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Taoism: An Essential Guide Paperback – Illustrated, March 8, 2011

by Eva Wong (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 359 ratings
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A leading scholar feng shui master presents the great depth and diversity of Taoist philosophy, practices, and history in this accessible manual to the oft-misunderstood spiritual tradition.

Millions of readers have come to the philosophy of Taoism thanks to the classics Tao Te Ching and the I Ching, or through the practices of t'ai chi and feng-shui, but the Tao is less known for its unique traditions of meditation, physical training, magical practice, and internal alchemy. 

Eva Wong, a leading Taoist practitioner and translator, provides a solid introduction to the Way. All of Taoism’s most important texts, figures, and events are covered, as well as its extraordinarily rich history and remarkable variety of practice. Sections include:
 
• The History of Taoism traces the development of the tradition from the shamans of prehistoric China through the classical period (including the teachings of the famous sage Lao-tzu), the beginnings of Taoism as a religion, the rise of mystical and alchemical Taoism, and the synthesis of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

• Systems of Taoism explores magical sects, divination practices, devotional ceremonies, internal alchemy, and the way of right action.

• Taoist Practices discusses meditation, techniques of cultivating the body, and rites of purification, ceremony, and talismanic magic.

This roadmap to the spiritual landscape of Taoism not only introduces the important events in the history of Taoism, the sages who wrote the Taoist texts, and the various schools of Taoist thinking, but also gives readers a feel for what it means to practice Taoism today. A comprehensive bibliography for further study completes this valuable reference work.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Shambhala
  4. Publication date
    March 8, 2011
  5. Dimensions
    6.02 x 0.73 x 8.95 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1590308824
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1590308820
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book enables the reader to examine the seemingly disparate elements of Taoism as well as the thread that unifies this living tradition, through the eyes and heart of a scholar-practitioner."
—Gary D. DeAngelis, PhD, editor of Teaching the Daode Jing

About the Author

Eva Wong is an independent scholar and practitioner of the Taoist arts of the Pre-Celestial Way and Complete Reality lineages. She has written and translated many books on Taoism and related topics, including Taoism: An Essential Guide, Cultivating Stillness, A Master Course in Feng-shui. Nourishing the Essence of Life, and Seven Taoist Masters.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala; Illustrated edition (March 8, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1590308824
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1590308820
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.02 x 0.73 x 8.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 359 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
359 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

tomi
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this every day
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2021
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Every day before I meditate I read this book. It is wonderful and has given me so many new and interesting insights into Taoism. Great for beginners or experts
9 people found this helpful
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José Báez
5.0 out of 5 stars Flow with the Dao
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2023
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The wisdom of this book resonate within me and it brings close to the Divine Reality, which others calls G-d, the Place in which all possible creations takes place

I enjoy the teachings of Taoism
One person found this helpful
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ray
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, nice information about the history of Taoism, gives a good general view of the subject.
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
Informative if you are looking for a general take on Taoism, although maybe a bit boring, it is like a text book from school, that is meant to simply give you the facts and details. It goes trough the history of Taoism and then goes on explaining the different aspects of it, dividing the practices into different sects and making a division between different forms of Taoism.

Theres atleast 5 different forms of Taoism, if I remember correctly. Divinational, Inner Alchemy, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Ritual. In the west Divinational and ritual Taoism are not represented and many might think they don't exist, so in this way the book is able to give information about something, that is not known in the west and also propably not written.

The practices are also divided pretty much in the lines of the different forms. Theres a brief description about the practices, but if you are looking to find a deeper take on them, look elsewhere. This is a very general book and gives a very general view.

Good for someone, who doesn't know anything about the subject, but leaves you thirsty, which in a way can be a good thing, or not, I don't know. Depends on the situation your at. Anyways, the information in this book should be known by all Taoists, so for your general education of the subject, go for it.
58 people found this helpful
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klkdruck
5.0 out of 5 stars EQUALITY
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018
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i have studied every major religion in the world.I just received a double degree in world religion and world history. . NO RELIGION promotes racism and bigotry as much as the United. StatesEvery Country has the human right to worship as they want to.
Do not fall into the trap of al muslims being jihadists, the word is not even in the koran. There are bad people from all ovr the world, do ont hold an entire race responsible !!!
2 people found this helpful
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Jean N
5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly written
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2021
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I knew little of the history of Taoism prior to reading this book. Some of it was very surprising and all of it was interesting.
4 people found this helpful
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Dakota
3.0 out of 5 stars Too much history, too little relevance.
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023
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The book might be best for people interested in the historical development of Taoism. Not for someone who wants to understand the principles of Taoism.
One person found this helpful
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None yah
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2018
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Excellent book to learn Taoism😀
One person found this helpful
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jwild
5.0 out of 5 stars Taoism : A complete introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of an ancient Chinese spiritual tradition.
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
A detailed explanation of Taoism by Eva Wong that enables the reader to understand this often misunderstood ancient Chinese spiritual tradition. Eva says the following on page 1 : " This book is a guide to the spiritual landscape of Taoism. In it you will encounter events in the history of Taoism, meet the sages who wrote the Taoist texts, be introduced to the various schools of Taoist thinking, and get a feel for what it means to practice Taoism today." The book is divided into three parts : History of Taoism, Systems of Taoism, and Taoist Practices.
44 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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JunoJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Gute Einführung
Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2020
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Das Buch ist in drei Teile gegliedert. 1. Teil: Geschichte der Entwicklung des Taoismus und seiner verschiedenen Strömungen. 2. Teil: Die verschiedenen Strömungen des Taoismus mehr im Detail. 3. Teil: Die verschiedenen Praktiken des Taoismus. Jedem Kapitel angehängt ist eine Liste mit weiterführender und vertiefender Literatur. Meiner Meinung nach bekommt man hier einen guten Überblick, der weder zu oberflächlich ist noch zu sehr in die Tiefe geht. Wer mehr wissen will, der kann im Anschluss mit den Literaturlisten weitermachen. Leicht verständlich und auch nicht allzu trocken geschrieben.

PS: Wenn ich einen kleinen Kritikpunkt hätte, dann den, dass die chinesischen Worte/Namen nicht in Pin Yin geschrieben stehen, sondern in einer Art amerikanisierter Umschrift, und ich mir alles einzeln heraussuchen musste, um wirklich die korrekte Aussprache zu kennen. An meiner Punktvergabe ändert das allerdings nichts.
2 people found this helpful
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Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars A well written book
Reviewed in India on September 14, 2019
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A very good scholarly book on Taoism as a religion written in an uncomplicated lucid style.
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Juan Carlos Cabrera Samano
4.0 out of 5 stars Historia general del taoísmo
Reviewed in Mexico on July 28, 2014
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Interesante introducción a la historia del taoísmo. Bien documentado y sencillo de leer. Tiene la ventaja de contar con muchas referencias en caso de querer profundizar más en algún aspecto del taoísmo, una de las tradiciones espirituales más antiguas del planeta que todavía perduran.
One person found this helpful
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Norah Beatty
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is easy to read and offers a wealth of information and ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2014
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A very thorough introduction to the history and beliefs of Taoism. This book is easy to read and offers a wealth of information and many references for further reading. Overall a fascinating and well written book.
One person found this helpful
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Sitara North
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2014
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Any enjoyable read.
One person found this helpful
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