Skip to: site menu | section menu | main content

A Personal Tao

Taoist Literature...
Currently viewing: A Personal Tao » Taoism Library 

Teaching Taoism


Taoist Book Listing
A Personal Tao By Casey Kochmer
[2005-2008]

A Taoist book written with a 21st century perspective of Taoism. This book resonates with readers searching for their own identity. A Personal Tao is unlike many other modern Taoist texts that either re-translate the Tao Te Ching or wrap the Tao Te Ching with inspirational art. Instead A Personal Tao creates a fresh work teaching Taoism with its own style of thought, philosophy and art upon its own terms.
Chuang Tzu By Zhuangzi ( Chuang Tzu )
Lin Yutang, Translator

This is one of the most famous Taoist works. The statement "Am I a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man" comes out of this work. This isn't a complete translation. Rather it's a selection from the larger works of the Chuang Tzu.

This is in the public Domain.
Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu
R. B. Blakney, Translator
1955

The Tao Te Ching is by far the most central book in Taoism in terms of public mind share. Its simple prose mixed to deeper insights offer an excellent starting point for those wanting to experience Taoist thought. This is in the public Domain.
Tao Te Ching By Lao Tzu
J. Legge, Translator
(Sacred Books of the East, Vol 39) [1891]

A classic baseline translation for the Tao Te Ching This is in the public Domain.
The GNL
Tao Te Ching 		By Lao Tzu
Peter A. Merel
1992

A composite version based upon serveral earlier translations of the Tao Te Ching. This is an open source book.
More Versions
of the
Tao Te Ching 		By Lao Tzu

This link will take you to another site having over 80 translated English  versions of the Tao Te Ching and dozens of translations in other languages. You can compare versions side by side. An excellent resource if you want to poke and explore the Tao Te Ching from other angles.

Return to Main Library Index




Translation Notes:


I posted several translated versions of the Tao Te Ching in the library. Each version will have cross links so a reader can quickly jump and compare the various translations. No one version is correct. Instead focus on the images you experience while reading each one.

Keep in mind hundreds of other translations exist.

What's an acceptable translation? Scholars fight entire careers over this little topic.
So to clear things up, here is the truth of the matter:

Taoism simply states: it doesn't matter. Words can never capture the true Tao.

Translations change over time, due to personal differences, cultural changes and the shifting nature of language to be relative to now. So discover over time new meanings upon each reading. This is about your own relative needs "in the now" determining how to best embrace these works.

Don't worry about the translation... just enjoy each one as it is!


Return to Main Library Index




Taoist Article Listing
Afterlife By Casey Kochmer

How Taoist's view the concept of afterlife.
Empty Space  By Casey Kochmer

Illuminating the Empty Space. An article describing the nature of the "empty space" which reflects our material life.
Freedom By Casey Kochmer

The nature of Freedom in Taoism is to be oneself.
Longevity By Casey Kochmer

Secrets of Taoism Longevity and Lifestyle. A closer look at Taoist practices of longevity.
Midlife Crisis By Casey Kochmer

Examining what Mid-life crisis is from a Taoist Perspective.
Taoism 101 By Casey Kochmer

A beginner's guide to how to learn Taoism.
Yin / Yang By Casey Kochmer

A review of the Taoist concept of Yin and Yang.

Return to Main Library Index


Back to top