Best Taoist Philosophy
Happy 90th birthday (10/14/16), to one of the world's most beloved icons of literature, Winnie-the-Pooh! In which it is revealed that one of the world's great Taoist masters isn't Chinese--or a venerable philosopher--but is in fact none other than that effortlessly calm, still, reflective bear. As a child, he preferred to spend his time outdoors, observing animals, insects, and plants.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It IS for adults, but I read segments to my daughter and use it to teach her Taoist principles in simpler terms."
"Benjamin Hoff really blessed humanity with a gem."
"Hoff makes a good point in joining the Taoist teachings to (Tao Master) Pooh Bear."
"Insightfully true to the original."
"Great book, simplifies philosophy in a humorous way."
"gr8 book."
"It was a gift for son and absolutely loves it!"
"Could not get into it, gave it away."
In eighty-one brief chapters, Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao—the basic principle of the universe. Text: English (translation). Original Language: Chinese. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I would try to describe it but then it wouldn't be the real Tao."
"The was the book that the most people referred to when asked - what is a book that you have often gifted to others?"
"Wonderful, engaging book."
"This version of the Tao is a great translation, I particularly enjoyed the commentary / editorial notes at the end."
"Perfect balance and, like other great works, prompted a real view deeper perspective."
"This book contains the simple truths we all already know to be."
"This book was very good."
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise attributed to Sun Tzu a high-ranking military general, strategist and tactician, and it was believed to have been compiled during the late Spring and Autumn period or early Warring States period.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Not just the best translation but the type of translation."
"As part of a class assignment I asked each cadet what book would they no-kidding read, military or not, related to their academic major or not."
"I ordered this book for a Psychology class I was taking, so it was a required read."
"The reference data mixed in makes the book difficult to read."
"The basic Art of War without commentary... which is actually a good thing... although some of the commentary does help..."
"Took me an 1-1/2 to read and I don't really read so easy to read over and over so I can remember it."
"But all of this aside, how successful is Mr. Gagliardi at his most basic task: competently translating Sun Tzu’s original text, The Art of War? The original Chinese characters for this line are: CHANG SHAN ZHI SHE. If you looked up each character individually via the internet you could definitely make a case that the line could read: ordinary mountain (of) snake. The problem is that professional translation doesn’t work this way (a one-for-one translation of characters), and you have to understand all of the nuances applicable to how these thoughts are put together, especially when you are talking about a millennia old text written in a language vastly different than its modern equivalent. Chang”. So while Gagliardi is perfectly content in his own ignorance that Sun Tzu is talking about an ordinary snake, what the text is really saying is that he needs his soldiers to be like an EXTRAordinary snake which possesses the magical ability to continue providing support to its endangered other half even after being cleaved into two separate parts. Heng, where this extraordinary snake supposedly lived (by the way, Sun Tzu gave the snake a name, the Shuairan, a fact that was completely missed by Gagliardi). Of course the name change does nothing to impact your understanding of the Art of War, but does illustrate the difference between buying a copy of the The Art of War from a professional Sinologist who understands both the translation issues and can provide relevant historical and philosophical background, and the rank amateur who does this for a hobby and wants to pass off an inferior product hoping you won't know the difference. There are too many professionally done Sun Tzu translations available by qualified individuals (Ames, Griffith, Sawyer, Ivanhoe, Mair, Minford) to justify paying the same amount of money for Mr. Gagliardi’s lackluster effort."
"This is a sad mass produced mess of a book."
Best Tao Te Ching
Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living, and one of the wonders of the world. Text: English (translation). Original Language: Chinese. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Get this book, make some tea, turn of the incessant rattlings in your brain and the screens in your home and relax to ancient wisdom that has influenced millions of hearts and minds for thousands of years..."
"I felt the digital version was hard to read."
"Anyone who's looked at the original Chinese characters knows that it's tough to literally translate into English - many connectives we use to make things flow are just not present in the Chinese. Where other translations can be bogged down with frilly adjectives and add-ons, this one strips itself down to the bare essentials - not only approaching the spareness of the original, but also the theme - 'ten thousand things' are 9,999 too many!"
"It's been said that this is the best translation of Lao Tzu's Tao Teh Ching, though I cannot attest to the validity of the statement I can say that of the few translations that I have read this has been the most easy to understand and the most enjoyable."
"if you want to read the original this is a fine translation."
"More than happy to see an edition of Tao Te Ching that was my first exposure to the material."
"Stephen Mitchell really brings this work to relevance and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone looking to work in any leadership position."
"Since I practically have Mitchell's translation memorized, it is fun to have a new translation which is simple and understandable."
Best Indian Eastern Philosophy
With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda tells the inspiring chronicle of his life: the experiences of his remarkable childhood, encounters with many saints and sages during his youthful search throughout India for an illumined teacher, ten years of training in the hermitage of a revered yoga master, and the thirty years that he lived and taught in America. This book is a must-read for the budding yogi, the spiritual veteran looking for a deeper understanding, and everyone in between... --Yogi Times
One book in particular stayed with Steve Jobs his entire life, Autobiography of a Yogi...'the guide to meditation and spirituality that he had first read as a teenager, then re-read in India and had read once a year ever since.'.
One book in particular stayed with Steve Jobs his entire life, Autobiography of a Yogi...'the guide to meditation and spirituality that he had first read as a teenager, then re-read in India and had read once a year ever since.'.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I originally read the version with the blue cover which I found out later is apparently the one that wasn't edited after Yogananda's death. Many years later I repurchased this red cover version because it came with the free CD and I figured.. how different can it be?"
"This is the most excellent book i have ever read in my lifetime and i do read so many books on regular basis.this is the book that has changed the view and target of my life completely.if you have not read this book means every other book you read till now is a complete waste.i strongly urge every soul in human body on this earth to read this book.Human race owes so much to Yogananda ji for writing this book for us.so pls dont waste your life and do read this book."
"Like most people who've read it, I think it's one of the best books on spirituality that's ever been written."
"I thought that it was a very inspiring book."
"I have read this book on several occasions."
"This read taught me about a very interesting individual named Yogananda, The rich history of India, Science, Physics, Self realization even helping me understand the teachings of Jesus Christ with a renewed sense of understanding, and the over arching theme of the book which is the Oneness of Religion!!"
"I have read this book every couple of years since college (1960's) Glad to find it on Kindle and with the pictures and notations. Anyone who practices yoga and meditation has Yogananda to thank for bringing these gifts to America."
"This book is so awesome."
Best Buddhism
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. In April 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama's home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness's eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. By the end of a week filled with laughter and punctuated with tears, these two global heroes had stared into the abyss and despair of our time and revealed how to live a life brimming with joy. For over three decades the Dalai Lama has maintained an ongoing conversation and collaboration with scientists from a wide range of disciplines, especially through the Mind and Life Institute, an organization that he co-founded. The Dalai Lama travels extensively, promoting kindness and compassion, interfaith understanding, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace. In 1994, Tutu was appointed chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Nelson Mandela, where he pioneered a new way for countries to move forward after experiencing civil conflict and oppression. He is the founder and president of Idea Architects, a creative book and media agency helping visionaries to create a wiser, healthier, and more just world.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Book of Joy lives up to its title and goes much further."
"Both the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu have risen beyond their respective religions to reach out to all humans regardless of their location."
"The best book that I read in 2016."
"Absolutely stellar!!!"
"It seems that these days that any mediocre performance or work is rewarded with a five star rating by just about any joker with an opinion and a smart phone."
"In these controversial times, how wonderful to be offered the chance to sit in on the respectful and insightful dialogue between these two spiritual leaders, who give us all hope that their messages will be spread far and wide."
"The Dalai Lama and Archbishop."
"Inspirational book of two esteemed individuals, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, along with the author gives one a whole new outlook on life."