The Complete Works of Lao Tzu Paperback – Illustrated, 1 Jan. 1979

Easy to follow and dwell upon

I find this book to be a very good read and offers many useful tips. Personally I have found this valuable.

Slowly studying it.

This book is difficult to absorb, yet I seem to be carrying it wenever I venture out like it was some long lost companion

The Tao Teh Ching is widely available in this country, translated by many different scholars and professors. But to have an English translation by a Taoist master is something special. It makes sense - a Buddhist book, you would assume, is best understood by a Buddhist, and a Christian book would be best understood by a Christian etc.Often translations by western scholars (who perhaps have the western audience in mind) are described as "a good place to begin." I think Hua-Ching Ni's translation is the best place to begin. It is not for 'advanced taoist/philosophy students' only. Lao Tzu wrote "My words are very easy to understand." And Hua-Ching Ni is not about to complicate what is simple.All this is reason enough to buy this book. But Hua-Ching Ni also provides a true gem in Hua Hu Ching.Hua Hu Ching is an oral tradition (orginally acredited to Lao Tzu) passed down from generation to generation of Taoist masters. It is the based on a dialogue between a master and a prince. It is much longer than the Tao Teh Ching and covers much of the same ground, but also adds further points, elucidating on how one can practice and apply the Universal Way (Tao). The prince asks the master many of the questions that you've probably been thinking after reading the Tao Teh Ching. How useful/fantastic is that! It mentions Tai Chi Chuan, holistic medicine, feng shui, the I Ching, the importance of breathing exercises etc.To have access to the Hua Hu Ching in English is a privelege not enjoyed by past generations. Make the most of it.

I can't completely get my head around the profound literature, although there are some short pieces that give me a sense of deja vu or I can relate to, but I am still intrigued and hopefully be able to absorb it's meanings

This has so little to do with the tao te ching its actually funny. A new translation and , more importantly, an elucidation by the author.But what made me buy it was the inclusion of another work by lao tsu called the hua hu ching, of which i hadnt heard before.And the reason why i'd never heard of it is, this bloke made it up.Asinine platitudes you would normally expect in a new age crap workshop.I'm sorry, the guys heart is obviously in the right place but this is so bad its good, i actually read more than was wise cos i couldnt stop laughing.Dont bother.

So - disappointing. Modern croup. Read Dr Waley's original instead. Mal mal.