Taoism for Beginners: A Guide to Balanced Living

by C Alexander Simpkins, Annellen Simpkins

Taoism for Beginners is a practical guide to applying the key notions, concepts and beliefs underlying Taoism's various branches and schools.

Authors C. Alexander and Annellen Simpkins tap into their years of training and study in meditation, martial arts and Eastern philosophy to provide readers with a comprehensive introduction to the spiritual tenets and attainments that mark the holistic pathway to a life more in balance.

This book offers
This new edition has been updated by the author to include the connections between Taoism and mindfulness and meditation, as well as ritualized practices to heighten mind-body connection in order to control chi (energy). Taoist principles and concepts have guided people on the path to harmony, wholeness, balance and greater well-being for millennia. This beginning resource makes an ancient religion, its practices and history accessible for a twenty-first century reader.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

160 pages, Hardcover

Published January 19, 2021

Reviews

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Years ago, I read the Tao Te Ching, and that remained the extent of my knowledge about Taoism. I found the Tao Te Ching poetic and thought-provoking, reminiscent of proverbs, but I wanted to know more about Taoism, so I picked up this little volume from my library. It provides a concise history of the development of Taoism and its various sects, as well as its intertwining with Buddhism and Confucianism, and outlines its central themes. Then it goes on to offer exercises for the body and mind and introduces the reader to tai chi, acupuncture, and feng shui. I’m not sure how well all of it tied together. All in all, it was a useful overview and introduction, if a little light on philosophical substance.

[Megan S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave me a pretty decent introduction to the ideas included in Taoism, but the blocky start/stop writing style was distracting and the last straw was the author quoting their own poetry, multiple times.

[Terry Vassileva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent as an accessible introduction to daoism; it addresses the roots, the main textual sources and thinkers, the schools, as well as its connection to martial arts, art and fengshui. Has a practical self-help element with different exercises.

I take off two stars for the Wade-Giles system of transcription, the lack of bibliographical notes for quotes and statements, the self-inserted “poetical” quotes from the author and for using words like “religion” and “church” in relation to daoism. Has a “publications” (related bibliography) section, which doesn’t include the sources the authors used for the most central (quoted) texts like the Yijing and Daodejing! I’m fairly sure those “quotes” from the Yijing are not at all from there… if only I knew the source, so I could check for myself how and what has been quoted!

[April Lark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two parts of this book more than the third which was more a high level overview of things like acupuncture or tai chi that I didn't find applicable. I didn't like how the book was more self help sounding at times. But it did give me good information about Taoism which is what I was looking for

[Cara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre, with factual inaccuracies and the extremely weird choice to use Wade-Giles rather than Pinyin, despite its 2020 publishing date. Very self-help-y and frankly not any better than what can be gleaned from digging into Wikipedia and its references. The lack of self-awareness when speaking about Chinese concepts of modesty alongside quoting his own poetry was also...a choice.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help me learn so much about Taoism in a short read

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid sweep of Taoist history, philosophy, and religion. Shows the pressure of history in China on the evolution of Taoism.

[kerrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely everything you need to know about Taoism packed into this little book. Easy to read and understand, beautifully written. I feel fully informed about Taoism.

[Ik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of the book (1/3) was a rather dry history lesson. I was contemplating quitting the book, but I'm glad I didn't: the other 2/3 of the book were insightful and very interesting.

[Darnelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction to Taoism

[Emilia K · Rating 4 out of 5]

i bet there are more informative books as an introduction to the concepts, but this suffices too