The Taoist Experience: An Anthology (Chinese Philosophy Culture)

This book is a very useful anthology of Taoist (Daoist) texts, all translated with introductions and notes by Livia Kohn. Some of them are the first and in some cases still the only English translations of certain scriptures. It provides some good selections from different texts from the Taoist Canon (Daozang) and was certainly a groundbreaking work when it was published in 1993. This is still one of the best anthologies of Taoist texts in English, although it needs to be updated and expanded a little since some new translations have come out since then (either by Livia Kohn herself or others like Louis Komjathy) that are clearly very important.Some enthusiastic reviewers have claimed that this book is all you need to study Taoism, but that's not quite right. Even if "The Taoist Experience" includes a wide range of Taoist texts from different schools, it still doesn't present the full diversity of views that Taoism offers, nor are there selections from all important Taoist texts. For example, Kohn mentions that the Liezi and Huainanzi are important but doesn't provide any selections from those. In addition, we have an increasing amount of modern Daoist masters' teachings being translated into English now (such as works by Wang Yun, Chen Yingning, Tianjun Liu, Wu Zhi Cheng, and Hua-Ching Ni), samples of which would ideally be included into an anthology of this type.There are also some issues I have with the way things are presented throughout the book as well. Although Livia Kohn points out at the beginning that different schools of Taoism have a variety of perspectives and many disagreements with each other, she will make misleading statements here and there that present a certain idea or practice as if it represents the views of Taoism as a whole. Some examples of this include the idea of "xiangu" ("immortal bones"), "bigu" (the grain-abstinence diet), the later adoption of the Buddhist concept of insight meditation following concentration meditation (a theory which is disputed even among Buddhists), the nature of immortals, among others. Ideally, a new edition of this book would be created with statements about these topics edited to be more accurate, clear, or precise.

The Taoist Experience is an outstanding compilation of excerpts taken from classic Taoist sacred texts, along with commentaries on these texts. This is the first appearance in English for half of the translations. Extensive bibliographies are included for further study.Livia Kohn is the editor, commentator, and translator of eighty percent of the texts. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Bonn, and is Professor Emerita of Religion & East Asian Studies at Boston University. Daoism is her specialty--but not only a scholar, she is also an active practitioner of yoga, taijiquan and qigong.The book presents original primary texts of Daoist mythology, philosophy, cosmology, meditations and visualizations. Descriptions of the gods and goddesses and prayers; along with such things as diet, health and long life, sexual prowess, meditative physical movements are the subjects. Most important is the "Alchemy" that leads to ultimate spiritual liberation--herein called Taoist Immortality.This book is NOT a study of the culture, nor the day-to-day practices, of contemporary Taoists. No temple rituals are described, nor are lighting incense, making prostrations (kowtow) to the gods and goddesses. There are no sing-along hymns, and no pictures of robes or other Daoist paraphernalia.Never-the-less, The Taoist Experience, is the best book of its kind available today. It could be the appropriate first book to be read by a serious student. It could also be the last book needed to be read by the Taoist adept.

Livia is one of the main TAOIST SCHOLAR'S in the world today. She has written many books on Taoism, and she has published many research articles on Taoism, also called Daoism. If you want a complete understanding of the often difficult to understand Taoist philosophy, religion, and way of life; then Livia's book will provide you with that information in detail. Livia is Professor emerita of Religion and East Asian studies at Boston University.

The Tao! Probably you need an attraction to this to begin with, and know a bit about it already. I happen to be informed and like the book very much: different chapters varying from poeticly written verses about life and universe,about Tao. Other chapters give practical advise about e.g.breathing and longevity.Not an easy read but very attractive for a bit of an insider. I cannot judge from expertise though if it is well translated from chinese? Well interpreted? But I love the book.

book was in good condition, no missing pages or stains. Reasonable price for a paperback of that size. All in all I can't complain.

Great!

Item came as advertised.

...for all who are interested in Daoism. Contains a wealth of translations spanning through all the various aspects of this wonderful tradition.

Un ouvrage indispensable pour toute personne qui veut connaître le taoïsme pur, dans son aspect rituel, historique ou de travail intérieur ... Les raductions faites par Livia Kohn sont exceptionnelles, et comprennent beaucoup de textes inédits et très intéressants pour une meilleure compréhension de le grand puzzle que est le taoïsme chinois.Je le recommande vivement.

Great book if you are interested in Taoism