Lao Tzu (the Taoism guy)

[Phaedrus]

If I became a Taoist and wrote a book from a Taoist perspective, it wouldn't mean I'm the same type as Lao Tzu or that all Taoists are the the same type as Lao Tzu was.

Of course not. And neither have I said anything about Lao Tzu's type. I have only said that Taoism is and IP.

Zen and the Art of M.M. is sitting on my bookshelf, but I've yet to read it. Zen I think has roots in Taoism, but it is not the same thing as Taoism.

It's not the same thing, but the "temperaments" are very similar. And the book on your bookshelf has very little to say about Zen. It is much more interesting. I envy you if haven't read it yet. I wish I could read that book for the first time again ... that experience you can only have once in a lifetime. Don't miss it (and have patience the first 100 pages or so).

Tao te Ching It does seem kinda Ni though...

Yes, no doubt.