Customer Reviews

The Taoist Manual: An Illustrated Guide Applying Taoism to Daily Life

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I have a PhD in Taoism, and while that might not mean much, it does mean that I've read a lot of Taoism-related books. Almost everything written on Taoism is concerned solely with Taoist philosophy. That's great, but Taoism has always been about much more than philosphy. It's always been focused on practice. There are some academic books written about Taoist practice, but these book are normally extremely detailed regarding a very specific era or activity. They're also generally written in academic-speak. Then there are books in the popular market which claim to represent Taoism but actually don't exhibit even the slightest familiarity with the subject. There are no serious, non-academic journals or magazines focused on Taoism. I've always felt bad for normal people who want to investigate Taoism. They haven't had much to support or guide them. I can't blame beginners for sometimes getting the idea that Taoism is really just the philosophy of Laozi. The Taoist Manual is among the first books of its kind - it really tries to make Taoism, and not just Taoist philosophy, accessible to the average reader. It tries to systematically go through the major aspects of the Chinese Taoist experience, and it does so in simple language, with copious photos and diagrams, and basic references. It's a surprisingly ambitious book, and in general I think it does a pretty good job. Of course I have a list of quibbles, small things that I would like to see changed. There's nothing on my list, however, that a good editor couldn't repair in a subsequent edition. Overall, this is a really worthwhile book. For a non-academic beginner who wants to learn about real Taoism, this is the place to start.

i saw an earlier review where a girl was unhappy with this book because it wasn't hippy new age taoism. actually, her review was pretty fair - the book just wasn't what she wanted it to be. but i thank my lucky stars it wasn't. this book gives real guidance to people like me who want to practice taoism. isn't that exactly what the taoist community needs? no more endless speculation about philosophy that may not even have any connection to taoism. instead, this book taught me how taoists approach their calendar, their deities, and their practices. it doesn't make me a taoist, and maybe i'll never be one, but at least now i have a better appreciation for who they are and how they live. that's all i could ever ask for. great book, i highly recommend it.

A while ago I started getting into Taoism, and I told my dad that I wanted to be a Taoist. He asked how I had to live to be one. I mostly knew Taoist philosophy, so I told him that I had be rediscover my natural self and flow with the current of the tao. He said it sounded like sitting on the couch and watching cable. I was pissed, so I started to do research. I didn't find much until this book. Now I can't wait for him to ask me again.

Friends, I waited for years for this book to arrive. Ever since I first read the Tao Te Ching I wanted to live more like a Taoist, but I didn't know how. Now, thanks to Mr. Silvers, I do. This book is comprehensive, but simply written. It explains Taoism so that anyone can understand it, or at least can understand how to start practicing it. If you've ever wondered what Taoist practice was really like, and how you could start living it, this book methodically tells the reader what Taoism is like today in China, and how to go about building a Taoist lifestyle. There are chapters on the Taoist pantheon, how to build an authentic altar, how to pick up visual clues in art, how to go on pilgrimage, how to look for a teacher, and much more. The best part is that the book is crammed full with color photos and illustrations. It is really a practical manual, and I keep mine close to my altar.

The information in this book simply can't be found anywhere else. After reading this book I could understand what being a Taoist is all about, but I was also able to actually START practicing. The philosophy is good, but now I know about deities and holidays and customs. I even started building my own Taoist altar! I feel like now I'm finally ready to proceed with integrating Taoism into my life. I owe this book a lot, and I recommend it highly.

The religious or devotional side of Taoism is little known and rather belittled in the West, and this book aims to repair the deficiency by providing a sympathetic overview of the tradition as it is actually lived in Chinese cultures. It's an admirable effort as it reflects much first-hand knowledge on the part of the author, who includes many attractive photos from his visits to Taoist temples. Be warned, however, that this is not actually a detailed how-to manual of any aspect of Taoist worship or practice, but at most a starting point for further exploration. The actual details of Taoist religious practice remain much more obscure than other Eastern traditions such as Buddhism or Hinduism.

I just bought this book, thanks in large part to the reviews. I was really looking for some instruction, and I the book didn't disappoint. It's easy to read, to the point, and covers a lot of fantastically intersting information. Well worth my time.