The Lunar Tao: Meditations in Harmony with the Seasons

It's a good overview of Daoism and Chinese traditions and philosophy. There are some memorable fables in it and a few truly thought provoking passages, while others at times feel like fluffy filler and shallow metaphysical woo. I wish the format was better presented and that the book marked the Lunisolar months and days on each passage instead of the day of the lunar year number. This would make it easier to follow along with a lunisolar calendar as you read it. Also the reading passage for Qixi comes a few days after 7/7 on the lunisolar calendar if you are following along day-by-day. I noticed the same thing happening for the Ghost Festival. Maybe it's a miscalculation, but I've compared it with multiple calendar sources to ensure it is actually off. Not sure why things started to come a few days late about halfway through the book. The holidays all lined up before that. I've enjoyed it enough to commit to reading it for an entire year, which is the best praise i can give any daily reader. It follow the seasons and flows through themes rather naturally. I can't say I'd ever pick it back up to read it twice, but it's definitely a handy reference material for the things that stick out to you or for looking up historical or cultural facts. I've been highlighting passages to reference later.

There is a distinct similarity between a tree’s source of strength and that of a human being. It is in the roots. A tree anchored in healthy roots will strive and be strong. The same is true for human beings. Our roots are our origin and that which we are part of: our families and nature. Uproot us or estrange us from our families and nature and we will be weakened. A whole spectrum of mental and physical problems may cascade over us. But our problems don’t have to be lasting or permanent. Often they are resolved simply by returning to our roots.But how do we find our way back to our roots? Sometimes we need someone to show us, because there is so much noise in our lives that we can no longer think clearly. Our learned, detrimental behaviors and habits are so ingrained that we feel utterly lost. The Lunar Tao is a guide we can turn to if we feel lost. It is the work of a real person, Deng Ming-Dao, an experienced Taoist master who, through his extensive knowledge and vast insight, shows us how.By its very definition, Taoism is a nature-based philosophical tradition. In The Lunar Tao, Deng Ming-Dao gradually and systematically reconnects us, through stories, poetry, and meditations, with our roots of family and nature. He shows us the value in festivals and rituals and in being in tune with all the changes that are taking place in nature. Soon we come to realize that we are actually microcosms within a macrocosm, and the same cycles of nature are paralleled within ourselves. Through observing nature and everything that is going on in it, we gain a better understanding of our own nature and what is going on in ourselves.We don’t have to be pummeled by the currents of life like a piece of driftwood in a wild river. By following along The Lunar Tao’s eloquent, poetic and narrative illustrations of the natural cycles of all life we gain insight into who we are, what our inherent needs are, and how to reconnect and stay rooted. Thus, we regain our strength and inspire new hope to successfully navigate life’s constant changes and turbulences. After all, aren't those turbulences not just like heavy winds or storms that will eventually subside and make way for sunny skies again?

Not as good as his other books such as 365 Tao which I’ve found to be excellent. Seemed to be too much of everything thrown in.

I found "The Lunar Tao" to be very informative in a daily reflective kind of manner along with some needed and not so needed history of China, Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.Good book. I have purchased several as gifts.

I am a yoga teacher and I am always looking for ways to harmonize my classes with the seasons and their traditions. (Even though yoga is from India, mostly, there are some forms that have roots in China) This book is really helpful for that. Well organized and succinct as well as inspiring.

How he integrates: tradition, knowledge, history, analysis and gives a book to enjoy, use and share. I strongly recomend it even if you like me, are not a Taoist (yet). The excercises are the cherry of the cake!

Good for daily reading and repeated reading and reflection.

Deng Ming-Dao has a gift of explaining complex concepts into a much easier to understand explanation. I haven't read the entire book at this time but from what I have seen this will be an enjoyable read!

For anyone interested in Tao and Chinese culture this is a lovely, very approachable compilation. It brings together the various strands of philosophy, religious belief and practice, folk culture, physical and mental exercises in a very digestible way. It leads one step at a time - day by day - a rich meal eaten in small, tasty bites so that it can be properly savoured. Suitable for dipping in like a plate of dim sum, or to be studied with the the complexity of a Chinese banquet.

Deng Ming-Dao text is always worth the read. The newer the publication, the better in my opinion.Thanks Deng Ming-Dao

Amazing book. It reaches down and really touches my soul.

Great service and interesting very detailed book

Great for Daoist study and a bit of Chinese history and folk religion a really nice book