A LIBRARIAN’S ORIENTATION
What this book explores
A Christian contemplative’s free renderings of Zhuangzi that open Daoist humor, freedom, and non-striving to Western readers.
EDITORIAL NOTE
Why it’s in the Library
It is an unusually inviting example of cross-traditional recognition without claiming that Christianity and Daoism are identical. The book can open curiosity while also teaching why the mediator's location matters.
Good starting place if…
You are drawn to Thomas Merton or Christian contemplation and want a graceful first encounter with Zhuangzi's humor, freedom, paradox, and non-striving.
Know before you begin…
Merton openly created adaptations from existing translations rather than translating the Chinese text himself. His contemplative affinity is illuminating but selective, so this book belongs beside a reliable translation and tradition-grounded Daoist scholarship.