• The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

  • By: Thomas Merton
  • Narrated by: Greg Chun
  • Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (256 ratings)

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The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

By: Thomas Merton
Narrated by: Greg Chun
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Publisher's summary

Classic writings from the great Zen master in exquisite versions by Thomas Merton, with a preface by his holiness the Dalai Lama, now in audio for the first time.

Working from existing translations, Thomas Merton composed a series of his own versions of the classic sayings of Chuang Tzu, the most spiritual of Chinese philosophers. Chuang Tzu, who wrote in the fourth and third centuries BC, is the chief authentic historical spokesperson for Taoism and its founder, Lao Tzu (a legendary character known largely through Chuang Tzu’s writings). Indeed, it was because of Chuang Tzu and the other Taoist sages that Indian Buddhism was transformed, in China, into the unique vehicle we now call by its Japanese name: Zen.

The Chinese sage abounds in wit and paradox and shattering insights into the true ground of being. Thomas Merton, no stranger to Asian thought, brings a vivid, modern idiom to the timeless wisdom of Tao.

©1965 The Abbey of Gethsemani (P)2018 New Directions

What listeners say about The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Commentaries Needed

It's difficult to tell whether this is a good translation. I've read other books where commentaries were included so the inexplicit passages were explained.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wow

Always a pleasure to hear about the similarities as opposed to the differences.
Book leaves you in deep reflective thought.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My mind is blown

This shall be a book I will read a thousand times and will still learn something new. Profound teaching appropriate at all time.

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3 people found this helpful

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A must read!

A must read for anyone searching for answers and truth about them selves and the universe.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Merton is amazing

Everything I read or listen to by Merton is powerful and thought provoking. This is a great short listen worth every minute.

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A Shining Gem of Wisdom

Deepest gratitude to Chiang Tzu, Thomas Merton, and all others who contributed to getting these words into my ears. I’ve forgotten them already!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Merton brings the Tao alive.

Less poetic but more prescriptive, this work is a perfect companion to the Tao. I go back to it often. It’s a sermon to be enjoyed and lived.

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Peaceful smile

Taoist is a journey into simple peace and this book echoed that!

If you like Taoism it is a must!

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It's okay

The book is really brief, and though I'm not disapointed in the purchase, I don't feel I've really learned that much.

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Academic and Haughty

Books by Derek Linn on the subject of Chuang Tzu are far more practical and useful.

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