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Taoism: An Essential Guide
For the first time, the great depth and diversity of Taoist spirituality is introduced in a single, accessible manual.Taoism, known widely today through the teachings of the classic Tao Te Ching and the practices of t'ai chi and feng-shui, is less known for its unique traditions of meditation, physical training, magical practice and internal alchemy. Covering all of the most important texts, figures, and events, this essential guide illuminates Taoism's extraordinarily rich history and remarkable variety of practice. A comprehensive bibliography for further study completes this valuable reference work.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 1996
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1265 people want to read
About the author
Eva Wong
72 books133 followersEva Wong is an independent scholar and a practitioner of the Taoist arts of the Pre-Celestial Way and Complete Reality lineages. She has written and translated many books on Taoism and related topics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 21, 2015
Taoism is complicated.
That's not saying much, but it caps off the quintology of Taoist books I've read recently. There was "Scholar-Warrior," which proved that Taoism was weird; there was Chuang-Tzu, which showed it incomprehensible (to me); The Tao de Ching made it out as lapidary poetry; and You are Already Home," which (mostly) defanged it and stripped it of anything besides New Age bromides (not recognizing its own potential radical subversiveness.)
As the subtitle has it, this is a guide. The bulk of the book focuses on the historical development of Taoism--and history always manages to deconstruct faith. I think that some of the history seems a bit too potted--the Shamanistic roots, for example, the easy divisions between alchemy and other forms of Taoism, the transition from philosophy to religion, which seems the superimposition of Western categories onto ritualistic practices--but what do I know? I learned a lot about how Taoism developed.
Other sections deal with various practices. The metaphysical ones were interesting--though they also had me a bit skeptical--because of how parallel they were to Western traditions, with astrology and alchemy acting as mediators between the divine and the mundane realms. Wong goes over the various physical, mental, meditative, divinatory, and dietary, and breathing techniques used in Taoism, never lingering long, mostly just name-checking them. She does offer further references at the end of each section, which is nice.
She spends a lot of time on the various deities associated with Taoism, their connections to the stars, the emotions, the body parts--which takes Taoism along way from Fritjof Capra's "Tao of Physics," and an even longer way from "Relax, You're Already Home": there's nothing in Wong's account that seems to indicate Taoists thought everything was fine and one needed to do nothing but merge into the flow of the universe. They were doing a lot of work.
As it turns out, the best combination of Taoism and Western ideas may still be in the Tao of (Winnie the) Pooh and the Te of Piglet.
This book doesn't really try to merge East and West, but offers those who know very little about Taoism an introduction to the main ideas and practices--but it is only a glossing introduction, a limning of its boundaries. One could imagine this as a basis for a "Taoism for Dummies" volume--which isn't a criticism. I actually think that's a good series!
So, fine for what it does, though it could have done a bit more.
That's not saying much, but it caps off the quintology of Taoist books I've read recently. There was "Scholar-Warrior," which proved that Taoism was weird; there was Chuang-Tzu, which showed it incomprehensible (to me); The Tao de Ching made it out as lapidary poetry; and You are Already Home," which (mostly) defanged it and stripped it of anything besides New Age bromides (not recognizing its own potential radical subversiveness.)
As the subtitle has it, this is a guide. The bulk of the book focuses on the historical development of Taoism--and history always manages to deconstruct faith. I think that some of the history seems a bit too potted--the Shamanistic roots, for example, the easy divisions between alchemy and other forms of Taoism, the transition from philosophy to religion, which seems the superimposition of Western categories onto ritualistic practices--but what do I know? I learned a lot about how Taoism developed.
Other sections deal with various practices. The metaphysical ones were interesting--though they also had me a bit skeptical--because of how parallel they were to Western traditions, with astrology and alchemy acting as mediators between the divine and the mundane realms. Wong goes over the various physical, mental, meditative, divinatory, and dietary, and breathing techniques used in Taoism, never lingering long, mostly just name-checking them. She does offer further references at the end of each section, which is nice.
She spends a lot of time on the various deities associated with Taoism, their connections to the stars, the emotions, the body parts--which takes Taoism along way from Fritjof Capra's "Tao of Physics," and an even longer way from "Relax, You're Already Home": there's nothing in Wong's account that seems to indicate Taoists thought everything was fine and one needed to do nothing but merge into the flow of the universe. They were doing a lot of work.
As it turns out, the best combination of Taoism and Western ideas may still be in the Tao of (Winnie the) Pooh and the Te of Piglet.
This book doesn't really try to merge East and West, but offers those who know very little about Taoism an introduction to the main ideas and practices--but it is only a glossing introduction, a limning of its boundaries. One could imagine this as a basis for a "Taoism for Dummies" volume--which isn't a criticism. I actually think that's a good series!
So, fine for what it does, though it could have done a bit more.
December 28, 2024
Excellent reference book on the history, systems, and practices of Taoism. Not a book to read all in one go. I took notes as I went. It can be dry but clear information with sources and additional reading for each chapter makes this text credible and trustworthy.
September 2, 2021
The author presents all the craziness with all seriousness and gives advice such as one should not create their own talisman in order to activate one’s spiritual organ centers in order to balance the alchemical centers within one’s own energy centers while having their feng shui not aligned correctly or on one of the 4 unlucky days of the year before consulting a shaman who is an authentic expert in such things, and by all means according to the author one can’t learn this nuttiness just from a book, rather, one must go to an expert.
I found this book incredibly difficult book to get thru since Taoism includes way more stupidity than I ever thought existed in the world.
I found this book incredibly difficult book to get thru since Taoism includes way more stupidity than I ever thought existed in the world.
January 5, 2022
A rather dry, but thorough overview of the history, beliefs, and practices of the religion of Taoism. Perfect for anyone very new to and ignorant of the tradition, whether you're studying world religions for the sake of general knowledge (like myself) or you're interested in potentially converting (not me). Works well for either audience.
January 22, 2015
This book is more a guide to the history of Taoism and its development from a philosophy to a religion over the course of 2000+ years. Still a great read for anyone interested in the religion, as it details some more of the esoteric stuff and is rather interesting. Wong makes it very accessible to outsiders.
July 27, 2021
Is Taoism a religion or a philosophy? When I started doing business in China I was introduced to Taoism by my leader as a Chinese philosophy represented by Lao Tze's Tao Te Ching. As I explored China I found Taoist temples and religious rituals that have nothing to do with the Tao Te Ching. This book helped to answer my question by showing the historical development of religious Taoism that combined Lao Tze's philosophical writings with the shamanistic practices of the ancient Chinese Xia Dynasty. Over time the organized religion folded in more topics unrelated to the Tao Te Ching by mixing in sorcery and Buddhism. While it was beneficial to have some historical background of how Lao Tze's writing relates to Chinese religious practices this book gives too much information going down the rabbit hole into the corrupted superstitious practices that I want no part of. I wouldn't recommend this book, but hope everyone will go direct to the source and enjoy the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching itself. Benjamin Hoff's the Tao of Pooh is an excellent way to introduce foreigners to philosophical Taoism without describing any of the cult like topics that have unfortunately been associated with religious Taoism. This book doesn't lend itself to the audiobook format since there are many diagrams referenced, it would be difficult to take notes from an audiobook, and a written copy would make it easier to skim sections that the reader is not interested in exploring.
June 2, 2022
If you’re looking for a good contextual book on the history of Taoism along with basic belief systems this book does the job. I was unaware of the varying sects within Taoism and how those divergent belief systems influenced Chinese spirituality. In many ways Taoism sounded a lot like formalized shamanism, with its animist similarities, spell casting and venturing into the world of spirits. I always appreciate learning something new even if it isn’t life altering or mind blowing.
June 12, 2025
An interesting read which challenges but teaches.
January 17, 2021
I really wish I enjoyed this more, but unfortunately, this guide was a rather dry presentation of a really interesting subject.
Wong starts out strong, describing the guide as a starting point, rather than the destination - a place that should start the reader on a journey of questions and research. Throughout the book she provides extensive sources for further research, but it fails to accomplish one of the goals she first lays out - to make the subject a thing of interest and inspire the reader to go on this spiritual journey.
Truly, this could have been two books. Wong splits the guide into two sections, with the first half providing a rather in depth presentation of the developmental history of Taoism as both an official religion and a sort of pagan practice in ancient China. Unfortunately, should one not have a firm grasp of China's complicated history, one could become quite lost. The second half goes more in depth with the actual belief systems and rituals of taoism, going especially in depth into the difference between different sects. It somehow, at once, gets so in the weeds that it becomes rather opaque and inaccessible to the beginner and also is so general that it's difficult for the reader to get much information out of it without going to one of the sources.
A pet peeve of mine is for books about Chinese (and other languages) to not include the original language when talking about specific terms and names in its original language. Pinyin is especially rather subjective and non-descript, especially depending on the dialect, so I wish that the book would include the Chinese characters of the names as well next to the direct translations and pin yins. While I appreciate that the books is marketed toward a Western audience, it's a good introduction even for non-Chinese speakers to see these characters (especially since there are images of talismans with Chinese on them). It also would not alienate Chinese speakers like myself, who knew a lot of these figures, but had to look up the translations from pinyin, especially since I selected this volume largely based on the fact that it was written by an Asian author among a sea of non-Asian names in my library catalogue. To clarify, I read this in an ebook format, so if that is the case in the paper print format, I rescind the criticism.
Overall, though, Wong includes a lot of information into the volume, though in a very direct and dry format. If you are accustomed to reading dense non-fiction texts and want to learn more about Taoism, this might be for you.
Wong starts out strong, describing the guide as a starting point, rather than the destination - a place that should start the reader on a journey of questions and research. Throughout the book she provides extensive sources for further research, but it fails to accomplish one of the goals she first lays out - to make the subject a thing of interest and inspire the reader to go on this spiritual journey.
Truly, this could have been two books. Wong splits the guide into two sections, with the first half providing a rather in depth presentation of the developmental history of Taoism as both an official religion and a sort of pagan practice in ancient China. Unfortunately, should one not have a firm grasp of China's complicated history, one could become quite lost. The second half goes more in depth with the actual belief systems and rituals of taoism, going especially in depth into the difference between different sects. It somehow, at once, gets so in the weeds that it becomes rather opaque and inaccessible to the beginner and also is so general that it's difficult for the reader to get much information out of it without going to one of the sources.
A pet peeve of mine is for books about Chinese (and other languages) to not include the original language when talking about specific terms and names in its original language. Pinyin is especially rather subjective and non-descript, especially depending on the dialect, so I wish that the book would include the Chinese characters of the names as well next to the direct translations and pin yins. While I appreciate that the books is marketed toward a Western audience, it's a good introduction even for non-Chinese speakers to see these characters (especially since there are images of talismans with Chinese on them). It also would not alienate Chinese speakers like myself, who knew a lot of these figures, but had to look up the translations from pinyin, especially since I selected this volume largely based on the fact that it was written by an Asian author among a sea of non-Asian names in my library catalogue. To clarify, I read this in an ebook format, so if that is the case in the paper print format, I rescind the criticism.
Overall, though, Wong includes a lot of information into the volume, though in a very direct and dry format. If you are accustomed to reading dense non-fiction texts and want to learn more about Taoism, this might be for you.
October 22, 2024
This book offers the reader clarity about the scope of Taoism, a daunting challenge given Taoism's long history and how it overlaps with other schools of philosophy as well as with Traditional Chinese Religion, more broadly. The book is divided into three parts: history, specialties (magic, divination, ceremony, inward training, and karma yoga,) and practices (meditation, somatic practices [e.g. qi gong and taijiquan,] and rituals and ceremonies.) The history section covers a period from pre-Taoist shamanic practices of 5,000 years ago, practices that would inform early Taoism, to a period during which Taoism became entwined with Buddhism and Confucianism. The specialties and practices sections attempt to give the reader a broad overview while avoiding discussion of "how-to."
I found this book to be informative and interesting. It did feel more effectively geared toward someone with an interest in Taoism as religion rather than Taoism as a philosophy. The discussion does sometimes get into the weeds on issues like ceremonies and talismans (again, not in a how-to fashion, but with some arcane detail nevertheless,) but -- at the same time -- besides some discussion of the teachings of the Tao Te Jing and some exploration of Taoist metaphysics in the Divinational Taoism chapter, there's not a lot of insight into Taoism as philosophy. That said, it does end each chapter with a "Further Reading" section that can point readers interested in a specific topic elsewhere.
If you've ever been overwhelmed at one of those bright and complicated Chinese temples and would like some insight into what Taoists do and how it's different (or not different) from what Confucianists, Traditional Chinese Religion practitioners, and Zen Buddhists do, this is a good book to check out. If you're solely interested in Taoism as a school of philosophy or otherwise have a specific focus such as qi gong and breathwork practices, you can probably find books that are better tailored to your needs.
I found this book to be informative and interesting. It did feel more effectively geared toward someone with an interest in Taoism as religion rather than Taoism as a philosophy. The discussion does sometimes get into the weeds on issues like ceremonies and talismans (again, not in a how-to fashion, but with some arcane detail nevertheless,) but -- at the same time -- besides some discussion of the teachings of the Tao Te Jing and some exploration of Taoist metaphysics in the Divinational Taoism chapter, there's not a lot of insight into Taoism as philosophy. That said, it does end each chapter with a "Further Reading" section that can point readers interested in a specific topic elsewhere.
If you've ever been overwhelmed at one of those bright and complicated Chinese temples and would like some insight into what Taoists do and how it's different (or not different) from what Confucianists, Traditional Chinese Religion practitioners, and Zen Buddhists do, this is a good book to check out. If you're solely interested in Taoism as a school of philosophy or otherwise have a specific focus such as qi gong and breathwork practices, you can probably find books that are better tailored to your needs.
January 29, 2022
I purchased this book because I was interested in Taoism as a philosophy. This book, however, wasn't really focused on that - it was more of a survey of religious Taoism as it developed after Laozi established the philosophical tradition. But it was very interesting - I had no idea of the colorful and diverse landscape of religious Taoism and some of the concepts, such as internal alchemy, are particularly complicated and fascinating. Be warned, however, as the author isn't presenting an objective survey of Taoism - she is apparently a practitioner and she writes as if the tenets she was describing were statements of fact. It gets hard to accept at some times when she matter of factly writes about Taoist sorcerers traveling to the Big Dipper and other stars, using pig's blood and dog's urine for rituals, and warning against using magic talismans lightly, lest one anger the "sacred spirits." If one keeps this bias in mind, it is still a worthwhile read as there are not many books that present a succinct, unified review of the broad range of religious Taoism. Recommended for those interested in Taoism or Eastern religions.
May 28, 2015
A very good overview of the history and scope of Taoism. Gave the complete novice an understanding of the basic beliefs and practices of the philosophy and religion. Liked that it didn't go too deep, but provided numerous references in case the reader wanted to pursue a particular facet in more detail.
February 10, 2019
An excellence book to read as an introduction to Taoism. Eva Wong, a woman raised within a Taoist society, explains in-depth the history and general practices of this amazing path. I adored the further readings section at the end of each chapter, as this serves as another guide into the magical world of Taoism. A must read for anything wishing to learn more about this subject.
August 31, 2021
Clearly written
I knew little of the history of Taoism prior to reading this book. Some of it was very surprising and all of it was interesting.
I knew little of the history of Taoism prior to reading this book. Some of it was very surprising and all of it was interesting.
April 6, 2024
"Taoism: An Essential Guide" is written by a non-academic practitioner of Taoism and is particularly valuable for showcasing that internal believer's perspective. Its weakness is the lack of a more academic perspective, which shows particularly in the early chapters on the history of Taoism. Though it might be asking too much to have a Taoist, who revers a deified Lao Tzu, to recognize that most scholars think Lao Tzu likely didn't even exist.
Eva Wong writes her "Guide" as one that is meant to introduce the spiritual practice and journey of Taoism and each chapter contains brief suggested "Further Readings" for those interested in learning more. Again and again, Wong also reminds readers that Taoism needs to be practiced in real life by engaging with teachers and other practitioners - and that reading can only get you so far.
The Guide helpfully introduces the comprehensive nature of various Taoist practices, including magical Taoism, divinational Taoism, ceremonial Taoism, internal and external alchemical Taoism, and practices of cultivating the body including meditation and other techniques. Wong also occasionally warns against trying some of these practices without a teacher - warning that engaging spirits and other practices can be dangerous and that one ought to exercise care.
I found particularly interesting: the panoply of deities, the spirits in the body, the internal alchemical practices that can supposedly even change the structure of one's bones, and generally the lived experiencing and pursuits of Taoist beliefs and practices. Taoism has practices similar to Hinduism and Buddhism, among other faiths, but also its own distinct history and set of unique traditions. While generally inclined towards the scholarly perspective, I appreciated reading about Taoism from the believer's perspective and recommend this book to anyone interested in that important perspective, whether or not you are interested in actually practicing (any aspects of) Taoism.
Eva Wong writes her "Guide" as one that is meant to introduce the spiritual practice and journey of Taoism and each chapter contains brief suggested "Further Readings" for those interested in learning more. Again and again, Wong also reminds readers that Taoism needs to be practiced in real life by engaging with teachers and other practitioners - and that reading can only get you so far.
The Guide helpfully introduces the comprehensive nature of various Taoist practices, including magical Taoism, divinational Taoism, ceremonial Taoism, internal and external alchemical Taoism, and practices of cultivating the body including meditation and other techniques. Wong also occasionally warns against trying some of these practices without a teacher - warning that engaging spirits and other practices can be dangerous and that one ought to exercise care.
I found particularly interesting: the panoply of deities, the spirits in the body, the internal alchemical practices that can supposedly even change the structure of one's bones, and generally the lived experiencing and pursuits of Taoist beliefs and practices. Taoism has practices similar to Hinduism and Buddhism, among other faiths, but also its own distinct history and set of unique traditions. While generally inclined towards the scholarly perspective, I appreciated reading about Taoism from the believer's perspective and recommend this book to anyone interested in that important perspective, whether or not you are interested in actually practicing (any aspects of) Taoism.
September 13, 2021
A thorough summary and guide to the history and practice of Taoism, this book weaves through the history of the many strands of faith that coalesced around various unified beliefs and practices. A variety of philosophies and regional religions syncretized with Taoism along the way, making it all the harder to nail down exactly what the central tenants are at given points in history and in certain regions of the world. Confucian and Buddhist influence added to the pantheon of demigods that you’ll find in any given temple, and practices that emphasize magic and sorcery against others that focus on habits of living further diversify its spectrum of praxis. The author is not a mere observer but a devotee and as such spoke with experience from within. I couldn’t help but notice how many warnings were offered about being careful when taking up certain aspects of meditation or magic, that once one started one couldn’t easily stop. While a centeredness is sought with the Tao in order to be free it kept appearing to be a prison of sorts. Lastly, while the beliefs around the human body and the spirits and energy that flow through it were fascinating, when the teaching turned toward sex it also turned a bit dark, focusing on the releasing and retaining of power and energy and even taking energy from younger sexual partners. It’s hard to ignore the sense of manipulation present in the belief system, and the need for obsessive adherence to obtain the hard sought for balance. At what expense, and to what end? A never ending cycle of incarnations and nothing more than a balance between forces, malevolent and magnanimous. I ended feeling grateful for a God who dies giving his life force for me, taking nothing. 7 hours or 288 pages of talismans, meditations, and striving.
September 15, 2022
Eva Wong's "Taoism: An Essential Guide" is a stolidly written chronicle of how the "Tao Te Ching" evolved from a cryptic and brilliant compendium of wisdom into a religion and set of practices as complex as the many varieties of Christianity.
Wong's book is not a commentary on, or discussion of, basic Taoist texts, but rather a history of their interpretation and elaboration in the past two millennia. The influence of shamanism and other ancient practices on Taoism are made clear, and leaders of the various schools of Taoist thought are discussed, with a brief venture into their beliefs. Rituals, deities, alchemy, the search for immortality and all the accretion of centuries of Taoism are outlined -- and only outlined -- in "Taoism: An Essential Guide," but for those (like me) whose only real exposure to the subject has been the "Tao Te Ching" and "I Ching," this is all new and interesting information.
Granted, it would have been better if Wong were a more compelling writer, and there are limitations on what this kind of book can deliver, as Wong acknowledges, but for those interested in Taoism, what it is in the 21st century, and how it got here, "Taoism: An Essential Guide" is worth reading.
Wong's book is not a commentary on, or discussion of, basic Taoist texts, but rather a history of their interpretation and elaboration in the past two millennia. The influence of shamanism and other ancient practices on Taoism are made clear, and leaders of the various schools of Taoist thought are discussed, with a brief venture into their beliefs. Rituals, deities, alchemy, the search for immortality and all the accretion of centuries of Taoism are outlined -- and only outlined -- in "Taoism: An Essential Guide," but for those (like me) whose only real exposure to the subject has been the "Tao Te Ching" and "I Ching," this is all new and interesting information.
Granted, it would have been better if Wong were a more compelling writer, and there are limitations on what this kind of book can deliver, as Wong acknowledges, but for those interested in Taoism, what it is in the 21st century, and how it got here, "Taoism: An Essential Guide" is worth reading.
October 15, 2020
Very Comprehensive Account.
The reason that I only gave this excellent work Three stars overall is because of my purpose in choosing it in the first place.
Having read the Tao te Ching numerous times I was interested in reading a Summary of the Essential Teachings of the Philosophy of Taoism. Ms. Wong does a masterful job of reviewing the History, Evolution and all the individual Components of the Taoist Tradition. I’m sure she has left out absolutely nothing and, for anything she had not explained in enough detail, she has referred the reader to other works by herself and other experts.
But the fact is, that for a reader who is a newcomer to the Tradition, she goes much too deeply “into the weeds”. Today’s reader probably has little need for the details of the practices of Taoist Alchemy or Purification Rituals, though I’m glad she has provided them for purposes of completeness.
So, while it provided me with much more information than I wanted or needed, it did make me aware of the totality of the Religious, Philosophical and “Scientific” Tradition that is Taoism. For that I am grateful to have her Work.
The reason that I only gave this excellent work Three stars overall is because of my purpose in choosing it in the first place.
Having read the Tao te Ching numerous times I was interested in reading a Summary of the Essential Teachings of the Philosophy of Taoism. Ms. Wong does a masterful job of reviewing the History, Evolution and all the individual Components of the Taoist Tradition. I’m sure she has left out absolutely nothing and, for anything she had not explained in enough detail, she has referred the reader to other works by herself and other experts.
But the fact is, that for a reader who is a newcomer to the Tradition, she goes much too deeply “into the weeds”. Today’s reader probably has little need for the details of the practices of Taoist Alchemy or Purification Rituals, though I’m glad she has provided them for purposes of completeness.
So, while it provided me with much more information than I wanted or needed, it did make me aware of the totality of the Religious, Philosophical and “Scientific” Tradition that is Taoism. For that I am grateful to have her Work.
December 20, 2021
A really good overview of Taoism as a religion, how it grew and changed from its inception.
It must be said that this book isn't a guide to how to practice the religion. It's a history book. If you're expecting an expansion on the Tao Te Ching, you'll be disappointed. If you just read the Bible, you wouldn't have a full understanding of Christianity as a religion, its values, rituals or denominations. The same can be said of Taoism if you just read the Tao Te Ching. This guide goes a long way into filling in those gaps as a layperson.
The reviews here mention diagrams, but I listened to the audiobook and didn't find it lacking. I have no plans to recreate the symbols or adopt the religious aspects of Taoism, so I don't feel I missed much. Also I find it hard to read long non-fiction books, so appreciated a version I could listen to while doing other things.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you are interested in gaining an understanding of how Taoism is practiced and the culture it developed in. I would not recommend it if you just enjoy the philosophy of the Tao Te Ching and want to adopt those principles.
It must be said that this book isn't a guide to how to practice the religion. It's a history book. If you're expecting an expansion on the Tao Te Ching, you'll be disappointed. If you just read the Bible, you wouldn't have a full understanding of Christianity as a religion, its values, rituals or denominations. The same can be said of Taoism if you just read the Tao Te Ching. This guide goes a long way into filling in those gaps as a layperson.
The reviews here mention diagrams, but I listened to the audiobook and didn't find it lacking. I have no plans to recreate the symbols or adopt the religious aspects of Taoism, so I don't feel I missed much. Also I find it hard to read long non-fiction books, so appreciated a version I could listen to while doing other things.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you are interested in gaining an understanding of how Taoism is practiced and the culture it developed in. I would not recommend it if you just enjoy the philosophy of the Tao Te Ching and want to adopt those principles.
July 27, 2021
I have read a few Taoist classics, but this was much more of an overview of Taoism in practice than a literature review. It covers Taoism in history, and follows the different branches it took along the way. It is designed to not go all that deep into any of the topics, but be an approachable overview to let you decide if you are interested in learning more. While I enjoyed the books I have read, I didn't find most of this of interest, which surprised me. I do think I will read more classics and perhaps some other books about the modern practice of Taoism, but this book makes a point of direct tutelage in Taoist techniques being very important, and as that is not something I currently want to pursue, I might take a break. This was a valuable book for me, because it detailed a lot of practices I was not familiar with before, but also demonstrated how enmeshed they are with the rest of the culture of China, some of which is not that relevant for me, coming form the outside. It does give me a broader perspective on Taoist practice than I have seen before, which I found quite valuable.
January 23, 2025
A solid little book that really helps make a religion as and diverse as Taoism comprehensible and which contextualises it historically and across the other faiths that have shaped and been shaped by it.
Importantly it does not lazily cleave it into Taoism as a religion and Taoism as a philosophy it instead explores the full variety of religious practices that flow from Taoism and its philosophy. Of course this is also likely a source of a lot of the disappointment and low reviews as the primary expression of Taoism is less contemplation of the Tao Te Ching and more divination talismans and internal organ massages.
Overall a great starting point, and to those who are interested in the philosophy it expresses but are put off by the more ritualistic and magical expressions of Taoism, I would recommend this book if only to show how these practices are valid expressions rather than corruptions or degradation.
Importantly it does not lazily cleave it into Taoism as a religion and Taoism as a philosophy it instead explores the full variety of religious practices that flow from Taoism and its philosophy. Of course this is also likely a source of a lot of the disappointment and low reviews as the primary expression of Taoism is less contemplation of the Tao Te Ching and more divination talismans and internal organ massages.
Overall a great starting point, and to those who are interested in the philosophy it expresses but are put off by the more ritualistic and magical expressions of Taoism, I would recommend this book if only to show how these practices are valid expressions rather than corruptions or degradation.
January 18, 2022
Taoism: An Essential Guide is deeply informative and reads like an academic work. Free of the western interpretative lense which many English Taoist works/translations have, Eva Wong spends the majority of the narrative walking through Taoism’s evolution through time periods as well as Asia’s social and political climates. Along the time period, Wong mentions people of importance, outside influences like Buddhism, and even debunks a few western misconceptions. Most chapters end with multiple resources for further research. The last few chapters spend time mentioning, but not describing in detail, practices and rituals of certain sects. Wong ends by encouraging her readers who might want to practice Taoism to seek more in-depth knowledge in the from a teacher rather than books alone. Overall, it was a very interesting read.
February 21, 2019
“If the mind is not tainted by dust. Then original nature will be bright. The light of the dao will shine within. And the eyes will not be covered by the dust of the mundane world”
Fun read. A lot of this book was history and the long monotonous process and divergence of Taoism. I’m still fairly lost to be honest, but good books on Taoism are hard to find, and this one has been the best so far. I enjoyed it, and it seems to be a good intro book. I didn’t realize there are so many types of Taoism. It’s strange: Even though I know more about the religion now, after reading this, I feel like I know less. What ever that may mean. I’m now more aware of my dumbness, I suppose. I’ll be looking for a more simple concrete book on Doaism nextish. This book was a bit broad.
Fun read. A lot of this book was history and the long monotonous process and divergence of Taoism. I’m still fairly lost to be honest, but good books on Taoism are hard to find, and this one has been the best so far. I enjoyed it, and it seems to be a good intro book. I didn’t realize there are so many types of Taoism. It’s strange: Even though I know more about the religion now, after reading this, I feel like I know less. What ever that may mean. I’m now more aware of my dumbness, I suppose. I’ll be looking for a more simple concrete book on Doaism nextish. This book was a bit broad.
January 24, 2024
Taoism: An Essential Guide offers a comprehensive exploration of the spiritual landscape of Taoism, providing an insightful journey into its history, schools of thought, and contemporary practices. Divided into three parts, the book covers the evolution of Taoism, from its origins to the synthesis with other traditions, delves into various Taoist systems, including magical sects and alchemy, and finally explores Taoist practices such as meditation and purification rituals. As someone eager to grasp the essence of Taoism, I found this guide to be a valuable and accessible resource, offering a blend of historical context and practical insights. The comprehensive bibliography further enhances its value for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Taoism.
August 14, 2020
It was very good overview of Taoism, apparently it started out with shamanism and then moved into alchemy, once the search for an immortal pill waned after a few centuries of government funding, internal alchemy became popular, where people would imagine the forge and such within their bodies. They also do talismanic magic, I.e. short magic spells on strips of paper, and use a variety of divination strategies including iching.
Otherwise I took off a star cause it's rather dry and difficult to read due to dullness. There were some good stories and such, but a lot of it is some rather serious elaboration about various details of various things.
Otherwise I took off a star cause it's rather dry and difficult to read due to dullness. There were some good stories and such, but a lot of it is some rather serious elaboration about various details of various things.
May 24, 2023
A good and thorough introduction of Taoism as a religious practice. Wong gives a great historical overview, from the earliest Chinese pre-history up to the end of the Chinese Republic in 1911. She pays attention to the shamanistic foundations as well as the syncretic blends with Buddhism and Confucianism. After the historical introduction she covers the practices involved in all modern forms of Taoism, from magic and divination to mysticism and ceremonial observations. She also gives a wealth of information at the end of each chapter in the form of further reading list for the interested reader.
August 28, 2024
More of a crash course on the history of Taoism than a guide of any kind. I was interested in Taoism because of my Zen studies which I've learned is basically a synthesis of Buddhism and Taoism. It does briefly touch on specific beliefs and practices each chapter but I had no idea how many sects and flavors there are, there is a lot of history to cover. I now know what specific schools of Taoism to learn more about. The author also provides recommended further reading each chapter if any particular topic grabs you.
May 3, 2025
I was very disappointed in this book. I had hoped to get a discussion of the substance of Taoism, but instead it is largely a historical catalog of writers and titles and dates. I am familiar with the Tao-te Ching, but not with other Taoist writings. There are many, but this book did not help me learn what was in the other books and how the philosophy and application of Taoism developed over the centuries. Apparently there are many schools of Taoism that focus on magic, divination, and alchemy, but these are not of interest to me.
June 4, 2025
It covers a lot of areas and gives an impression of the scope of Taoism and its history. And it gives lots of further reading if you're interested.
But I would say that it's about 90% about the different religious beliefs and very little about the philosophy of the belief. It's got some history at the beginning, but then it's a catalogue of religious beliefs. I was expecting more information that wasn't just about the supernatural. Also, there are some parts that are impossible to follow, like a part which is just a big list of Chinese words, so I recommend skipping parts like that.
But I would say that it's about 90% about the different religious beliefs and very little about the philosophy of the belief. It's got some history at the beginning, but then it's a catalogue of religious beliefs. I was expecting more information that wasn't just about the supernatural. Also, there are some parts that are impossible to follow, like a part which is just a big list of Chinese words, so I recommend skipping parts like that.
November 23, 2025
I was interested in the history of the philosophy of Taoism, books on the philosophy of Taoism, and how to practice the philosophy of Taoism.
While the first part has about a hundred books referenced, that doesn't do me much good while listening as an audio-book, and still i'd have to filter out the spiritual ones (probably 9/10 of them), to find the ones about the actual history and philosophy of Taoism.
Then the second and third parts to the book are completely eye-rolling cringe.
This is all about the spiritual part, magic, alchemy, divination, sorcerers, MAGIC DUELS, and etc. so i'd call it;
Taoism: A Cringe Guide To Rolling Your Third Eye.
While the first part has about a hundred books referenced, that doesn't do me much good while listening as an audio-book, and still i'd have to filter out the spiritual ones (probably 9/10 of them), to find the ones about the actual history and philosophy of Taoism.
Then the second and third parts to the book are completely eye-rolling cringe.
This is all about the spiritual part, magic, alchemy, divination, sorcerers, MAGIC DUELS, and etc. so i'd call it;
Taoism: A Cringe Guide To Rolling Your Third Eye.
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