Philosophy / Eastern Books

The aphorisms that make up the philosophy of war and strategy by Sun Tzu have, several centuries later, become a must-read for young professionals in business. Though the text can be applied to the ruthless world of commerce, this translation by Thomas Cleary contextualizes the teachings in the Taoist tradition, enabling the work to transcend the simple co-opting of the philosophy for business strategies. By clarifying the philosophical origins, Cleary makes the text applicable not only to winning a literal war but also to almost any conflict-resolution situation, as well as to achieving goals in life. Though the text deals with many pragmatic issues in war, ranging in topics from "Strategic Assessments, "Armed Struggle," and "The Use of Spies," much of the text is rooted in the idea that the greatest victory is won without having to do battle. At times, the material approaches these subjects in very practical terms, but the underlying message is that of surpassing unnecessary physical and emotional strain with deep understanding of the given situation. Because of the simplicity of the original text, there is much room for interpretation. The translation utilizes commentary from 11 ancient scholars elaborating on each aphorism with a more complete interpretation.

The Tao is such a simple thing, but we complicate it by using esoteric language and piling concept on top of concept to try and explain it. What better way to describe a basic idea than to explain it to a child? Although THE TAO OF POOH isn't really aimed at children, it takes the beloved A. A. Milne characters, copies their familiar cadences, and describes the Tao with picture-perfect clarity. The hero that emerges here, of course, is Pooh, who perfectly exemplifies the way of no-way.

Long interested in Taoist teaching, Le Guin retells a classic story, including her own notes on her interpretations of the events in the story.

Robert Pirsig's journey to enlightenment on the back of a motorcycle was rejected 121 times before its publication in 1974. ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE immediately hit the best-seller lists, and, even decades later, it remains a cult classic. A combination of travelogue, philosophical tract, gripping novel, and probing memoir, ZEN encompasses both Eastern and Western thought in an exploration of the concept of "Quality"--what it means and how to achieve it. Pirsig's method involves an examination of self: who are we, how did we get where we are, and what is worth striving for? In a readable, often enchanting narrative, he attempts to answer these questions, first for himself, as he travels back into his life and scrutinizes his own experiences, and then for the reader, who is on his or her own quest for meaning. Pirsig's book, both intimately personal and powerfully universal, is in the end a book about how to live. But seen solely as the chronicle of a cross-country trip, ZEN is equally appealing. As the narrator and his 11-year-old son, Chris, travel the roads in all moods and all weathers, he describes, with humor and warmth, his interactions with Chris, and the boy's responses to everything from firecrackers to the sound of rain on a tent roof to a massive bull moose in Montana--and a deep and solid father-son relationship begins to emerge. In a heartbreaking Afterword written in 1984, Pirsig describes Chris's murder in San Francisco, in 1979, at the age of 22, and the decision he and his wife made to have another child--a little girl named Nell. After his initial grief, Pirsig refuses to sink into mourning for his son, and writes, "Chris's body was gone. But the larger pattern remained."

The BOOK OF FIVE RINGS is a legendary Japanese text written in the 17th century by an undefeated samurai, Miyamoto Musashi. Like THE ART OF WAR, it contains a timeless philosophy that has been interpreted over many centuries and applied to many contexts (violent or not) that require strength, fortitude, and focus. This particular translation by Thomas Cleary offers a biography of the samurai Musashi and paints a fascinating portrait of the man.

The result of a month-long retreat where Chodron used the "lojong teachings" (maxims or sayings) of Tibetan tradition along with the meditation practice known as "tonglen" meditation to bring forth an awareness of compassion.

This series of short sayings, proverbs, and observations on ethics and methods for living originated around 400 B.C.

In this meeting of ancient and contemporary, East and West, and philosophy and self-help, the bestselling motivational speaker Wayne Dyer provides his take on the classic by Lao-tzu, the Tao Te Ching-- whose title is sometimes translated from the Chinese as "the Great Way." Dyer presents the 81 brief passages culled from the many translations he studied, and provides his own commentary to help us apply the teachings to our everyday lives.

The result of a month-long series of talks given by Pema Chodron at the Gampo Abbey. "Loving-kindness" is a translation of the word "maitri," and it is about "befriending who we are already." This is one of Chodron's most popular books, and in it she offers her view that indeed there is "no escape"--from the wonderful things in life as well as those things that confuse and confound us. So, the path of awareness and acceptance is the path to happiness.

A professor of law provides a comprehensive overview of the I CHING--its origins, context, and use--as well as a translation and commentary.

Originally published in English in 1906, this classic text has become a favorite of Western readers. An explanation of the Japanese tea ceremony, it is seen as a text that seeks and finds meaning as well as one that has layers of meaning of its own.