FREE AUDIOBOOK | Effortless Living
Effortless Living is fast becoming a book to understand the Eastern mind and way of life. Not only is it popular among Taoists and people interested in Taoism, but it is also being read by Hindus, Buddhists, and secular people as well, since it merges Taoist philosophy, Hindu principles, Buddhism, and Confucianism with recent scientific findings. My intention for the book was to reveal the way of nature that we can all live without force or control, allowing the Tao to run its natural course. To thank everyone for supporting this book over the years and all of my wonderful YouTube and website subscribers, I have uploaded the introduction to the audiobook version for free. I hope you all enjoy. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
Why the World is Not Real (What is Maya?)
In this podcast, we will explore if the world is an illusion. One of the most ancient spiritual concepts is the Sanskrit Maya, which is often translated as illusion in the sense of the material world we see. But this translation was from Europeans new to Hindu knowledge and, as a result, was translated according to a European perspective that is mainly Christian. To understand such concepts as Maya, we have to understand them from the Hindu perspective and worldview. In saying all of that, Maya is the knowledge that the world is not real, but not the world you think of. The illusion of Maya is much more subtle. What is the illusion of Maya the Hindus have been speaking about for thousands of years? NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
My Top 5 Books of 2020
My Top 5 Books of 2020 2020 was an amazing year for books. There were so many great new releases and my new book Emotional Intuition for Peak Performance was published as well. But for myself personally, I reverted back to the classics and read some new translations of texts that I am very familiar with. Usually there will be an odd book in my top five that has nothing to do with Eastern spirituality and philosophy, but this year my top five is strictly books on Eastern spirituality and philosophy. My list of 2020 are books that will give you a deeper understanding of the great traditions and, of course, life and your true nature. Please leave a comment below and tell me which books you read this year and any you would recommend. Without further ado, here is my top 5: Hua Hu Ching: The later Teachings of Lao TzuBy Hua-Ching Ni The Hua-Ching Ni translation of the Hua Hu Ching is in my opinion the best. He encapsulates the cultural nuance that surrounds the text and Taoism itself more than other translations. The text itself is brilliant. I believe that this stands alongside the great Tao Te Ching and in some sense is an extension of its teachings. One problem many scholars and Taoist purists have with this text is that it delves into concepts such as reincarnation. This makes many believe that the Hua Hu Ching is not really a later teaching of Lao-tzu, but rather a combination of Taoism and Buddhism created by later cultures. We can see why some would be concerned, but I don’t share the same concerns. What the Hua Hu Ching does best, is it explains some of the finer details of Lao-tzu’s teachings whilst introducing such concepts as reincarnation. Though, keep in mind that reincarnation is often considered as an original Taoist concept and not something that was imported with Buddhism. Nevertheless, this text is a must have for any serious Taoist or spiritual seeker. It explains thoroughly the relationship between the Tao and a human being. BUY HERE (affiliate link) Self-Knowledge (Atmabodha)By Swami Nikhilananda The Atmabodha is one of the greatest texts from the great Advaita Vedanta sage, Shankara. In my opinion, Self-Knowledge could be Shankara’s best work, even more so than the Vivekachudamani. He explains in fine detail the nature of Atman (undifferentiated consciousness) and Brahman (the Ultimate Reality for which Atman is identical). This is why the text is called Self-Knowledge, meaning Self with a capital S to denote the Atman which is Brahman. This Self is our true nature, but the problem is our ego becomes our ordinary initiator of consciousness which eclipses our recognition of our true nature. Self-Knowledge acts as a remedy for this hypnosis. As Shankara explains in the text, it is all well and good to practice Bhakti yoga (loving devotion to a deity) and Karma yoga (selfless and unselfish action), but if you don’t practice Jnana yoga (path of knowledge and abidance in Brahman) then you won’t have knowledge of the Self, which is why we are all born in the fist place according to Advaita Vedanta. What makes this particular translation special is Swami Nikhilananda’s introduction. Personally, I find his translations the best when it comes to Vedanta, but his introduction in this book runs to page 114 and it is a deep teaching on Advaita Vedanta, one of the deepest actually. He explains almost everything anyone needs to know in 114 pages. This text is a must read for anyone interested in understanding their true nature. BUY HERE (affiliate link) Zen: The Authentic GateKoun Yamada There are many books I’d recommend for anyone new to Zen Buddhism. But what sets this book apart from the rest, is I’d also recommend this book to advanced practitioners as well. It is for both beginners and those who have walked the path for many years. Koun Yamada has an amazing ability to synthesize the most complex aspects of Zen into a language we can all understand and benefit from. What makes this book extra special is that Koun Yamada was the leader of the Zen sect known as Sanbo Kyodan, which is a combination of the two primary Zen schools, Rinzai and Soto. So when he teaches Zen, he explains it from the perspective of both schools because they are synthesized into Sanbo Kyodan. In this book, he explores the suffering of the world, the philosophical tenets of Zen, and also how we should practice to become natural again. This is one of the best books on Zen Buddhism, period. Koun Yamada has left behind for all of us a treasure trove of wisdom that will help our understanding of what it means to be Zen. BUY HERE (affiliate link) The Mandukya Upanishad with Gaudapada’s Karika and Shankara’s CommentaryBy Swami Nikhilananda The Mandukya Upanishad is one of the greatest texts in the world and the most important if you want to understand Advaita Vedanta. It is an intense teaching on nonduality. It reminds us constantly of our nondual nature which reveals how much of our lives is lived in dualistic thinking. But this translation by Swami Nikhilananda is special. As with his other translations, he has a great knack for explaining the depth of the teachings and making them accessible to anyone. His translation of the Mandukya Upanishad, Gaudapada’s Karika, and Shankara’s commentary are second to none. One of the reasons this particular text is important is because of Gaudapada’s Karika and Shankara’s commentary. The Mandukya Upanishad on its own is wonderful, but with the help of the two great Advaita Vedanta sages, Gaudapada and Shankara, we learn the true nature of ourselves. Both made the Mandukya Upanishad accessible from their time until now. What was once a mysterious text hard to understand since the era of the Upanishad’s, is now a great teaching we can understand if we let our ego go. We can thank Gaudapada
Tao Te Ching Chapter 3 Explained: The Art of an Empty Heart
In this podcast, we will dissect chapter three of the Tao Te Ching to give you ultimate clarity on the meaning of the chapter. This is the third episode of the 81 Meditations of the Tao Te Ching, a series where we will explore each chapter of the Tao Te Ching. In the third chapter, the wise sages teach us to empty our hearts and weaken ambition to help us understand our essential human nature. We can come back to our nature by turning our backs on the artificial desires socialization creates and instead return to our natural simple desires (desires of the belly). Freeing ourselves from our attachment to artificial desires/cravings allows us to follow the path of noninterference, where we understand truthfully that when nothing is done, all will be well. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
New Merchandise at 10% off for You
I’ve been asked by many of you about merchandise. Many have expressed that there are no quality spiritual designs about the great traditions. Well, I agree and thought I’d try my hand at designing some merchandise for all of the community. This first design I created is dedicated to the great Taoist sage Zhuangzi and it highlights his deepest wisdom. The Zhuangzi design is available in a few styles and several colors for both men and women and there are two styles of hoodies available as well. This is only the first design and I will work on some more in the future when I have time between creating YouTube content and writing. To celebrate this first design, I have a special discount of 10% off for all of the community and I will run this from now up until Christmas. Hit the following link and add the promo code TAO33 to get 10% discount on any item https://teespring.com/stores/jason-gregory Remember, in any way you support my work contributes to the evolution of my YouTube channel and future books, so your love and support are deeply appreciated. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
The Heart of the Pilgrim in Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism
In this podcast, we will explain why pilgrimage is important for spiritual growth and understanding. Ultimately, pilgrimage is a deep lesson in humility and surrender, which is why it is recommended for all sincere seekers interested in the Eastern traditions of Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The pilgrim’s heart is often misunderstood because we are socially confining ourselves to comfort zones that don’t really exist other than within one’s mind and fear of insecurity. The pilgrimage is a medicine for this fear to free one from the boundaries we build in our mind that protects an ego that doesn’t really exist. Learn how the pilgrimage can bring you back to your true nature. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
The Taoist Story of Robber Zhi and Confucius | SHORT FILM
Equal to the Tao Te Ching is the great Taoist text known as the Zhuangzi, attributed the great sage Zhuangzi. One of the chapters in the Zhuangzi text is the story of Robber Zhi and Confucius. This passage tests our spiritual understanding of Taoism and essentially reveals any biased moral motivations we may still be holding onto. The chapter itself is one of the least understood and known because of its peculiar nature. But the problem is in how one should understand this chapter. Many took this story for fact and others couldn’t understand it because of their own sense of morality, all missing the beauty of its teachings. This short film exposes the nature of the story is a parody, essentially designed to test your embodiment of the Taoist mind and way of life. Zhuangzi wants to breakdown all of your unnatural conditioning and thrust you back into the real world which is beyond socialization. The words of Zhuangzi are expertly translated by the great Sinologist and writer Burton Watson and narrated by myself. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
The Art of Surrender in Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism
In this podcast, we will speak about the significance of surrender and trust in the great Eastern spiritual traditions. One of the core tenets within Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism is the art of letting go to allow one’s life to accord with That which is much greater than ourselves. But what is that something greater and how to actually let go and align with it? What will happen to our life and sense of self if we allow the ultimate reality’s power to become our power? Find out! NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
Tao Te Ching Chapter 2 Explained: Beyond Good and Evil
In this podcast, we will dissect chapter two of the Tao Te Ching to give you ultimate clarity on the meaning of the chapter. This is the second episode of the 81 Meditations of the Tao Te Ching, a series where we will explore each chapter of the Tao Te Ching. In the second episode, we will explain how amorality, the interplay of opposites, and going beyond the duality of good and evil is imperative in understanding the way the natural universe functions, essentially the mentality to align you with the way of the Tao. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.
Taoism’s Embodied Mind and the Disembodied Myth of the West
One of the main differences between the East and West is how the mind is viewed. From Plato all the way down to Descartes and Kant there has been this belief in the disembodied mind and this perspective has influenced many institutions such as religion, science, and education. Actually, this model is still today the common belief in the West and it is starting to infect the East, especially through education’s focus on being rational. But is the disembodied model of mind the way the mind actually is? The Eastern spiritual traditions, especially Taoism, disagree with this model because of the fact that the West are only focusing on one cognitive function and area within the brain where the seat of “I” consciousness resides and not the whole brain, something that even cognitive science agrees with. The Eastern view essentially is mind-body holism while the Western model is mind-body dualism. This knowledge has been one of the most enlightening for people who have read my new book ‘Emotional Intuition for Peak Performance.’ In this video, I will explain both models. Which model is the truth? Find out. NOTE: This site directs people to Amazon and is an Amazon Associate member. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. The pages on this website may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of maintaining this site.