It's certainly not everyday that you crack open a newspaper or scan internet news sites and find the word, Tao, in a headline. A few days ago, however, that's exactly what I found! In fact, this story involves not only the word Tao but also the words Te and Ching.
Unfortunately, it's not a story that places these words necessarily in a positive light. On May 24, author Stephen Mitchell filed suit against Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Unfortunately, it's not a story that places these words necessarily in a positive light. On May 24, author Stephen Mitchell filed suit against Dr. Wayne Dyer.
In a copyright infringement lawsuit filed today in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, author Stephen Mitchell says Dyer "copied verbatim a significant portion" of his interpretation of the ancient Taoist scripture Tao Te Ching in two separate books.
Dyer, an internationally known author, TV and radio personality, has published at least 30 books espousing his popular mix of self-actualization and spirituality.
Mitchell is a well-known scholar and author, noted for his translations of ancient classics. He's also written interpretations of existing translations, including one called "Tao Te Ching: A New English Version." Mitchell claims in the lawsuit that Dyer copied "at least 200 lines" directly from his Tao Te Ching book to create "Living the Wisdom of the Tao" and "Change Your Thoughts -- Change Your Life," as well as their digital spinoffs.
I have great respect for Stephen Mitchell, and find Dyer's Tao very superficial and "popular." But I leave it to the court to figure out. The real plaintiff in all this should be...Lao Tzu. Just joking.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Lao Tzu will file an amicus brief!
ReplyDeleteIn a way Stephen, pull your Yang out of your Yin and get over it, no one owns the Tao and you have made a pretty penny rewording it yourself.
ReplyDeleteBut I do understand that as a writer you want to protect your work.
RT, Why don't you take a stab at drafting that amicus brief...could be fun.
ReplyDeleteI realize that its like 6 years after your original posts , but what versions or translation do you guys read?
ReplyDelete