Religious Books > Thomas Cleary Religious Books

Advantages: Good insights, good passages
Disadvantages: A few translations are a bit awkward

...seeks out English translations of The Taoist 'I Ching' or 'The Art of War,' Cleary's version is probably the edition most likely to be found. Thus, the work in this book, 'The Essential Tao,' an initiation into the heart of Taoism through the authentic 'Tao Te Ching' and the inner teachings of 'Chuang Tzu,' carries a great pedigree. It fully lives up to expectations. These two works, which together describe the essentials of the philosophy and practice ...
...keeps much of the distinctiveness of the original Chinese. The 'Tao Te Ching' and 'Chuang Tzu' cover a wide array of topics, from traditionally religious subjects such as mysticism, spirituality, morality, and cosmology, to more practical matters such as politics, economics, and even how to manage stress in a stress-filled world (which may account for the rise in popularity of Eastern philosophies as we hurry toward a 24-hour non-stop economy). 'Few ... Read review

Advantages: A good introductory collection
Disadvantages: A bit more description would be helpful

In this continuation of the Essentials series, Thomas Cleary presents a basic introduction to the Koran. Koran (Qur'an, in some transliterations) literally means 'reading' or 'recitation'. According to Islamic tradition, the Koran is a spiritually revealed book, in the way Torah was revealed to Moses or the Gospel message was revealed to Jesus. Connecting to these earlier voices of the same God, the Koran also serves as a clarifier, a standard. The ...
...of faith among Muslims that the Koran cannot be truly translated into any language apart from the classical Arabic in which it was revealed. There is a fundamental difference between Arabic (or, more precisely, semitic) language and western languages. While all of the Koran is sacred for Muslims, there are portions which are more understandable and accessible to the Western reader; Cleary has assembled these together here. 'Arabic, most precise ... Read review

Advantages: Good insights, good selection
Disadvantages: -

...wonderful picture of one of the dominant strands of Asian wisdom, one that has intrigued and fascinated people in the West in the past few generations. Cleary is one of the foremost scholars of ancient Chinese and Japanese. Mostly likely, if you have read a copy of ancient Chinese classic 'The Art of War' (a text widely popular, from historians and military strategists to corporate raiders and managers), it has been one of Cleary's translations. ...
...developed this further volume in the 'Essentials' series, The Essential Confucius, the heart of Confucius' teachings in authentic I Ching order. Confucius is a confusing character to classify. He does not fit the characterisation of the typical religious leader. He certainly did not mean to found a religion. Confucius was an educator, a social critic, a politician, and philosopher. '"The Analects of Confucius" are a basic source for a wide range ... Read review

Advantages: Helps you set your life goals and follow it!
Disadvantages: It may bore you if you aren't focused

...psychologycal ideas and philosophic content. The ancestor of the bestseller - "The Secret" You attract what you think and more emotions you put into, quicker the result will appear. A great weapon for the pesimistic ones and those who've lost their beliefs. This book rearrange you on the right path. It's in onorable place in my library :) Abraham and Esther had made awesome works. Each and every component that makes up your life experience is drawn ...
...the thoughts you think and the story you tell about your life. Your money and fnancial assets; your body's state of wellness, clarity, fexibility, size, and shape; your work environment, how you are treated, work satisfaction, and rewards-indeed, the very happiness of your life experience in general- is all happening because of the story that you tell. If you will let your dominant intention be to revise and improve the content of the story you ... Read review

Advantages: Extremely well written, Counteracts Dawkins arguments concisely, Small book
Disadvantages: Some chapters extremely short, though this is not neceserilly a weakness.

The body of the text in this book talks about extremely complicated philosphical and theological concerning both the existence and nature of God that Richard Dawkins so casually and powerfully attempts to devalue. It is written to form the counter argument to Richard Dawkin's controversial book "The God Delusion" and does just that. Where some authors would be tempted to pile in every argument under the sun to do this, Cornwell is extremely particular, ...
...It is not written as an angry God attempting to shout down a non-believer either. In fact, the peace that is present in the volume of this book is extremely humbling and reminds Dawkins what the Christian doctrine of God and Angels are. Peace, Love, Goodwill. Not Anger, Hate, Suffering. ... Read review