The Tao of Happiness: Stories from Chuang Tzu for Your Spiritual Journey

Description

If you have not encountered Chuang Tzu before, prepare yourself for a treat. He was the sage who stood apart from all others in Chinese history. He was a unique presence, a great mind like no one before or since. Chuang Tzu quickly distinguished himself and became well known for his deep understanding and sense of humour. His mastery was such that he could explain the Tao with simple stories and his humour was such that he could see the joy in ordinary things. He taught his students about "carefree wandering"-the path of moving through life with a free and happy heart, regardless of how turbulent the journey might be. It is time for modern readers to join in on the fun. Chuang Tzu's wisdom is not just for Eastern culture, but for all of humanity. We may not have the instability or the clash of massive armies indicative of Chuang Tzu's time, but we have a lot of stress and tension in our modern world. Many of us find ourselves fighting little battles on the personal front just to get through the day. We can benefit greatly from Chuang Tzu's teachings. These parables are presented throughout this book and juxtaposed with the charming and intelligent prose of modern-day Taoist teacher and author, Derek Lin. Together, Chuang Tzu and Lin will present you with simple lessons that will have a lasting impact on your life.

Derek Lin is the award-winning author of The Tao of Daily Life, The Tao of Success and The Tao of Joy Every Day. He was born in Taiwan and grew up with native fluency in both Chinese and English. This background lets him convey Eastern teachings to Western readers in a way that is clear, simple and authentic. Lin has utilised his linguistic skills to create a Tao Te Ching translation that has been lauded by critics.

Praise for The Tao of Happiness: "If someone told you that happiness was within your reach, without a moment's delay, would you believe them? The 'counterintuitive' nature of that proposal is exactly what Derek Lin, a prolific author and Taoist teacher, said can be found in the teachings of Taoism. Lin's new book, The Tao of Happiness...shares stories from Taoist sage, Chuang Tzu...[whose] parables illustrate a guide to happiness that Lin said runs counter to many common notions about success and fulfillment." -Huffington Post review "The parable as prescriptive is one of the great paradigms for spiritual teaching, and in The Tao of Happiness...as illuminated by Taoist teacher Derek Lin, the lessons are deep and rich and lasting...[I]n lucid prose, Lin takes...ancient teachings and reveals their modern-day relevance." -Chicago Tribune review "...[F]ew authors apply the Tao to modern life with the rigor of Derek Lin." -Publishers Weekly review "Lin again demonstrates his skill as a cultural interpreter and guide to Chuang Tzu's wisdom regarding daily life in any cultural context." -Booklist review Praise for Derek Lin's books: The Tao of Joy Every Day: Winner: Best Spirituality/ Alternative Science Book (The Coalition of Visionary Resources) "The book offers up easily digestible wisdom for when you need a quick bit of inspiration. It is a great way to start the day, and it's small size makes it ideal for a nightstand book. It's short but powerful entries are great for settling the mind before bedtime, or on nights when you can't sleep. It's a great addition to any Eastern wisdom book collection." -The Buddhist Blog The Tao of Daily Life: "This book has given me a large amount of understanding and inspiration in my own life. It is well written so that those of any religion (or lack of) can greatly benefit from its wisdom. I would put this book at the top of the list for anyone wanting to help move past the daily trivialities and frustrations that an inhibit our lives. This is also a perfect companion to applying the Tao Te Ching to the daily life." -Saint Monica's Episcopal Church's Book Corner "The perfect book for readers who are interested in Taoism and want a little daily inspiration. The Tao of Daily Life combines ancient Eastern wisdom with practical application-perfect for busy Western readers!" -Taoism "There are some wonderful stories here! A top-drawer collection of Taoist teaching stories and commentaries on this ancient path." -Spirituality and Practice, "Best Spiritual Books of 2007" The Tao of Success: Winner: Best Spirituality Book (The Coalition of Visionary Resources) "This book represents a melding of the best of eastern and western thinking." -Bill Tammeus, Faith Matters "A practical, systematic approach to the ancient and time-honored spiritual learning process. Using the same format that made The Tao of Daily Life a breakout Eastern wisdom bestseller, Lin draws on the power of Taoist stories to illustrate important keys, or lessons.' -Taoism