The Tao is Silent by Raymond M. Smullyan - Mar 1993

HarperSanFrancisco, Mar 1993. Reissue. Paperback. This book is a set of insightful reflections on Taoist philosophy and zen statements written by (of all people) a mathematical logician. The author provides the reader many serious and even humorous discourses about life and the path we choose to live. It is filled with amazing logic that is applied to the Taoist statements which become more clear and precise ... from this perspective. \nHere is the approach the author takes: he describes how the Tao is formless, it is silent, it is vague, it does not command and does not argue ... He then discusses how the Tao can be proven to 'exist'. He delves into why the Tao is spontaneous and how it manages to remain leisurely, too. There are discussions on selfishness, altruism, "trusting one's true nature", "letting things go their own way" vs "on making an effort" adn "on the art of management". One of the shortest but most erudite chapters is entitled, "abiding in the Tao". The Taoist abides in the Tao not becasue it is his duty, nor because he is commanded to, neither is he afraid of the Tao ... he does so ... because "he loves to". While the true Tao is nameless, the Tao that is named, becomes the "Mother of all beings". Also, Smullyan tells us, "this unnamed Tao is more serene, 'more truly itself' than the named Tao."\nThis book does not take a conventional approach to describing Taoist philosophy, instead through the author's particular unique lense we get insight into this paradoxical subject. The book is replete with examples of Taoist and Zen sayings and logical comparisons which enhance the author's viewpoint of life. Reading this book is a pleasant experience for anyone wanting to explore how Chinese philosophy relates to life. Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)