Anyone who has read the Tao te Ching will agree that it is an ambiguous scripture. The individual stanzas contain many pearls of meaning, but the reader is befuddled on the entire meaning. Like any similar scripture, it has been left to subsequent commentaries to divine the inner meaning of the Tao.
This volume is one such commentary. Written in the 18th Century it gives the wide explanation of the Tao, its cosmology, its application to humans, and in the process eloquently reveals the deep mysteries of the universe.
This tract explains the Tao and comments on other commentaries. Yet all is revealed. The origin and cycles of the universe, the origin of consciousness, the oscillating movements of the ying and the yang, the explanation of internal alchemy, the operation and purpose of the Great Elixir, the mystery of birth, life, and death. These are the great issues. The Tao refers to these core topics in an indirect, poetic way; the treatment in this commentary is direct, illuminating and insightful.
The central emphasis is internal alchemy. The alchemy in this book contain all those elements you would think are found in an alchemist’s den: the Mercury, Tin, implements, furnaces, the fire, all with the purpose is the find the Elixir. In internal alchemy the elements and implements are metaphors and the Elixir the symbol of that original pre-material, the precelestial state.
The language of alchemy is a secret coded language, with ordinary words having deeper, occult meanings. The alchemy of the Tao is no different. This commentary is useful in deciphering the imagery used in the alchemical aspect of the Tao.
This commentary is prefaced with an excellent introduction. It is very comprehensive and is written by the translator, Farbrizio Pregadio. It could probably be read in lieu of the text it is so complete, but do yourself a favor, read the text, in addition to the introduction. It will be a great experience.
- Paperback: 180 pages
- Publisher: Golden Elixir Press (28 November 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0985547510
- ISBN-13: 978-0985547516
- Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 1.1 x 20.3 cm
- Boxed-product Weight: 268 g
- Average Customer Review: Be the first to review this item
