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The Tao Made Easy: Timeless Wisdom to Navigate a Changing World
“Alan Cohen brings to life ancient wisdom for a new era deeply in need of enlightenment. Fresh insights, practical, easy entry, and immense delight!” — Chungliang Al Huang, president-director, Living Tao Foundation, and co-author with Alan Watts of The Watercourse WayMay you live during interesting so goes an ancient Chinese blessing—or some say curse. That wish has come true for us. Now what? In this radically illuminating book, Alan Cohen delves into one of the world’s most venerated wisdom texts for answers and brings the lofty and enigmatic concepts of the Tao Te Ching down to earth in fresh, easy-to-grasp language with practical, personal examples we can use to uplift our daily lives.Most other interpretations of the Tao march through the stanzas one by one. Here Alan Cohen calls forth the ancient verses around themes that are central to our modern lives —from love to work to the lessons we learn from pain. Then he brings each message to life in short vignettes where he imagines himself a student of Lao Tse and interacts with the master directly and intimately. He invites you to join the ancient sage and the contemporary seeker as they wend their way through the challenges and triumphs of the same journey you’re taking yourself.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2018
About the author
Alan Cohen
190 books217 followersAlan Cohen is the author of several self help books.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 14, 2018
Tao Te Ching Explained
A useful stroll through the Tao Te Ching, filled with connections to our modern world and bridging back to the life of Lao-tzu. Even if you have no intention of committing to the Tao, there is much useful insight here.
A useful stroll through the Tao Te Ching, filled with connections to our modern world and bridging back to the life of Lao-tzu. Even if you have no intention of committing to the Tao, there is much useful insight here.
March 2, 2026
Tao Te Ching for the modern context
In around 4th century BC, a Chinese man called Lao Tse (meaning "old master") was appointed by the king of the Zhou Dynasty to the prestige position of keeper of the imperial archives. It was a turbulent time, with wars, divisive politics, and moral decay which eventually took their toll on Lao Tse and left him yearning for simplicity, harmony, and integrity. And so, at an old age, he eventually packed up and set to leave the city to live a more natural, and saner, life in the countryside.
As he was about to walk pass the western gate of the kingdom, a guard recognized him and pleaded to him to record his wisdom before he leave for good. And thus, Lao Tse then set brush to parchment and started to write down the 81 stanzas of Tao Te Ching (meaning "The Book of the Way of Virtue"). It was said that it only consist of 5000 written characters, but it covers all the sources of human suffering and their cure.
Tao Te Ching later becomes the most translated, interpreted, and printed book in history second only after the Bible. To date (or at least until the publication of this book by Alan Cohen) there are 1216 books related to Tao Te Ching currently in print, including, as Cohen remarks, "the revered translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English; Dr. Wayne Dyer’s popular Change Your Thoughts—Change Your Life; and the immortal surfer version, Dude De Ching." (yeah, I should really check out Dude De Ching after this).
So what could Cohen possibly add to this pool of Dude De Chings? He decided to select the most significant themes of Tao Te Ching, provide more explanation about them, and apply them to the modern 21st century context. And I must say, for a person who once attempted to read one of the [poor] translations of Tao Te Ching (by James Legge), this one is like a breath of fresh air.
It is written in a laid back (and sometimes funny) manner, making it enjoyable to read especially considering the heavy nature of the subject, but without losing its clear and concise way to teach us about the core messages.
For example, just look at the way Cohen describes what the Tao is: "While it appears that the universe is a foolish, even cruel play of random events, there is an intelligence operating behind the scenes, a fabric of life that integrates all creation. This power is invisible to the eye, yet more real than anything the senses can touch. It is a mystery to the intellect but knowable to the heart. It is life itself. Lao Tse called this power “the Tao,” or “the Great Way.”"
Indeed, some call it God, others describe it as the universe. And Cohen? He elaborates this message by talking about The Force, like, in the Star Wars kind of way. Talking bout 21st century context, eh?
But this book is not all about modern interpretation of Tao Te Ching. When needed to make a point, Cohen also provide wisdom from the original stories, such as Lao Tse's lesson after a student asks him about the validity of an astrologer: “All sciences are valid depending on how they are used. If they empower you to live more fully, they help. If they make you feel like a puppet on a string that someone else is pulling, they hurt. A knife can be used to heal through surgery or it can kill. It’s all what you do with it.”
Lao Tse then continues, “You should look within for your answers. Your life is not determined by the stars. It is determined by your state of mind and the choices you make. Regardless of how the stars are configured, you are in charge of your journey. Make healthy choices, and even if adversity comes, the Tao will show you how to use it for your benefit.”
But then when you think it's about to get serious, Cohen then proceeded to talk about his male puppy trying to hump his older female dog. As Cohen told the story, "All of our dog expert friends told us that our nine-month-old male puppy was too young to mate with our older female. But he didn’t get that memo. One night while my beloved Dee and I were sitting in our living room, we heard a sharp yelp from the kitchen. We rushed in to find the little guy stuck to the older woman. They remained interlocked for 45 minutes with a baffled look on their faces: “Now what do we do?”"
What could possibly be the moral story from this hilarious encounter? "The best things that happen are unplanned", the great master would say. Because, get this, that little geezer impregnated the older dog and Cohen and his wife suddenly have little joyous puppies!
And this is actually what the entire teaching of Tao Te Ching boils down to: Let nature take its course. Cohen then elaborates by categorizing the relationship between cultures and nature into three 1. Man under nature 2. Man over nature 3. Man in nature:
1. Man under nature believe the world is ruled by gods, demigods, or any spirits superior to humanity. As Cohen remarks, these beings "chart our destiny, so we lower beings must bow down to them, appease them, make sacrifices, and, whatever you do, don't piss them off." Such cultures believe that favorable conditions are given from higher powers, and calamities are forms of punishments from our misdeeds. Cultures like ancient Greek, Roman, and Mayan civilizations are examples of this approach.
2. Man over nature regards nature as an obstacle to be tamed or controlled, our enemy to overrun or to subjugate for our purpose. Our technologically bullying culture is a prime example of this, where "we tear down forests, dam rivers, preserve food with chemicals, manipulate genes, and spew toxins in the air with no awareness that when we hurt our planet, we hurt ourselves."
3. Man in nature is actually the only way we were born to live, how we should live. Many cultures that are close to the Earth understand that our purpose in life is to align with nature, thank its Creator, accept its blessings, and give back to it. Native American, First Nation, Aboriginal, Māori, and Hawaiian cultures are some of the examples for this.
This book is ultimately about teaching us to live life according to the third option, man in nature. And it's such an impactful one.
I must admit, not all section of the book are brilliant. Like in each chapter Cohen somehow inserted a fictional depiction of his own interactions with the old master, in an imaginary way as if Cohen is Lao Tse's student. Which is super weird. But I treat these episodes like I would treat a drunken uncle that is starting to talk about government conspiracy theories, sure it's wacko but there are some truths in it somewhere. Besides, had these stories been true, it would actually be insightful.
And one last note, it is particularly astonishing for me that a lot of the messages from Lao Tse are similar like Stoicism. Such as "what's in the way is the way" is similar with Stoicism's the obstacle is the way. Or "let nature take its course" is similar like let things happen naturally. Or Stoicism's core message of focus on what you can control, can also be seen in Tao's "sometimes you can change the environment. Always you can change your mind" and its examples in chapter "How to fix the world."
Moreover, Tao Te Ching, according to Cohen, is also similar like the content of the Gospel of Thomas. And in this book Cohen also tells the story of Siddhartha Gautama to illustrate a Tao lesson. So, I guess that quotation from the Rig Veda is spot on, "all truth is one, the sage call it by many names."
In around 4th century BC, a Chinese man called Lao Tse (meaning "old master") was appointed by the king of the Zhou Dynasty to the prestige position of keeper of the imperial archives. It was a turbulent time, with wars, divisive politics, and moral decay which eventually took their toll on Lao Tse and left him yearning for simplicity, harmony, and integrity. And so, at an old age, he eventually packed up and set to leave the city to live a more natural, and saner, life in the countryside.
As he was about to walk pass the western gate of the kingdom, a guard recognized him and pleaded to him to record his wisdom before he leave for good. And thus, Lao Tse then set brush to parchment and started to write down the 81 stanzas of Tao Te Ching (meaning "The Book of the Way of Virtue"). It was said that it only consist of 5000 written characters, but it covers all the sources of human suffering and their cure.
Tao Te Ching later becomes the most translated, interpreted, and printed book in history second only after the Bible. To date (or at least until the publication of this book by Alan Cohen) there are 1216 books related to Tao Te Ching currently in print, including, as Cohen remarks, "the revered translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English; Dr. Wayne Dyer’s popular Change Your Thoughts—Change Your Life; and the immortal surfer version, Dude De Ching." (yeah, I should really check out Dude De Ching after this).
So what could Cohen possibly add to this pool of Dude De Chings? He decided to select the most significant themes of Tao Te Ching, provide more explanation about them, and apply them to the modern 21st century context. And I must say, for a person who once attempted to read one of the [poor] translations of Tao Te Ching (by James Legge), this one is like a breath of fresh air.
It is written in a laid back (and sometimes funny) manner, making it enjoyable to read especially considering the heavy nature of the subject, but without losing its clear and concise way to teach us about the core messages.
For example, just look at the way Cohen describes what the Tao is: "While it appears that the universe is a foolish, even cruel play of random events, there is an intelligence operating behind the scenes, a fabric of life that integrates all creation. This power is invisible to the eye, yet more real than anything the senses can touch. It is a mystery to the intellect but knowable to the heart. It is life itself. Lao Tse called this power “the Tao,” or “the Great Way.”"
Indeed, some call it God, others describe it as the universe. And Cohen? He elaborates this message by talking about The Force, like, in the Star Wars kind of way. Talking bout 21st century context, eh?
But this book is not all about modern interpretation of Tao Te Ching. When needed to make a point, Cohen also provide wisdom from the original stories, such as Lao Tse's lesson after a student asks him about the validity of an astrologer: “All sciences are valid depending on how they are used. If they empower you to live more fully, they help. If they make you feel like a puppet on a string that someone else is pulling, they hurt. A knife can be used to heal through surgery or it can kill. It’s all what you do with it.”
Lao Tse then continues, “You should look within for your answers. Your life is not determined by the stars. It is determined by your state of mind and the choices you make. Regardless of how the stars are configured, you are in charge of your journey. Make healthy choices, and even if adversity comes, the Tao will show you how to use it for your benefit.”
But then when you think it's about to get serious, Cohen then proceeded to talk about his male puppy trying to hump his older female dog. As Cohen told the story, "All of our dog expert friends told us that our nine-month-old male puppy was too young to mate with our older female. But he didn’t get that memo. One night while my beloved Dee and I were sitting in our living room, we heard a sharp yelp from the kitchen. We rushed in to find the little guy stuck to the older woman. They remained interlocked for 45 minutes with a baffled look on their faces: “Now what do we do?”"
What could possibly be the moral story from this hilarious encounter? "The best things that happen are unplanned", the great master would say. Because, get this, that little geezer impregnated the older dog and Cohen and his wife suddenly have little joyous puppies!
And this is actually what the entire teaching of Tao Te Ching boils down to: Let nature take its course. Cohen then elaborates by categorizing the relationship between cultures and nature into three 1. Man under nature 2. Man over nature 3. Man in nature:
1. Man under nature believe the world is ruled by gods, demigods, or any spirits superior to humanity. As Cohen remarks, these beings "chart our destiny, so we lower beings must bow down to them, appease them, make sacrifices, and, whatever you do, don't piss them off." Such cultures believe that favorable conditions are given from higher powers, and calamities are forms of punishments from our misdeeds. Cultures like ancient Greek, Roman, and Mayan civilizations are examples of this approach.
2. Man over nature regards nature as an obstacle to be tamed or controlled, our enemy to overrun or to subjugate for our purpose. Our technologically bullying culture is a prime example of this, where "we tear down forests, dam rivers, preserve food with chemicals, manipulate genes, and spew toxins in the air with no awareness that when we hurt our planet, we hurt ourselves."
3. Man in nature is actually the only way we were born to live, how we should live. Many cultures that are close to the Earth understand that our purpose in life is to align with nature, thank its Creator, accept its blessings, and give back to it. Native American, First Nation, Aboriginal, Māori, and Hawaiian cultures are some of the examples for this.
This book is ultimately about teaching us to live life according to the third option, man in nature. And it's such an impactful one.
I must admit, not all section of the book are brilliant. Like in each chapter Cohen somehow inserted a fictional depiction of his own interactions with the old master, in an imaginary way as if Cohen is Lao Tse's student. Which is super weird. But I treat these episodes like I would treat a drunken uncle that is starting to talk about government conspiracy theories, sure it's wacko but there are some truths in it somewhere. Besides, had these stories been true, it would actually be insightful.
And one last note, it is particularly astonishing for me that a lot of the messages from Lao Tse are similar like Stoicism. Such as "what's in the way is the way" is similar with Stoicism's the obstacle is the way. Or "let nature take its course" is similar like let things happen naturally. Or Stoicism's core message of focus on what you can control, can also be seen in Tao's "sometimes you can change the environment. Always you can change your mind" and its examples in chapter "How to fix the world."
Moreover, Tao Te Ching, according to Cohen, is also similar like the content of the Gospel of Thomas. And in this book Cohen also tells the story of Siddhartha Gautama to illustrate a Tao lesson. So, I guess that quotation from the Rig Veda is spot on, "all truth is one, the sage call it by many names."
February 24, 2021
An interesting book that certainly sheds a light on the goals that we strive to achieve in the 21st century. It might sound like Captain Obvious at times, but it definitely makes stuff clearer. However, at the same time the author doesn't seem to have grasped the concept of transsexuality and other progressive stuff, so the book is not entirely comfortable to read at times as the author shows that he doesn't understand or wants to understand these concepts. This is a very weird stance for someone who wants to share timeless wisdom and wants to look like they understand the modern world.
July 26, 2023
There's a lot of good and useful stuff in this book but unfortunately it is mixed in with a lot of unsupported, "new age" nonsesnse which is not useful and also potentially harmful if truly practiced as presented. If I stripped away the nonsense, it would be a five star book but would only be about half as long.
October 18, 2018
I used $1.99 worth of free Amazon credits toward Great on Kindle eBooks to 'purchase' this book.
It seems a lot of self-help books end up on Amazon at very low prices. This is the only book I've read about the Tao Te Ching, and I probably won't try any others. The format was interesting, with fictional anecdotes of Lao Tze and an unnamed follower interspersed with Cohen's recapping the Tao Te Ching and giving examples from the world and his own life. The fictional anecdotes were probably my favorite part of the book. The rest seemed the same hash over and over again.
Some of the things Cohen states as bald fact are just too outrageous to give credit, like the mention of the Global Consciousness Project. While I love me a random number generator to help me make a decision, I don't believe we're psychically influencing it. And this line made me laugh: "The Earth in its original state was rich in oxygen far beyond the levels we experience today."
One thing I can get behind: "Life is about love, and love does not depend on bodies." I just finished reading Bag of Bones by Stephen King, and this could be a one-line review of that book.
It seems a lot of self-help books end up on Amazon at very low prices. This is the only book I've read about the Tao Te Ching, and I probably won't try any others. The format was interesting, with fictional anecdotes of Lao Tze and an unnamed follower interspersed with Cohen's recapping the Tao Te Ching and giving examples from the world and his own life. The fictional anecdotes were probably my favorite part of the book. The rest seemed the same hash over and over again.
Some of the things Cohen states as bald fact are just too outrageous to give credit, like the mention of the Global Consciousness Project. While I love me a random number generator to help me make a decision, I don't believe we're psychically influencing it. And this line made me laugh: "The Earth in its original state was rich in oxygen far beyond the levels we experience today."
One thing I can get behind: "Life is about love, and love does not depend on bodies." I just finished reading Bag of Bones by Stephen King, and this could be a one-line review of that book.
May 22, 2020
Wspaniały tytuł, który uzupełnia wiedzę o taoizmie. Najlepiej czytać razem z Tao Te Ching, jako że książka pozwala zrozumieć najważniejsze założenia znajdujących się tam strof. Książka byłaby dla mnie idealna, gdyby nie autor, który w pewnym momencie za bardzo zachłysnął się swoim poczuciem wyższości wynikającej z emocjonalnej odrębności od reszty ludzi. Przez większość książki pozostaje skromny i odpowiednio zdystansowany, ale swój rozdział na temat technologii napisał w bardzo niechlujny sposób, posługując się uproszczeniami i całkowitym niezrozumieniem, dlaczego społeczeństwo jest, jakie jest. Było to zaskakujące i rozczarowujące. Ponadto jest jedna rzecz, która mnie bolała, ale to podejrzewam kwestia tłumaczenia - tłumacz prozy również zajął się tłumaczeniem strof napisanych przez Laoziego, co wyszło mu niesamowicie kiepsko. Zazwyczaj w książkach, w których znajdują się utwory wierszowane, tłumacz posługuje się gotowym tłumaczeniem i robi odpowiedni przypis. Tutaj chyba to pominięto, przez co cytowany co chwilę Tao Te Ching traci na mocy.
Mimo to książka jest bardzo wartościowa, aby przybliżyć sobie tematykę taoistycznej filozofii. A taoizm polecam każdemu.
Mimo to książka jest bardzo wartościowa, aby przybliżyć sobie tematykę taoistycznej filozofii. A taoizm polecam każdemu.
December 23, 2020
My favourite book
If I could only choose one book to take to a desert island, this would be it. The Tao is a complex, subtle, indescribable force. Alan makes it a simple, obvious, approachable subject.
I’m eternally grateful for this book and the profound effect it has had on the way I live my life. I hope you get the same wisdom, peace and prosperity this book has enabled me to find, through an understanding of what the Tao is (or rather, is not - sorry I couldn’t help myself!).
David J
If I could only choose one book to take to a desert island, this would be it. The Tao is a complex, subtle, indescribable force. Alan makes it a simple, obvious, approachable subject.
I’m eternally grateful for this book and the profound effect it has had on the way I live my life. I hope you get the same wisdom, peace and prosperity this book has enabled me to find, through an understanding of what the Tao is (or rather, is not - sorry I couldn’t help myself!).
David J
November 8, 2018
This book came along at the perfect time for me, as I am currently experiencing many upheavals in my life. Successful living involves learning to trust that things are happening as they are meant to, and this book deeply nourished my roots. I loved the examples, stories and insights this book offers. I found myself wanting to highlight every other sentence! For those who are caught up in skepticism, rigidity or fear this book offers a life-changing, mind-opening cure.
May 5, 2019
I did very much enjoy this book. It provided some excellent context for living with the philosophy of Taoism. I enjoy his writing style, and his overall outlook on life. I would have rated it higher, except that it was just a bit too new age for me; the philosphy in Taoism is life affirming, can help you deal with many things, but I don’t have faith that something is there to pick me up and fix me, no matter what happens. Nonetheless, a good read.
Read
November 1, 2019Easy and profound
One really gets the essence of the Tao de Ching from this well articulated and lovingly written book. I read it slowly, allowing myself time to digest and absorb the various chapters. In the end, the Tao is about living a balanced, loving, and peaceful life--this book is a great start on that journey.
One really gets the essence of the Tao de Ching from this well articulated and lovingly written book. I read it slowly, allowing myself time to digest and absorb the various chapters. In the end, the Tao is about living a balanced, loving, and peaceful life--this book is a great start on that journey.
May 28, 2019
I read this book when I felt stressed, and it helped me feel calmer, that the universe will provide if I let it. It had thought provoking ideas in it. I was not a particular fan of its coitus references, but it did have some profound ideas in it.
June 7, 2021
Just what I needed
I just finished the book. I needed it. And I need it again. I think I will read it again right away to allow more of it to soak into my spirit. It will never get old.
I just finished the book. I needed it. And I need it again. I think I will read it again right away to allow more of it to soak into my spirit. It will never get old.
October 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this translation of the Dao de Ching. The way that the author set a number of the 81 verses with a story of Lao Tsu and his apprentice. Lovely read, and a book that I will continue to go back to, time and time again.
May 1, 2023
Food for my Soul
I loved this book. I felt renewed and at peace after I finished reading. I highly recommend it. Not only does it teach many things, it gives you hope and healing to a wounded heart.
I loved this book. I felt renewed and at peace after I finished reading. I highly recommend it. Not only does it teach many things, it gives you hope and healing to a wounded heart.
October 28, 2018
A beautiful book. Very clear and enormously helpful.
December 29, 2018
Beautiful
It was an inspiring journey to be able to navigate through this book. I loved every word and I will cherish every page in my heart
It was an inspiring journey to be able to navigate through this book. I loved every word and I will cherish every page in my heart
March 13, 2019
Cohen provides good interpretations of the somewhat inscrutable Tao. I’m working on “You need do nothing.”
August 4, 2019
One of my all time favorite
September 26, 2019
Tao
I thank the author for helping me gain a greater understanding understanding of Tao. There are many items in these teachings worthy of lifelong implementation.
I thank the author for helping me gain a greater understanding understanding of Tao. There are many items in these teachings worthy of lifelong implementation.
October 13, 2020
Such a joy to read.
Uplifting and clear wisdom ready to be immediately put to practice.
Uplifting and clear wisdom ready to be immediately put to practice.
November 30, 2020
An inspirational, highly readable guide to the Tao.
August 29, 2022
A book we should read and read and read. TAO really seems to be easy, being described in these wonderful stories of Alan Cohen. ❤️
December 19, 2022
The best intro to Tao Te Ching
This book has given me better understanding of the Tao than any other. Thank you for writing and revealing the Tao.
This book has given me better understanding of the Tao than any other. Thank you for writing and revealing the Tao.
January 1, 2023
This is really good for a beginner in Taoism. A lovely introduction.
April 10, 2023
Tao can be somewhat inaccessible to American society. This book gives great examples of applying its precepts in modern culture.
September 19, 2024
So good!!
November 2, 2025
There are some contradictions made by the author addition. But the constant stories of Lao Tzu was great.
November 7, 2018
Do you ever find books where you only 'regret' about reading it, is that you hadn't, 30 years ago? This was one of those books. There was so many 'ah-ha' moments for me, I look at my 'notes and highlights' here on Kindle and smile at the idea of the yellow highlighter pen lines, and margin notes I would have pencilled in, if this had been a paperback book. My 20 year old self is stamping her foot in the corner, wishing she'd gotten her hands on this all those decades past, and hinting at me that I would have done well to revisit it once a year. I think I'll do that - certainly the highlights anyway!
Some wonderfully sage advice, that every one of us deserves to remember. Because when life seems to be getting further from 'easy' every day, it does our soul good to be reminded that the way we live now is actually quite ridiculous.
Some wonderfully sage advice, that every one of us deserves to remember. Because when life seems to be getting further from 'easy' every day, it does our soul good to be reminded that the way we live now is actually quite ridiculous.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews