Tao Te Ching

The most profound work of spiritual wisdom ever written. The most readable and reliable version available.

The Tao Te Ching was written 2,500 years ago, yet it speaks directly and powerfully to our contemporary lives. Why are our lives so difficult? How can we return to a place of harmony and balance? What is our true and essential nature? Who are we really? These are the kinds of questions the Tao Te Ching asks—and answers.

This is an original translation from the ancient Chinese text specifically intended to accurately reflect the original text while at the same time being easy to read and understand in English.

There are a lot of translations out there, so let the buyer beware—many of the older translations are misleading and difficult to read, while many of the newer versions take liberties with the text, so much so that they can hardly be said to be accurate reflections of the book at all. Translator John R. Mabry worked closely with a native Chinese speaker and expert in traditional Chinese religion in order to provide the most accurate and easy-to-read translation possible.

Dr. Mabry is a professor of World Religions and comparative theology. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy and Religion, specializing in Taoism and Hinduism.

As a sample, here is the first poem:

The Tao that can be described in words is not the true Tao
The Name that can be named is not the true Name.
From non-existence were called Heaven and Earth
From existence all things were born.

In being without desires, you experience the wonder
But by having desires, you experience the journey.
Yet both spring from the same source and differ mostly in name.

This source is called "Mystery"
Mystery upon Mystery,
The womb giving birth to all of being.