Holmes Welch (1924–1981)

I don't know much about Taoism - this book did a good job of outlining the basic shape of the tradition. It's from the 1950s, so surely there has been a lot of progress in understanding that it misses. But as a doorway, it gives me a simple map for my further studies.

It starts with a discussion of the Tao Te Ching. Mostly it just outlines the different layers or different interpretations... it introduces the challenges in understanding the text. It then goes into a history of Taoism over about 1000 years, major currents that merge and split. Then it gives a more topical sketch of evolution over the past 1500 years. Finally it has a rather wild vision of Lao Tzu commenting on contemporary American society. I have no idea how this would have come across in the mid-1950s! He touches on many vital topics, but kind of tip-toes into any kind of subtle thought... whatever new understandings scholars might have achieved about the history of Taoism, how to incorporate that tradition into life today, that's a topic that has seen tremendous progress - seems to me! Ask Gary Snyder, for starters!

I've been exploring Tai Chi, the movement discipline. This is not mentioned in this book. It's a wonderful way to bring a Taoist perspective to life! For me, reading this book was a first step in expanding my understanding beyond the more narrow scope of Tai Chi movement.… (más)