Author: Cleary, Thomas

Compiled by Zhang Tianyu, a 14th-century Taoist priest, this collection of biographical and historical sketches portrays over 100 remarkable Taoist adepts over 2,000 years, from the 11th century BCE to the 13th century CE. This panoramic view of the many faces of Taoism includes intriguing accounts of Taoist secret societies, mystical exercises, and powerful consciousness-altering techniques such as sensory deprivation, incantation, visualization, and concentration. Renowned translator Thomas Cleary's expert translation and informative footnotes make this collection a lively and accessible read. 304 pp.