Taoism Philosophy

I didn't set out to create a new translation of the Tao Te Ching when writing The Way. Since Lao Tzu wrote it in the fourth century BC, it has become one of the most widely translated works in the world and hardly needs a new scholarly treatment. Instead, I sought to capture the way the verses have come alive in me with language and metaphors that are more easily understood by a modern Western listener.

In the midst of our turbulent, conflicted modern life, how do we find a sense of peace and harmony so that we can navigate through this world without breaking down? The ancient philosophy of Tao has been giving us the tools to do this for centuries. Not only does it offer a set of techniques with which to achieve happiness, but it actually invokes a mental shift which results in a transformed mindset. Despite being an ancient philosophy, Tao is as practical and applicable today as it was centuries ago.

Volume Six of the Easing Into Collection, explores the Tao te Ching (Dao de Jing), one of the perennial classics of the Axial Age (around BCE 500). Kim points out the 10 great ideas of the text, supporting the inquiry with responsive poetry, and posing questions for further contemplation. Whether used in group settings, or as a journaling companion, Easing into Lao Tzu's Tao te Ching, will help clarify this beautiful, but difficult text, and invite you into further study.

El Tao Te King, de más de 2000 años de antigedad, es uno de los ejes referenciales del pensamiento oriental. Atribuido de Lao-Tsé, del cual se dice que estuvo meditando durante 80 años en el vientre de su madre virgen antes de decidirse a nacer, consta de 81 puntos compuestos de máximas breves en torno al "Tao", y de modo singular empieza la obra afirmando que 'Del Tao que se puede hablar, no es el Tao eterno'.