168 of 170 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wayne's world..., June 17, 2008
This review is from: Living the Wisdom of the Tao: The Complete Tao Te Ching and Affirmations (Paperback)
Tao Te Ching..meaning Book of The Way, or book of the Word. One of the best books ever written. Certainly , the book that has had the most profound positive influence on my life.
If you are like me, you may be wondering should I get this particular version, and how does it compare with other versions like the Mitchell, English and Star version.
No matter how great a writer you think Wayne Dyer is, he did not write the Tao, yet his rendition is consistent with the best versions I have read. The distinguishing trait of Dyer's version is that there is a short affirmation opposite each verse, a lesson to be derived.
Some of these are good, and still leave room for you to come up with your own ideas. In fact, that is an inspiring way to go through the tao, and I must make a point of going through my other versions and writing out my thoughts on each chapter. So, thank you, Mr Dyer. I also like the layout with the graphics. They add a little atmosphere to each verse.
So, my personal favorite version is the Stephen Mitchell version. The Tao is wise, paradoxical, counterinituitive, puzzling, fascinating, mysterious, inspiring, amazing and true. These concepts bypass ego based thinking, and the idea of doing things by not striving is allowing a higher more authentic way of thinking to inform your being and your action.
The Jane English version, has a 25th Anniversary Edition which is a large size book, coffee table version, with symbols, and graphics, and a regular size version.
One of the Jonathan Star versions has Chinese symbols at the back, with multiple meanings of each symbol.
This is a great idea, which allows you to come up with your own version of the Tao, and would really open up your thinking on the Tao.
If you are like me, then as you read you discover the wisdom
like a raw jewel which you shape into a glittering diamond. That is the brilliance of the book.
The Tao is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.
81 chapters, all less than one page. Like any great mystery, the Tao is there to be experienced and not necessarily understood. Here is a selection from verse 81 to illustrate the difference between different versions.
True words aren't eloquent;
Eloquent words aren't true;
Wise men don't need to prove their point;
Men who need to prove their point aren't wise.
A different version might substitute the word beautiful for eloquent.
You can feel comfortable buying the Wayne Dyer version, or any of these other versions.
I also recommend The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, which is another classic book of wisdom, and The Dhammapada featuring the succinct teachings of the Buddha.
Hope this was helpful, and hope you find this book useful.
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37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I fully trust that others know what is best for them ..., March 23, 2008
This review is from: Living the Wisdom of the Tao: The Complete Tao Te Ching and Affirmations (Paperback)
The beauty of this book is that it encapsulates the information in exactly the way the scribes of Lao-tzu had probably imagined. It's easy on the eyes, nice to hold and fails to bog down, unlike previous editions that I've seen that often have twenty page introductions, giant prefaces and essays embedded in the prologue. This offering is void of all the nonsense.
Often, other versions and publications of this text is offered up in a dry and unflattering representation which causes the reader to strain the eye to the page, let alone the mind to the soul. This version gives you some of the most straightforward and fluid translations that I've read yet and is beautifully laid-out and well presented.
Dwyer prefaces each verse with a short mantra or prayer version that compliments the following verse very well and lets the mind wander even further along as you read each verse. A brilliant idea and very unassuming.
What more can be said about such a book that hasn't already been uttered?
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Profound Wisdom of the Tao and Peaceful Living, June 3, 2008
This review is from: Living the Wisdom of the Tao: The Complete Tao Te Ching and Affirmations (Paperback)
Internationally renowned author and dynamic, inspirational teacher, Wayne Dyer, offers an opportunity to directly experience the profound wisdom of the Tao Te Ching. This book shares verses by the ancient Chinese prophet, Lao-tzu on virtually every aspect of human existence. Wayne guides, "When we change the way that we look at things, the things that we look at change. This book was created with great love and wisdom and could be your handbook to the more contemplative life.
Katie Davis, Author, "Awake Joy"
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