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The Sage's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life

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This little book is dynamite in disguise. If you are anywhere near middle age, buy this book and let its words of wisdom on becoming a sage soothe and strengthen your soul!!! Our youth-oriented society does nothing to help us as we grow older. In fact, it perpetuates the myth that we all want to be eternally young. NOT!! Aging gracefully is an art and this book will help you tremendously on your life's path.

The power behind each verse is awesome, empowering, enlightening and luminous.

For instance, this second half of Verse 25 entitled, 'We Are A River', sums it up beautifully and poetically:

Don't accept the modern myths of aging.
You are not declining.
You are not fading away into uselessness.
You are a sage,
a river at its deepest
and most nourishing.
Sit by a riverbank some time
and watch attentively as the river
tells you of your life.

Several weeks after my mother passed away, my husband was off fishing and I was attempting to come to terms with becoming the matriarch of my family...a difficult task! I wandered into a small bookstore in Weaverville, CA and this book jumped out at me. It brought me a sense of the peace and a meaningful goal, achieving "sagehood" or is it "sagedom." I read a selection or two each night. I am still a long way from reaching my goal, but the challenge makes me feel alive. I recommend it to all "of a certain age."

read no further!! Warning!! danger ahead. If you have come this far and still want a Christmas present for that old person you know, you better know what you are doing. Don't waste your money unless this person is open, friendly, lively, alert, happy, honest, intouch with themselfs and is full of joyfull life. If they fit all the above and more, then search their bookshelfs and their bedside table because they probably already have this. This is a wonderful book! Reading the first page I found this great quote "The great task of the sage is learning to see in the darkness and not be afraid" and this " Enjoy the monents given you. Love the people around you. Live the life offered you." Need I say more. Now, If your like me, old and full of life, I keep my copy close to my reading glasses.

Being interested in Eastern religions and philosophies, I've read several translations of the Tao Te Ching, one of which is William Martin's (A Path and a Practice). I was so impressed by this book, that I wanted to read more of his writings. Having recently passed "mid-life," I was especially drawn to The Sage's Tao Te Ching. Mr. Martin's interpretation of this ancient work is sensitive, thought-provoking, and challenges popular cultural norms about aging and the meaning of "success." I recommend it to anyone -- regardless of age -- who is interested in cultivating the virtues of wisdom and compassion. I intend on reading it at least once a year.

Lao Tzu, the "OldBoy", isn't called the master of paradox for nothing. This is a great book for the "OldBoy" in all of us. Though it is directed towards the older in years among us, it is applicable to anyone that has tired of the rat race of modern life and just wants to sit back and relax a while. Sit back and contemplate the mystery of life. Maybe even sit still long enough to hear the still small voice of our inner being. To be an old boy or girl again, only without the naivete of youth. As William Martin titles the first lesson of his beautiful little book, "Older or Wiser?"; and I quote:

Growing older either reveals or hides
the mystery of existence.
If you are becoming a sage
you are growing in trust and contentment.
You will discover the light of life's deepest truths.
If you are merely growing older,
you will become trapped by fears and frustrations.
You will only see the darkness
of infirmity and death.
The great task of the sage
is learning to see in the darkness
and not be afraid.

An author who can hear the profound in the subtle risks being drowned out in the sonic boom of consumer culture. THE SAGE'S TAO TE CHING appears at first glance to be as weighty as a dandelion puff -- and those for whom futures trading is the anti-oxidant of middle age will likely scoff at the material valuelessness of this book. But in the genial wisdom of these chapters you will find a bouyancy born of a breadth of experience, of one who wears his age with wit and compassion.

What separates a geezer from a sage? Read further, my child.

I keep this book at my bedside and refer to it often, especially when life starts to get me down. I am not a Taoist, but I find this book in particular, very settling. I hope to gradually transition into a sage's lifestyle and this book is pointing the way.

Several weeks after my mother passed away, my husband was off fishing and I was attempting to come to terms with becoming the matriarch of my family...a difficult task! I wandered into a small bookstore in Weaverville, CA and this book jumped out at me. It brought me a sense of the peace and a meaningful goal, achieving "sagehood" or is it "sagedom." I read a selection or two each night. I am still a long way from reaching my goal, but the challenge makes me feel alive. I recommend it to all "of a certain age."

In searching for meaning in the second half of life, William Martin offers guidelines for living a quality life of being a good example for the younger generation. He also offers guidelines on ways to give back to others all we have been blessed with. A book of encouragement not to remain young, but to live our age.

Some wisdom holds reverence for thousands of years, because it has proven true. "Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life" is a new interpretation of Lao Tzu's famous Tao Te Ching, a multiple-millennia-old work of wisdom, bringing a Taoist philosophy for those who coming into age, and how to be serene and content in one's older life. "Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life" is a thoughtful and fascinating take on ancient wisdom, highly recommended.