Product Description

One of the West's few ordained Taoist priests introduces you to this ancient philosophy for effortless living on Taoism: Essential Teachings of the Way and Its Power. In easy-to-follow language, Ken Cohen reveals Lao Tzu's vast spiritual legacy, including: origins, philosophy, and religion; keys to ethical living, inner silence, and simplicity; Taoist meditations, prayers, and rituals, plus teachings on diet, poetry, feng shui, dream yoga; and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #176772 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 4
• Binding: Audio CD

Features

• ISBN13: 9781591792949
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Ken Cohen is a renowned Taoist initiate, China scholar, and qigong master. Ken Cohen began learning qigong and Taoist healing arts in 1968. He trained in Chinese language and Taoist texts at Queens College, the New School for Social Research, and with Dr. Michel Strickmann at the University of California–Berkeley. In 1973, he was one of six students chosen by Alan Watts for private study of Taoism. Ken Cohen is an ordained Interfaith Minister and a graduate of the New Seminary. He is the author of the internationally acclaimed book, The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing. Ken Cohen is an adjunct professor at Union Graduate School and presents at universities and conferences throughout the world.

Customer Reviews

Intelligible, Practical Presentation of Non-Western Thought
Ken Cohen, like his friend and mentor Alan Watts, is not only a clear, strong writer; but also an inspiring lecturer/teacher.

Taoism is a 4 1/2 hr. course covering Taoism as religion, as philosophy, its influence on the arts and science of China, and how it connects and contrasts with other systems of thought, both Chinese and Western.

This course is presented on a practical basis with the goal of improving the quality of one's life and health. This is demonstrated right from the start with Ken Cohen's careful enunciation of Chinese words. Because of the relational nature of Taoist thinking, some areas could be difficult or even strange, except for the excellence of the presentation.

An unusual section is given on Chinese (Taoist) poetry. This type of poetry strives to express directly an experience from Nature, the experience being more important than cleverness with words. The principles are illustrated using Ken Cohen's own translations of classical poerty. Then he invites the listener to "cap" a poem by adding a line to one he provides. Finally the listener is encouraged to try alternating lines with friends, the poems finishing themselves.

Feng Shui (geomancy) is presented through the relational "5 element" scheme. But it is also pointed out that the Earth can be considered to have "meridians" and by using standing meditation, one can relate the body's meridians to those of the Earth.

Not only for Feng Shui, but also for the other areas of Taoist thought, Ken Cohen emphasizes the bottom line is harmony, balance and sense. Anecotes drawn from a lifetime of study are included to help demonstate important ideas.

Wonderful introduction to many aspects of Taoism
This is a great overview of Taoism, wonderfully illustrating its origins, history, and modern practice. It is focused very much on encouraging an experience of the Tao rather than dry academic material. The academic material presented is done so as to enhance the experience of the Tao. He does a great job of presenting the seemingly arcane and complicated topics in digestible, bite-size chunks - even divination! It seems the author's specialities are feng shui and qi-gong. While other topics get a little bit of time, these two get a lot. I appreciated the author's inclusion of meditation exercises, but these things don't translate well to what I consider is the most common use of the audio CD: listening while driving. That said, I was impressed at his emphasis on cultivating tao and fostering an understanding of qi as relevant to all of the subtopics presented. I would recommend this CD/book to any friend interested in learning the basics of Taoism.

Great Overview Of Taoism!!!
I have found the CD Program "Toaisim" by Ken Cohen to be a very good overview, of Toaism, it was easy to understand the fundamental's, and it provides a great look into Taoisim.
I also own Ken Cohen's "The Way of Giqong Training Program", the "Taosim" course is a great compliment to it also.

Wayne Thiltgen, Tulsa, Ok