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Tao Te Ching

The Essential Translation of the Ancient Chinese Book of the Tao

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Tao Te Ching

By: Lao Tzu, John Minford - translator, John Minford - introduction, John Minford
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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About this listen

 The original mindfulness book, in a landmark new translation by the award-winning translator of the I Ching and The Art of War

The most translated book in the world after the Bible, the Tao Te Ching, or “Book of the Tao,” is a guide to cultivating a life of peace, serenity, and compassion. Through aphorisms and parable, it leads readers toward the Tao, or the “Way”: harmony with the life force of the universe. Traditionally attributed to Lao-tzu, a Chinese philosopher thought to have been a contemporary of Confucius, it is the essential text of Taoism, one of the three major religions of ancient China. As one of the world’s great works of wisdom literature, it still has much to teach us today, offering a practical model based on modesty and self-restraint for living a balanced existence and for opening your mind, freeing your thoughts, and attaining greater self-awareness. With its emphasis on calm, simplicity, purity, and non-action, it provides a time-tested refuge from the busyness of modern life.

This new translation seeks to understand the Tao Te Ching as a guide to everyday living and encourages a slow, meditative reading experience. The Tao Te Ching’s eighty-one brief chapters are accompanied by illuminating commentary, interpretation, poems, and testimonials by the likes of Margaret Mead, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Philosophy Taoism China Ancient History Eastern Philosophy

Critic Reviews

“The power of the ­Lao-­tzu’s imagery and, ultimately, the simplicity of its message seem to be able to overcome the problems of language and of distance in time and place, so that at the end of the twentieth century, this has become one of the most influential of texts, cherished by people in all walks of life throughout the world.” –from the Introduction by Sarah Allan
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I like the way the Tao text is split up with musings from other scholars. A really good effort at bringing such an esoteric text to a wider audience.

Well put together but much is over my head

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this version wasn't quite the version I was looking for, but it comes with extra content, interpretation and insight. so im definitely not complaining at all. very happy with this book

love the Tao Te ching.

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I enjoyed everything about this teaching, and dont have anything to say about what could have been improved or disliked - 5 stars all round.

Easy to understand, beautiful translation of these powerful ancient teachings, loved it! 🙏🙏🙏

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the idea of breaking up the reading of the Tao te Ching with commentaries doesn't work. You lose a sense of the flow

fractured

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explains everything in life and why things are the way they are. i learnt wisdom can become puffed up and lead you to your downfall.

loved it

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