Each Journey Begins With a Single Step: The Taoist Book of Life

by Ming-Dao Deng

This is a book of guidance for life's journey rooted in the wisdom of ancient China. Best-selling author Deng Ming-Dao provides key poetic lines that distill the essence of Taoism, organizing them in the form of a journey. The material here is drawn from three The Tao Te Ching, The Yijing, and 300 Tang Poems. Deng Ming-Dao "We walk the Way each day. We don't know what's ahead and so it's helpful to have the wisdom of others to guide us. They have left us a message to encourage us. They have spoken of the joys, griefs, and purity that we should embrace. Like good pathfinders, they give us direction and prepare us for what we might encounter. They let us walk for ourselves. We have a wonderful companion for the journey." The following lines reflect the inspirational nature of this

"A good traveler leaves no footprints." "Think three times, then move." "Words can be worth a thousand pieces of gold." "Ancestors plant trees. Descendants enjoy cool shade." "A journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step." This is a lovely package that will function as a gift for all occasions and as an object for those looking for daily sustenance on life's journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Poetry, Classics

208 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2018

About the author

AKA Deng Ming-Dao

Reviews

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tao Te Ching, the I Ching images, and numerous poems, organized by theme. I loved it. It was a new way to look at material I was already familiar with and find some gems I was not familiar with. This book is a new friend.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was endlessly fascinating and inspiring, and has excellent translations of the source materials. Not a book to be read in one hit, but sampled and savoured.

[Anima · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick dip in that in which cannot be named.

[Bhuvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Each Journey Begins With a Single Step" by Deng Ming-Dao is a unique offering. It's not quite a self-help book, nor exactly a traditional collection of Taoist teachings. Instead, it functions as a portable source of inspiration, drawing on classic Taoist texts like the Tao Te Ching and Tang Dynasty poems.

The book is concise, with short excerpts and poems arranged thematically. This allows for quick bursts of reflection or guidance throughout the day. Ming-Dao incorporates not just the Tao Te Ching but also the I Ching (Book of Changes) and Tang Dynasty poetry, offering a multifaceted perspective on Taoist philosophy. The small size and attractive presentation make it a lovely gift for anyone interested in Taoism or seeking a touch of daily inspiration.

Due to the brevity of the entries, the book doesn't delve deeply into complex Taoist concepts. Readers seeking a comprehensive exploration of Taoism might need to look elsewhere. Some core themes recur throughout the book, which might feel repetitive to those reading it cover-to-cover.

"Each Journey Begins With a Single Step" is a valuable companion for those already familiar with Taoist principles, offering a way to reconnect with core ideas or gain a quick dose of serenity. While it might not be the most substantial introduction to Taoism, it serves as a charming and thought-provoking reminder of the philosophy's core message: even the grandest journeys begin with a single step.

[Gerry Grenfell-Walford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing but a little too sophistic for my tastes. When one line has six, seven or more possible interpretations, I can admire the beauty and elegance of the poetry, while at the same time feel frustration at the lack of semantic precision. That's the point: slow down, consider, work it out. It won't just be given to you. Wisdom is earned.
I get that.
My point is that life is short and rushes by with dismaying speed, so kindly say what you mean clearly please!
I do love and appreciate the emphasis on paradoxes - it's a really neat trick to flip perceptions around and consider things from various angles. Like seeing the negative of a photo: consider not the things but the space around them, etc...
Anyway, fun, but I'm not sure I'm buying what they're selling!

[Bhuwan Chand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refresher to all that is so refreshing and insightful from the ocean of ancient Eastern Wisdom. Labelling it Chinese philosophy, literature, Taoism, etc. etc. is utterly futile... It's a gift from our ancestors, to be preserved for future generations. We are nothing but tiny flecks of dust, our times are nothing but fleeting moments, these words are testaments of human potential, our ability to understand what seems unfathomable and to explain succinctly what seems utterly unimaginable...

I am going to return back to it again and again and again...

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars. I thought this was a really neat collection— I’m trying to learn more about Taoism and its philosophy/history, and this was the first book I picked up. It’s categorized into various sections such as Peace, Cultivation, Non-Action, etc with teachings gathered from multiple sources regarding a specific section. I feel like this book is something you can always come back to if you’re looking for some inspiration.

[Buck Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bucktube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GSbW...

You know how in movies, ransomers would make their letters out of clippings from magazines? It's that, but instead of typeface, it's entire swaths of Eastern wisdom from various Taoist texts, arranged like a mood board into the vague shape of a narrative. It's like a concept album.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very relaxing to listen to while I did some mixed media art. Beautiful imagery!!

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome wisdom

[Linus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little compilation of short passages from different Taoist and Confucian sources, recommended to anyone interested in Chinese philosophy or history.

[Justyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit if everything, some wise, some a bit outdated
Interesting none the less.

[Fer Grajales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need to read it again.

[Florence🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half interesting second half meh, maybe because the second half seemed a lot more dated?? Hmm.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this while gardening, and it really should be a book slowly read. Still, glad ive gone thru it once. Next time, text not audio.