Book Review-The Tradition of Natural Taoism: The Way of Free and Easy Wandering in Oneness by Jason Gregory

Book Review

The Tradition of Natural Taoism: The Way of Free and Easy Wandering in Oneness

By Jason Gregory

Publisher: Inner Traditions

224 page E-Book

Release Date: September 9th, 2025

After a short winter break, I’m back at it tons of reviews to get out to you all! First up, The Tradition of Natural Taoism. For those who have been following my articles, I’m sure this is no surprise, as I spent much of the summer working with Taoism and Buddhism. This book introduces the reader to applicable, easy practices to be at one with the all. The way of nature, or Tao, is distilled into modern concepts, and modern life is applied to the Tao.

Gregory posits a need for structure within Taoism, which sounds contraindicated given how individual Taoism is as a practice and belief system. Gregory gives structure to Taoism, and chapter by chapter, the reader is immersed in the Taoist world view, able to easily apply it in daily life. This is a book of applied Taoism-that is, how the Tao can be applied to everyday life, not just contemplative meditation.

Starting with the basics (a distilled version for the beginner, so as not to get lost in a philosophical quagmire), the author introduces the reader to Taoism through its most pertinent ideas and concepts, and then goes on to actually living in accordance with those concepts and ideas. Wu wei, or effortless action, is the key concept in this book, and the message rings clear: in a hustle and bustle society, we need to slow down, and do nothing. And we can do nothing while doing something. Non-action resulting in action; such is the essence of Wu Wei.

I have no issues with this book, and found it to be a nice break from my normal pagan-centric reading, while also reminding me of my Taoist roots. As such, I give The Tradition of Natural Taoism a 5/5 Pentagram rating. Well done!

Jason Gregory is a teacher of philosophy, comparative religion, metaphysics, and ancient cultures. He has authored many other books, including Effortless Living, Emotional Intuition for Peak Performance, Fasting the Mind, and Enlightenment Now. His documentaries include The Art of Effortless Living, Effortless Action: The Art of Spontaneity, The Yugas: The Great Time Cycles of the Universe and The Art of Synchronicity.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin is a Polytheist, Pagan, Animist, Witch, Sorcerer, Paranormal Investigator, Amateur Folklorist, Chaos Magician and Occultist. He embarked on his spiritual and magickal journey over 15 years ago. As such, he has extensive knowledge of The Occult, Ceremonial Magick, Chaos Magick, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and both modern and ancient world religions and folklore. He is a practicing Sorcerer, blending ceremonial high magick, chaos magick and witchcraft, as well as plant medicine, poisonous plants and entheogens, shamanic techniques, and mysticism. He believes that magick can be as simple or as complex as one needs it to be, and rejects dogma, instead trusting his intuition, and encourages other magickal and spiritual folks to do the same! He venerates and casts magick with a wide array of spirits and deities, and works with both the Left and Right Hand Paths, having experience in both. He has also studied eastern philosophies such as Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. He is an Astrologer and Tarot reader and actively studies and practices many other forms of divination including Runes, Ogham, Palmistry, Lenormand and Scrying. An animal lover, he sees divinity in nature-the trees, plants, animals and sky.  Also an avid reader, you’re hard pressed to not find him nose deep in a book, most likely on an occult, mystical, religious or magickal subject. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns for PaganPages.Org. He gives readings and other spiritual services through his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see! You can reach him on Facebook, or e-mail him at [email protected]