Two ancient Chinese works present the heart of Taoist philosophy through poems, proverbs, and ancecdotes.
Thomas Cleary, a recognised and respected scholar on Eastern religions and philosophies, is an acknowledged master also of translation from classic Chinese and Japanese tests. If one seeks out English translations of The Taoist 'I Ching' or 'The Art of War,' Cleary's version is probably the edition most likely to be found.

Thus, the work in this book, 'The Essential Tao,' an initiation into the heart of Taoism through the authentic 'Tao Te Ching' and the inner teachings of 'Chuang Tzu,' carries a great pedigree. It fully lives up to expectations. These two works, which together describe the essentials of the philosophy and practice of Tao, impart great wisdom and insight, and Cleary's translation keeps much of the distinctiveness of the original Chinese.

The 'Tao Te Ching' and 'Chuang Tzu' cover a wide array of topics, from traditionally religious subjects such as mysticism, spirituality, morality, and cosmology, to more practical matters such as politics, economics, and even how to manage stress in a stress-filled world (which may account for the rise in popularity of Eastern philosophies as we hurry toward a 24-hour non-stop economy).

'Few of the world's great books have achieved the perennial currency of these writings. Countless readers have found endless fascination and enlightenment in the pregnant aphorisms and fantastic allegories of these ancient texts.'


ISBN 0785809058