Tao Te Ching- Lao Tzu, A Translation

I must admit; I have read a lot of spiritual books over the course of the years but Tao Te Ching Lao Tzu translated by Dennis Waller is the most guided. I found myself highlighting and highlighting...so many truths in one book.To many; life seems like a maze; an endless rush and when we come to think about it...it really doesn't have to be. A friend told a story the other day of how he was laying on the floor in his living room writing in his journal when an ant walked on the page. He drew a circle around the ant to see what it would do and surprisingly the ant would not go outside the circle. It was as if the ant saw a wall and continued to go around in circles unable to come out of the circle. My friend eventually assisted the ant and scooted it out the circle.Now this little insight preceded my reading of this book but when I read the pages I recalled the story of the ant that seemingly forgot the way of the Tao and became confused over nothing.This book has now become my companion. I have at the moment taken to writing daily on my white board such truths as:"A man who is truly wise and of virtue seems to do nothing but leaves nothing undone. The foolish man, who is always trying to do, leaves much undone."This is to remind me that I can only do so much in the day and that I can perform much better when I am "still" knowing that it will all come together in perfect time.Another truth that blesses my white board is; "All that is on the Earth residing under the Heavens that is beautiful is only beautiful because of the ugliness that coexists with the beautiful." This is to remind me of regardless of what extreme I see something in; there is an equally as extreme opposite. A perfect reminder of the balance of life.I would recommend this book to everyone; and for those that are able to receive it at this time. Tao Te Ching Lao Tzu has become a calming reference point for me over the last few days of having this book. It does not matter if you are interested in the Taoist beliefs or not; the wisdom of Lao Tzu's work is timeless and the publisher has done a splendid job of translating the ancient text.I can't recommend this book enough because each verse is so easy to understand that identifying with the message is seamless. You will comprehend the verses so easily that it would appear as if there is an almost simultaneous answers to the questions your mind conjures.

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.

In this day and age we are always so stressed with our lives, always worried about what others think, and whether or not we are achieving enough. We're expected by society to have a stable relationship and family life and a successful career etc. The pressure from friends, family and society (and ourselves!) can be enormous and overwhelming at times. It's time we put some of those pressures aside and realize that we are placing far to much importance on them - and it may be damaging our mental and physical health!Tao Te Ching teaches you how to achieve that inner peace and how to free yourself from the shackles of the world, and love yourself for who you really are, and to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. You've got to learn to love yourself and not be too hard on yourself.I use to succumb to that pressure and let it depress me and get me down - until I discovered Dennis Waller's excellent translations of ancient eastern philosophies, for example "Hsin Hsin Ming", "Nagarjuna's Tree of Wisdom" and of course "Tao Te Ching". I've really absorbed the overall message and my life hasn't been the same since - I've really turned a new leaf and feel much happier, more contented and relaxed with myself and life in general. My family and friends have noticed the difference, and I'm so enthused about it, I am encouraging them to do the same with their lives.It is so important that these translations be available to us in the West - Dennis Waller's translations are flawless and delivered to us with great clarity, while at the same time retaining the profound meaning and messages of the original texts, and as a result we are able to learn from these ancient teachings of wisdom. It really is astonishing that something so profound is conveyed to us in the form of something as mundane as a kindle ebook. I really can't recommend all the works of this author highly enough!!!!

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

The translation seems to have 'dumbed down' some of the more poetic chinese idiom in favour of a more easily readable book.