Taoism : the parting of the way

Welch starts with an analysis of the main metaphor in the Tao Te Ching, then moves on to a historical look at how taoism changed and morphed in Chinese society, and ends with a chapter on what Laozi might say to Americans today. For me, the explanation of the metaphors and seeing those metaphors

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contrasted to the dominant philosophy around me were the most valuable parts of the book.

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I don't know much about Taoism - this book did a good job of outlining the basic shape of the tradition. It's from the 1950s, so surely there has been a lot of progress in understanding that it misses. But as a doorway, it gives me a simple map for my further studies.

It starts with a discussion of

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the Tao Te Ching. Mostly it just outlines the different layers or different interpretations... it introduces the challenges in understanding the text. It then goes into a history of Taoism over about 1000 years, major currents that merge and split. Then it gives a more topical sketch of evolution over the past 1500 years. Finally it has a rather wild vision of Lao Tzu commenting on contemporary American society. I have no idea how this would have come across in the mid-1950s! He touches on many vital topics, but kind of tip-toes into any kind of subtle thought... whatever new understandings scholars might have achieved about the history of Taoism, how to incorporate that tradition into life today, that's a topic that has seen tremendous progress - seems to me! Ask Gary Snyder, for starters!

I've been exploring Tai Chi, the movement discipline. This is not mentioned in this book. It's a wonderful way to bring a Taoist perspective to life! For me, reading this book was a first step in expanding my understanding beyond the more narrow scope of Tai Chi movement.

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A sorta western view, fairly technical & historical, with interesting parts. I may have learned more about history and society than religion.