The Shambhala Guide to Taoism (Shambhala Guides) [Paperback]

Eva Wong (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1570621691 | ISBN-13: 978-1570621697 | Publication Date: December 17, 1996 | Edition: 1

This guide to the spiritual landscape of Taoism not only introduces the important events in the history of Taoism, the sages who wrote the Taoist texts, and the various schools of Taoist thinking, but also gives the reader a feel for what it means to practice Taoism today.

The book is divided into three parts:

   1.  "The History of Taoism" traces the development of the tradition from the shamans of prehistoric China through the classical period (including the teachings of the famous sage Lao-tzu), the beginnings of Taoism as a religion, the rise of mystical and alchemical Taoism, and the synthesis of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
   2.  "Systems of Taoism" explores magical sects, divination practices, devotional ceremonies, internal alchemy, and the way of right action.
   3.  "Taoist Practices" discusses meditation, techniques of cultivating the body, and rites of purification, ceremony, and talismanic magic.


A comprehensive bibliography for further study completes this valuable reference work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Eva Wong, a long-time practitioner of Taoism and a translator of Taoist texts, has written a comprehensive overview of this often misunderstood spiritual tradition. Both diverse and fascinating as a historical profile, this colorful introduction to Taoist tradition and practices, its sages, and the practical application of stillness, are often likened to the mystical Chinese landscape of mountain and mist. Part One details the history of Taoism and the rise of mystical Taoism. It also includes a discussion of the rise of Taoist alchemy and the synthesis of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Part Two discusses the various systems of Taoism that include several of the esoteric Taoist practices. Part Three covers meditation, techniques for strengthening the body, and ceremonial rites."—The Inner Directions Journal

"This book is the first comprehensive introduction to Taoism by a modern practitioner of the tradition itself."—Russell Kirkland, Education About Asia

About the Author

Eva Wong is an independent scholar and a practitioner of the Taoist arts of the Pre-Celestial Way and Complete Reality lineages. She has written and translated many books on Taoism and related topics, including A Master Course in Feng-Shui; Tales of the Taoist Immortals; The Tao of Health, Longevity, and Immortality; and The Shambhala Guide to Taoism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (December 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570621691
• ISBN-13: 978-1570621697
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #702,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Informative Guide to Taoism, December 25, 1999

By 

Russell W.Turner - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shambhala Guide to Taoism (Shambhala Guides) (Paperback)

This is a marvellous book for those who want an insight into the nature and the mysteries of Taoism. I found this to be an enjoyable book from cover to cover. If you are new to the study of Taoism, or are a continuing student and wish to broaden your understanding in this discipline, then I recommend this book for you. By the time you have read this book you will have an understanding of the major branches of Taoism, the core philosophy and beliefs of those branches, as well as a good knowledge of the history, formation and development of Taoism from the days of the first shamans to the today. I would particularly recommend this book to college/university students who have been given assignments related to Taoism for the reasons just covered.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and serious introduction to Taoism, September 23, 2004

By 

Steven Reynolds (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shambhala Guide to Taoism (Shambhala Guides) (Paperback)

Those new to Taoism, or confused by it, will almost certainly find Eva Wong's book immensely helpful. It immediately addresses the problems most people experience when they first become interested in this tradition, i.e. "Why do there seem to be so many different versions of Taoism, some of them quite contradictory? What are the differences and similarities between these 'schools' and how did they arise? If someone is 'practicing Taoism' today, what does that actually mean?"

By dividing her book into three sections - History of Taoism, Systems of Taoism, and Taoist Practices - Wong clearly articulates the development and varieties of Taoist thought, its key figures, texts, beliefs, concepts, principles and practices. She does this in short, well-focused chapters, and uses a very clear and concise style. Each chapter ends with a "Further Readings" section offering what I've found to be very useful pointers into the immense body of Taoist literature, sometimes even referring to specific chapters of books and pointing out which ones are more general or more academic, and which translations she prefers. Wong also includes a detailed index, a solid bibliography, and two useful appendices containing a map of China and a chronology of the dynasties.

What you won't find here is the kind of nonsense that plagues so many books about ancient traditions that have recently become more popular - Wong gives you no detailed instruction on how to conduct ceremonies or create talismans or wield "magic". Rather, she respects Taoism as a serious and living tradition and recommends that if you are interested in learning the specifics of any particular Taoist sect then you must find a Taoist master and complete the necessary training. Wong refuses to treat Taoism as a New Age novelty. Moreover, her honesty about the limits and relativity of her work is admirable. As she notes at the outset, she is acting here as a guide: someone who offers knowledge arising out of personal experience; who offers a perspective, not necessarily rigorous objectivity; and who does not pretend that what she is saying can ever be complete. Having said that, I think Wong's book comes as close as you're likely to get to a comprehensive introductory text. It certainly answered all of my questions.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Taoism., January 29, 2001

By 

Kwaile "ubug" (East Asia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shambhala Guide to Taoism (Shambhala Guides) (Paperback)

This book is an excellent overall introduction to Taoism. It covers the history, systems, and practices of Taoism in a very readable style and provides helpful suggestions for further reading. It is a great book for those new to the subject who want a knowledgable and well-written guide to the 'spiritual landscape' of Taoist thought and practices over the centuries. The sections on magical Taoism and meditation are particularly fascinating, as is the opening chapter that discusses its shamanic origins.