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A Path and a Practice: Using Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching as a Guide to an Awakened Spiritual Life
The Tao Te Ching—one of the most loved and widely translated books in human history—has appeared in countless English-language versions. But no modern translation has yet captured the essential thrust of Lao Tzu's work as a practical guide to living an awakened life. Now William Martin, whose acclaimed previous reinterpretations of the Tao (for parents, couples, and elders) have introduced or reacquainted this classic text to thousands of readers, strikingly translates the Tao's eighty-one chapters to uniquely address someone on a Tao—or path—with a practice. Martin frames his new translation with two illuminating, groundbreaking sections: "A Path," which introduces the Tao's nonlinear construction and explains how it works its themes; and "A Practice," which provides practical guidance for readers exploring each of the Tao's themes in depth. Martin's genius in this new translation uncovers how directly the Tao speaks to readers on or about to embark on a spiritual journey.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2004
54 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
William Martin
18 books158 followersWilliam Martin is an award-winning author whose work expresses the practical wisdom and inspiration of Taoist thought for contemporary readers. He is the spouse of Nancy, the father of Lara and John, and the grandfather of Jillian and Andrew.
A native of California, Bill graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Electronic Engineering. After four years working for the Navy as a research scientist, he returned to graduate school. He earned a Masters degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He did not find himself fitting within the Christian Church clergy structure so, guided by his love of the Tao Te Ching, he began to seek his own way. He spent two decades in private practice as a Marriage and Family Counselor in Phoenix, Arizona, and taught counseling for many years at Rio Salado College in Phoenix. He has been a student of the Tao for four decades.
In 1998 he and Nancy decided to simplify their lives so they sold most of their possessions, left their careers, gathered their remaining belongings into a 5X8 foot U-Hall trailer and moved to the Oregon coast. Nancy worked at a small Inn and Bill wrote a book. In 1999, after a year of strolling along the beaches, walking through the forests, and feeling the intense joy of the natural world, they moved to the mountains of Northern California. They live a somewhat private existence, connecting with their close friends and with their individual work. They walk, read, enjoy qigong and cherish their life together. Nancy is a traditional bookbinder, restoring old books and creating hand-bound editions of new ones (www.nwbookbinding.com). Bill continues to write and paint in the Taoist tradition.
A native of California, Bill graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Electronic Engineering. After four years working for the Navy as a research scientist, he returned to graduate school. He earned a Masters degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He did not find himself fitting within the Christian Church clergy structure so, guided by his love of the Tao Te Ching, he began to seek his own way. He spent two decades in private practice as a Marriage and Family Counselor in Phoenix, Arizona, and taught counseling for many years at Rio Salado College in Phoenix. He has been a student of the Tao for four decades.
In 1998 he and Nancy decided to simplify their lives so they sold most of their possessions, left their careers, gathered their remaining belongings into a 5X8 foot U-Hall trailer and moved to the Oregon coast. Nancy worked at a small Inn and Bill wrote a book. In 1999, after a year of strolling along the beaches, walking through the forests, and feeling the intense joy of the natural world, they moved to the mountains of Northern California. They live a somewhat private existence, connecting with their close friends and with their individual work. They walk, read, enjoy qigong and cherish their life together. Nancy is a traditional bookbinder, restoring old books and creating hand-bound editions of new ones (www.nwbookbinding.com). Bill continues to write and paint in the Taoist tradition.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 3, 2012
Very good to add to collection for a daily reflection time. Not religious. The way the book is set up, one can read an excerpt each day and meditate on the teaching throughout that day and continue this practice. The practice is practical for anyone to investigate.
January 25, 2016
It makes the Tao Te Ching easier to understand through his translation. Martin takes the second half of the book to bring even more clarity to the Tao and then asks questions or makes suggestions for you to think more deeply about what you've read.
April 20, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It had three main sections. The first section talked about the Tao. The second section was the Tao and the third section to a couple lines from each chapter of the Tao and added explanation, questions to ponder and a mediation. I liked reading this book through, but I especially like that is it set up great for use as a daily meditation. I was struck by so many of the similarities that I found in this book with some of the other things I have been reading (like never make assumptions, not taking things personally, the power of forgiveness and unconditional love).
October 25, 2021
Read it. I'll preface this with the fact that I GOT to read this for a Yin Yoga Teacher Training I was doing, but I still found myself just enthralled in it. It is a new translation of the Tao and I found myself really identifying with the chapters and even more so, interested in his suggestions for moving each of the chapters forward in my own life.
The instructor that assigned the book to us has said that she repeatedly goes back to it daily for use for herself and in the classes she teaches. I can definitely see myself using it this way and looking through this many more times in my future.
The instructor that assigned the book to us has said that she repeatedly goes back to it daily for use for herself and in the classes she teaches. I can definitely see myself using it this way and looking through this many more times in my future.
March 7, 2022
The timeless wisdom of the Tao reinterpreted by William Martin
October 1, 2024
Very hard to relate to much of this. Really doesn't resonate with my world view. Perhaps if I lived in a monastery in rural Nepal...
March 8, 2015
A lovely interpretation and handy guide. A book I am certain will became tattered over time as I refer to it again and again.
July 31, 2021
Beautiful, deep wisdom. This is the book I most recommend to people who want to enrich their contemplative lives. It’s a part of my daily practice.
May 21, 2009
A friend told me that this book is just good advice. I could not agree more.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews