Embarking on the Way: A Guide to Western Taoism [Paperback]

Solala Towler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

Written in simple and non-scholarly fashion, Embarking On the Way is designed to present the fascinating world of Taoist philosophy and practice to Western readers. It encompasses a wide range of Taoist studies, from the classical teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu to the Tao of sex and relationship.

The appeal of this book for modern Westerners is in its simple yet profound presentation of Taoism. There is nothing to join, no vows to take, no special diet to follow and there is no need to let go of one's own personal religious or spiritual path to benefit from the teachings of Tao. Embarking On the Way offers the full program of Taoist philosophy and practice. The reader is then able to choose which parts of the program he or she wishes to use--for instance Chinese medicine or qigong practice--or they may choose to follow the entire program. There is no pressure or need to become a hard-core Taoist to gain benefit from the teachings covered in this book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Drawing on his extensive foundation in Taoist practice and as "a life-long seeker of truth and spiritual fulfillment," Towler presents the complete world of Taoist practice with the Western reader in mind. The beauty of Taoism is its lack of demands--as the books says, "nothing to join, no vows to take, no special diet to follow, and...no need to let go of your own personal...spiritual path." Adoption of all or part of the practice Es up to the spiritual needs of the reader. In the classic style of mentoring, most chapters begin with quotations from teachers, which are then expanded and expounded, some briefly and some at length. The seeker will find much to ponder and much of real use in these pages, from "The Value of Worthlessness" to "The Eternal Dance of Yin and Yang" and "The Tao of Sec and Relationship." Even as he discusses the most subtle and esoteric principles, Towler's tone is simple, conversational, and reasoning. This is a gentle book, as befits it subject. -- NAPRA ReView Vol. 9, No.3

About the Author

Solala Towler is author of A Gathering of Cranes, Bringing the Tao to the West. He is also editor/publisher of The Empty Vessel: A Journal of Contemporary Taoism. He is a certified instructor of several styles of qigong as well as Taoist meditation and is a member of the board of directors of the National Qigong Association USA.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Abode of the Eternal Tao (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964991225
• ISBN-13: 978-0964991224
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,239,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hmm., July 19, 2010

By 

B. Wheeler - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Embarking on the Way: A Guide to Western Taoism (Paperback)

It's been a couple years since I read this book so maybe I shouldn't even comment. My memory's not brilliant. But I was surfing around on Amazon and I noticed that some of the reviews here seemed a little angry. And in my experience, if someone is angry about a book like this, they probably have a very rigid set of expectations. And people are funny about Taoism. Some people view it as a religion and some as a philosophy. (And never the twain shall meet.) If you look at Taoism as a religion then this book is more of Unitarian work than a Fundamentalist one. It's about learning to live a balanced, healthy life, which, in my limited experience, is what Taoism is all about. Most of the negative reviews refer to this as a "New-Age" sort of book but I don't think that's necessarily an awful thing. My only problem with "New-Age" philosophy is it's seemingly inherent lack of discipline (Which I occasionally embrace.), which I don't think this book promotes. (It's not "The Secret".) I remember it as being both interesting and helpful and I think that if you're interested in exploring Eastern philosophy you'll find it helpful too.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An book with nothing to say, July 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Embarking on the Way: A Guide to Western Taoism (Paperback)

This author quotes most of the "Taoist Masters" whom write articles is his Empty Vessel Mag. Most of the so called "Taoist Masters" he quotes through his book are professional authors selling a lot of New-Age type of Taoist ideas, with the exception of Ding ming Dao... This book has more to do with "New-Ager Taoism than the real thing.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Godawful Book, September 11, 2002

By 

Max (Detroit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Embarking on the Way: A Guide to Western Taoism (Paperback)

I'm sorry, but I feel bad for the trees that had to give their lives for this! The author has no credentials as a Taoism expert, except for having interviewed other people with similarly shaky credentials about a topic that neither understands to any great degree. If anyone wants to understand Taoism, buy Henricks Dao De Jing and Saso's Taoist Master Chuang. Leave this poor doggy alone!