The Wisdom of the Tao: Ancient Stories that Delight, Inform, and Inspire

by Ming-Dao Deng

Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy that emphasizes living in harmony with the universe. It is a tradition that has become widely popular in Europe and North America over the past fifty years—largely through its core text, the Tao Te Ching.

The Wisdom of the Tao is filled with over 140 ancient stories express great truth by fusing anecdotes with philosophy. The stories are frequently humorous, ribald, irreverent, or sarcastic—but they always speak to great and universal truths.

Here are stories that lead people to:

Flow with life Live from the heart Develop an openness to possibilities Live in balance Drop expectations Embrace acceptance

The wisdom here fills a universal need. We need stories. They help us make sense of who we are and how we got here. They keep us sane as we try to absorb our experiences, our aging, and our emotions. Stories help us visualize the future by taking the messages of yesterday and helping us get tomorrow right.

Genres: Spirituality, Taoism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, China

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2018

About the author

AKA Deng Ming-Dao

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

“What makes you sure this isn't a blessing?”

Taoism is one of the most foreign feeling worldviews that I've read. Sometimes it makes sense to me, describing a path lived with courage, being simple, plain, and honest, living with kindness, independence, understanding, and gratitude. Deng Ming-Dao's Wisdom of the Tao is much this way for me. Some of its stories – there are 144 – are clear, lucid, and helpful. Others? Not so much.

These stories are thought-provoking and often contain koans – which is part of what makes them both engaging and frustrating.

Whether the world should fall apart or not—why should we worry ourselves over it?

or

That he didn't want others to hear makes sense, but that he should cover his own ears doesn't make sense. Aren't rulers who don't want to hear of their own errors just like that man?

Americans – people in general – like easy answers. Taoism reminds us that life isn't easy and has no easy answers. Sometimes not doing, being wise is best.

Everyone knows the usefulness of being useful. No one knows the usefulness of being useless.

[Christopherseelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining selection of short tales from old China, often about ancient China.

[John Trigonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read around six or so books by Deng Ming-Dao, and this one is another winner, though one that requires some thought, since these lessons are in the form of the original stories found in the Tao Te Ching and old Chinese folk tales. That said, some of the lessons are perhaps a little bit lost in translation, while others are quite eye-opening and insightful.

[Cyborg]

Short folk tales assembled from various sources. Some I understood and some I didn't, but I guess that's the nature of zen and tao writing.

[Naomi Ayala · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous little book; great bedside read.

[L Rose Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great brain food, bite-sized! Each short tale gives you a lot to ponder and reflect upon. (Many are fun, too. 😉)