365 Tao: Daily Meditations

This is my go-to book for reading before meditation. I've owned it longer than I've been married (21 years), and I had to replace my copy a few years ago because the old one was falling apart from use. All of which is meant to say, I love this book! I can't imagine how Ming-Dao Deng managed to include so much poetry, inspiration and wisdom in one small volume. I recommend it highly. Even though I've been turning to this book for many years, I continue to find fresh and relevant insights.

As expected, some of the entries in this book contain clear hints of personal bias. Every writing on the subject of the Tao must, inescapably, be the result of passing the apprehension of Tao through a personal filter. In some cases (e.g. Cleary's Tao Te Ching), this yields something so heavily slanted as to allow almost all value in the work to slide right off of it; in others (e.g. Stephenson's Tao Te Ching), the result is very subtle and yields one of the better Taoist works I've read.

365 Tao is a relatively unique approach to addressing the Tao, as a "daily devotional" reader, in that it is divided into far more discrete, stand-alone chunks than almost any other book format. Some of them I found actually contradictory with my own show more perception of the Tao, but they were exceedingly rare. Overall, I found it contemplative, inspiring, and interesting. I would recommend it with the same caveat that must apply to any other philosophical, contemplative work: it was written by a human. show less

This is a great book to get you thinking each day. There is a word for each day as well as a short description or thoughts on the word. I like to read the word and try to apply it to my life or my hobbies or something. Although, the title has Tao in it, I think this is a good book for people of any religion as well as people with no religion. The words are just regular words with interesting anecdotes. Good way to get in touch with your own basic spirituality, whatever form that takes..

One of my three "dailies" in 2015, I enjoyed this...especially finding those points where I really have trouble with Taoism. Felt more "real" to look behind the popular notion of Taoism to its ramifications in the everyday.

I love this book to pieces, even though I haven't read even half of it so far. It gives an easy, day by day way to keep tao in your life and gives you just a little bit to consider each day. The texts are short, just a page, and perfect for any 5 to 10 minute break, you'll never have the excuse of not having time to read it. It's simple enough to have meaning in our modern life, yet it clearly reflects the philosophy of Tao.

Masterpiece.

This is an excellent collection of 365 daily readings which advise, explain and describe appropriate actions, that are universal in principle, and which can be applied toward resolving inner and outer turmoils. From the Taoist viewpoint, life itself is a continuous process in which we are all participants. Although the physical circumstances vary from person to person, the principles of appropriate actions to use are universal..

Short poetic aphorisms enhance Ming-Dao Deng's one-page daily essays/meditations. For example, on the day entitled "Division", the poetic entry is;

"Problems cannot be
Resolved at once.
Slowly untie knots
Divide to conquer."

And, in the text he states with simplicity , clarity and positive assurance, "No matter show more what the problem, however, it is important not to take the thing on whole...Even the greatest of difficulties can be resolved when they are slowly reduced." show less

I read this book daily as it was designed to be read over the course of a year. Each day has a little something to think about concerning life. I found it very enjoyable and insightful.