Water Moves the Color: Reflections on the Dao De Jing
I don’t remember how I first came across the Dao De Jing, also spelled Tao Te Ching, but I do remember that I was in my early 20s. My soul immediately responded to the poetry of this ancient wisdom teaching. Its words have sung to me over decades, guiding me, inspiring me, teaching me. At some point, I wanted to go deeper than the many translations I had accumulated over the years could take me. So I went back to the Chinese manuscripts and spent years exploring, contemplating, and delighting in the beauty of the characters, finding in them fluid meanings, hidden treasures, and mystic revelation.
I never intended to publish my own translation. But two friends enticed me to do just that by proposing to add their exquisite photos to the text. From that emerged this book with my translations and reflections on the 81 chapters, exponentially enhanced by their evocative photos. The result, I hope, is a book that invites through words and images contemplation of the deep wisdom that reaches across millennia to offer timeless wisdom in today’s world.
This is not a book that requires sequential reading from cover to cover, but a book of meditations, meant to be read a little at a time in any order, savored and considered in the quiet sanctuary of the heart. Even after all these years, I find that each chapter whispers something different to my soul every time I read it. I hope that this might be a book that speaks to you too.
All proceeds from the book are donated to North Pole Studio, a nonprofit art studio supporting artists with autism and developmental disabilities.
Here is a link to order the book from Amazon, or better yet, order it from your favorite independent bookstore.
Thank you!
WONDERFUL – YES – the book is in print – you are a wise and gifted teacher; may the book travel far and wide
Thanks so much, Esther. I appreciate the kind words and good wishes. Fingers crossed.
Betty and I just ordered a copy. We are so excited to add another “Galen Pearl” to our collection and our life.
Thank you so much Bob! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. Love to you and Betty.
Our copy arrived. My first comment is on the physical beauty of the book. The placement of the powerful photos, the choice of font size and style, and the structure by chapter makes this a true joy to own.
Like your other books, this is not meant to be read cover-to-cover in a few sittings.
Rather, time spent thinking about what you have said and what the original text means to convey is a process that must be allowed to unfold.
Example? I have had the book for 6 days and am only on page 7. To rush is to miss so much of its power.
Hey Bob, thank you so much for the feedback, and I’m sorry I missed this comment. Not sure how that happened. I was probably adoring my new grandchild — ha!
I will be sure to pass on your compliments to the other two who really did all the “appearance” part — like the photos, font, layout, etc. They will especially appreciate your comment about the font since that was a BIG topic of discussion. FYI, the photo on the cover is an actual photo — not photoshopped. When I saw it, I knew that was the cover!
I really love this cover! Congrats on the new book.