Transforming Emotions
Chia, Mantak, with Dena Saxer. Taoist Ways to Transform Stress into Vitality. Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Universal Healing Tao Publications, 1985. Out of print in the U.S.
Sankey, Mikio. Discern the Whisper: Esoteric Acupuncture. Vol. 2. Ingle-wood, CA: Mountain Castle Publishing, 2002.
Chi Kung (Qigong)
Chia, Mantak. Awaken Healing Energy through the Tao. New York: Aurora Press, 1983.
________. Iron Shirt Chi Kung I. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2006.
________. Tao Yin. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2005.
Chia, Mantak, and Maneewan Chia. Awaken Healing Light of the Tao.
Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2008.
________. Fusion of the Five Elements I. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co 2007
Chia, Mantak, and Juan Li. The Inner Structure of Tai Chi. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2005.
Chia, Mantak, with Dena Saxer. Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist Way of Rejuvenation. 2nd ed. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2006.
Reid, Daniel. The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity. London: Simon & Schuster, 1996. A valuable comprehensive overview of and guide to Taoist history, philosophy, meditation, exercise, and nutrition by a devoted practitioner.
Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching in English
Chia, Mantak, and Tao Huang. Door to All Wonders. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2001. An analysis of Tao Te Ching according to esoteric Taoist philosophy, by two chi kung practitioners and teachers. Includes a plain translation of Tao Te Ching by Tao Huang with Edward Brennan with some fresh insights. Second edition: The Secret Teachings of the Tao te Ching, 2005.
Feng, Gia-Fu, and Jane English. Lao Tsu: Tao Te Ching. New York: Vintage Books, 1972. A poetic, clear version with beautiful photos of nature.
Keping, Wang. The Classic of the Dao: A New Investigation. Beijing, China: Foreign Languages Press, 1998. A recent, plain translation with extensive interpretations by modern Chinese scholars.
Le Guin, Ursula K. Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book about the Way and the Power of the Way. Boston: Shambhala, 1997. A clear, poetic version with passion and humor, featuring helpful paraphrases and intriguing commentaries at the ends of many chapters. Includes both genders as “wise souls.”
Waley, Arthur. The Way and Its Power: A Study of the Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought. New York: Macmillan, 1956. An elegant, clear version by a Chinese scholar, with helpful paraphrases and commentaries at the ends of most chapters.
Chuang Tzu’s Writings
Chuang Tzu. The Essential Chuang Tzu. Translated by Sam Hamill and J. P. Seaton. Boston: Shambhala, 1998.
Feng, Gia-Fu, and Jane English, trans. Chuang Tsu: Inner Chapters. New York: Vintage Books, 1974. A clear translation with beautiful photos of nature.
Taoist Philosophy
Kaltenmark, Max. Lao Tzu and Taoism. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1969.
Ni, Hua Ching. 8000 Years of Wisdom: Conversations with Taoist Master Ni, Hua Ching. Bk. 1. Los Angeles: College of Tao and Traditional Chinese Healing, 1983.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver. New York: Congdon and Weed, 1983. A comprehensive introduction to TCM.
Maciocia, Giovanni, CAc. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1989. For practitioners and students of TCM.
Reid, Daniel. The Shambhala Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Boston: Shambhala, 1996. An excellent brief introduction to a complex system.
Nutrition
Berry, Linda. Internal Cleansing: Rid Your Body of Toxins and Return to Vibrant Good Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1997. Practical, natural methods of cleansing and rebuilding health by a chiropractor, nutritionist, and Taoist instructor.
Fallon, Sally, with Mary G. Enig. Nourishing Traditions. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: New Trends Publishing, 2001. An excellent resource combining traditional wisdom and modern scientific findings. Stresses the importance of fermented foods and animal fat, including butter. Includes preparation guides and seven hundred recipes.
Jensen, Bernard. Foods That Heal. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing, 1988. A valuable guide to a healthy, natural diet by an American pioneer in nutrition. Analysis of foods according to their nutrients and therapeutic value.
Katz, Sandor Ellix. Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green, 2003. The best book we know of on fermenting foods. Easy, precise recipes for sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, bread, kombucha, wine, and other unusual ferments.
Ni, Maoshing. Secrets of Self-Healing. New York: Avery, 2008. Healing foods and herbs, acupressure and exercises for wellness and for common ailments.
Ni, Maoshing, with B. S. McNease. The Tao of Nutrition. New and expanded ed. Los Angeles: SevenStar Communication Group, 2000. Clear presentation of Taoist nutritional guidelines, benefits of common foods, and dietary remedies.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1993. An excellent and comprehensive reference book for nutrition, including Taoist, Ayurvedic, and Western dietary principles, preparation guides, and over three hundred recipes.
Sankey, Mikio. Support the Mountain: Nutrition for Expanded Consciousness. Inglewood, CA: Mountain Castle Publishing, 2008. Combines the Chinese Five Element approach to food with naturopathic medicine and whole, raw foods. Recommends minerals and their foods for each element. Stresses foods that support a higher spiritual vibration.
Taoist Sexology
Chia, Mantak, and Douglas Abrams Arava. The Multi-Orgasmic Man. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1996.
Chia, Mantak, Maneewan Chia, Douglas Abrams, and Rachel Carlton Abrams, M.D. The Multi-Orgasmic Couple. San Francisco: Harper-Collins, 2002.
Chia, Mantak, and Rachel Carlton Abrams. The Multi-Orgasmic Woman. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Publications, 2005.
Chia, Mantak, and Maneewan Chia, with Marcia Kerwit. Healing Love through the Tao: Cultivating Female Sexual Energy. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, Bear & Co., 2005.
Chia, Mantak, and Michael Winn. Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy. New York: Aurora Press, 1984.
Modern Science in Sync with Taoist Theory
Capra, Fritjof. The Tao of Physics. 2nd ed. Boston: Shambhala New Science Library, 1985.
Gershon, Michael D. The Second Brain. New York: HarperCollins, 1998.
Pearsall, Paul. The Heart’s Code. New York: Broadway Books, 1998.
Pert, Candace B. Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine. New York: Scribner, 1997.
Ancient Sufi Wisdom
Hafiz. The Gift: Poems by Hafiz, the Great Sufi Master. Translated by Daniel Ladinsky. New York: Penguin, 1999.
Rumi, Jelaluddin. The Essential Rumi. Translated by Coleman Barks. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.
Modern Spiritual Wisdom
Beesley, Ronald P. Esoteric Christianity. Kent, England: White Lodge Publications, 1975. Profound analysis of the roles of Soul and Spirit. Out of print; try esoteric book websites, such as Abebooks, Powell’s, or Alibris.
________. The Path of Esoteric Truthfulness. Kent, England: White Lodge Publications, 1976. Superb and accessible; excellent understanding of emotions, Soul, and Spirit. Out of print; try esoteric book websites.
________. Yoga of the Inward Path. Kent, England: White Lodge Publications, 1974. Available from DeVorss & Company. An invaluable guide to the principles of spiritual development.
Chopra, Deepak. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Novato, CA: Amber-Allen Publishing and New World Library, 1993. A clear, succinct presentation of the basic spiritual laws that lead to fulfillment in all of life.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Self-Reliance. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper Press, 1967. Emerson’s philosophy resonates with Taoism.
Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. New York: Dutton, 1982. A wise and delightful presentation of Taoism, as practiced by the ultimate Taoist sage, Winnie-the-Pooh.
Ming-Dao, Deng. 365 Tao. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1992. Beautiful, intriguing poems and insights for every day of the year.
Tolle, Eckhart. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Novato, CA: New World Library, 1997. Inspiring, clearly presented guidelines for grounding one’s body, for emotional release, and for evolving spiritually.
Human Anatomy
Memmler, Ruth Lundeen, and Dena Lin Wood. Structure and Function of the Human Body. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1983.