![]() Stephen Mitchells translation of Lao Tzus Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way) has sold over half a. Though unlikely to displace Stephen Mitchell's popular rendering of the Tao, this volume will delight spiritual seekers and devotees of Taoism, while also making a lovely gift. Newly illustrated throughout with classical Japanese art. Hamill's poetry is complemented by Kazuaki Tanahashi's dramatic calligraphy, with 18 original representations of words or characters. The Tao-literally, "the way"-resists being nailed down or put in a box and mastered. ![]() To wit, this lovely meditation: "It's best to be like water, nurturing the ten thousand things without competing, flowing into places people scorn." And yet Hamill does not seek to drain the text of its mystery. Hamill has rendered the Tao Te Ching afresh his translation from the Chinese is achingly poetic. ![]() It embodies the virtues its translator credits to the Chinese original: a gemlike lucidity that is radiant with humor, grace, largeheartedness, and deep wisdom. ![]() People should "cling to no treasures," but rather devote themselves to a pure disinterestedness, becoming most truly themselves when they achieve selflessness. The bestselling, widely acclaimed translation from Stephen Mitchell 'Mitchell's rendition of the Tao Te Ching comes as close to being definitive for our time as any I can imagine. Lao Tzu meditates on breath, enjoining the reader to practice breathing like a baby reflects on hsu, or emptiness juxtaposes heaven and earth and soberly reminds readers of their mortality. ![]() Lao Tzu's classic Chinese text from the sixth century BCE has much to teach us today. ![]()
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