If you’ve ever been intrigued by Taoism but felt unsure where to begin, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to TAOISM offers an accessible doorway. Written in clear, approachable language the book introduces readers to Taoist philosophy, history, and practice without oversimplifying. The authors, Brandon Toropov and Chad Hansen, offer the reader:
Taoism may be translated as “way”or “guide”. The most common English translation is “Way” with a capital W. Tao with a capital T refers to the sum of all guidance in the universe and to its result—-the entire course of history. The authors write with a great deal of humor as they attempt to describe the contradictions of Taoism. Taoism is difficult to describe with words, as language gets in the way. The Ancient Greeks were fixed on defining words. Ancient Chinese seldom spoke of definitions. The authors say “probably the best definition is something like a cross between ethics and the laws of nature”. Taoism can be a philosophy to guide your life and/or a religion with traditional rituals. Taoism isn’t just about “going with the flow”, it’s about balance, simplicity and learning to trust the wisdom of nature and the moment.
The book explains the roots of Taoist thought in ancient China, with attention to texts like the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, while also exploring Taoism’s evolution into religious form, rituals and cultural traditions. The name Taoism was coined during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.220).
Taoism deeply connects with nature and the patterns of nature, providing guidance for living that include commentary on:
This Complete Guide also offers insights into how Taoism philosophy is intertwined in the modern Western world including Ecology, Pop Culture, Politics and Health. The World Wide Web section gives resources such as websites offering daily Tao wisdom.
Overall the book succeeds in being both inviting for beginners and nourishing for long time disciples who want a deeper dive. For our metaphysical community interested in exploring diverse wisdom traditions, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Taoism is a valuable and approachable choice. If you are interested in learning more about Taoism, this is the book for you.
Submitted by Carol Callahan
