not afraid to forward the point of view of the Diamond vehicle, but here he is in more of a direct and psychological mood. Holding up a mirror to the west and its ideals. He has a considerable intellect and his thoughts flow in a well thought-out order from the first to the last.

The main crux of the book is in the form of interviews between the Lama and the second author; Howard Cutter. Both men answer the questions raised, which are mainly around the psychology of finding happiness. For the Lama, of course, this involves training of the mind and heart (classic Buddhist belief) and how this will improve the perception of the world around you. For all Buddhists, happiness comes from realising that the mind dictates the nature of reality. Pure bliss could be a living hell for someone in the wrong frame of mind. Conversely, one can obtain true happiness even in adversity if one is able to grasp this truth and cultivate the mind.

In other words: your happiness is in your hands not external forces such as luck. A great message and one well worth the trouble to explore. Should you have the courage to put these acts into practice then (for the Buddhists) you are well on the road to enlightenment.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Amazon
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

by Lao tzu

Format: Audio book
Read by: Sir Nigel Hawthorne
Length: 1 hour and 16 min
Short description: Sir Nigel Hawthorne’s inspiring reading brings to life this new translation of Lao Tzu’s 2,500 year old Chinese classic.

Editorial review:
Of all the audio versions of the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) in my collection, this is the one I keep with me on my iPhone. There is something deeply melodic about Sir Nigel’s voice and way of speaking. He has a method of pronouncing the poetry of the DDJ that comes only from training. His basic method is to place the emphasis himself as one would when using the “poets voice” at an aloud reading. This means that the meaning of the words is left entirely to the listener and you never feel “directed” by the manner with which he couplets the lines. He also manages to speak with all seriousness, which is to taste really. For me, one of the most wondrous things about this wonderful religion is that it has a sense of humour. Playful, never stern. In this reading of the DDJ, Nigel doesn’t quite pull off the ludicrousness of having poetic knowledge saying that are to all intents and purpose inscrutable – and definitely so. The DDJ is not supposed to be nailed down in prose, which is handy because that is exactly what every translation fails to do.  This translation is what I would call “standard”; it isn’t updated or bowdlerised, but neither is it a masterwork.

It is a marvellous flowing stream of speech and one you can just relax and let run over you, around your ears and into your heart.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Audible
Non Members: £10.49
Members: 1 Credit (£7)
Tao Te Ching

By Benjamin Hoff

Format: Paper book
Length: 432 pages
Short description: One of the most light hearted and inaccurate Daoism books, but still a classic.

Editorial review:
The Tao (Dao) and the Te (De), the Way and its Power. The mysterious power of the entire universe and the expression of that power. Heavy stuff. Winnie the Pooh? Piglet?

This book is one of the most widely known of all works on Daoism in the West. Which is daft really as it is hardly a serious tome nor one that is accurate in any depth. Many later authors have slated the Daoism expressed in this book, pouring scorn on its author for the promulgation of the idea that Daoism is split into Philosophical and Religious types and pointing out that the excerpts from the Dao De Jing to be found here are bowdlerised and wrong.

Who cares! This is one of the most fun and funny Daoism books I have read and I loved it. This was the first book that made me consider Daoism as a path and was exciting enough to draw my eye to the journey to where I find myself now. The book is written in a comedy fashion and Winnie the Pooh is a character in the work. He sits aside the author who is making a rather fun argument that Winnie is the perfect Daoist. Not concerned with learning or investigating the world intellectually, he manages to grasp its meaning naturally. The author draws out this lesson by contrasting the beliefs and feelings of the other characters with Winnie’s. It’s all fun and easy to read.

However, it is not without problems, even apart from the ones mentioned above. The second part of the book about Piglet is terrible. I suspect that the author had a great idea concerning Winnie, had a lot of fun running with it and then ran out of steam. To make the book of a length he mashed up the piglet stuff and added it on.

So, while I do recommend this book and it is a great place to start, it is almost a joke. However, as jokes go it is a funny one and there is something about the idea. Some nugget of a point that can start a spark in the reader. It did for me. It lit a match, which is now a forest fire.

If that was the author’s intention, then it was successful.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Amazon
The Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet (Wisdom of Pooh)

The “Very Short Introduction” range covers almost every intellectual subject you can imagine. These are small, pocket sized books packed with information and a good authors voice. Unlike the washed out, clinical and textbook nature of the “Dummies” range, here Oxford have hired someone to actually say something. I own many of these books and they are all of the same – very high – quality. Oxford are a major university publisher and many of my degree works were commissioned by them.

Here we have one of the best retellings of the life of the Buddha I have yet read. It clearly explains the context of his life and the world around him. Many many introductions to this subject try too hard to equate the world of the Buddha to the world today and its order. Here the author points out that the Buddha wasn’t a Prince in the way we imagine and are told. The western concept of the Prince is not really relevant or equivalent to the ancient Indian cast that Buddha was born into. The author also clearly covers what happened to Buddhism after the great man’s death and how it spanned the globe. He then covers the types of Buddhism and what are the beliefs of a Buddhist.

Of all the introduction books that I own (which is by far the most common book type to be found in Western libraries and bookshops) this is my favourite. I keep it hanging around the house and have often reread it. It may be short – I first read it cover to cover on a long Indian train ride – but it is light and one that you will find yourself returning to again and again. Not too scholarly as it remains eminently readable, and not too in depth that you lose your will to continue. This book is just right.

Regards,

Basho

Buy at Amazon
Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Alan Watts

Format: Paper book
Length: 144 pages
Short description: A classic work from Alan Watts that contains some previously unpublished material.

Editorial review:
This is the one the most rounded and complete of the (many and great) works of the late Alan Watts. If a historian was to, and one day I hope one does, mark Watt’s work into periods, then this would be from the “self help” period. This is the philosophy of Alan, dripping Daoism, new age philosophy and cracking Zen Buddhism (always hidden from view of course) thrown into a great little book. The title gives away the clue to the heart of the ideas in this book, namely that you have the power to be what you want; it is just about realising it. You are a miracle, you are you. Stop acting lost in a sensual maze and find yourself in the middle – realise that you are the mind in the maze and the maze itself. Books like this are the progenitors of modern self-help titles, which have removed the religious philosophy another remove. Alan had the philosophical courage to not do that. He always references. Lao Tzu, Buddha and on many occasions Jesus are given their dues as the source of ideas. Since Alan never made out that he was “creating” his philosophy, which if you think about makes sense; as he is claiming it is already there right under our noses, he never comes across as preaching.

Most of the ideas in here are to be found in his audio works, but they are massive, this is focussed. Some of his other written works are not “rounded”, that is they contain ideas that are not fully explained or perhaps the line of argument through the work drifts one way or another, or is treated lightly. Not here. Here he has made special effort to bring it into line. As such, this is a great book for someone new to Alan, or someone who needs a hand in finding themselves.

On my edition, the circle in the middle of the cover is bright silver and reflects. This sits on my coffee table and people often wonder at it or pick it up and check it out. It is one of my favourites and I also have the audio edition.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Amazon
Become What You are

By Jonathan Landaw

Format: Paper book
Length: 384 pages
Short description: If you’re curious about Buddhism but feel intimidated by all the exotic jargon and strange trappings, this book is for you.

Editorial review:
The “For Dummies” books are legion. Covering all aspects of almost any subject you could mention. Like most, I came across them first in the Computer realm. I own a fair collection of them, of which this was quite a find. I remember spotting it while in Goa on my travels in India in a little book shop next to the “new age” beach of Arambol. Like most of these books, it is in a large yet paperback format and so you may have all sorts of trouble putting it on a short shelf and have to stack it!

As with most Dummies books, it is a very clear and purposely concise introduction to Buddhism. it cover everything from the story of the Buddha to the types of Buddhism, the practices of Buddhism, the difference between the Large and Small vehicle, the great places of Buddhism and what you would have to do to announce that you are a Buddhist. The later is very useful as I often meet people who claim to be Buddhist, but have not even heard of the 3 Noble Truths or what the vows of the Buddhist are. In those cases I am very polite and interested and point them to this book. Indeed a friend once asked me about Buddhism and after I had completely confused him, this book straightened him out again. Each section has multiple boxouts, quotes and notes, which make the learning of the subject much easier than any other book I have.

Of course, this is not a book from the canon of Buddhism, but it will assist anyone in understanding the subject of this fascinating religion. It is a “little” biased to Theravada Buddhism in places and the Diamond & Zen styles. I suspect that this is the voice of the multiple authors creeping in a little. It doesn’t really notice to the beginner.

I challenge anyone to come away from this book not excited and satisfied.

Buy on Amazon

Buddhism for Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback))

By Eva Wong

Format: Paper book
Length: 268 pages
Short description: An introduction to Taoism, divided into three sections: history of Taoism, systems of Taoism and Taoist practices.

Editorial review:
Shambhala write books on all Eastern subjects. They are a new age style publisher making sure that the outlandish and the alternate view is properly heard. I have many of their books. This one has become something of a classic in the Daoism sphere. It is a solid introduction to the subject, with historical and recent perspectives. I do remember picking it up and expecting to see nothing but East Coast (of the US) Daoism, but rather I found it was more concerned with the Religious views of the Far Eastern Daoist and what Daoist’s do to practice. As an introduction and history it satisfies, including the good old Celestial Masters, drinking mercury and Chinese state periods. However, it doesn’t analyse the practices of Daoism as an outsider, only comments on them. Neither does it try and do the impossible and explain the Dao in the sort of philosophical depth one can take that investigation. Nevertheless, I recommend it for anyone who has read the texts of Daoism and are asking themselves what sort of people wrote such poetical, mystical and mysterious works.

Regards,

Basho

Buy on Amazon
The Shambhala Guide to Taoism (Shambhala guides)

by Russell Kirkland

Format: Paper book
Length: 304 pages
Short description: A major scholarly work on Taoism/Daoism shattering some western illusions.

Editorial review:
This book is not trying to be a beginner’s guide. Far too often there exists only beginners guides on subjects. Mainly because, I suspect, they are easier to write than in-depth works. But where does one go after reading them all? Thankfully such contentious works as this exist and so this is a not a book for the beginner in Daoism.

This is a monster of a book.

Not that it is so very long. Rather because it forces you to look (again) at your beliefs in a way few books can manage. It is the largest work that will ask you to doubt what you have read anywhere else. That enables this work to sit very well alongside copies of the Dao De Jing, throwing contrast on the poetry found in that masterwork. In this case Kirkland scoffs at what is commonly known as “Philosophical Daoism” as distinct from “Religious Daoism”, disregarding it as a creation of the west. After reading this, I must agree with him. This is a very in-depth examination of Daoism’s history and methods. From Shamanism in the ancient world to the modern religious practice, this opens up the entire thing examines it and then places it all in context. As such, it is vital reading for anyone seriously considering declaring themselves a Daoist, or who is interested in Daoist thought beyond the Winnie The Pooh kind.

Chapters include a large discussion on the Celestial Masters, the rites of Daoism, other major – and hard to get in English – works still being discovered and a thoroughgoing examination of the relationship between Daoism and Confucianism.

I have read much of Kirkland’s works on Daoism and, while I think he doesn’t get it fully, his is a sobering voice amongst the sea of “lite” books covering the subject. This is fairly heavy stuff and I read it over a number of weeks, but I am glad that I did. There is nothing like holding you beliefs and understandings up and having someone beat them to a pulp in front of you. This is the Daoist equivalent of a Strong Christian reading Richard Dawkins. If you come through the other side of this book unscathed then Daoism is for you. You are a Daoist.

The key is simple. The realisation of actual Daoist belief is no better highlighted by combining the knowledge from the Dao De Jing / Zhuangzi with this work. After all, all is relative. The ancient’s many methods of practising Daoism is only a highlight to the core principle and that doesn’t invalidate anything you may do. Only that you are, like they, revolving around the Dao.

Like I said, this one is a monster. Read it!

Regards,

Basho

This is a great book for highlighting the need for this website as the only Amazon review one stars the work, dismissing it entirely and suggesting other works. To miss this one is a mistake.

Buy on Amazon (Note: There is a Hardback/Paperback and kindle edition. Paperback is cheapest)

Hardback:
Taoism: The Enduring Tradition
Paper back:
Taoism: The Enduring Tradition