The Essential Tao: An Initiation Into the Heart of Taoism Through the Authentic Tao Te Ching and the Inner Teachings of Chuang-Tzu - Softcover

Thomas Cleary's new translation of two Chinese classics describing the essential philosophy and practice of Tao, written long ago as maps of the Way: 'Tao Te Ching' and 'Chuang-tzu'. Cleary's presentation restores the power and mind-opening distinctive

Thomas Cleary's new translation of two Chinese classics describing the essential philosophy and practice of Tao, written long ago as maps of the Way: 'Tao Te Ching' and 'Chuang-tzu'. Cleary's presentation restores the power and mind-opening distinctiveness of the original texts.

Thomas Cleary, PH.D., East Asian Studies, Harvard University, is editor and translator of 'The Essential Confucius, The Essential Koran, The Secret of the Golden Flower,' and 'The Art of War'.

"Very direct, honest, accessible, and on occasion, uncannily pertinent."
TRICYCLE: THE BUDDHIST REVIEW

"A useful introduction to Taoism."
LIBRARY JOURNAL

"A book of solid scholarship. Offering new perspective on Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu, [Cleary] goes beyond mere translation to give an essential interpretation of Taoism... An important contribution to the American perception of the Way."
DENG MING-DAO, author of '365 Tao'

"An interesting and novel introduction to Taoism, containing astonishing translations of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu with valuable commentary."
RAYMOND SMULLYAN, author of 'The Tao Is Silent'