本書以非傳統和新穎觀點講解《老子》。它有下列四個特點。第一，綜合《通行本老子》和《帛書老子》的章節，略作次序變動，使章節的編排更為合理。第二，參照《老子》不同版本的文字，取長捨短，細緻地解讀經文。第三，簡要地介紹人智學，並融入其觀點來探討《老子》內一些微妙而深奧的哲理，讓讀者易於瞭解和使用。例如第三章，提出以「實其腹」和「強其骨」的方法來堅強意志。而人智學有對於四肢和新陳代謝與人類意志相關的理論，正好解釋這兩個方法的實效。第四，剖析《太一生水》這篇先秦佚文，再突顯出《老子》與人智學相互呼應的密切關係。
《老子與人智學》以淺白的文字為人們提供一條切實可行的途徑，方便地協調精神修養和物質生活。它介紹老子對「道」的教誨和實踐：如何培養「無為」的精神，讓心思平靜，達到沒有欲望牽扯的
精神境界。既能提高辦事的效率，還可安詳地與大自然融為一體──像水一樣，謙柔而不與人爭；與上天如出一轍，慈愛及常待人以善。
Description of English edition
According to tradition, Lao Tzu wrote the eighty-one short chapters of his Tao Te Ching around the sixth to fourth centuries B.C.E. It became the foundational philosophical work of Taoism, significantly inspired early masters of Zen Buddhism, and, for more than a century, has been widely embraced in the West as an astounding work of universal truths. Through deceptively simple imagery, Lao Tzu gave us a guide to life, both spiritual and physical, that is no less valid today than when it was written more than 2,500 years ago.
Claire Sit brings us her translation of the Tao Te Ching and, through her deep study and understanding of that text, examines each chapter and places it in the light of Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophy. In the process, she shows how--although the path of Tao and that of Anthroposophy seem quite different--they complement each other and share many qualities and, in many ways, illumine the hidden truths each has to offer. As in Anthroposophy, on the path of Tao one looks within to know the world and into the world to know one's self.
Just as we can learn much about ourselves by looking outward to the world and to others, we can also better understand the depths of Anthroposophy by penetrating wisdom traditions beyond our own path. Indeed, Lao Tzu and Anthroposophy will generate much food for reflection and meditation for the reader.
