Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

—Lao-Tze

Recommended Reading.

The I Ching - Underpins all of Chinese thought & philosophy. It's a study of the nature of change relating to the interplay of yin & yang & is often used as a divinatory tool. The James Legge translation is a good starting point but there are many versions out there.

Lao Tzu – “The Tao Te Ching”  ... "The Way & It's Virtue" - considered to be the seminal work on Taoism (Daoism) the philosophy upon which Tai Chi Chuan is based. Once again there are many translations. The new translation by Ursula Le Guin is particularly good.

A. C. Graham – “The Book Of Lieh Tzu”  ...Taoist philosophy.

Professor Burton Watson – “Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings” ...more Taoist philosophy - slightly more challenging than the Lao Tzu & the Lieh Tzu.

Sun Tzu & Ralph D. Sawyer – “The Art Of War (History & Warfare)” ...can be read as a treatise on Tai Chi Chuan.

Lin Yutang - "The Importance of Living: The Classic Bestseller That Introduced Millions to the Noble Art of Leaving Things Undone"...the title speaks for itself - a truly life affirming read. Buy this book!

Miyamoto Musashi – “A Book Of Five Rings” ...written by a renowned swordsman - philosophical but with the distinctly martial in mind. Often studied as a modern approach to business management.

Douglas Wile – “Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions” ...Yang family training tips, philosophy, instructions etc.

Adam Hsu – “The Sword Polisher’s Record: The Way Of Kung Fu” ...fantastic book with great training tips and information regarding authentic martial arts including Tai Chi Chuan.

Stuart Alve Olson – “Tai Chi & The I Ching” ...well written book that ties Tai Chi in with the I Ching - very interesting & informative.

Stuart Alve Olson – “Steal My Art” ...book about the late great Tai  Chi master T.T.Liang.

Deng Ming Dao – “365 Dao” ...Taoist thoughts for every day of the year.

Deng Ming Dao – “Chronicles Of Dao” ...the story of Taoist monk Kwan Saihung - reads like a novel & is full of Taoist lore, martial arts, philosophy, history, etc. Highly recommended.

Wolfe Lowenthal – “There Are No Secrets” ...book about the late great master Cheng Man Ching (Zheng Manqing). Gives valuable insight.

Bob Klein – “Movements of Magic” ...both of Bob's books are excellent and contain some unusual training ideas.

Bob Klein – “Movements of Power”

Chen Kaiquo, Zheng Shunchao & Thomas Cleary – “Opening The Dragons Gate: The Making Of A Modern Taoist Wizard” ...similar to "Chronicles Of Dao" - fascinating story about a remarkable monk.

Cheng Man-ch'ing - "Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on T'ai Chi Ch'uan"...essential reading.


Sun Lutang & Tim Cartmell - "A Study of Taijiquan"... excellent biography of the late great Sun Lu Tang with unique insights into his methods & thinking.


Bruce Kumar Frantzis - "The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I" ...comprehensive & informative.

Richard Bach – “Jonathon Livingston Seagull” ...everyone should read this book. An inspirational story about the importance of following your own path.