Creativity and Taoism

by Chung-yuan Chang

In Creativity and Taoism, Chang Chung-yuan makes the elusive principle of Tao available to the western mind with objectivity, warmth, and depth of insight. It is an important contribution to the task of making the Taoist wisdom accessible to the western intellect' - Ira Progoff 'No one can read Chang's book without experiencing a broadening of his mental horizons' - John C. H. Wu, Philosophy East and West 'His interpretation of the Taoist roots of Ch'an has been presented with taste and learning that help to clear up many questions that must have occurred to anyone familiar with his subject. "The Spirit of the Valley" dwells in this quiet and gentle man who, as so rarely happens, actually embodies some of the philosophic traits of which he writes' - Gerald Sykes 'If the end of reading is the enhancement of life, the enlargement of experience and understanding, then this book becomes an important step in that direction. Dr. Chang writes in a style both lucid and felicitous. He displays with becoming modesty a mastery of the field, its development and its ideas... There is hardly a page which does not give pleasure' - Robert R. Kirsh, Los Angeles Times 'Professor Chang's study, a brilliant exposition and analysis, is concerned with the relevance and applicability of the Taoist view in Chinese artistic and intellectual creativity. Few other works facilitate so sensitive an understanding of creative impulse and expression in Chinese culture' - Hyman Kublin, Library Journal Simultaneously accessible and scholarly, this classic book considers the underlying philosophy and the aesthetics of Chinese art and poetry, the expression of the Taoist approach to existence. Chapters cover everything from the potential of creativity to the way tranquillity is reflected in Chinese poems and painting. Chung-yuan Chang's deceptively simple and always lucid narrative explores the relationship between the Tao and the creative arts, introducing classic paintings and poems to bring Taoism to life.

Genres: Philosophy, Taoism, China, Spirituality, Poetry, Art, Religion

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Oliver Mardon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sparks alot of curiosity through its deep dive on the history of Taoism, especially expressed through poetry and artwork and how creativity and tranquility interweaves in these art forms. I think it falls short however as it runs stale at times due to the constant references to sources and quotations that makes it feel slightly like a dissertation. Quite a densely packed 240 pages.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fishing net serves to catch fish.
Let us take the fish and forget the net.
The snare serves to catch the rabbit.
Let us take the rabbit and forget the snare.

-Chuang Tzu

[Whoof]

cool book