Awakening to the Tao [Paperback]

Lui I-Ming (Author), Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1988

The Tao is the Way, the Way behind all ways, the principle underlying all principles, the fact underlying all facts. Taoism, in its broadest sense, is the search for truth and reality. In a narrower sense, it is the original knowledge tradition of China, yet Taoism has already in the last couple of centuries extended its influence to many different fields of endeavor in the West. In English today we have books on Taoism and investment, Taoism and health, Taoism and sex, Taoism and war, Taoism, and science, Taoism and art, Taoism and life. This book, Awakening to the Tao, is none of these but includes something of all of them, and more—over one hundred methods of attaining reality as a fully conscious human being. According to the masters of ancient times, when you awaken to that unique Way at the crossroads of all ways, you then hold the key to all ways, and can succeed in any of the ways you choose to practice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I-Ming wrote this collection of 142 meditations on the Tao in 1816. Using natural and mythical phenomena he illustrates in everyday language the principles and practice of the Tao as the whole of life. The result is the essence of the wisdom that holds the key to success in every field of human endeavor. This may be due in part to Cleary's excellent translation. What is most interesting about this book is that these meditations also awaken us to the basic wisdom of our own religion and show us what we need to do to make it the whole of our life. It is just one more example of the unity of basic principles we find in the diversity of our religious concepts. Highly recommended!"— SSC Booknews

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (September 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087773447X
• ISBN-13: 978-0877734475
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,076,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a simple book that i go to over and over, January 18, 1999

By 

John Filak (Jersey City, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Awakening to the Tao (Paperback)

like stephen mitchell's translation of the tao te ching, i go to this book when i want inspiration. this is one of the great spiritual books, yet it is simple and a joy to read. it also teaches about the three "treasures" of life: vitality, energy, and spirit, and how to preserve them. i wish i could read more by this 18th century Taoist

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent work., August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Awakening to the Tao (Paperback)

This short work by Liu I-Ming deserves much praise for its clarity and simplicity. One of the formost figures associated with the Northern School of Complete Reality Taoism, Liu I-Ming brings an honest and pragmatic tone to his myriad reflections on the Tao presented in this slender volume. For the sincere reader at any level of understanding, this selection is an ongoing source of joy and inspiration. Subsequent readings of this book never fail to increase in significance, a testimony to the depth of the writings. Thomas Clearly provides a very readable translation. For the careful and reflective reader, this text will provide considerable satisfaction. Also recommended is the Taoist I-Ching with commentary by Liu I-Ming (also translated by Cleary).

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one, December 17, 2006

By 

boston_student "boston_student" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awakening to the Tao (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback)

This is the only book of meditations I take off the shelf regularly. The book is divided into two parts: the first 80 pages consist of about 75 "Contemplations," which are longer meditations (0.5-1.5 pages) based on simple observations of the natural and man-made world. The last 20 pages consist of "Refrains of Lament," which are shorter and more pronounced observations about the Tao, what it is, and what it is not. The passages that have had the most relevancy to me encourage me to reflect on social relationships, and help me to feel good relating to other people (or not) while living in a fast-paced, competitive, sometimes un-enlightened culture.