What do you think?
Rate this book
The Spiritual Teachings of The Tao
Don’t pursue fame; do only the inevitable.
Don’t make plans; bank on Tao.
When the ancient Chinese sages discovered the Tao, they realised in themselves its mysterious results: good health, longevity, wisdom, harmonious contentment and knowledge of the future.
This book unveils the philosophy of the Tao, meaning The Way of Nature, which began in written form with Chuang Tzu in the 4th C. BC. Taoism is increasingly influential in the Western world, forming the basis for Chinese medicine, Feng Shui and Tai Chi Chuan.
Chuang Tzu’s funny, striking and radical fables and stories illuminate the workings of the Tao, as relevant today as they were 2300 years ago.
Don’t make plans; bank on Tao.
When the ancient Chinese sages discovered the Tao, they realised in themselves its mysterious results: good health, longevity, wisdom, harmonious contentment and knowledge of the future.
This book unveils the philosophy of the Tao, meaning The Way of Nature, which began in written form with Chuang Tzu in the 4th C. BC. Taoism is increasingly influential in the Western world, forming the basis for Chinese medicine, Feng Shui and Tai Chi Chuan.
Chuang Tzu’s funny, striking and radical fables and stories illuminate the workings of the Tao, as relevant today as they were 2300 years ago.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2013
9 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 13, 2025
Felt like a cash grab to me.
December 27, 2010
This was a good book, but I feel like it is a bit unneeded. From what I can tell, Mark Forstater picks parables previously written by Chuang-Tzu and updates them for modern readers.
I liked it because I am fascinated with Taoism, but there are other books out there that are more complete.
Furthermore, I feel like the publisher's mention of feng shui, acupuncture, and Tai Chi in the overview is misleading. Those things are Taoist mysticism and I feel their mention only muddies the waters, meant for those that need some tangible, but inaccurate, idea of the Tao.
But in the end, Taoism does a fantastic job and outlining and embracing the many paradoxes of our reality, and the more books that do this well, the merrier. For that, I am pleased with Forstater's book.
I liked it because I am fascinated with Taoism, but there are other books out there that are more complete.
Furthermore, I feel like the publisher's mention of feng shui, acupuncture, and Tai Chi in the overview is misleading. Those things are Taoist mysticism and I feel their mention only muddies the waters, meant for those that need some tangible, but inaccurate, idea of the Tao.
But in the end, Taoism does a fantastic job and outlining and embracing the many paradoxes of our reality, and the more books that do this well, the merrier. For that, I am pleased with Forstater's book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews