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The Sage's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life
Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, one of the world’s most widely read books of wisdom, reminds its readers that the sage has been venerated in China for thousands of years. In this free-verse interpretation of the Tao, William Martin subtly and powerfully captures the complex emotions connected with growing older. He encourages today’s sages to recognize their inestimable worth in a youth-centric world that often goes astray: “Will I be able to harvest my life in compassion and love for the world? Will I find in my own heart the wisdom for which I long? This question trumps all others for me. I suspect it is the same for you.”
144 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2020
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
William Martin
18 books159 followersWilliam Martin is an award-winning author whose work expresses the practical wisdom and inspiration of Taoist thought for contemporary readers. He is the spouse of Nancy, the father of Lara and John, and the grandfather of Jillian and Andrew.
A native of California, Bill graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Electronic Engineering. After four years working for the Navy as a research scientist, he returned to graduate school. He earned a Masters degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He did not find himself fitting within the Christian Church clergy structure so, guided by his love of the Tao Te Ching, he began to seek his own way. He spent two decades in private practice as a Marriage and Family Counselor in Phoenix, Arizona, and taught counseling for many years at Rio Salado College in Phoenix. He has been a student of the Tao for four decades.
In 1998 he and Nancy decided to simplify their lives so they sold most of their possessions, left their careers, gathered their remaining belongings into a 5X8 foot U-Hall trailer and moved to the Oregon coast. Nancy worked at a small Inn and Bill wrote a book. In 1999, after a year of strolling along the beaches, walking through the forests, and feeling the intense joy of the natural world, they moved to the mountains of Northern California. They live a somewhat private existence, connecting with their close friends and with their individual work. They walk, read, enjoy qigong and cherish their life together. Nancy is a traditional bookbinder, restoring old books and creating hand-bound editions of new ones (www.nwbookbinding.com). Bill continues to write and paint in the Taoist tradition.
A native of California, Bill graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Electronic Engineering. After four years working for the Navy as a research scientist, he returned to graduate school. He earned a Masters degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He did not find himself fitting within the Christian Church clergy structure so, guided by his love of the Tao Te Ching, he began to seek his own way. He spent two decades in private practice as a Marriage and Family Counselor in Phoenix, Arizona, and taught counseling for many years at Rio Salado College in Phoenix. He has been a student of the Tao for four decades.
In 1998 he and Nancy decided to simplify their lives so they sold most of their possessions, left their careers, gathered their remaining belongings into a 5X8 foot U-Hall trailer and moved to the Oregon coast. Nancy worked at a small Inn and Bill wrote a book. In 1999, after a year of strolling along the beaches, walking through the forests, and feeling the intense joy of the natural world, they moved to the mountains of Northern California. They live a somewhat private existence, connecting with their close friends and with their individual work. They walk, read, enjoy qigong and cherish their life together. Nancy is a traditional bookbinder, restoring old books and creating hand-bound editions of new ones (www.nwbookbinding.com). Bill continues to write and paint in the Taoist tradition.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 3, 2023
Broadly following the passages in Laozi’s original, Martin applies the old master’s teaching to the experience of aging in later life, wisely inspiring the reader to accept the emerging opportunities that come with growing older. Let go of attachment to the past to gain the wisdom of a sage by accepting new chances to grow and experience the present. Growing physical frailty can be an opportunity to become calm and consider what is most important, while observing the wonder of life surrounding you with inner peace as you serenely await death.
December 26, 2024
Concise wisdom for our later years based on the Tao Te Ching. William Martin uses the loose rhythms of free verse to interpret and expound on teachings about spiritual and practical living from this age old tradition. Surprisingly deep and to the point in a way that I wasn’t expecting from such a little book so I ended up using it as a source for interesting writing prompts for my daily journaling practice. The beautiful calligraphic illustrations added a nice touch as well.
September 25, 2022
Read this at the encouragement of my brother. A short book, it would seem to be a fast read, but a better approach is to read selected topics and contemplate the ideas and perspective offered, and then apply them to your current situation.
November 28, 2023
Sage and serene, just like me!
July 30, 2024
Very encouraging. Not anything I hadn't figured out by now, but good to be reminded. A great gift for an older person. Will definitely dip into this again and again.
December 4, 2022
If I can become like a sage in my old age, it will be a miracle, but this is the way to aspire to age gracefully.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews