Welcome to the Tao lens. This slice of the web is dedicated to all things Tao: poetry, photography, and especially spirituality. The Tao is expressed in everything, but some things reveal it more readily than others. This is a gathering point for all followers of the Way, and those who are just curious.
The ultimate goal for this lens will be to provide resources for all things Taoist - books, links, bits of wisdom. If you have a suggestion for something to add/improve here, please e-mail me and let me know. This page, like all that springs from Tao, should be dynamic, and I want it to be as useful as possible. Let me know what you like, dislike, and any suggestions you have.
"What Taoists are trying to encourage is for people to find their way back to their natural being before it is influenced and shaped by culture. There is a simple, pure nature in all of us, and this nature is One with Tao. Through society we learn to be limited." — C. Alexander Simpkins, Simple Taoism
Online Starting Points
Exploring the Way on the web...
- TrueTao.org
- An excellent site with regularly published articles on Taoism, living simply, and finding peace. Browse through these and you will come to deep understanding in very subtle ways.
- Taoism Initiation
- Introduction to Taoism, basic concepts, and general philosophy. Don't bother with the for-pay "courses," however. If you really want to learn more, I can recommend some very good places to do so online or some (inexpensive) books that will get you to the same point.
Tao Books
Books can't contain the Way, but they can help illuminate the path...
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Taoism
This was my starting point for Taoism, the core texts, main ideas, etc. Very fun and informative book.
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 10/06/2008)
Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance
Compact little book that introduces the history of Taoism and basic concepts (wu-wei, yin-yang, te, and so on). Sometimes a bit scatter-brained, but a nice, gentle introduction.
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 10/06/2008)
Tao te Ching
Nice translation of the Tao Te Ching, with a literal character-by-character translation making up the bulk of the book. Excellent for composing your own interpretation, or finding personal meanings in the original Chinese.
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/06/2008)
On the Path
Diving in deeper and finding the Way...
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
Fantastic book that relates the Hindu tradition of Vedanta to Western society. Much of this is in line with Taoist exploration and thought. Alan Watts was an amazing author, and this is one of his most enjoyable and insightful works. Highly recommended.
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 10/06/2008)
