The Second Book of the Tao

By: Stephen Mitchell

Narrated by: Stephen Mitchell

The most widely translated book in world literature after the Bible, Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living. Following the phenomenal success of his own version of the Tao Te Ching, renowned scholar and translator Stephen Mitchell has composed the innovative The Second Book of the Tao.

Drawn from the work of Lao-tzu's disciple Chuang-tzu and Confucius's grandson Tzussu, The Second Book of the Tao offers Western readers a path into reality that has nothing to do with Taoism or Buddhism or old or new alone, but everything to do with truth. Mitchell has selected the freshest, clearest teachings from these two great students of the Tao and adapted them into versions that reveal the poetry, depth, and humor of the original texts with a thrilling new power. Alongside each adaptation, Mitchell includes his own commentary, at once explicating and complementing the text.

This book is a 21st-century form of ancient wisdom, bringing a new, homemade sequel to the Tao Te Ching into the modern world. Mitchell's renditions are radiantly lucid; they dig out the vision that's hiding beneath the words; they grab the text by the scruff of the neck - by its heart, really - and let its essential meanings fall out. The book introduces us to a cast of vivid characters, most of them humble artisans or servants, who show us what it means to be in harmony with the way things are. Its wisdom provides a psychological and moral acuity as deep as the Tao Te Ching itself.

The Second Book of the Tao is a gift to contemporary readers, granting us access to our own fundamental wisdom. Mitchell's meditations and risky reimagining of the original texts are brilliant and liberating, not least because they keep catching us off-guard, opening up the heavens where before we saw a roof. He makes the ancient teachings at once modern, relevant, and timeless.

©2009 Stephen Mitchell (P)2009 Penguin Audio

The most and least important book you’ll ever read

All time. Secret to everything. Listen to it 100 times. All the ancient wisdom you could ever hope for

Really true to knowing nothing of the way.

I hesitated on this book, how can you get a meaningful follow up hundreds of years apart. Nm Stephen's not being Lao- Tru. it's just brilliant.

Profoundly insightful

Mitchell has captured the essence of these timeless scriptures and conveyed their meaning through his highly contemporary and accessible commentary.

A must read

This is an amazing work of wisdom made accessible. I finish one read through and start again . This is a work that soaks in and like the dry sponges we are it takes its own time. Thank you for all of yours Stephen invested in this book.

awesome!

another good book from Mitchell as Good as the first! a must read for all!

Sequel to the Tao Te Ching

Of course there was never a Second Book of the Tao... not until now. I was introduced to his fiction writing with Meetings With the Archangel, but Stephen Mitchell is more widely known for his translations and adaptations of ancient classics such as The Tao Te Ching. He is the translator of Rainer Maria Rilke and the book of Job as well as Gilgamesh and the Bhagavad Gita. One would think it difficult to pen one preeminent translation of a text thousands of years old. But Stephen Mitchell has done just that; over and over again.

The Second Book of the Tao consists of adaptations from the work of two ancient Chinese scholars: a Laotzu disciple, Chuang-tzu, and Tzu-ssu, the grandson of Confucius. While I have read several translations of the Tao Te Ching, there is none to compare with that of Stephen Mitchell. There is no other anthology for the “second book” and so Mitchell’s rendition must remain the best also. This book would be an impossible act to follow were it not written by Stephen Mitchell. As one reviewer put it: “It takes you there.”

Short Book Explaining Tao

It's an excellent book on the Eastern philosophy of Tao with commentary to explain some of the obscure passages. There are a few commentaries that don't fit the tone of the topic, like using foreign words like "bravo" and "muchacho" (perhaps to sound hip??).

Amazing!

If you liked his translation and audio version of Tao Te Ching, you’ll love this one. Full of insights, truth and wisdom.

Second Book on the Art of Living

If you could sum up The Second Book of the Tao in three words, what would they be?

Work of Art

Who was your favorite character and why?

"Stephen Mitchell", I can't help wondering, what goes on in his mind. It is amazing how he can break it all apart, and put it all back together again, in another way, that I can understand. Great book.

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both, and I love the vibrations, rushes. That is my favorite reason I listen to audible books. I can just meditate, and let Stephen Mitchell read the book, and I can enjoy the vibes!

Any additional comments?

I would call it spiritual poetry. It is like a performance for me. I can meditate along the path that Stephen Mitchell, walks me thru. Very well written, and performed. It is another work of art, that I will enjoy having in my library.

Wonderful wisdom - beautifully delivered

A delightful delivery of ancient wisdom - yet it's so refreshingly fresh. For anyone interested in Zen or Tao - this book is like drinking nectar.