Reddit mentions of Seven Taoist Masters: A Folk Novel of China (Shambhala Classics)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West

There are various film adaptions either with that title or something to do with a "Monkey King".

This one is Taoist but I think you would find it interesting and entertaining too.

https://www.amazon.ca/Seven-Taoist-Masters-Novel-China/dp/1590301765

Seven Taoists Masters is the translation of a Daoist 'folk novel' by practitioner/teacher Eva Wong.

I might suggest taking a look at Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy by Bryan Van Norden He's sort of a controversial figure himself because he comes at academia from the perspective of wanting to tear down the biased western institution that prevents proper study of "Eastern" thought. However, he is an expert in his field and keeps that stuff in other books. The one I've linked was one of the most useful introductory texts I found for studying the traditions native to China and those from elsewhere that were integrated into Chinese culture. Many other texts begin by talking about ancient divination practices that are only kind of relevant to the philosophical traditions that sprang up later and are frankly some of the most boring things I've ever read.

Likewise, I've suggested Seven Taoist Masters countless times. It's a narrative and technically only focuses on a specific school of Daoist thought, but it's much more accessible than reading something like the Dao De Jing. It'll teach you about Daoist ideas such as immortality, internal alchemy, and meditation. It's also less likely to make you into an arrogant fortune cookie, as is unfortunately the case with people who start with the DDJ.

Buddhism in China is different than Buddhism in India is different than Buddhism in Tibet. I'd suggest taking a look at the recommended reading on the /r/buddhism subreddit for this and going from there.

Avoid blogs, avoid "spiritualists" like Alan Watts and Eckhart Tolle. They are not good introductions to these topics if what you're looking for is accurate descriptions of how they developed and have been practiced for thousands of years. You might like what they're selling, but what they're selling is tangentially influenced by these traditions, but they're far from the same.

I like these types of quasi-historical/legendary books for the same reason that the Arthurian and Norse stories are so compelling, they're grounded in a kernel of truth.

https://www.amazon.ca/Seven-Taoist-Masters-Novel-China/dp/1590301765

I'm glad you found some sense of solace in my story and advise. And i gladly read your rant. Which i dont see as a rant because it was well thought out and and informative. I also know what you mean about the codependency and your life being put on hold until she contacts youNow that being said where do i begin....I think i will first adress your priorities and goals, then the tao te ching, then i will bring it all together.

what i meant that in true love the one you love is more important than your goals but not more important than yourself. When i say you must love the other more than your goals what i mean by that is. Is the goals that dont make you, a better version of yourself, you can cast aside for your beloved. For example if training to win a gold medal is getting in the way of your relationship. Cast aside your attempt at glory, it will do you no good. If training to be a better healthier more loving calm version of yourself gets in the way of your relationship. Try and work the relationship around it. Because something you do which betters yourself should never get in the way of your relationship.

Regarding the tao te ching specifically. What i got from it was a sense of calmness and a philsophy which will allow me to better myself while bettering the world around me. that being said "the eternal tao is not the tao which can be spoken"...tao translates somewhat as "the way". One can interpret this as meaning the advice telling you how to do things can never be the advice for all situations. That being said. Everytime one reads the entire tao te ching in its entirety (its about an hour long read) one can sort of feel the tao rather than know it mentally. (There is a difference). Now regardining chi gong, chi gong is based off of daoism which comes mostly from the tao te ching and another book written by Lao Tzu's disciple. All these teachings will make one a better person. But one must practice them on a daily basis. Kind of like how one must eat everyday to maintain the body. One must practice things everyday which maintains the mind.

To draw this all together. That which is good for you and makes you a happier productive person that spreads happiness to others, is also good for the world. I will give you a few bits of advice if you want to go down the taoist path (i mean the philosophy more than the religion. i dont practice the distorted religion that sprouted from it).

1. Be careful of any of the newer schools of taoism. The original taoism was not sexist and was very relaxed. Throughout years kind of how people tainted the teachings of christianity. Some people tained taoism
   
   
2. Be careful of looking up chi gong teachers on youtube or online. Most are either old chinese guys who practice properly but dont speak english. Or white guys who dont know the proper teachings but just want your money
   
   
3. When you read the tao te chin, if your like me halfway through you will think "this is the same shit repeating itself i get it by now" keep reading at the end you will feel it more than know it. Which is more important.
   
   
4. Chi gong and taoism would say the more you know yourself the more you know your body and what to eat. That being said, i would suggest no longer eating processed sugars, and not drinking lactose if you have even a minor allergy (80 percent of people have at least a minor allergy to lactose). Healthy foods give you a more balanced and healthy mood which affects how you treat others.
   
   
5. I suggest you grow out your hair, i havent done all the research yet, but for some reason people who grow out their hair, especially men, seem to be calmer and more well put together. My theory on this is one must be calmer and more put together to deal with the stress of managing long hair and going against societal expectations for men. p.s. all the best white guy who are good at basketball had long hair...coincidence? and all the best black guys were bald (accepting the loss of their hair) or had long hair.
   
   6.Yeah i really dont know what else to say i have said a lot. not sure if you want more of my story and personal journey. Because as bad as your situation sounds. I have been in your boat and gotten back together with a girl, and the situation im in right now is even worse but im pretty sure in the future at sometime i can get back with the woman i love the most in the world, of the woman i've met if i improve myself.
   
   
   
   
   Links 1.(the tao te ching) http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm
   
   \2.The only good chi gong i found online. Very simple. focus on your breathing while you do it every morning. Your habits make you who you are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-E9vJFAj98
   
   3. books to read. Embryonic breathing http://www.amazon.com/Qigong-Meditation-Embryonic-Yang-Jwing-Ming/dp/1886969736
   
   4. the 7 taoist masters. http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Taoist-Masters-Shambhala-Classics/dp/1590301765
   
   last piece of advice is just to reiterate. your habits make you who you are. not your accomplishments.
   
   Good luck (: Let me know if theres anything more you want me to tell you or share. Or if you have any questions (:
   
   
   oh also the girl i got back with...she came back to me. in my opinion its ok to talk to the mutual friend but not to your ex. until your ex acts like she wants to talk to you. but if you havent gotten yourself together to the point where you feel you can live without her, maybe not as happy as with her, but still happy. Just tell her you are working on yourself, and you dont feel ready to talk.

Seven Taoist Masters is a great and entertaining read: http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Taoist-Masters-Shambhala-Classics/dp/1590301765