Derek Lin is the author of Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained and The Tao of Daily Life. This paperback follows in the spirit of its predecessors by combining ancient Taoist wisdom stories and commentaries by the author. The overarching theme is the creativity and ardor which can go into the achievement of success, a popular and widespread topic in contemporary China. The paperback is divided into five modules: Your Spirituality, Your Mind, Your Relationships, Your World, and Your Destiny.
In these stories, Lin conveys messages from the Tao path on cultivating tranquility within, transforming negative energy, making the most of creativity, becoming the authority of your own life, the slippery slope of deception, dealing with conflict, doing whatever you set your mind to do, the folly of clinging to things, and much more.
Here is one of the Taoist teaching stories from the book:
"Once there was a young monk by the name of Tiezhou who was known for his diligent study of the sutras. He went on a trip to visit the most famous temples in order to meet the top Zen masters. He told everyone his purpose was to refine his knowledge.
"One day, his journey took him to an ancient temple, where he saw the monk Duyuan. Wishing to impress the old man, Tiezhou intoned one of his great insights: 'The mind, the Buddha, and the people — all three are ultimately empty."
"Duyuan was silent. Tiezhou thought the old monk must be speechless upon hearing such a stunning truth. He continued, 'The true nature of the present moment is also empty. There is nothing. No understanding and no confusion; no sage and no commoner; no giving and no receiving. The true essence of the entire world is nothing but emptiness.'
"Tiezhou smiled in satisfaction to have delivered such perfect pearls of wisdom. Suddenly, Duyuan hit him over the head with a bamboo stick. Tiezhou was surprised, and then angry. 'Hey! Why you rude monk! What the hell is wrong with you?'
"Duyuan replied with calmness and amusement. 'If all is emptiness, as you clearly stated, then what is the source of your anger?' "
