The best Taoist Philosophy books: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Pooh is intentionally simple minded and comparing trump's garbage to that beautiful simple bear is just not fair!

Side note, check out "the Tao of pooh" as it shows why pooh is so wonderfully simple. The Tao of Pooh https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140067477/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6UbeCbQ3ZHQEQ

The Taoteching

Read the Tao Te Ching, sounds like a philosophy that works for you!

>Zen does not have a unified theory, which makes [the task] a joke in itself.

> Seems like this applies to our conversation as well.

If your only compass is conceptual, there is no way out of the fix.

Sooner or later you find an arrow that points and take a leap. Most people don't seem to. But if there is no leap, there is seeing life beyond the world view that was socialized into us.

Oh, I guess we could have been raised feral. But we weren't.

>'muscle memory'/reflex

combined with watching it happen.

None of this is "attained", but yeah, its mystery. No one is ever going to understand it like they could understand how a nut fits on a screw. The world of nature is like that.

>parsing bits out

don't put off reading a collection of stories like "zen flesh, zen bones". Its better to take it from the actual literature than to take it from some random dude on the internet :)

https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Flesh-Bones-Collection-Writings/dp/0804831866

$2 used plus shipping

No. the Te Tao Ching, which is sometimes called the Laotzu, is nothing to do with Zen. Not only that, it's tough to say that the Te Tao Ching goes with anything else. If you haven't read Te Tao Ching, btw, it's the definitive translation as far as I know.

Here's some Zen. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/zen/mumonkan.htm Equally short, but not at all similar.

1. Taoism is a native Chinese religion unrelated to Buddhism.

2. "Taoism" is also a catch all for Chinese mysticism that has Laotzu's book Tao Te Ching at it's core.

The version of Tao Te Ching to read is "Te Tao Ching" http://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzu-Translation-Discovered-Ma-wang-tui/dp/0345370996 which covers the history of the text and common misconceptions about it.

> but that and orgasm together is better than that alone, haven't you tried both together? If not why not?

Depends on the context. Yes I have done certain practices that incorporate both. Those practices obviously do exist, some of which are potent. But not in jhana meditation, for reasons already mentioned. Sensuality and jhana are mutually exclusive, it's a different kind of pleasure withdrawn from sensuality.

For the time you're in jhana, there's an absence of sensuality, you simply can't mix the two while in that state.

If you're after sexual types of meditations specifically, you won't find that in Buddhism (except perhaps in fringe elements of Vajrayana Buddhism maybe?). Perhaps Taoism? Maybe try Taoist Secrets of Love by Mantak Chia perhaps? I read it years ago, although I'm not sure whether this is considered orthodox in the Taoist religion.

It took some time for me to come to terms with it. In the end, I had to accept that ambiguity is ok. I was Mormon. That's a fact. I had good experiences. A lot of those experiences revolved around the church in one way or another. That's another fact. I don't have the option to have memories that are purely sweet in retrospect, butI do have the opportunity to accept and appreciate the sour with the sweet.

Have you ever heard of the painting The Vinegar Tasters?

In it, Confucius, Buddha, and Laozi (the writer of the Tao te Ching) are tasting vinegar from the vat. Confucius and Buddha find it too bitter or sour, and make bitter and sour faces. Laozi tastes it and a look of joy is on his face. He is the only one between them who can taste it, accept that it is sour, and appreciate it because it is sour.

One of the most important books I've read is the Tao of Pooh. Funny enough, I was assigned it in an Asian Humanities class. It didn't turn me into a Daoist, but it did explain a philosophy that accepts ambiguity and suggests a way to accept and appreciate my past. It's $6 and 158 pages. Maybe you will appreciate it, too.

Thank you for admitting that your OP was off-topic to this forum.

Educate yourself, swine.

Try reading a book you sallow sow.

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061142662

Stephen Mitchell

One of my most loved translations. I've probably listened to it 50 times.

I recommend a copy of this but also, depending on where you are in life, some things allow the internal tigers opportunity to hunt. Idle hands, or something like that...

I love rock climbing, flying, downhill biking, things like that. Even though I'm not an athlete... but I love them because, lets say rock climbing (my favorite), you cannot maintain anxiety when you're in the middle of activity. I don't mean you'll fall if you worry -- I mean that your worry ceases because you have a BIGGER worry right in front of you! (even with a rope, the anxiety of fear and falling takes over, and if you have time to think about falling and how that would solve your problem with debt, then it's because you're not in activity state). When you go for a move, if you slip the tiniest bit, it pulls you out of your head and into the present. It's like a zen practice. The sensory (Se for us INFJ is last, being NiFeTiSe, but somehow I'm not super clumsy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) demands focus most presently. So provide 'distraction' from the nonsense. That's where the strawberry is. Doesn't matter if the tigers are internal or external.

That said, there's a whole lot more work to do than that... if only it were that simple, right?!

Try r/zen or maybe some yoga. Maybe Jordan Peterson (unless you're susceptible to motivational speakers, but I'm guessing that's not the case for you...) there are old lectures on youtube from graduate classes that are pretty good, but be warned, your youtube recommendations will become alt-right pretty quick... maybe use incognito or a different alt account just for that nonsense to keep your normal view clean!

My favorite translation is this one I really like the collected commentaries.

The Stephen Mitchell translation is hands down the best version.

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Laozi/dp/0060812451/ref=pd_bxgy_1/131-0541983-5345335?pd_rd_w=3bMDB&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=RZ8QN8ASCCXACCTY0499&pd_rd_r=bb0a7ec2-6a63-4fce-b6e8-fe5596333379&pd_rd_wg...

https://terebess.hu/english/tao/mitchell.html

I think Tao De Ching by Red Pine is a good book to read too. I recently stumble upon a podcast on Spotify too from Dan Casas-Murray. https://open.spotify.com/show/5IyJnaFiFXIDIiWgNmGqxe?si=a46d6bd2a3cd42ce

Oh no that's a double mistake.

Soto Zen very much is representative of Zen.

Japanese Buddhists calling themselves Soto it turns out have no doctrinal or historical connection to Zen at all.

Dogen wrote the book that invented Zazen and initially didn't link it to Soto Caodong Zen at all. Now his cult claims Dogen was a Soto master well there's no evidence Dogen ever met a single Soto teacher.

Meanwhile at the same time back in China and actual Soto Zen Master wrote an actual book of instruction... You can buy it on Amazon... Cleary translated it... The Book of Serenity.

.

I've been chasing the argument that Zen is related to or even similar to Taoism for a while. I think it's actually Buddhist propaganda.

For one thing Taoism in the form of literature like laotzu and chuangtze is very questionably related to the Taoism religion with its celestial beings and its alchemy.

For another thing, Zen Masters both implicitly and explicitly rejected taoism, both the laotzu kind and the alchemy kind.

.

My first clue let that West failed to understand Taoism was this book:

Lao Tzu: Te-Tao Ching - A New Translation Based on the Recently Discovered Ma-wang-tui Texts (Classics of Ancient China) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0345370996/

Which argues that the title has been translated wrong this whole time... And the correct translation to the title suggests that it's not actually one book but two books with very different purposes.... Neither having anything to do with Zen's Way.

the buck breaking society fears accession through semen retention. https://www.amazon.com/Taoist-Secrets-Love-Cultivating-Sexual/dp/0943358191

I do enjoy Red Pine's translation, so maybe you'll find enlightenment from his translation: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1556592906/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_D007AGD6RAFP8ME3WS2Q

I'm currently reading his translation of diamond sutra and it is quite good. Good luck on your journey to find peace and your true nature🤞

That could be too! Lots of ways to interpret it. I like to recommend Red Pine's translation of the Tao Te Ching because it comes with commentary. You'll see a wide variety of interpretations for each chapter.

I don't think this chapter is a commentary on the illusion of self. For example it ends with "sages therefore wear coarse cloth and keep their jade concealed". It's basically saying to "look normal and keep your "secrets/skills" to hidden".

There's this concept of being "useless" so you can be natural that you'll find in Taoist texts. There's a story of this tree that grew in a way that made it useless for humans so they never cut it down. I think the "coarse clothes" are making sure you appear "useless" in the right moments BUT you have your jade inside in the event that you need to present your usefulness. :)

Again, just my view on it.

To be honest… I don't know that Taoists spend a whole lot of time on the "illusion of self" and instead focus on "original nature/self" or "natural self". That said, different strokes for different folks! If you feel like investigating the illusion of self definitely go for it! :)

I remember like this text "Who Am I?" for the illusion of self (and it's free and short) but there's lot of good info on the topic out there.

Who Am I?: https://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/teachings/instructions/

Red Pine Translation: https://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

Man… that's a super broad question so I'm going to give it broad, and Taoist, answer.

The way you'd apply the philosophy to modern use is figuring out, for yourself, which (modern) texts make the most sense for you to study based on your personal goals.

What I'm basically saying is that a Taoist can't tell you what texts you should pick up. 😝 lol

That said, if you type "Tao of…" into Google you're bound to find a book, blog post, or something on the subject. I typed "Tao of Anarchism" into Google and ran into this:

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/josh-anarchism-and-taoism

If you do that and continue down the rabbit holes of resources that the books/articles suggest you'll probably find everything you're looking for.

Check out the wiki for an extensive list of books on the subject of Taoism.

I'd recommend picking up the Red Pine translation of the Tao Te Ching. I think it'd be really interesting to you because it has commentary from ancient Chinese scholars along with each chapter. That will give you perspective from a lot of different angles (military strategists, politicians, artists, etc.)

https://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

I'm sure there are parallels to be made, but it isn't a requirement for understanding. That said… it might be a good path for you for your understanding. :)

I've never read it, but this book might interest you. I've run into people who have and they like it. Taoists did figure out some observations about the nature of reality before the tools to prove them existed (from what I understand).

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Physics-Exploration-Parallels-Mysticism/dp/1590308352

I was going to suggest the same (the wiki). I don't know if this is the best translation to start with but the unique thing about it is that it has commentary from historical leaders of Chinese thought along with each chapter. What's nice about that isn't just the insight, it's seeing how wildly different some of the chapters are interpreted.

One guy will talk about how the chapter is a guide for meditation and another will talk about its utility for managing an army (or something like that, just made that example up. :) )

https://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

Thank you so much for such a detailed response. I've been meditating every day and praying. I have pictures of maharaji (neem karoli baba) that I quietly sit in front of every night. I am a fan of cannabis, but have not tried combining it with psychedelics.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Also, I saw your post on the tao de ching, great book. I took a class on daoism last year and the professor made us read two books by Livia Kohn, there's some really great and rare daoist scriptures in there (some it's the only translation available.) https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1590305469/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=tao+de+ching&qid=1614131720&sr=8-8 this is the translation of the tao de ching that we read, but others are cool too. He taught it in a very academic/historical way, but what I love to do is to meditate for however long and then open up to a random page and read that chapter and then put it down. And just think about it for the day, let everything in your day pass through the lens of that verse or chapter. Then at the end of the day go back to that same chapter and read it again.

Almost there, although the story is everywhere over internets, we are in the r/zen here, so noblesse oblige, and we have to give the source.

The monk is Japanese XIX century zen master Nan'in, and a man in the story is a university professor who wanted to know about zen. It comes from Zen Flesh Zen Bones (Story number 1) and link for impatient

I haven't seen this one but I do enjoy another angle on the tao.

I'll give it a go.

Edit; upon searching Google, a Hackett classic shows up with "Watson" listed.

Is this the one you were referring? https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1590305469/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2jhkFbC2QH5KQ

Bubba Watson is also a golfer and floods the Google results.

Reading ancient Chinese philosophy – specifically the Tao Te Ching – at the beginning of Covid & repeatedly throughout has really helped frame the world nicely.

*If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal.

The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know.

Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.*

Skip the ceremonial part and go to the source.

And for women.

It's not any more detailed than what's written above, really. I'm reading Mantak Chia's Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy https://www.amazon.com/dp/0943358191/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WrPcCbTNYNV4H

But I'm basically just edging, and when i get close, I'm using my pc muscles, focusing on the positive feeling in my genitals, and trying to move that up my spine to my brain and the rest of my body.

Have you tried any of this before? Are you reading anything related to SR?

I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope that if you're married, you're sharing your journey with your spouse; it will help you both stay together as you make whatever decision is appropriate for you.

I would say that the first thing to do is be patient with yourself. Rebuilding a worldview takes time, exploration, curiosity, and patience. Keep what is good about the church, leave what isn't, and remember that it's ok do do so. The answers to life's big questions are not necessarily unambiguous. That's ok.

If I could recommend one book, it would be The Tao of Pooh. This is a book that explains the basics of Taoism for Western audiences. Taoism at its heart is a philosophy that tries come to grips with ambiguity. You're in a time right now that you're learning that things you thought were definite are now much more ambiguous. I'm not saying you need to be a Taoist, but reading a book like this will help you see how other people have come to deal with the ambiguity. That can take a lot of the angst out of the process as you rebuild your worldview and find what gives you meaning. That book was very helpful to me as I was plowing into my faith crisis at BYU. I had to read the book for an Asian humanities class and only chose it because it was the shortest on the list, but it quickly became one of the most useful things I ever read at BYU. It helped me gain some perspective and have less angsty time figuring things out.

Hmm I'm gonna recommend the Tao Te Ching, it's a really great philosophical / spiritual text from China that I turn to all the time whenever I need to relax and breathe (I recommend the Stephen Mitchell translation)

Zen Buddhism and Taoist principles in general are suuuper helpful. If you're facing social anxiety specifically, another great book is The Charisma Myth, which I find has good exercises not just for getting comfortable around people but also lessening anxiety overall.

Also, daily meditation and walks :-)

Mine is more of an awareness the spiritual side of existence than a religion. It is an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and an essential oneness of existence. It is Indra's Web and all science wrapped into one.

If you'd like to learn more, I can recommend this book