D o d J ng The Way of the Dao

Dào dé Jīng

This book is a brief introduction to, and translation of, the Dào dé Jīng, one the most translated and published books in the world. It is attributed to 老子 Lǎo Zǐ, a Chinese scholar and contributor in a line of philosophy and metaphysics that is known as taoism or Daoism, depending on whether the Wade-Giles or Pinyin transliteration is used. Lǎo Zǐ means 'Old Master' in English. The book contains eighty-one chapters, or verses.

This translation by Thomas Hayes and Li Sijin includes in the Introduction, the pronouncement of other non-dualistic and mystical masters across the ages and from both Western and Eastern origins. This reflects the fact that the one truth may be spoken about in different ways and styles, but with the message remaining consistent.

It is written during the crisis of the Covid-19 outbreak and contains words that can be reflected on to provide comfort in these troubled times. The words are perhaps the best tonic of all at the present time. Please use the time afforded to you by any unsought furlough to reflect on the wisdom in this book and so turn the negative into the positive.