Suggested Reading
Teacher Training Workshop
Any translations of the Tao Te Ching are acceptable for the Teacher Training Hours reading and writing assignment. Our personal favorites are:
Tao Te Ching- Lao Tsu, A New Translation
By Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English
Tao Te Ching- A New Translation
By Stephen Mitchell
Certificate:
Participants who complete the requirements earn a teacher training certificate for the total hours of the workshop plus four hours for the assignment that is applicable towards teacher certification in Taoist- Yin and Yang Yoga.
Requirements:
To earn a certificate, students must attend all days of the workshop plus read two translations of the Tao Te Ching and write a personal reflection of at least 100 words on a chapter of their choice. Attendees who do not wish to earn the certificate are not required to write an essay.
Teacher Certification
Study credits hours are required for reading and writing your choice of either book reports, essays, outlines, or synopses on books from the following list. Original and relevant poems and short stories may also be admissible pending our approval.
“The Shambhala Guide to Taoism” is the textbook for the certification course. Study credit hours for “The Guide to Taoism” require writing an outline of the book.
Students are free to chose any combination of titles from any categories on the list. However, a minimum of two thirds of the books read must come from the Taoist categories. Reading a selection of individual essays or chapters from a book IS acceptable. Credit for reading will only be given when accompanied by a written work about the book. (Exception: “The How and Why of Chinese Painting”- see below*)
Students must keep a log of all study hours spent and submit the log along with your writing assignments. Please write the title of the book and the sections you have read on your papers.
Students interested in taking the Taoist- Yin and Yang Yoga Teacher Certification course can begin submitting reading and writing assignments now.
Please email writing assignments to
pauliezink@gmail.com
or post mail to
Paulie Zink
1685 Custer Gulch Rd.
Lavina, MT
59046 USA
Shambhala Publications
Any book titles listed in the Shambhala.com section on Taoism are acceptable to read for study credit
Three Pines Press
Any book titles and electronic publications from ThreePinesPress.com are acceptable to read for study credit.
OVERVIEWS OF TAOIST TRADITIONS
The Shambhala Guide to Taoism
( OUTLINE REQUIRED- course textbook)
A complete introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of an ancient Chinese spiritual tradition
By Eva Wong
Book titles listed in the Bibliography for Further Reading are acceptable to read for study credit.
Taoism- The Road to Immortality
By John Blofeld
The Secret and Sublime- Taoist Mysteries and Magic
This book is based mostly on the author’s experiences as a guest of Taoist recluses
By John Blofeld
Daoism and Chinese Culture
Basic historical introduction, very readable, used for undergraduates- author’s note
By Livia Kohn
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
TAO TE CHING
Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition
This book contains a comprehensive verbatim translation and gives the literal definitions of all the Chinese characters in the original text
By Jonathon Star
The Way and It’s Power
A study of the Tao Te Ching and it’s place in Chinese thought
By Arthur Waley
Lao-Tzu and the Tao Te Ching
By Livia Kohn and Micheal Lafargue
TAOIST PHILOSOPHY
Tao- The Watercourse Way
By Alan Watts
The Tao of Pooh
This book explains Taoist principles using Winnie the Pooh as an example of a Taoist master
By Benjamin Hoff
The Taoist Experience: An Anthology
Selection of Taoist texts and short excerpts, very enjoyable- author’s note
Edited by Livia Kohn
Living with the Dao
Conceptual issues relevant to Daoist practices
By Livia Kohn
CHUANG TSU was a fourth century BC Taoist philosopher and storyteller. These are different translations of his work:
Chuang Tsu- Basic Writings
Translated by Burton Watson
Chuang Tsu-Inner Chapters
A new translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English
The Way of Chuang Tsu
By Thomas Merton
TAOIST WOMEN
Divine Traces of the Daoist Sisterhood
By Suzanne Cahill
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
Women in Daoism
By Livia Kohn and Catherine Despeux
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
TAOIST POETRY
Immortal Sisters- Secrets of Taoist Women
Translated and edited by Thomas Cleary
TAOIST MYSTICISM
Early Chinese Mysticism
An overview of Taoist mysticism through the middle ages
By Livia Kohn
Daoist Mystical Philosophy
By Livia Kohn
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
TAOIST ALCHEMY
Taoist Yoga- Alchemy and Immortality
By Lu K’uan Yu (Charles Luk)
Chinese Alchemy- The Taoist Quest for Immortality
By J.C. Cooper
TAOIST FOLK RELIGION
The Eight Immortals of Taoism- Legends and Fables of Popular Taoism
Translated and edited by Kwok Man Ho and Joanne O’Brien
Facets of Taoism
Essays in Chinese Religion
Edited by Holmes Welch and Anna Seidel
TAOIST HEALTH PRACTICES
Chi Kung
Taoist Secrets of Fitness and Longevity
By Wen Mei Yu
The Taoist Ways of Healing
The Chinese art of Pa Chin Hsien
An introduction to the complete system of ancient Chinese Taoist health arts
By Chee Soo
Daoist Body Cultivation:
Traditional Models and Contemporary Practices
Edited by Livia Kohn
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
Health and Long Life:
The Chinese Way
By Livia Kohn
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
Chi Kung
The art of mastering the unseen life force
By Lily Siou, Ph.D.
Bragg Healthy Lifestyle*
Body purification, toxicless diet & healing system
By Paul C. Bragg N.D., Ph.D and Patricia Bragg N.D., Ph.D.
*This is not specifically a Taoist book, however it qualifies as a Taoist category
TAOIST ETHICS
Cosmos and Community
By Livia Kohn
(Three Pines Press- Pub.)
TAOIST PAINTING
The How and Why of Chinese Painting
By Diana Kan
*Copies of original artwork inspired by this book are admissible for study credits
RELATED TOPICS
The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grows
The Rediscovered Diary of Opal Whiteley
This is an amazing work by a magical child, a true Taoist!- Maria
Presented by Benjamin Hoff
Bonobo
The Forgotten Ape
I highly recommend this book for its insights into our own animal nature and social potential- Maria
By Frans DeWaal and Frans Lanting
Peacemaking Among Primates
By Frans DeWaal
Chimpanzee Politics
By Frans DeWaal
The Journey Home
What near death experiences and mysticism teach us about the gift of life
By Phillip Berman
The Archaic Revival
Speculations on psychedelics, mushrooms, the Amazon, virtual reality, UFO’s, evolution, the rebirth of the Goddess, and the end of history
By Terrence McKenna
The Natural Mind
Explores non-ordinary states of consciousness
By Dr. Andrew Weil
The Great Cosmic Mother
Rediscovering the religion of the Earth
By Monical Sjoo and Barbara Mor
Truth or Dare
Encounters with power, authority, and mystery
By Star Hawk
The Sacred Hoop
Rediscovering the feminine in American Indian traditions
By Paula Gunn Allen
The Politics of Women’s Spirituality
Essays on the rise of spiritual power within the feminist movement
This book presents excellent perceptions into the ways patriarchy alienates us from our authentic natures
Edited by Charlene spretnak
SHAMANISM
The Spirit of Shamanism
By Roger N. Walsh
Shamans, Healers and Medicine Men
By Holger Kalweit
Walking in a Sacred Manner
Healers, dreamers, and pipe carriers- medicine women of the Plains Indians
By Mark St. Pierre and Tilda Long Soldier
Shape Shifters
Shaman women in contemporary society
By Michele Jamal
Shaman, Healer, and Sage
How to heal yourself and others with the energy medicine of the Americas
By Alberto Villoldo
Hallucinogens and Shamanism
Edited by Michael Harner
Shamansim
An expanded view of reality
Edited by Shirley Nicholson
I’m always interested in suggestions for the reading list. Other book titles may be admissible for study credits pending our approval. Contact Maria at
pauliezink@gmail.com
