How wonderful to get a glimpse of the Course that is connecting all that is, was and yet to be. Experiencing such a moment seems like a unique experience - one that might only be available to a select few and needs to be shared. Of course it is only natural that people who believe they have some unique insight should now instruct others on the method they have used to reach this blessed state of mind.
Nevertheless - a little research goes a long way - the ancient texts are overflowing with useful guidance on how to walk the path and where it might lead you to. The question beckons - do any of these recent books on spirituality really offer more insight or are they just re-hashing the classics for personal gain? Are they just re-heating the ancient tea and serving it as something fresh?
It is true that many books in the classic Taoist Canon are written using old parables and cryptic references that seem to obscure the path rather than clarify. A starting scholar of Taoism will have a hard time finding a "Taoism for Dummies" in the old Canon (DaoZhang). Some people might be drawn to more modern interpretations and ready-to-consume conclusions of Taoist Philosophy rather than go through the effort of researching the classics and comparing interpretations to get a glimpse of the ancient wisdom.
Personally, I attached to various Taoist teachers for some years and followed their guidance in regards to the books to study and the way in which to interpret the classics. The countless conversations with my teachers on topics ranging from the benign to the intricate would direct my practice and forge my thinking and experience.
Theory and Practice
However method you use to study the Tao, one should be aware. True insight comes from looking within (hence the name in-sight) - reading more books on spirituality does not deepen the spiritual experience. After studying the Taoist classics and many discussions and meditations with teachers, one discovers that they ultimately have to let go of all this precious knowledge. The mystic pass cannot be crossed until all the baggage has been convincingly thrown overboard.
In the pursuit of knowledge, the scholar gains something every day. In the pursuit of Tao, the sage looses something every day.
