Taoist I Ching [Paperback]

Thomas Cleary (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0394743873 | ISBN-13: 978-0394743875 | Publication Date: June 12, 1986 | Edition: 1st

The "Book Of Change" is considered the oldest of the Chinese classics. A book of fundamental principles by philosophers, politicians, mystics and others. To be read as a guide to comprehensive self-realization.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

The "Book Of Change" is considered the oldest of the Chinese classics. A book of fundamental principles by philosophers, politicians, mystics and others. To be read as a guide to comprehensive self-realization.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (June 12, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394743873
• ISBN-13: 978-0394743875
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,362,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Taoist Guide To Personal Transformation, April 17, 2001

By 

thomas foster (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taoist I Ching (Paperback)

This is a good to great book for those who have some knowledge of the I Ching and/or Taoism. Thomas Cleary has made many books available to the non-Chinese reader. However, he provides little commentary, no footnotes, and I sometimes find his translations suspect or lacking. It is important to understand that when Liu speaks of "eliminating Yin" and returning to the "pure Yang body" he is not speaking of Yin and Yang as light/dark, male/female, positive/negative oppositions, but to the simple fact that the Yang line is whole and the Yin line is broken. Thus, the goal is to heal the dualist fracture of the "latter heaven" condition and return to the integrated whole being of "earlier heaven." Understanding this, the "Taoist I Ching" becomes a fascinating guide to self transformation and transcendence.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In depth translation of a Chinese classic., September 16, 2005

By 

James (st louis, mo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Taoist I Ching (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback)

The I Ching is considered by many a guide book for life. The book contains a sequence of 64 "hexagrams." Each hexagram is accompanied by an explanation of its meaning and sayings for each of it's 6 lines. Also, each of the hexagrams in this translation includes commentary composed by the Taoist adept Liu I-ming in 1796.
The book can be read in many ways, for example; reading one or two of the hexagrams a day. This is the type of book that is better taken in bits as opposed to being read in long sections.
Over all I am pleased with Mr. Clearys translation of the I-ching and found his introduction to be helpful. The only other version that I have read is Brian Walkers version.
I think it would be helpful if the reader was a little familiar with Taoist or
any form of meditation before reading this book. I think that even a little experience with meditation would go a long way in helping the reader grasp the point of the book. That said, I think that if you are interested you should go for it. Enjoy

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crossing life's rivers., July 24, 2001

By 

G. Merritt (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taoist I Ching (Paperback)

"When people can see through everything, look deeply into themselves," the I CHING tells us, "and turn around to set their minds on essence and life, then in the midst of trance there will be a point of living potential that will subtly emerge." After reading his recent THE BUDDHIST I CHING, I revisited Thomas Cleary's earlier translation of THE TAOIST I CHING. The I CHING ("Book of Change") is the oldest of the Chinese classics, and is subject to many levels of interpretation. This reading was written in 1796 by Taoist Liu I-ming to reveal how the I CHING can be read as a guide "to self realization while living an ordinary life in the world." Although I do not profess to understand the I CHING--the "cryptic quality" of its sayings make it challenging reading--Cleary's translation is helpful in understanding this important text.

The I CHING is beneficial in offering clear-minded, humble insights into crossing life's great rivers, mastering life's pitfalls, and finding one's path through life's inevitable changes with equanimity of mind. It teaches us "the way to be always correct is to become empty and keep quiet, to refine the mind." For anyone interested in embracing the Tao--travelling the path of personal transformation "with adorned feet"--this translation should not be missed.

G. Merritt