Recommended Books
The following is a sampling of books that are relevant to the Tao Practice. More to come...
Introduction to the Heart Sutra, by Henry Chang - Henry Chang is an esteemed Tao teacher and author.
Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu - We have yet to see a perfect English translation of this classic. We usually recommend Jonathan Star's version, not necessarily for his own translation, but for the "verbatim translation" which offers multiple possible translations for each word in Mandarin. The Gia-Fu Feng/Jane English version is also widely used.
The Journey to the West, by Wu Cheng'en - This Chinese mythological novel illustrates allegorically the quest for enlightenment. This abridged version is a worthwhile introduction to this 16th century classic.
Other books...
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho - This is an example of the hero's journey and how to follow a dream.
Anger by Thich Nhat Hanh - Anger is a powerful force that leads us further away from our True Heart. In this book, Thich Nahat Han addresses the causes of anger, as well as coping mechanisms. He believes that we need to embrace our anger in order to work through it. He teaches that patience and love are the antidotes to anger.
Authentic Happiness by Dr. Martin Seligman - This book initiated the Positive Psychology movement, and it offers revolutionary ideas not only for psychologists, but for us in our everyday lives. Dr. Seligman discredits common myths about happiness (i.e., that we have to be rich and young to be happy). He also explores the differences between pleasures, gratifications and true happiness.
Being Happy by Andrew Matthews - This is like an encyclopedia on happiness. It is a straightforward and clear explanation of what can bring happiness into our lives, and what keeps us from it. It can be used as a reference book as it is divided into subsections like “self-image”, “dealing with depression” and “relax and let go”, or it can be read cover to cover.
Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell - Gladwell explores the power and the dangers of intuition, as well as the potential to cultivate a strong, clear intuition.
The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield - Coming out of his mundane life and deciding to embark on an adventure, the main character begins to discover the spiritual aspects of himself for the first time. He learns through experience about interconnectedness and synchronicity. He gains wisdom and self-knowledge through connecting with other people along the way, and learns that being open is vitally important.
Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - “Flow” is the experience of losing yourself in an activity that is simultaneously demanding and rewarding. The prototypical examples of people who experience flow are dedicated athletes and musicians. However, Mihaly- a psychologist- discusses how we can create flow in every aspect our lives, including mundane activities, work, and conversation.
The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh - An insightful analysis of basic Buddhist teachings, including: The Eightfold Path, the Six Paramitas and the Four Noble Truths.
A Hero With a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell - Joseph Campbell links the symbolism of mythology to pyschology and spiritual development. The hero's journey is ultimately the journey we all face.
The Kiterunner by Khaled Hosseini - A fictional novel about a boy who grows up in Afghanistan and makes crucial decisions that come back to haunt him later in life. He finds that the longer he waits to address the issues, the more powerful and urgent they become. A central focus of the novel is the development of virtues, specifically humility and honesty.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - This French children’s story is rich with symbolism and spirituality as it follows the Little Prince on his first trip to Earth, where he learns about attachment and the impermanent nature of the material world.
Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl - refer to the article Tao and Psychology
The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis - A senior demon instructs a lesser demon on how to corrupt his soul. The book shows how an unclear mind can lead to uncharitable behavior.
The Valkyries, by Paulo Coelho - Coelho's autobiographical account of seeking his guardian angel in the Mojave Desert.