I recently got back into reading about Daoism, or Taoism. For my own sake, I will be spelling it 'dao' instead of 'tao' because I hate the Wade-Giles system; it sucks.
So I have read the Dao de Jing many times before, and I got the underlying messages somewhat. It is a difficult philosophical text to understand, especially at the time I was reading. I had not yet visited China, and my understanding of Classical Chinese culture was more rudimentary then, so I didn't really absorb the writings of the Dao as much as I wanted to.
Since the new year began I wanted to get back to my 'roots', so to speak, and so I bought the entire Thomas Cleary anthology of Daoist texts. Four huge volumes of classic Daoist writings that cover topics like the Dao, to Daoist health advice, to the Daoist divination system (and I use that term loosely) the Yi Jing (or I-Ching as many know it). So my bookshelf is well-stocked now until the end of the summer.
I just finished reading the Dao de Jing last week, and I think I'm beginning to get it. The whole micro/macro-cosm of what the Chinese term the 'way'. Daoism really is a way. Perhaps not to live by, because not everyone wants to be a hermit living quietly at the top of a lone mountain with only the trees to keep them company. Or maybe they do?....but that is besides the point. I know that Dao is definitely about balance; not to over- or under- exert in any area of life, or spirit. It is about tactfulness and firm but flexible leadership. That may not make sense, but the Dao is full of contradictions. So is life, I might add.
Anyways, I love reading about classical Chinese philosophies, so I'm thrilled to the gills with my books.
P.S. Thomas Cleary is an amazing author and translator **love**.
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