Tao Te Ching- Lao Tzu, A Translation

I heard that the Tao is a must-read book for the seeker, and purchased this book on Kindle some months ago. This was my first introduction to the Tao Te Ching and I found that Dennis Waller's translation reads beautifully, like a poem - with very clear messages. The messages were exactly what I needed to learn at the time, and I am very grateful to the man who recommended the Tao to me.I was wondering how authentic this particular translation was, so I purchased another translation, by a Chinese authority on the Tao – Hua Ching Ni. I found the Hua Ching Ni book to have essentially the same message, though the words are very different. In some cases, the Waller translation elaborates a bit more, I believe to clarify items that the native Chinese might understand more intuitively.Here is a randomly chosen example, from Verse 62:Waller:If someone is lost, offer fine words to awaken him, offer good deeds to him, repay his unkindness with kindness. Do not discard the man but do discard his evil wayward ways. Let your gift to him be living in the way of the Tao.Therefore on the day a leader is elected, do not offer your expertise or wealth to him. Rather help him by staying in the way of the Tao and teach him the way of the Tao. Let your way serve as an example for him to follow.Hua Ching Ni:Good words will find their market. Good deeds may be presented as a gift to another. Though a person has strayed from the right path, the all-encompassing subtle essence of the universe will never abandon him.Thus, at the enthronement of an emperor, or the appointment of the three highest ministers of the empire, rather than present them with discs of jade and teams of fine horses, show them the priceless subtle way of the universe.Summary: I highly recommend the Dennis Waller translation for native English readers. Easy to understand for the Western world, and the message, though not the words, is pure Tao.*That said, I will also give the Hua Ching Ni translation 5 stars.

I was first exposed to the Tao Te Ching many years ago when I was in college and frankly I couldn't get into it. I think it was perhaps my youth and immaturity. After reading another of Dennis Waller's books I thought I would give this translation a try. I really loved reading his translation of these Chinese prose poems. I am not a Taoist. But I find the statements and contradictions in each verse to be both beautiful and thought-provoking. My way of using this book is to pick a verse, read it several times and then meditate on the verse. This gives my meditation a focus which helps me much more than the "emptying of the mind" approach. It is indeed relaxing. But some of the verses also seem to stimulate my creativity. Here is one of my favorite verses:"The Thirty spokes connect at the center of the wheel at the hubIt is within the center of this emptiness of the hub that makes the wheel usefulWhen shaping clay it is the emptiness that creates the vaseIt is in the emptiness that makes it usefulRooms are made to have doors and windowsThe usefulness of the room depends on what's not thereWithout a door a room cannot be entered. Without a window there is no light.The usefulness of what exists depends on what doesn't exist.Such is the essence of non-existence."I very much enjoyed this translation and would recommend it to other readers.

I always think 'Truth / Tao' is just as simple as it is existed. This book is one without extra - just a direct translation. After all, an explained Tao is not an original Tao. Everybody have different perception.This book is very easy to read and to understand like drawing a sketch in black and white, no touching up nor coloring, reflecting the most original of itself. Dennis Waller has used simple examples to explain what is difficult to understand or abstracting."five color blind the eyesfive sounds deafen the earsfive flavors deaden the tasteexcessive desires will madden the mindexcessive possessions preoccupy the mind with fearthe more your desire, the more you'll be discontented from what you havethe Sage fills his belly, not his eyesthe Sage satisfies his inner desires with what cannot be seen, not with the external temptation of the world"

This is a very welcome modern interpretation of a classic of ancient Chinese wisdom and spirituality. Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, for the beginner, can be quite a daunting read, not readily understood. Dennis Waller has clearly and eloquently presented the original verses in language more suited to the modern reader, preserving the timeless beauty, purity and enlightening wisdom of the original. Take a verse or two each day, read them and meditate on them, absorb their message, and become calmer and more at one with yourself and the universe you are part of. This is the Tao, and here in this book is the Way. Enlightening. A very valuable work.

This is the first book I've read on Tao philosophy and found it to be a simple and informative introduction to the subject. I wanted to start with an easy to understand translation, and this book delivered exactly what I needed. I enjoyed learning about the Tao approach, and how it encourages us to live in harmony with the natural world - it's certainly inspired me to look further into the subject. The book helped me to understand the basic principles and I'd be happy to recommend it to anyone who wants an insight into the Tao Te Ching.

Reading Dennis Wallers translation will guide you along a spiritual path to finding true joy and inner peace and help you embrace your true authentic spiritual self. If you want to be liberated from the stresses and strains of today's complicated lifestyle then my advice would be to learn about this ancient philosophy and live a fuller, peaceful life. This is a beautiful translation that most could benefit from reading and embracing its philosophy.

Good for A level Phiosophy

Good read.