Being Taoist: Wisdom for Living a Balanced Life

This book by Eva Wong is an anthology of translation of selections from Daoist (Taoist) scriptures, dealing specifically with Daoist practices and ideas basically about how to live life. With some exceptions, most of the sources appear to be from some of the earliest Daoist texts. The collection isn't perfect, and certain ideas are outdated in my opinion so sometimes you need to be able to take the general principles from what you read instead of trying to believe everything to the letter. Daoists never always agreed on everything anyway, and some modern masters like Chen Yingning argued for putting aside ideas which are clearly superstitious or questionable.Overall, I would say this anthology needs to be supplemented with other Daoist works, but it is still useful as it is. Combined with Eva Wong's other anthology "Teachings of the Tao" and Livia Kohn's anthology "The Taoist Experience", you would get a pretty solid overview of the Daoist canon across time. From among Eva Wong's works, I also recommend reading "Taoism: An Essential Guide", a useful explanation of Daoism, its history, and different schools.

On the one hand, the book is a pleasant read. It has an almost poetic sing-song style. It's commentary on Tao is akin to that of the Tao Te Ching. On the other hand, it is repetitive and reads like a laundry list of ideas. If you are looking for something inspirational, it will serve as such when read in small doses. If you are looking for deeper philosophical thought, you might want to go directly to the ancient sources.

Eva Wong has quickly become my new favorite author. My understanding, and appreciation, of Taoism increases every time I read one of her books.

Great product - will buy this again.

I very much appreciate this Author and have just started reading this book and am so exited about the content and the potential for my learning more in depth about what it is to be a Taoist. Eva Wong is the REAL thing. This lady researches deeply and is a scholar plus she lives what she writes.I think to engage meaningfully in this book, one has to have an idea of what Taoism is. She has a previous book that she wrote entitled: Taoism: An Essential Guide. I read that one cover to cover. As I hear, Taoism for Dummies is also pretty good!By reading Eva Wong's books, I feel like I have a teacher through her books and through the thoroughness, the depth,, the fullness, the integrity of the information and the user-friendly format that she imparts in her writing. But it is study. If you want to expand in depth and widely your relationship with being a Taoist, this is the book for you.She also has many other books related to Taoism.I also suggest, before you delve in, make sure you are ready for the book. Check it out on Amazon: the table of content and some pages to make sure it pulls you in and to make sure you are ready for it. It is with great pleasure that I give this recommendation!

This author is as always fantastic at explaining the beliefs of Taoism in a way that anyone can understand. Deep, insightful and informative. Also very inspirational.

I found it a very interesting read - a decent introduction to the ideas of the Tao. And I found the idea of a balanced life compelling.

Received as anticipated. Perfect condition. Quality book.

Basically fairy tales about taoism, like "during the kingdom of xx there were no miscarriages and the people lived happily, the fish were abundant etc etc"... At least for me the title suggests practical applications of taoism for our lives; it's nothing like it.

great book