Taoism for Beginners: Understanding and Applying Taoist History, Concepts, and Practices

This is everything I wanted to know about Taoism but wasn't finding online! Love this book! It's my bible/Taoism manual!

If I am to learn it’s history and how to begin learning to practice the Tao, then this book is my teacher.

I think this is an excellent book. It provides what is stated in the title: Taoism for Beginners; Understanding and Applying ...If one chooses to pursue a personal practice of Taoism this - to me - is a perfect place to start.If one simply wants to know more about Taoism out of curiosity this - to me - is a perfect place to start.

Incorporating the principles of Tao in my life helps me align with the natural rhythms of the world better. Anything that enables me to cultivate gratitude, stay in the present moment, and helps me feel better- I include in my spiritual practice. You don't have to follow a Chinese religion to practice the exercises in this book if you don't want to, they can be done by anyone and adapted into your own spiritual practice if you wish.The majority of the book introduces one to the history of Taoism in the past and present. I had no idea how many different lineages there were, I shouldn't be surprised because every religion seems to have adopted their own ways. Certain styles pertained more to me than others, I thought this was really neat and enjoyed seeing how some were more hands-on, while others took a more laid back approach.The first microcosm/macrocosm meditation was terrific for shifting awareness and bestowing gratitude. I really connected with this! Each meditation is labeled as Everyday Taoism. I looked forward to these because I could always feel tension releasing from my body and my frame of mind settling down. ALL of the meditations shifted negative energy in my body to a more peaceful place. My mind, body, and soul would feel at one with each exercise. I loved them!"Consider a clay pot: it is the empty space inside that makes the pot useful."My favorite portion beside the wonderful exercises was at the end, I wish more time would have been spent on this section because I found it most helpful. These last few pages shared how one can get started right now living a more healthy lifestyle incorporating Tao via foods, purification, meditation and visualizations, practicing Taoist arts, and how to flow in all aspects of life. I look forward to engaging in these arts soon, poetry, painting, and calligraphy!Because there were so many new elements I learned in this book, the text felt a tad advanced but the exercises are perfect for beginners.This is a great mind, body, and soul, self-help book. I even downloaded a blue light blocking app on my phone as the author kindly suggested, so when I don't have my blue light blocking glasses on, I'm protected. I was expecting this book to have a more holistic focus but still found valuable information within.This was a great starting point for me. Many great references were shared so I can continue my journey of studying Taoism.Much gratitude to publisher Rockridge Press, compliments of Callisto Media, for the early copy I received. I was under no obligation to write a review, my honest opinion is freely given.

Taoism can be difficult to understand. When I first decided I wanted to learn more, I read some books about it. I read the Tao Te Ching. I loved it. I thought the poetry of it was so beautiful. But when I tried to put into words what I had learned, I felt like it had been a beautiful soup that I had left on the stove too long. Everything I’d wanted to say about it boiled away, and all I had left was a hodgepodge of words like “the ten thousand things” or “the way,” but I had nothing left to connect them. I had no substance left in the pot to share with others, so they could see the beauty too. I had all evaporated.That’s why I was happy to find Taoism for Beginners. It has all that substance that I struggled to get my hands on, and so much more. It breaks down the history, the traditions, the beliefs, the rituals in a way that I’ve not seen before.Taoism for Beginners starts with the big question: What is Taoism? and answers it by going back to the very beginning and showing how it got started and how it grew. Author Elizabeth Reninger explains the language of Taoism and shares alternate spellings and pronunciations of key words. She compares it with Buddhism and Confucianism to help give it context. And she shares Taoism’s uniqueness in its respect for the natural world and insightful understanding of concepts we think of as opposites.From there, Taoism for Beginners touches on the core concepts like Tao, Ten-Thousand Things, Wu-Wei, Pu, and Chi. These concepts are explained and put into the context of the whole of Taoism, so beginners can start to understand how everything fits together. Then there are the core teachings. Taoism believes in emptiness as a way to be functional (think of a pot); in the 3 treasures of compassion, simplicity and patience; in wisdom; in playfulness, in nature; in cultivating skills like martial arts, healing arts, leadership, or artistic skill.Moving forward, you learn different approaches to Taoism, such as The Way of Ceremony, The Way of Magic and Power, The Way of Meditation, or the The Way of Free and Easy Wandering. There is a chapter on the myths and misconceptions of Taoism, which helps explain many common misunderstandings about the origin and purpose of Taoism.There is information on the Taoist schools, from the early days on to present day, and guidance to help you find ways to start practicing Taoism today, in the West, if that’s your goal. And if you make it a full-time practice or not, there are lots of tips for adding some of the simplicity and compassion, the essence of Taoism, to your life through lifestyle and attitude changes. And of course there is a suggested reading list, to you can know immediately where to turn for more information.Taoism for Beginners is a great resource to get all the information you need on Taoism, whether you’re looking for information or looking for a way into the religion.A copy of Taoism for Beginners was provided by Rockridge Press through the Callisto Media Publisher’s Club, with many thanks.

Just great for beginners, not overly complicated, and easy to understand, some books can be massively complicated, and really difficult to take in the mass of information, not this book, highly recommended.