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The Essential Tao
An initiation into the heart of Taoism through the authentic Tao Te Ching and the inner teachings of Chuang Tzu. Cleary's insightful translation of these two classic Chinese texts is further enhanced by his informative introduction and commentary.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
Thomas Cleary
250 books281 followersDr. Thomas Francis Cleary, Ph.D. (East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University; J.D., Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley), was a prolific translator of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Muslim classics, with a particular emphasis on popular translations of Mahāyāna works relevant to the Chan, Zen, and Soen systems.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 6, 2024
In The Eighties my heart's deep core was in search mode! Scanning our downtown bookstores for answers to my.persistent existential quandaries, I first seized upon Taoism.
And reading this wonderfully transparent translation, I knew the peace of Tao was my ultimate goal.
Problem was, I wasn't there yet - by a long shot! For I had:
Miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep!
The road goes on forever.
I wasn't patient, being an Aspie, so in '83 I chose the Way of the Cross and became Catholic. At least that way was deeply emotive. And got results fast.
***
Now, at nearly 75, healed of my angst, I have become almost neurotypical. The strong heartbreak of my Cross has done that.
Remember The Fantastix ( "without a hurt, the heart is hollow")? No pain no gain - no gaining "enlightenment" either - without breaking our hearts!
Christ broke his Heart for us.
Why can't we do the same for OURSELVES?
For then peace will be ours at last.
And reading this wonderfully transparent translation, I knew the peace of Tao was my ultimate goal.
Problem was, I wasn't there yet - by a long shot! For I had:
Miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep!
The road goes on forever.
I wasn't patient, being an Aspie, so in '83 I chose the Way of the Cross and became Catholic. At least that way was deeply emotive. And got results fast.
***
Now, at nearly 75, healed of my angst, I have become almost neurotypical. The strong heartbreak of my Cross has done that.
Remember The Fantastix ( "without a hurt, the heart is hollow")? No pain no gain - no gaining "enlightenment" either - without breaking our hearts!
Christ broke his Heart for us.
Why can't we do the same for OURSELVES?
For then peace will be ours at last.
August 31, 2012
The four stars are for the translation. Ranking the Tao Te Ching or Chuang Tzu is a fairly hilarious idea, equivalent to rating the New Testament. No book of any sort is more important to my way of thinking and, to the extent I can stay centered and uncentered, acting, in the world. Taoism is grounded in notions of flow, of the generative emptiness at the center of all things, and the Tao Te Ching particularly emphasizes the implications for political and social life.
For Americans, the main point is to embrace yin energy. We ain't good at it.
Anyway, I'm in the process of reading my way through Cleary's collected translations of the key texts of both the Taoist and (the closely related) Buddhist traditions. A Harvard professor who knows the traditions and the cloud of commentaries surrounding the key texts inside and out, Cleary has given us a set of gifts of inestimable value. If you follow my reviews, you'll be hearing about the specifics regularly over the next few years (provided I don't get hit by a bus and all).
In the case of these texts, his translation places a very heavy emphasis on what I'd call the Confucian dimension of the text: the readings and interpretations that foreground the implications for those in public life. This is a part of what they're about and anyone translating the Chinese characters is going to have to make choices. Cleary's are useful and defensible, but I prefer Stephen Mitchell's less scholarly, more poetic, and more inward translation of the Tao Te Ching. Cleary's not a poet and that's okay, but if you stick with his version, you'll have trouble understanding why I love and honor this book as deeply as I do.
For Americans, the main point is to embrace yin energy. We ain't good at it.
Anyway, I'm in the process of reading my way through Cleary's collected translations of the key texts of both the Taoist and (the closely related) Buddhist traditions. A Harvard professor who knows the traditions and the cloud of commentaries surrounding the key texts inside and out, Cleary has given us a set of gifts of inestimable value. If you follow my reviews, you'll be hearing about the specifics regularly over the next few years (provided I don't get hit by a bus and all).
In the case of these texts, his translation places a very heavy emphasis on what I'd call the Confucian dimension of the text: the readings and interpretations that foreground the implications for those in public life. This is a part of what they're about and anyone translating the Chinese characters is going to have to make choices. Cleary's are useful and defensible, but I prefer Stephen Mitchell's less scholarly, more poetic, and more inward translation of the Tao Te Ching. Cleary's not a poet and that's okay, but if you stick with his version, you'll have trouble understanding why I love and honor this book as deeply as I do.
March 17, 2014
A classic, but clearly you have to be in the mood for this sort of thing (somewhat for the Tao Te Ching, but especially for the Chuang-tzu). I would recommend that one read this before reading too deeply of Woody Allen; otherwise you spend all your time waiting for the twist.
An example: "A man who raised monkeys said he would give them three chestnuts in the morning and four in the evening. The monkeys all became angry at this. Then the man said instead he would give them four in the morning and three in the evening. Now all the monkeys were happy." I kept waiting for "Modern scholars have suggested a better translation to be 'A man who raised monkeys said he would give them three chestnuts in the morning and four in the evening. The monkeys made a counter offer of two chestnuts in the morning, and a banana blancmange at lunch. They settled upon pecan waffles for breakfast, and agreed that they would send out for sarneys at tea-time."
Some of this is, frankly, nonsensical. The word "therefore" often appears, when nothing that came before does the slightest to support the conclusion or moral. I suppose, for saying this, I am as the marsh quail, rather than the 3000 mile-wide bird with the orange Chevette that can drive 40,000KPH.
Just remember, governing a large nation is like cooking little fish: they cook quickly, but there are lots of bones.
An example: "A man who raised monkeys said he would give them three chestnuts in the morning and four in the evening. The monkeys all became angry at this. Then the man said instead he would give them four in the morning and three in the evening. Now all the monkeys were happy." I kept waiting for "Modern scholars have suggested a better translation to be 'A man who raised monkeys said he would give them three chestnuts in the morning and four in the evening. The monkeys made a counter offer of two chestnuts in the morning, and a banana blancmange at lunch. They settled upon pecan waffles for breakfast, and agreed that they would send out for sarneys at tea-time."
Some of this is, frankly, nonsensical. The word "therefore" often appears, when nothing that came before does the slightest to support the conclusion or moral. I suppose, for saying this, I am as the marsh quail, rather than the 3000 mile-wide bird with the orange Chevette that can drive 40,000KPH.
Just remember, governing a large nation is like cooking little fish: they cook quickly, but there are lots of bones.
July 6, 2015
It's a translation of the Tao Te Ching plus Chuang Tzu, and it's not completely incompetent, so perhaps it deserves more than one star. On the other hand, having read probably a couple dozen different translations of the Tao Te Ching, the political and ethical bias Cleary brings to this version is blatant and jarring, which inclines me to give it no more than one star anyway. It might be interesting to read just to see what it has to say about Cleary's perspective on the Tao, but if what you're really looking for is the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu you should look elsewhere.
June 5, 2011
This philosophy of Taoism, at least from my understanding, can be summed up very simply: Complete and absolute indifference. One should not care about anything. One should simply be like a leaf in the wind and go where it is taken. This translastion seems to convey that clearly enough without losing any of the mysticism that these texts are known for. That's all I have to say I suppose.
January 3, 2015
My problem with the Tao Te Ching and the Teachings of Chang Tzu is that they are too esoteric. I started reading with the expectation that they might have some unique wisdom, but they are too hard to understand for me. There are too many poorly defined terms like "being", "the Way", etc.
In fact, I felt like much of either of the two ancient texts in this book were alluding to philosophical issues in a very crude way, philsophical issues that I am already familiar with. So these texts are only useful to me as a historical curiosity. I have realized from reading this book that I am no longer interested in ancient literature, because whatever wisdom they happen to have can be found more succinctly in modern literature and philosophy.
I'm sure I will go back to this book again, however, because I also view it as a kind of puzzle.
In fact, I felt like much of either of the two ancient texts in this book were alluding to philosophical issues in a very crude way, philsophical issues that I am already familiar with. So these texts are only useful to me as a historical curiosity. I have realized from reading this book that I am no longer interested in ancient literature, because whatever wisdom they happen to have can be found more succinctly in modern literature and philosophy.
I'm sure I will go back to this book again, however, because I also view it as a kind of puzzle.
April 2, 2017
Combines the verses of the Tao de Ching with writings attributed to Chuang Tzu. I prefer the translation of the Tao that I have been reading since the 1980's. (The one by Mitchell that I have reviewed on GoodReads.) I found the writing to be obtuse and not all that interesting or enlightening. The best part of the book was the historical background on the Tao and its relationship with Buddhism and other ancient philosophies, a small chapter at the back of the book.
December 11, 2010
Cleary is the preeminent translator of Chinese thought. He does a predictably excellent job making this classic retain the musical reading style of the original Chinese, as well as convey the simple, yet profound, philosophy.
March 4, 2012
This book is great as it has both the Tao Te Ching and the teachings of Chuang Tzu in the same publication. If you're interested in learning more about Tao or exploring it for the first time, this would be a book I would recommend.
July 12, 2007
This has the most clear and understandable English translation of Tao te Ching that I've read. It also includes Chuang-tzu, which can be hard to find.
August 14, 2008
Lots of great wisdom here. Especially for the Western mind.
Read
June 11, 2015Is one ever 'finished' with a book such as this?
November 11, 2009
I've been reading the Tao Te Ching in daily installments from Daily Lit. It's something totally different from what I normally read.
The Tao Te Ching consists of 81 short poems, which you can read here. It was written about 2,500 years ago by Lao Tzu and is the basis for the philosophical school of Taoism.
Most of the themes in the Tao Te Ching are about living life simply and doing away with material things.
'He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty.'
I enjoyed reading the Tao Te Ching and am glad I ventured off and read something different.
The Tao Te Ching consists of 81 short poems, which you can read here. It was written about 2,500 years ago by Lao Tzu and is the basis for the philosophical school of Taoism.
Most of the themes in the Tao Te Ching are about living life simply and doing away with material things.
'He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty.'
I enjoyed reading the Tao Te Ching and am glad I ventured off and read something different.
November 15, 2018
I don't really know how to assign a star rating to this. I'm not nearly well read enough in Chinese philosophy to make a judgement about the translation of presentation of the Daodeching or Zhuangzi here, but it felt introductory and also very much a product of the 1990s. I'm not sure why.
I picked this up because I got suckered into give a forty minute lecture about Confucianism and Daoism to a group of about 60 seniors in high school, and I never imagined I would be so struck by it.
My reading here feels very cursory, but how can it be anything but cursory. I have a feeling that these ancient texts, even in translation are ones that demand multiple readings.
I picked this up because I got suckered into give a forty minute lecture about Confucianism and Daoism to a group of about 60 seniors in high school, and I never imagined I would be so struck by it.
My reading here feels very cursory, but how can it be anything but cursory. I have a feeling that these ancient texts, even in translation are ones that demand multiple readings.
Read
May 12, 2011General Notes: This book was sweet because as a newcomer to eastern thought it had both the Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu. (Chuang Tzu stuff is harder to find in libraries, sometimes.) I didn't realize how important Chuang Tzu was until I used this book to check him out. This Thomas Cleary translation seems weak for the Tao Te Ching, but good for Chuang Tzu. Also, it will be impossible to understand Chuang Tzu if you haven't read Lao-Tzu first. And even then it is still sometimes hard to understand him.
October 12, 2019
I have read several translations of Tao Te Ching and this was the least accessible of them. I like the format of the volume, beginning with Tao Te Ching and proceeding through Chuang Tzu to a helpful historical essay and a (not-so-helpful) commentary in the end, but the execution of the format did not impress me. I would recommend looking elsewhere for those seeking an introduction to the principles of Taoism.
October 2, 2009
On the top 10 list of best philosophy works of all time in my opinion. Deep insights into the origin of life the universe, humankind , the human condition, values, and principles to life by and even more. I can read the same passage numerous times and get a different meaning depending on my own perspective at the time. A philosophy must.
February 9, 2014
I had great trouble with the concepts as expressed. I kept trying to compare a lot of the central ideas with those of buddhism, and getting lost in the differences. I found that I needed to keep going back with a mental reset and rereading central passages but I don't think it helped me very much. Buddhism came so easily to me. Taoism is very much an esoteric realm.
June 13, 2019
Beautiful words, but hard-to-understand meaning. The language of this book is not straightforward, therefore, you have to contemplate the words before you understand its meaning. If you're seeking instant practical understanding of Tao, i do not recommend this book. But, if you love to interpret poetry, maybe you'll appreciate this book.
March 1, 2010
Although this is an accurate translation it lacks the poetry many other translators strive towards. It does do a good job on the historical background of Taoism. I plan on giving this to my son as his first book on The Tao.
February 6, 2008
A good look at the fundamental teachings of Taoism. This book really makes you think about life.
December 11, 2010
Not as good as other Tao Te Ching translations. This one just has the author's version of the poems with no synopsis or comment.
Currently reading
February 10, 2011slow going. good insights as i return to the taoist tai chi socity
September 10, 2012
Love this combo as presented by Cleary. I find value in the many versions of these classic texts.
January 3, 2020
Wonderful & very complete introduction to both Tao & Chuangzi, essential texts for spiritual wanderers 8)
February 17, 2016
The book consists of an introduction, a translation of the Tao Te Ching, a long section on the writings of Chuang-tzu, notes and an article on the historical background of the Tao Te Ching.
September 22, 2018
Published in 1992, the world needs this book . . . . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 18, 2023
Like someone else mentioned, I think it would be too funny to assign stars to a historical religious text so to be clear, the three stars are for the organization/translation. The translator's purpose is to clarify the texts in which he is translating, but he didn't do a very good job with that. The chapters of the book in which he is explaining each stanza one by one is placed at the back of the book. I don't understand why he didn't just place it next to or underneath each stanza to considerably lessen the confusion. I was struggling to understand the text, the least he could've done was to help and explain then, not 120 pages later. Same with background information- I would have appreciated if he gave towards the beginning of the book instead of the end.
However, in no fault to the translator, I was overwhelmed with the numerous significant messages and convoluted stories (that I'm sure have unlimited measures of wisdom) for me to extract or remember singular lessons that I should apply to my own life in order to become "one with the Way," but nonetheless I enjoyed the general vibe as I was reading. Here's one of my favorite passages from the book:
"Now there is a saying about this, but I don't know if it's in the same category or not. If being in the same category and not being in the same category are construed as being being in the same category with each other, then there is no difference. In any case, let me try to say it.
There is a beginning, there is never beginning to have a beginning, there is never beginning to never begin to have a beginning. There is existence, there is nonexistence. There is never beginning the existence of nonexistence, there is never beginning never beginning the existence of nonexistence. Suddenly there are existence and nonexistence, but we don't know if existence or nonexistence actually exist or not.
Now I have said something, but I don't know if what I have said actually says anything or not." (Cleary 74)
Isn't that just so silly.
From my understanding, Taoism reflects detachment and indifference to the turmoil of life. To just go with the flow, let nature take its course and return to the source. I really respect that, considering other religions and their insistence that their way is the only way to live life and if you don't follow their teachings the world will end and you will burn in fiery lava for eternity. This book was a decent opening into the religion considering I didn't even know it existed before but I hope to expand my understanding with other forms of media.
However, in no fault to the translator, I was overwhelmed with the numerous significant messages and convoluted stories (that I'm sure have unlimited measures of wisdom) for me to extract or remember singular lessons that I should apply to my own life in order to become "one with the Way," but nonetheless I enjoyed the general vibe as I was reading. Here's one of my favorite passages from the book:
"Now there is a saying about this, but I don't know if it's in the same category or not. If being in the same category and not being in the same category are construed as being being in the same category with each other, then there is no difference. In any case, let me try to say it.
There is a beginning, there is never beginning to have a beginning, there is never beginning to never begin to have a beginning. There is existence, there is nonexistence. There is never beginning the existence of nonexistence, there is never beginning never beginning the existence of nonexistence. Suddenly there are existence and nonexistence, but we don't know if existence or nonexistence actually exist or not.
Now I have said something, but I don't know if what I have said actually says anything or not." (Cleary 74)
Isn't that just so silly.
From my understanding, Taoism reflects detachment and indifference to the turmoil of life. To just go with the flow, let nature take its course and return to the source. I really respect that, considering other religions and their insistence that their way is the only way to live life and if you don't follow their teachings the world will end and you will burn in fiery lava for eternity. This book was a decent opening into the religion considering I didn't even know it existed before but I hope to expand my understanding with other forms of media.
March 22, 2023
Thomas Cleary has done well by his readers with his translations of the “Tao Te Ching" and “Chuang Tzu" in his “The Essential Tao.” As the author notes, the origins of Taoism are to be found in the political strife and discord that enveloped China in the time of Lao-Tzu. Hence, it is grounded in flux, the emptiness of all things, and the need for harmony in political and social life.
Particularly with respect to "Chuang Tzu," Cleary’s text relies heavily on the Confucian influences which were later codified in the Han period. Cleary's translation is prosaic, but faithful; in contrast, Stephen Mitchell's, translation offers a more poetic representation of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Cleary’s Introduction and Notes are deficient in another respect: neither addresses Lao-Tzu’s libertarian inclinations. The essence of which is stated in Chapter 57: “The more laws are promulgated, the greater the number of thieves,” and in Chapter 58: “When government is unobtrusive, the people are pure. When the government is invasive, the people are wanting.” Lao Tzu recognized that when the government leaves people alone, then the people act more harmoniously.
That said, Cleary’s translation is well worth reading, particularly if the reader is able to juxtapose this text with Mitchell’s 2006 rendering.
Particularly with respect to "Chuang Tzu," Cleary’s text relies heavily on the Confucian influences which were later codified in the Han period. Cleary's translation is prosaic, but faithful; in contrast, Stephen Mitchell's, translation offers a more poetic representation of the “Tao Te Ching.”
Cleary’s Introduction and Notes are deficient in another respect: neither addresses Lao-Tzu’s libertarian inclinations. The essence of which is stated in Chapter 57: “The more laws are promulgated, the greater the number of thieves,” and in Chapter 58: “When government is unobtrusive, the people are pure. When the government is invasive, the people are wanting.” Lao Tzu recognized that when the government leaves people alone, then the people act more harmoniously.
That said, Cleary’s translation is well worth reading, particularly if the reader is able to juxtapose this text with Mitchell’s 2006 rendering.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews