Best products from r/taoism

You've made some excellent points. I don't read the metaphysical aspects as literal either, but as metaphors. (Although in a sense, the mind-body-energy interplay of Shen-Jing-Qi is being validated by modern science. This isn't to say that all references to Shen-Jing-Qi are correct.)

When I first read this text, which I do believe is the Harold Roth translation, my main takeaway was a newfound appreciation for the term De (Te). I actively seek out the word in other Taoist texts and read it with a new understanding. I'm going to quote from this website, but I would also recommend reading more about Roth's interpretations in Original Tao: Inward Training (Nei-yeh) and the Foundations of Taoist Mysticism.

On De (Te): "One meaning could be: follow the path of an upright heart, perhaps our innate nature. The Chinese, Taoists in particular, believe that we are born pure and then corrupted in the process of growing up. Through self-cultivation practices, we attempt to return to te, our natural virtue.

In contrast to the traditional meaning that 'virtue' is innate, fixed and determined from birth, the Nei-yeh regularly implies that we strengthen te by exercising self-restraint. Further it is possible to interpret hsin, our heart-mind, to mean our innate inclinations, including our emotional tendencies.

Under this perspective, the ideogram suggests that te is the process of rectifying hsin in order to shape and regulate our innate tendencies. This shaping could include engaging in self-cultivation practices rather than becoming a victim of our emotions and desires. Te is the action, i.e. daily practices, of aligning hsin, i.e. making the heart-mind upright.

Both Tao and te include radicals that indicate an ongoing process rather than a state of being. Tao, as the Way of ideal self-cultivation practices, includes regularly exercising te, our self-restraint muscle, to shape our innate tendencies, hsin, in order to remain on the Path.

For fun, let’s take this journey yet one more step. According to the traditional view, te is an innate state that is developed through acts of cultivation etc. The inner power (te) developed in this fashion could be likened to charisma. The power of the person’s aura automatically harmonizes the surrounding world. The individual who possesses this charisma orders the world without doing anything (the essence of the Taoist concept of wu-wei, non-action within action).

Could te be both an innate state and a process? If so, the te process of restraint contributes to the te state of inner power. Te both enables and is enabled by the journey of being on course, Tao. From this perspective, te is both the state of ‘inner power’ that arises from the process of self-control and the process of self-control that gives rise to the state of inner power/charisma."

I don't really like the other book recommendations in here (no comment on Livia Kohn's book, never seen it). None have very clear instructions or progressions.

Opening The Dragon Gate is an entertaining introduction into the practices - it's a biography of one of the practitioners. That lineage has a book out with specific practices and it has a comically long name.

While I think the lineage sucks, John Chang - Magus of Java - is very interesting. They don't accept students, so don't fall in love with this one. I found out about this lineage form this video. Take it with some grains of salt.

I think those are pretty solid representations of the practices. Mantak Chia is kind of new age, senior citizen practices.

----

You asked about specific practices though and I just gave you a list of books. So I'll try to address your actual question.

The main practice is meditation. Different schools have different meditations. Some of them are steeped in ritual, some are pretty bare bones.

Exercises refer to qigong and martial arts. Qigong is best understood as holding stances, focusing on breathing, and energy.

As for diets, Taoists traditionally abstain from grains. I know the esoteric justification for this, but it's hard to explain without defining a lot of terminology. I pass it off as a bit of dogma - even though I eat gluten free for other reasons. The gist of it though, not eating grains makes your mind more clear and makes you more balanced mentally and emotionally.

Sexual exercises are something popularized by Mantak Chia through a few books. I don't think it is inline with real Taoism. Most the hard core Taoists go celibate for some time to benefit their practice.

----

The theory behind all the practice is that they wish to change physical energy (jing), to energy (chi), and energy to spirit (shen) - through energetic practices, mainly meditation. They believe strengthening their spirit will allow them to attain consciousness after death and continue their practices, refining their spirit and reaching higher planes. They believe that without these practices you are continually shuffled through a cycle of reincarnation.

Basically, they go for a promotion in the spirit world.

Hope this helps.

Hmmm… I need to create a "Taoist Starter Kit" article…

As far as translations go… one I like is Red Pine's translation because it has commentary and the Chinese. The nice thing about the commentary is it lets you see all of the different ways each chapter can be interpreted. Political strategists see strategy and alchemists see instructions for spiritual immortality. :)

https://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu-ebook/dp/B00APD9VP2

If you want something chill and direct. I like these comics:

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Speaks-Lao-Tzus-Whispers-Wisdom/dp/0385472595/

https://www.amazon.com/Zhuangzi-Speaks-Nature-Chih-chung-Tsai/dp/0691008825

If you wanna compare a bunch of translations…

https://ttc.tasuki.org/

I don't really think you can go "wrong" with any translation/interpretation if you're planning on reading more than one. If it was just the one, I'd go with Red Pine's.

As for meditation, I would look into Zen or Chan Buddhism close to where you are. You can also get started right away by just closing your eyes and breathing for a minute a day and build up to more as you do more research (via videos, books, seminars, teachers, etc.)

More important than any technique is developing the habit of doing it every day.

This app is awesome and it comes with a bunch of free guided meditations. I just use it for the timer. :)

https://insighttimer.com/

If you start getting serious I'd look for a teacher of some kind, but good teachers for Taoism seem kind of elusive. I think that's from the nature of the practice and it's history.

Google searches, reading reviews, talking to people, etc will take you where you want to go although in the beginning it's hard to tell the difference between "good" and "bad", but there's no way around that other than to start doing stuff and getting some experience under your belt. :) Also "bad" for you might be "good" for someone else. :P ;)

There are probably some good books for beginners as well, but I'm not familiar with those yet. I'm gonna start ordering and reading through them… (I haven't been a beginner for a long time… that said… I'm still a beginner… lol)

Oh! There's a cool Eva Wong book on Taoism that gives you a nice historical overview and breakdown of the different styles.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1590308824/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_1590308824

Hopefully you'll get some other recommendations! :)

Hi and welcome. I'm not a religious Taoist, so I can't answer those specific questions.

> Is Taoism necessarily apolitical? I’m an anarchist communist, and while I’m interested in Taoism, I don’t think my political views are likely to change. In fact, my politics are part of why I’ve become attracted to Taoism, but it seems like that might be discouraged.

Not necessarily political one way or the other. I'm a market anarchist and I see the fluid movement and expression of society as the functioning of the Tao. To me, any kind of government is an ugly and violent imposition.

> What is meditation? What are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to gain anything from it, and if so, what?

Meditation is awareness. There are many forms of meditation practices. With some of them, you concentrate specifically on a thought, or sound, or feeling, or some "seed." With others, you reject grasping onto anything and maintain what Krishnamurti calls "choiceless awareness," picking up and letting go whatever is moving through your mind. Both of these (concentration and insight meditation), among others, are cultivated to allow one to see himself and into his own nature. Ostensibly, this is to support eliminating useless and destructive mental, emotional, and psychological habits and to reintegrate oneself back into the seamlessness of Reality, whereas in our typical lives, we reify our egos as real existing things and we separate ourselves from "the outside."

> Do you believe that humans have agency or free will?

There is no Taoist answer to this. To suggest that humans have agency is to suggest they are somehow outside the causal nexus, outside karma, outside the Tao. To suggest they are determined is to suggest that they are nothing but causes, nothing but karma, nothing but Tao. Both are problematic philosophical perspectives, and Taoism tends to eschew complex philosophy in appreciation for the subtle, mysterious, and feminine nature of Reality.

> Why are Taoists so concerned with longevity if they believe in an afterlife?

Taoists are interested in longevity because some of them believe in immortality of some kind, and others are interested in simply leading long, healthy lives. The practice of Qigong and Taichi do actually promote good health.

> Are Taoists moral relativists even if given the context of an ethical dilemma?

Not moral relativists - just unconcerned with morality. The Confucians and Mohists and other ancient Chinese philosophical schools were interested in justice and righteousness and all that. To the Taoists, this was all just mental frothing. Their ideas of right and wrong were products of their culture, biology, etc. and ideas don't map on to Reality. Another person in here mentioned virtue ethics - that's probably a better way to look at it. They held that there were better and worse ways to live, but not any hard-line "right" or "wrong" actions. To a contemporary Westerner, this might sound like moral relativism, but it's deeper than that - it's a rejection of the brain's ability to accurately conceptualize the nuance and complexity of everyday life. Applying moral labels to actions would stultify a person, limit them, and prevent them from acting in uncontrived and naturally spontaneous ways. I am sometimes reminded of Nietzsche's concept of being "beyond good and evil."

> I’m reading through the Tao Te Ching now. Is there a specific place on here or in real life where I should go to ask questions as I read?

Think about picking up Red Pine's version of the Tao Te Ching. He introduces lots of ancient and medieval Chinese commentary on each verse (and his own..) which really brings the context into subtle and mysterious things Lao-tzu says. It was very helpful for me.

This is good advice and kindly given, OldDog47 .. Carol Depp is a biologist and her translation has the virtue of that perspective, she writes from Oregon, and gardening is her forte. Your list includes excellent translations for u/efoshay to which I suggest two more, in the same spirit as you’ve shown, to encourage breadth of exposure and tuning of the ear: I suggest the two older translations, Arthur Waley and Richard Wilhelm .. the difference between them of course being that Waley is classical and more oriented to the social values for good governance, where Wilhelm’s perspective is more ‘personal’, perhaps even psychological, and valuable to the individual as scripture. Links = Waley’s The Way and its Power, and Wilhelm’s Tao Te Ching: Book of Meaning and Life. Having read seven you clearly share my view that nearly everyone taking on the daunting task of translation of such a classic, has something to offer. Unfortunately we can not say all. I thank you for Op who has wonderful future reading the Tao Te Ching, we wish you well!

I'm not sure what you've read thus far, but the three most important books in the Daoist canon are, in generally agreed upon order:

1. The Tao Te Ching (Dao De Ching, Daodejing, &c.). My favorite translation is the done by Addiss and Lombardo, but there are certainly other good translations.
   
   
2. The Chuan Tzu (Zhuangzi) I'm partial to the translation by Hamill and Seaton, though I admit that may be because it was my first exposure to Daoism. It doesn't strive for accuracy, but has taken some liberties in making the text accessible to most readers by doing away with pedantry.
   
   
3. The Lieh Tzu (Liezi) My favorite translation is the one by Eva Wong, though it also was going for readability above accuracy. I'm currently reading a much more accurate translation done by Thomas Cleary which has, thus far, been rather good.

I also believed for a very long time that the semen retention thing was bunk. Then it just so happened that I didn't ejaculate for an extended period (for reasons unrelated to Daoism) while still wanting to have sex, and noticed an unmistakable increase in attention span, concentration, and cognitive speed/power. It wasn't just a little bit, either; I'm talking about an increase such that others noticed too. I haven't done it again, but I no longer believe that this stuff about jing is totally baseless. One could think of very good evolutionary reasons why we (and other animals) might have developed a cognitive "bump" that only activates itself in males who desire sex but don't get to engage in it very often.

Anyway, that aside, no one's going to say that you're somehow deeply un-Daoist by not practicing semen retention. It's a practice that developed alongside other Daoist practices, some of which you would probably get something out of if it's the psychological and mental dimensions of Daoism that attract you. So don't throw out the baby with the esoteric bath water.

Also, these things (philosophical and "esoteric" or religious Daoism) cannot be easily separated. You mentioned the Yijing; it's a Bronze age divination manual dependent on cleromancy. Sounds pretty unscientific, right? Well, it is. But it's also the root of traditional Chinese philosophy, of which Daoism is just one branch. You can see the debt Laozi owes to the Yijing all throughout the Daodejing; here is a good example of how one can never fully appreciate the Daodejing without understanding the Yijing. The Daodejing is also clearly indebted to another "religious" Daoist text, the Neiye, which looks very much like a meditation manual with esoteric and mystical elements. The point is, trying to pull apart religious and philosophical Daoism is like explaining a joke or dissecting a frog; you can do it, but it just won't be the same thing afterward.

Yo I think I know a book that maybe will help!

Here: "http://www.amazon.com/Essence-Shinto-Japans-Spiritual-Heart/dp/1568364377/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1453875725&sr=8-2&keywords=shinto". It's called "The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart." It goes way deep into the philosophy of Shinto. I too noticed many similarities between Taoism and Shinto, in particular a reverence for Nature and naturalness as well as a belief in a single spiritual force or power (like Ch'i) that variously manifests as all the phenomena in the universe. There's also a surprisingly similar emphasis on meditation. I would totally check it out if I were you! Also, there's another book you may be interested in! It's called "Original Tao" and it's a modern translation and commentary of an ancient Taoist text (possibly pre-Lao Tzu) which deals heavily with both the concepts of Tao and Ch'i (and their unity, as both can be seen as the basis of all phenomena). I say this because, for me, Ch'i bridges the concepts of God/Spirit and Tao. Ch'i is related to consciousness, the afterlife and vitality, like Spirit, but like the Tao it is the basis of all existence. As someone interested in comparison religions, you may find that useful.

Here's the amazon link: "http://www.amazon.com/Original-Tao-Foundations-Mysticism-Translations/dp/0231115652"

Good luck on your spiritual studies!!

One thing that helps with the Tao Te Ching is to read different translations. It gives you a better sense of what they're really trying to get at. Check some out online compared to the copy you have.

A really good book for learning some ways to apply the Tao to your life is Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life. A bit new agey but helpful. This is an awesome look at the Tao by one of the greats in Western understanding of Eastern thought.

Taoism has had a huge impact on my life, I hope you find your way! One thing I notice in reading the Tao Te Ching is that I can't force my understandings. I often just open up to a random chapter and read. Sometimes it seems like gibberish, but sometimes you're in the exact right place in your life to understand, and the same chapter you've read a hundred times all of a sudden just hits you like... a wave. Or something!

Sounds like a great place to start, I would also suggest reading Chuang-Tzu as a good followup to the TTC as well as picking up another copy of the TTC by a different translator. There is also a recommended reading list in the sidebar. The books are not overly expensive but there are free ebooks available in places if you'd rather save the money.

Edit: Also, because it has helped me so much, I would recommend trying some breathing meditation.

Read Alan Watts' "Tao: The Watercourse Way. It is an excellently written book - simple, clear, profound.... Then you will be able to "get" Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.

Also listen to this lecture of his, and many others on youtube.

He was all I needed to get into Taoism, to understand it, to have a strong bearing from which to navigate on my own. He is the best at explaining it. Enjoy.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't really say I'm a practicing taoist in any sort of traditional sense. I'm a philosophy major, but I spent a lot of the summer reading Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth, in which he talks about how different religions can all be seen as true, albeit in a more metaphorical sense. This drew me towards eastern philosophy, and I've been working my way slowly through Cleary's translations. I guess in answer to your first question, I'm more of a philosophical taoist, but I'm still keeping myself fairly distanced for the time being; I'm a cautious individual, and am not prone to simply dive into a new theory or worldview very quickly, although I love learning about other theories and worldviews. I don't really do any sort of meditation, but I do spend a considerable amount of time simply sitting in silence reflecting. I also take walks when I can, sometimes bringing my dog along. This gives me time and space to clear my mind and reflect, so in a way it's meditation I suppose, just of a less formal kind. Hope this helps.

I think psychology and philosophy both have as a central concern the development of the individual. Psychology seems to be more often concerned with individual ego and problems that have ego implications. Philosophy, particularly Eastern philosophies, are concerned about the ego as something that gets in the way of full realization. Daoist philosophy in particular is concerned about developing in the individual a sense of realization of the continuity of existence. This means realizing that the individual is part of the unity of existence and that the relationship between the individual and the totality of existence is a two way street, mutual or symbiotic.

>In psychological sense, it's bad because you assume that the other person sees things like you see.

This psychological case is a special case, contrasting one individual point of view to another's. The philosophical relationship between and individual and existence is much boarder and includes the notion of mutuality.

>But in philosophical sense, there is no difference because viewing you as the same with the world is the same with viewing the world is like you?

The philosophical case does not necessarily have to resolve to no difference between you and the world. It does not mean loss of individuality, uniqueness. It is more a case of realizing that just as you can influence events in the world, the events of the world are also represented in you. All events and unfolding are unique and mutual. It is not you and the world but both. The philosophical problem is seeing the events/unfolding of the world in such a way as to allow the individual to act more in harmony with the unfolding world rather than in contention within. The developmental goal is that in integrally understanding the mutual existence and functioning of the self and the world, one will naturally respond in accord. One still maintains their individuality and the ability to act in the world. The actions are just more fully informed.

Admittedly, the above may be a poor explanation, as my understanding is still developing.

----

Something else you pointed out in the OP was an interest in linguistics. Among the modern day writers, Roger Ames is probably one who is more acutely aware of the role language plays in our individual expression of self. I might suggest the following, if you are interested in daoist philosophy. I think it plays very well from a psychological point of view.

https://www.amazon.com/Dao-Jing-Philosophical-Translation-Mandarin/dp/0345444191

Not Taoist, but there is MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive therapy). I have PTSD and Depression. I took part in a 16 week study with the VA where we learned MBCT, it really helped me. I'm currently reading "Mindful way through depression" discovering that it's pretty much the same thing. Now I'm combining the two (MBCT and Taoism) to help me with lingering depression. They compliment each other pretty well. Of course I'm still on meds, which are of minimal help, but if I put the three together, and I can stick to the lessons, I really have some inner peace. Of course I often stray and loose direction. But it's like weightlifting, it has to be strengthened over time.

http://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Way-through-Depression-Unhappiness-ebook/dp/B007T9FZRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397312183&sr=8-1&keywords=mindful+way+through+depression

https://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzu-Ching-About-Power/dp/1570623953/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526954456&sr=1-15&keywords=tao+te+ching
https://www.amazon.com/Dao-Jing-Philosophical-Translation-Mandarin/dp/0345444191/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526954555&sr=1-3&keywords=roger+ames
Le Guin's book is of particular interest because she is a master of salt-of-the-earth western metaphors, widely recognized as possibly the greatest master of metaphors in the English language today. She has studied the Tao with the best of us and has her usual distinctive interpretation.
The second book, contains an account of Pragmatic Taoism, which is what pre-dated mainland Chinese Taoism, in the isolated southern mountains. Its not my favorite book, but there is no other book like it on the subject that I know of.
My personal favorite, is the Peter Merel GNL interpolation available for free online.

My Asian Religions professor liked to use original texts only in her syllabi. Her reasoning was along the lines of: "why would you read someone else's interpretation when you could read the texts themselves and draw your own conclusions?" I tend to agree with that line of logic (I do understand that books such as the one mentioned can provide a good primer, but you've already that, why not move into the "meat" of the matter?). So, my suggestion would be:

• The Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu (the D.C. Lau translation is notable and my favorite)
  
• The Chuang-Tzu by Chuang-Tzu (Burton Watson is an amazing translator and this one is particularly notable)
  
• The Lieh-Tzu by Lieh-Tzu (A.C. Graham translation)
  
  And that should cover a broad range of the "philosophical" side of Taoism. As for the alchemies and the more, shall we say, "eccentric" branches, well, that's a whole different animal. Personally, I haven't delved too much into that side, since there is such an overwhelming amount of texts and practices and schools and etc. However, The Secret of the Golden Flower and Yellow Court Classic are two "big" ones. I'd start there and branch out accordingly.

Thank you so much for your reply. Do you mean Richard Wilhelm or Hellmut Wilhelm, or both?

I found this online: http://www2.unipr.it/~deyoung/I_Ching_Wilhelm_Translation.html

And I found this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ching-Book-Changes-Bollingen-General/dp/069109750X/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=

I know I am being picky, but I would like a book copy. Don't get me wrong, that online version would be a valuable resource, but having a book allows me to highlight and write notes in the margins.

I really like Chronicles of Tao. It's presented somewhat as a memoir but reads like fiction. True or false, I feel like it's a good read that deals directly with Taoism. If nothing else I love fantasizing about all the mountaintop temples in China.

One approach would be to check out a book called "365 Tao." It's a wonderful book that gives you a Tao passage every day and then expands upon the meaning of it. 365 Tao on Amazon

Also you could check out Alan Watts' "Tao: The Watercourse Way." I personally really enjoy Watts, and this book is a nice exposition of some Tao ideals. Tao: The Watercourse Way

I like the comic version of that. Maybe because I love comics. It was a fun read, and it relaxes me.

Check this site, which contains a lot of different translations. Compare them and see what you like! Personally I enjoy reading this translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English; I find that it has a nice flow to it.

This translation by Jonathan Star has a slightly different tone to it, but some of the analogies may be easier to grasp. The physical version of the book contains the original Chinese text, with translations of individuals words, if one finds that appealing.

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Health-Sex-Longevity-Practical/dp/067164811X

This author should be about your speed. But go gently. You can injure yourself with too much tonification, especially the wrong kind at the wrong time. I would recommend consulting a qualified Chinese herbalist (profession, not ethnicity). Look for someone who has a master's degree from an accredited university teaching Chinese medicine/acupuncture. If they have a Diploma of Chinese Herbal Therapy from the NCCAOM that is a very good indicator of good training. Just tell them what you want and they will work with you. Herbs are medicine. Jing and Yang tonics are among the strongest. Don't underestimate the risks or benefits.

Hey, I know I'm late, but I really recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1570624577/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1406661606&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

It's a lot more flowery and less of a literal translation, but I hear it captures the tone and style of the original much better than strictly literal translations.

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: http://smile.amazon.com/Mindful-Way-through-Depression-Unhappiness-ebook/dp/B007T9FZRS/ref=sr_1_1


|Country|Link|Charity Links|
|:-----------|:------------|:------------|
|USA|amazon.com|EFF|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|Macmillan|
|Spain|amazon.es||
|Mexico|amazon.com.mx||
|France|amazon.fr||
|Germany|amazon.de||
|Japan|amazon.co.jp||
|Canada|amazon.ca||
|Australia|amazon.com.au||
|Italy|amazon.it||




To help donate money to charity, please have a look at this thread.

This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.

If you're looking for more of a story, [Chronicles of Tao: The Secret Life of a Taoist Master] (https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Tao-Secret-Taoist-Master/dp/0062502190) is an amazing trilogy that anyone interested in the subject should read:

For the first time in one volume—an extraordinary spiritual odyssey of the making of the Taoist master Kwan Saihung. Born into a wealthy family in a remote province of China, Kwan defies his parents' wishes and enters into the rigorous and mysterious discipline of Taoist practice. Renamed "Little Butterfly" by his Taoist masters, he survives the upheaval of the Japanese occupation, and the later the Chinese Revolution, all the while becoming adept in the Taoist arts. Eventually his inner and outer journey lead him to America, where he becomes a Golden Gloves boxer and martial arts instructor.

Part adventure, part parable, Chronicles of Tao travels through a labyrinth of enigmatic Taoist practice, marital arts discipline, and international adventure.

Edit: /r/taoism hates Tao of Pooh, who knew?

If you are a westerner, do it like how many of us did and read "Tao of Pooh."

It's not the ancient text, it's not anything but one man's take on Taoism through a certain lens.

As far as introductions are concerned, it's the most accessible.

Then go find your favorite translation of the tao teh ching.

Also, this book is cool.

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Speaks-Lao-Tzus-Whispers-Wisdom/dp/0385472595

I highly recommend https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Speaks-Lao-Tzus-Whispers-Wisdom/dp/0385472595 It reads like a comic book with great illustrations. It follows the TTC chapter by chapter.

If you're looking for a philosophical (in the western sense) take on it, you should try Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation: http://www.amazon.com/Dao-De-Jing-Philosophical-Translation/dp/0345444191

I think it'd be right for you, since it A) is intended for people who've studied western philosophy, and therefor has commentary focused towards that type of understanding, and is translated with an eye for clarity of the text to the original meaning as opposed to poetic 'flow'; and B) because it includes the original Chinese text (with helpful glossary) alongside the translation. It's a very rigorous approach.

I have this book, it's great. On page 89, when it references the exact location of the lower elixir field being 1.2 -1.5 inches below the navel, do not take this point for granted and don't make assumptions on its location. Study this point carefully.

If you are into these kind of stories, I suggest reading Chronicles of Tao: The Secret Life of a Taoist Master, by Deng Ming Dao. The stories and historical references are fantastic.

This one is my favorite (by Johnathan Star):

http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Ching-Definitive-Lao-Tzu/dp/158542269X

This is not a pocket edition, and in fact is quite large, because it has a verbatim translation in the back as well as a fairly sizable introduction, which explains some of the difficulties when translating such a text. The gist of his style is to leave the mystery in the words. So he tries to leave the same level of ambiguity from the original Chinese in the translation of each passage.
For a smaller version by Johnathan Star:

http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Ching-Translation-Definitive-Cornerstone/dp/1585426180

Although this one is pretty much just the text.

I really like Ursula Le Guin's interpretation: https://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzu-Ching-About-Power/dp/1570623953

Of all the translations I have it speaks to me the most. But you should read at least a few and decide on your favorite afterwards.

Holding onto the One: Harold Roth's Original Dao: Inward Training (Nei-Yeh) and the Foundations of Taoist Mysticism
https://www.amazon.com/Original-Tao-Foundations-Mysticism-Translations/dp/0231115652

Mind Fasting: Livia Kohn Sitting in Oblivion: The Heart of Daoist Meditation

http://www.lulu.com/ca/en/shop/livia-kohn/sitting-in-oblivion-the-heart-of-daoist-meditation/ebook/product-20624435.html

I like this book, it contains a re-arranged TTC and excerpts from the Liezi and Zhuangzi:

• http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Special-Edition-Sayings-Chuang/dp/1934255130/
  
  Also, don't forget the I Ching. It's not just a fortune-telling thing, it's an attempt to categorize all things in the universe. Mainly a Confucian work but integrates into Daoism. For that I recommend the Wilhelm/Baynes translation, with the Huang translation acting more as a commentary to Wilhelm/Baynes discussing the historical and mythological background to the hexagrams and lines.
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Ching-Book-Changes-Bollingen-XIX/dp/069109750X/
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Ching-Anniversary-Definitive-Translation/dp/1594773866/
  
  You can read the Wilhelm/Baynes translation here (except for the Ten Wings of Confucius and the more detailed re-translation, all three available in the book):
  
  
• http://deoxy.org/iching

I like the red pine translation:

http://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320331188&sr=8-1

and ursula le guin's:

http://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzu-Tao-Te-Ching/dp/B001HZ1VOG/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320331225&sr=1-2


in my opinion its always good to read a few different different translations of the same passage to really get at the thing. each translation is informed by the translators time place understanding and belief in the source material, which i find interesting to cross compare.

the daodejing is collection of classical chinese poems, and those are very modal for lack of better word. in a very rough description, classical chinese poems consist of loosely connected nouns and descriptors devoid of syntax leading to a purposive ambiguity necessitating the reader to in effect finish the poems themselves. so it is literally the entire point of the daodejing that it doesn't mean one exact thing in particular, but loosely describes a sentiment we finish in our minds.

Do you know the Jonathan Star translation that's in his book alongside the translation for each character in the original text -- sort of a make-your-own translation? Very cool.

Deng Ming Dao's Chronicle of the Dao is an excellent read.

The red pine edition is excellent and has extended interpretations. https://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

Ursala K LeGuin, just got this one, so far it is my favorite

http://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzu-Ching-About-Power/dp/1570623953/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376789235&sr=8-1&keywords=Ursula+K+Le+Guin+tao

Zhuangzi. The Burton Watson translation is good, or the Victor Mair translation, titled Wandering on the Way.

The translation by Roger Ames has always been one of my favorites. http://www.amazon.com/Dao-De-Jing-Philosophical-Translation/dp/0345444191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411130238&sr=8-1&keywords=dao+de+jing

Consider the classic Daodejing. There are many, many translations. My personal favorites are Liu Ming, Red Pine and Ellen Chen.

"The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity" devotes an entire section of the book to sex and how it relates to Taoist practice.

I recommend Lao-Tzu's Taoteching by Red Pine multiple perspectives on each passage.

I like Red Pine's translation: http://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

I'm a big fan of Zhuangzi Speaks:
http://www.amazon.com/Zhuangzi-Speaks-Nature-Chih-chung-Tsai/dp/0691008825

It's on Amazon in English.

Its The Tao Speaks is a comic by a Taiwanese author, it's here if you want to spend some money

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Speaks-Lao-Tzus-Whispers-Wisdom/dp/0385472595

Is that from this text of Ames & Hall? If so, what did you think of their book?

• Huainanzi
  
• The Nei-Yeh

i don't know about answering your questions directly, but this book might be of use to you: https://www.amazon.com/Original-Tao-Foundations-Mysticism-Translations/dp/0231115652/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549060546&sr=8-1&keywords=nei+yeh

For each chapter in Red Pine's book he includes the Chinese characters, his translation, and a page-full of select interpretations from well-known commentators. Just to clarify - a single translation but a handful of interpretations.

http://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

https://www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906

Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/899635.Zhuangzi_Speaks

https://www.amazon.com/Zhuangzi-Speaks-Nature-Chih-chung-Tsai/dp/0691008825

> been mostly ignored in this forum

Mostly maybe, but not entirely. I purchased Original Tao last week on your recommendation. But I haven’t even cracked it open yet. I have done a little research on Daoist meditation online. I don’t have a ton of reading time but that’s high on my list.