Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ferran Sanz Orriols on September 5, 2013 at 12:00pm

 yes, this is one of the books that have helped me

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paige on September 7, 2013 at 10:52am

Cool. I have been reading some of it already for right now, and I truly can say this book is a great book. =) 

• ▶ Reply

ModeratorPermalink Reply by John on September 5, 2013 at 6:03pm

Sometimes, it is easier to just listen when depressed (just FYI). The Tao te Ching has been out as an audio book for a long time.

.

On long drives I used to listen to audios of this (and also selections from writings by Dogen - a Zen Master above almost all others; Moon in a Dew Drop is a Good overview). I had to be careful on the road. One can pretty much Zone-out.....   powerful items.

 

In any case, there is more in this book than most realize. It has a very high signal-to-noise ratio. Few words convey much information. I have found that rereading it again - after several weeks/months/years - it only gets better.

John

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Janelle Cranston on September 7, 2013 at 1:36am

Hi :)

Can I ask a question here? Because the Tao De Ching has to be translated for us English readers, I think it is very important which translation we use. One word can change the whole meaning? Do you John, or anyone else have preferences to whose translation would be best?

And thanks for the tip - I'll try and find Moon in a Dew Drop.

• ▶ Reply

ModeratorPermalink Reply by John on September 7, 2013 at 9:59am

I believe it is worse than Chinese to English. The books are rather "ancient" Chinese. They are not something a contemporary person in China can read.

as a starter - I like the books from the Shambhala Pocket Classics. Small, easy to carry and good for waiting rooms at Medical Doctor, Dentist, airport etc.. etc. However, It is good to have more than one translation. The more modern translations can sometimes be the worst.

My process for finding translations goes like this:  Check a University course; I sometimes went to the UC Berkeley Book Store and grabbed the book being used by a class being offered, or had been offered. Also, you can check by publishers.  Oxford Press is often a good place. If you look at references in several books, that also can give a lot of suggestions. The one referenced the most is likely the "classic" that translators start with.  I can look around if you are interested...? 

John

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paige on September 7, 2013 at 10:57am

John thanks for this suggestion here. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Janelle Cranston on September 9, 2013 at 2:43am

Thanks John, for the suggestions. 

 

I can check it out. :)

• ▶ Reply

ModeratorPermalink Reply by John on September 9, 2013 at 10:13am

I should have added that if you are not too concerned, popular presses (not related to a religious group) can be very good. (I did recommend a booklet from Shambhala <g>).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paige on September 7, 2013 at 10:55am

Thanks John for informing me about this aspect of the book. It seems I will be rereading this book over and over again too so as to try and get out as much of it that I can. =) 

• ▶ Reply