Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53827 in Books
• Published on: 1996-06-14
• Released on: 1996-05-10
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In this companion volume to 365 Tao, Deng Ming-Dao explores the central features of Taoism and their application to everyday life. Divided into sections with names like "Nature," "Silence," "Devotion" and "Self," Deng's individual meditations focus on virtues like charity, kindness, patience and diligence. Each meditation is preceded by a drawing of an ancient Chinese ideogram of which Deng offers a translation and an extended reflection on the drawing's meaning, or instruction, for following the Tao. For example, in his reflection on travel, he illustrates the various ways in which the act of traveling is synonymous with following the Tao. In his words, "to travel means to trust the Tao." Deng's poetic conversations on the harmony and balance of living the Tao in everyday life should have broad appeal.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ming-Dao's 365 Tao has sold 125,000 copies over the last four years, paving the way for this accessible and illuminating guide. In his introduction, Ming-Dao explains that Tao is "literally the movement of all life . . . the total ongoing of the universe," and that to live according to Taoist principles is to go along with this movement, this flow. Ming-Dao notes eight "special qualities" of people who internalize Taoism: simplicity, sensitivity, flexibility, independence and being focused, cultivated, disciplined, and joyous. The body of the book consists of texts based on Chinese characters emblematic of certain aspects of the Taoist way, including specific aspects of nature, silence, conduct, moderation, devotion, teaching, self, and union. In his clear and concise definitions of each concept, Ming-Dao provides a running history of Tao, a summary of Tao practice, and suggestions for how the study of Taoism can enrich everyday life in the Western world. Donna Seaman

From the Back Cover
The Taoist spirit comes to life, made vibrant and contemporary through the Chinese ideograms whose images and stories speak of living in harmony with the Tao. Everyday Tao revives an ancient approach to meditation and reflection by using these stories as sources of insight for spiritual growth.

Customer Reviews

Everyday Tao
I keep buying this book, then giving it away, I like it so much.
Simple and profound, the Tao's wisdom is presented in an interesting, easy manner.

Ready for Tao
This is a really good starter book for daily reflections on Tao. The reflections are short, and easily understood, and even for people who are not that familiar with Tao, it's easy to understand the wisdom of the author.

Read, contemplate and apply to your own life
This is the first 'Tao' book I've ever read. I picked this up, not even really knowing what 'The Tao' is. As I flipped through and read the short passages on random pages, I was immediately drawn in to the peacefullness, simplicity and the interpretations of the words and symbols on the pages.

I found the introduction to be extremely well written. I even go back and re-read the introduction, just because I love what it says! For example, it begins with this:
"Following Tao means following a living path. It is a way of life that sustains you, guides you, and leads you to innumerable rich experiences. It is a spiritual path of joy and insight, freedom and profundity." -Wow, well that sounded like just what I was looking for!
The introduction goes on to explain some of the special qualities of those who follow Tao. Then, tells you about other good books to read about the Tao. The structure of the book is then broken down to explain what each part is for.

Now, here's an overview of the book:
There are 256 pages. Each page has a word at the top left hand corner of the page, and a chinese (calligraphy) symbol below the word. There is a paragraph beside the symbol that explains the symbol/picture/lines in brief detail. Below that, there are about 3-4 short paragraphs on each page that describe the meanings/relevance of the word/symbol in our lives.

My book is full of bookmarks and slips of paper of my favorite passages.

This is a partial excerpt that I particularly liked:
Moon: "It is important in life to be constant." "The moon has its own primal power. It pulls on the earth; it pulls on the oceans and on the hearts and minds of human beings; it paces the seasons. The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not crush others. It keeps its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished. Look no further than tonight's sky if you would want to know how you can be both true to Tao and to yourself."

This is a beautiful book! Looking for something to inspire you, nurture you in your spirituality, and teach you? Read this.