Best Taoist Philosophy Books of 2025

The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a must-read for anyone interested in military strategy and history. This complete edition includes the Preface, Introduction, appreciations of Sun Tzu, Apologies for war, and Bibliography, making it the definitive version of the text. The book is composed of 13 chapters, each devoted to a different set of skills related to warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. It has influenced both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond. The book is a true classic that belongs on every bookshelf!

The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text that offers meditations on the nature of the Tao, the source of all existence. This edition, translated by Sam Torode, makes the ancient work accessible to contemporary readers with poetic language. The Tao Te Ching is beloved by seekers all over the world, and this particular edition has received high praise for its memorable quotes and lightweight travel size. The book offers wisdom that can be read in half an hour or a lifetime and is a testament to humanity's connection to the universe.

The Tao Te Ching: A New English Version by Stephen Mitchell is a bestselling and widely acclaimed translation of Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, providing advice that imparts balance and perspective. The book teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao – the basic principle of the universe. Mitchell's rendition of the Tao Te Ching is gemlike lucidity that is radiant with humor, grace, largeheartedness, and deep wisdom. Overall, this book is a treasure, and Mitchell's great talent is to communicate with profound simplicity, making the obscure transparent and available.

Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer is a motivational self-help book that offers 81 distinct essays on how to apply the ancient wisdom of Lao-tzu to the modern world. Dyer has compiled the entire 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching and has reviewed hundreds of translations to provide balanced, moral, spiritual advice and guidance. Each chapter focuses on living the Tao and concludes with a section called "Doing the Tao Now." This is a book that will change the way you look at your life and offers the opportunity for positive change.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is an essential work of both Confucianist and Taoist philosophy that has influenced Chinese culture for over 3,000 years. Richard Wilhelm's translation of this foundational text offers a profound introduction to the Chinese worldview. The book is divided into three parts, with the first and third books providing extensive commentary on the hexagrams and the second book presenting early commentaries on the divinatory text. Wilhelm's deep understanding of the text, gained through years of study with classically trained scholars in China, makes this version an invaluable resource. Overall, this Bollingen edition is an exceptional resource for anyone interested in Chinese philosophy and culture.

365 Tao: Daily Meditations is a contemporary book that offers daily meditations on the Taoist way of life. The book is authored by Deng Ming-Dao, who is an expert in qigong, philosophy, meditation, and internal martial arts. The Tao is a way of life that flows through all life, and harmonious living is to move with it. The book is a great resource for individuals seeking to be in harmony with themselves and their surroundings. The book has been translated into fifteen languages and is a must-read for anyone interested in meditation and the Taoist way of life.

Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, translated by Ursula K. Le Guin, is a fresh and socially relevant take on the great spiritual-philosophical classic of Taoism. The book offers an unparalleled window into the text’s awe-inspiring teachings and their inestimable value for our troubled world. Le Guin's translation is jargon-free, faithful to the poetic beauty of the original work, and conveys humor, insight, and beauty. This book is highly recommended for readers who are discovering the text for the first time or for those who have been longtime readers of the Tao Te Ching.

The Tao Te Ching, also known as the Book of the Way, provides insights on how to live a balanced and serene life. The book offers advice on various aspects of life, including good governance, love, and business, all rooted in the basic principle of the universe, Tao. Stephen Mitchell's version of the text has been widely acclaimed for its lucidity and profound simplicity, making it a gift to contemporary culture. Overall, the Tao Te Ching is an essential read for anyone seeking wisdom and perspective in their daily lives.

The Tao Te Ching book, translated by Jane English and edited by Toinette Lippe, has been a bestseller for almost two generations. The revised edition reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was initially written, while considering changes in our language. With over a hundred new photographs by Jane English, this oversized edition expresses the vast spirit of Tao. The philosophy of Lao Tsu is simple: accept what is in front of you without wanting it to be different. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. Overall, the book offers a useful and beautiful volume that everyone should read.

The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra is a timeless classic that explores the parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism. The book's wisdom has stood the test of time, evidenced by its publication in over 23 languages. Capra's message, "humanity needs both physics and mysticism," is of timeless importance. The book has been praised as a pioneering work of real value and wide appeal. The special edition, which includes a new preface by the author, celebrates the 35th anniversary of this early Shambhala best-seller. The Tao of Physics is highly recommended for anyone interested in the intersection of science and spirituality.