Way to Life: At the Heart of the Tao Te Ching, The

by Benjamin Hoff

Selections adapted from various English translations of the Tao de Ching.

"Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, one of the most inspired and provocative pieces of Chinese literature, has intrigued Westerners for generations. Countless translations and commentaries have been produced, but the meaning of the ancient text has remained obscure and subject to controversy. These new and and extremely creative versions by Benjamin Hoff, accompanied by an introduction to the basics of Taoist philosophy, bring the words of the sage to life once again.

The Tao Te Ching, or Tao Virtue Classic, concerns the workings of Tao, the way or path to life in harmony with natural laws. The Tao Te Ching cautions us to seek wisdom rather than knowledge: 'Along the way to knowledge many things are accumulated. Along the way to wisdom many things are discarded.' In just this manner, Benjamin Hoff has succeeded in dispersing the mysteries surrounding this ancient text and in reducing the Taoist philosophy to a straightforward message, ever intriguing but no longer elusive. Such basic principles of Taoism as the uncarved block, the source, and wu wei are given lucid definition. And in further accordance with the Taoist belief that words are an insufficient vehicle for conveying the meaning of Tao, sixteen colour photographs are juxtaposed to selected passages, reflecting their essential truth. Not merely decorative, these photographs form an integral part of this unique presentation." — from front flap.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy

88 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1981

About the author

Benjamin Hoff grew up in the Portland, Oregon neighborhood of Sylvan, where he acquired a fondness of the natural world that has been highly influential in his writing. Hoff obtained a B.A. in Asian Art from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington in 1973.

Hoff has also studied architecture, music, fine arts, graphic design and Asian Culture. His studies in Asian Culture included reaching the certificate level in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, had two years of apprenticeship in Japanese fine-pruning methods, and four years of instruction in the martial art form of T'ai chi ch'uan, including a year of Ch'i Kung. In his spare time, he practices Taoist Qigong and T'ai chi ch'uan.

Hoff was awarded the American Book Award in 1988 for The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow. The Tao of Pooh was an international bestseller and spent 49 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list. The Te of Piglet also became an international bestseller and spent 59 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list.

In 2006, Hoff published an essay on his website titled "Farewell to Authorship", in which he denounced the publishing industry and announced his resignation from book-writing.

Reviews

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed Hoff's selections and interpretations. He has a keen eye and a good sense of Tao.

I want to write 'however', at this point, with the observation that he can be very hard or blunt. And that there is a distinctly American-centric feeling to his interpretations that gives it an interesting flavour. This makes itself particularly apparent in his summary descriptions. And I find myself reacting to this in an ambivalent way, which brings a smile to my face because recently I have been described as being at least in some way that way. I wonder, though, am I as blunt as this?

Like the village idiot who eats from trash cans and then wonders why he feels weaker than before, the commercially convinced buyer of bestiality feeds his subconscious mind with socially and spiritually contaminating garbage, and is then unable to understand why coldness, cruelty, and criminal conduct are increasing around him, and why a vague emotional numbness is spreading within. Poisoning his own mind and spirit, subjecting his miraculously sensitive nervous and glandular systems to unnaturally high levels of stressful stimulation, and contributing his money to mercenary salesmen for the privilege of being pushed and pulled around like a small pawn on a giant chessboard, he is led to believe that he is somehow escaping from, rather than adding to, his problems. But the problems become greater for all(72).

Here is an example of an 'interpretation' that brings his sensibilities strongly to the front. Given that he extolls the importance of wu-wei (action without the appearance of acting, or perhaps forceless or graceful accomplishment) and of the uncarved block, his leaving fingerprints is counter to that. Anyway, an example:

Laws may govern a state,
Strategies may win wars,
But empires are kept alive the longest
By doing what is required to rule,
And no more.

How can we know this is true?

Taxes are passed,
‘To benefit the people.’
The more taxes there are,
The more poverty increases.

Weapons are accumulated,
‘To protect the people.’
The more weapons there are,
The more threats and danger.

Clever officials are appointed,
‘To serve the people.’
The more clever people there are,
The more confusion rules the land.

Regulations are written,
‘To guide the people.’
The more regulations,
The more robbery and lying.

Without taxes,
There is wealth.
Without weapons,
There is peace.
Without cleverness,
There is order.
Without regulations,
There is honesty.

As interfering help is given,
Ability and confidence are taken away (61) [ch 57 traditional or ch 20 recent order].

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read this book for years.


I loved his other books and the Tao Te Ching I read back in college, which I also loved.

It evokes this happiness, near excitement, when I read it which seems to go against the calmness I mean to inspire.

It’s a joy to chew over these ideas again.

Also helped me decide to make a shelf which I’m going to call ‘la chemin’ and possibly reread some of the titles therein.


Quote

“the rigidity of ego can best be worn away by the gentleness of caring, as mountains are worn away by the sea. The first treasure force, overcomes, apathy, cruelty, and fear, as well as the key that opens the mind to understanding.”