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

Derek Lin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 6, 2007

The perfect book for readers who are interested in Taoism and want a little daily inspiration.

The Tao of Daily Life combines ancient Eastern wisdom with practical application-perfect for busy Western readers! Derek Lin, Taoist master and expert in Eastern philosophy, brings his deep knowledge of this time-honored Chinese spiritual thought system into the twenty-first century. "There is one simple reason for the Tao to have survived through the ages intact: it works," writes Lin. "The principles of the Tao are extremely effective when applied to life. The philosophy as a whole is nothing less than a practical, useful guide to living life in a way that is smooth, peaceful, and full of energy." Using the powerful medium of stories and short dharma talks, Lin illuminates the Taoist secrets and engages the reader in their inherent wisdom. As a result, the reader of The Tao of Daily Life will notice certain changes, including:

- being more composed and more at ease in various situations;
- being able to handle challenges and difficulties with less effort and achieving better results;
- experiencing greater power and clarity in all areas of life.

The spiritual journey, as described by Derek Lin, becomes the most worthwhile exploration anyone can take.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Derek Lin is the director of Tao studies at the Great Tao Foundation of America, based in El Monte, California. Lin is an active speaker and educator on the Tao Te Ching as well as Tao spirituality in general. In his spare time, he serves as the webmaster of Taoism.net, a leading resource for the Tao on the Internet. He is also the author of Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, an original translation that not only sets a new standard for accuracy, but also has been lauded by critics as the first to faithfully capture the lyrical beauty of the original.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (September 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585425834
• ISBN-13: 978-1585425839
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts > Taoism
  • #28 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Taoism

More About the Author

Derek Lin is the award-winning author of The Tao of Daily Life and The Tao of Success. He was born in Taiwan and grew up with native fluency in both Chinese and English. This background lets him convey Eastern teachings to Western readers in a way that is clear, simple and authentic.

Lin has utilized his linguistic skills to create a Tao Te Ching translation that has been lauded by critics as setting a new standard for accuracy and faithfully capturing the lyrical beauty of the original. He also serves as Director of Tao Studies at the Great Tao Foundation of America, based in California. In that role, he is an active speaker and educator on the Tao Te Ching and the Tao in general. More information about his work is available at www.DerekLin.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tao applied to your Daily Life November 8, 2007

By Cappy

Format:Paperback

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.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well-written book. March 2, 2008

By B. J. Soder

Format:Paperback

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.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Insight into Dynamic Uses of Taoist Thought November 19, 2007

By Aaron Burgess

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.