Customer Reviews

The Tao of Daily Life: The Mysteries of the Orient Revealed The Joys of Inner Harmony Found The Path to Enlightenment Illuminated

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book after being introduced to taoism on the author's website half a year ago. The book is a collection of parables (short stories) followed by a longer explanation by Derek Lin for each.

The parables have themes on loving others, dealing with our ego, why unfortunate events can be a blessing in disguise, handling negative people, and finding joy in simple things, for example. The parables are often funny, extremely insightful, and easy to remember for when you actually need the insight in real life situations.

This book has given me a large amount of understanding and inspiration in my own life. It is well written so that those of any religion (or lack of) can greatly benefit from its wisdom. The author even states this in the book.

I would put this book at the top of the list for anyone wanting to help move past the daily trivialities and frustrations that can inhibit our lives. This is also a perfect companion to applying the Tao Te Ching to the daily life.

For anyone curious about Taoism or even for the person who has followed the way for many years, this is an excellent, well-written book that clearly illustrates the important philosophies of Taoism. There's nothing preachy or pretentious about The Tao of Daily Life. It's more like talking with an old friend - simply the best modern Taoist book I've read and is a more-than-worthy supplement to the original Tao Te Ching.

Derek Lin does an exceptional job at interpreting and discussing Taoist thoughts and parables that can guide you in thought and action. I came by Taoism through the course of academia but now find the Tao to be an active part of my life. This book reflects how Taoism is applied in such a manner. Each chapter leaves a great deal of room for personal interpretation and introspection. Simply from a philosophical point of view, this book can lead to great discussions.

I bought a few Tao (Tao de ching) books. This one is the best! It's very easy to understand and relate to our daily life. The explanation from the point of Taoism is absolutely brilliant.

In a nutshell--Absolutely Delightful! I laughed quite a bit as I read The Tao of Daily Life. Derek's brilliant and insightful understanding of the Tao teaches in that most miraculous method--sympathetic, compassionate and at times, quite humorous.

I gained far more `soul food' in one afternoon of reading The Tao of Daily Life than I did for most of my spiritual life. And it was not a difficult task. In fact, the lessons that Derek teaches are easily absorbed in simple to grasp concepts and stories, and the humor that is evident in his writings makes the impressions lasting ones. Long after I have forgotten many of the concepts that I've learned, I will still remember how he made me laugh and learn at the same time.

If I could give more than five stars, I would, in a heartbeat!

I'm finding this book to be absolutely fantastic.

The author presents Taoist lessons and ideals in the form of stories (one of our most ancients forms of teaching). They help you remember the lesson, and it's really interesting! The stories are amazing, funny, engaging - ones you will likely remember and want to pass on to those around you.

The layout of the book is similar to the following:

Chapter 1: Story. Explanation. Ways to work on the lessons.

However, it is NOT a step-by-step guide to embracing the Tao. It is not - do this, do that, this is what ancient sages did. It uses stories as the foundation. It is an inspiring glimpse and guide towards the Way - and from there you have to continue on your own.

Absolutely amazing - I highly recommend this book.

Based upon the stories of sages from days long past, The Tao of Daily Life, offers practical and thought provoking lessons on topics ranging from spiritual journeys to work and our families. It is through the retelling of simple short stories that Derek Lin imparts wisdom in this accessible work.



This book has 34 chapters, each beginning with a story. The story illustrates in just a few pages the topic. Lin then expounds upon the story to bring a deeper understanding of these principals into our present day context. In some chapters the connection with the Tao Te Ching is explored, however, this book is primarily a guide to living fully and deeply offering teachings that can be employed by anyone.



"Cultivating the Tao isn't all about solitary meditations and mountain retreats. It is also about community. It's about interacting with people, sending out oneness with them, and feeling the invigorating energy that results from personal interaction. The more we do for others, the more blissful contentment we experience; the more we give to others, the more joyous satisfaction we receive."

I know Derek Lin personally. I attend his weekly sessions in El Monte, CA. It made me realize that everyone and everything is connected to one another whether we life it or not. His story format makes you remember concepts better, like how Chuang Tzu tried to teach the Tao Wisdom. Derek's translation is so good, that when I traveled to China and met with my Chinese friends, they identified with the concepts and knew about the Tao way of thinking. Simply reading this review, will do you no justice, Go Take the Acton & Get the Book and Read it for Yourself. I'm sure your mind will open many doors once you're exposed to the True Tao.

I've always wanted to apply lessons about the Tao in my life as taught in the Tao Te Ching TTC). But reading about the Tao in the TTC doesn't necessarily show how to apply the Tao. So this book is great way to see how to live life more in accordance to the Tao. It provides memorable stories of people struggling against and working with the Tao in their day-to-day life to serve as examples for readers. The author also included an explanation with each story to help interpret those parts that are unique to the living in ancient China. I found the book a good way to relax after a stressful day.

This is a great book that has given me inspiration and insight into myself and the way of The Tao. Derek Lin uses wonderful stories to make his point on how Taoism works in our everyday life. This is not a book that I read once and put back on the shelf. I enjoy reading it over and over and sharing some of the stories with my friends.

I highly reccommend this book to others whether they are practioners of Taoism or not. It is a book about cultivating the mind, body and spirit of Life that can help us all.