The Way of Chuang Tzu (Shambhala Library)

Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, read and compared several different translations of the writings of Chuang Tzu over a five year period. He made notes and from them created a free verse style interpretation of various passages that he liked and were meaningful for him. From those notes this book was born. As a monk, he experienced various states of spiritual being, feeling, and thinking, that are unique to individuals who withdraw into a contemplative life. Every passage and chapter is packed with unique stories, parables, anecdotes which allow the reader to view life ... existence ... from different perspectives. Some passages reinforce already existing ideas. thoughts, and beliefs, others create new ways of "seeing". The writing is poetic and very insightful. This book is an absolute pleasurable reading experience. Some examples below will provide a taste of the contents of this extraordinairy book.
Here is an example of this writing, "When Knowledge Went North":
"Knowledge wandered north
Looking for Tao, over the Dark Sea
And up the Invisible Mountain.
There on the mountain he met
Nondoing, the Speechless One" ...
Another example, "In My End is My Beginning":
"But he who obeys Nature returns through Form and
Formless to the Living,
And in the Living
Joins the unbegun Beginnning" ...
If the reader enjoys deep thinking and feeling, contemplating life in all its myriad aspects then this book is highly recommended. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

There is a black planet to the left, and a white planet to the right. Your route is sinuous and virtually invisible, uncharted (like the Minnow that would be lost), but there is a way, which will appear contradictory, and some will laugh as if you were wearing a pink stovepipe hat, but many more will simply not understand. Happiness, remember, is the absence of striving for happiness, and those who know do not speak, so as you can see, I don't know either. I've read of a lot of Chuang, and this volume overall is the best. You have to remember that enlightenment is not like serious literature, unfunny and difficult to understand. Enlightenment is simply light. When one acknowledges the forces in harmony and opposition beyond understanding, one is able to accept the impenetrable mystery. Therefore one may relax and bow deeply with laughter and hopefully not lose his stovepipe hat.

Thomas Merton provides the thoughtful reflections of a spiritually aware and highly intelligent individual as applied to the interpretation of Chuang Tzu's writings. The interpretations are preceded by an excellent introduction by Thomas Merton and a section on the life of Chuang Tzu. Essential reading for those interested in Taoism or philosophy in general.

Love this book and especially this format. Would like to see more, as this one is currently out of print and hard to find. Regardless, Merton retells these stories more credibly than other translations I've read.

Book was delivered in very good condition as described.

It's a difficult book to read in some ways, and certainly not for everyone. Zen students
may appreciate it. I had it at 4 stars but can't say that I liked it as much as I
appreciate the work in creating it. How about 3.5 stars...

An excellent addition to the original writing by Lao Tsu......from the student. Helps one on the Way.