Presented here are superb translations from the most beloved classics of Taoism, including the bestselling Tao-te Ching and Wen-tzu. Also translated are wonderful Taoist fables and stories from the "Tales of Inner Meaning," and a selection of short teachings from Ancestor Lu, one of the greatest figures of early Taoism. Two-color interior.
Dr. 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.
Interesting book. Each section is short, many of which are single page entries, none of which exceed more than a few pages. The translations all felt 'true' to me, though this is difficult to assess, as many of the entries are also maddeningly opaque.
This is a book to be returned to, and understood in stages.
"Lao Tzu said: Consider the world light, and the spirit is not burdened; consider myriad things slight, and the mind is not confused. Consider life and death equal, and the intellect is not afraid; consider change as sameness, and clarity is not obscured."
This and other beautiful insights populate this slim, easy to read book, that I refer to over and over again and most particularly when I feel rushed and under pressure, to remind myself of the exhortation to be still. To stop. Let things go. Be at peace.