Ask the Awakened: The Negative Way [Paperback]

Wei Wu Wei (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2003

Between the years 1958 and 1974 a series of books appeared that were attributed to the mysterious Wei Wu Wei. Perhaps the most important of these works, Ask The Awakened, is now available in a new edition. This work draws on a variety of sources, including Taoism--specifically the texts attributed to Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu; Buddhism--especially the Heart, Diamond and Lankavatara sutras; and Chan Buddhism as taught by Hui Neng, Huang Po, Hui Hai, etc.; as well as the teachings of Padmasambhava and Sri Ramana Maharshi, among others. Wei Wu Wei joins Paul Reps, Alan Watts, and Philip Kapleau as one of the earliest and most profound interpreters of Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies. The depth of understanding evidenced in Ask the Awakened places it in the top tier of modern spiritual classics. This classic gem of Eastern spirituality is especially timely in the current climate of interest in Buddhism. Wei Wu Wei's unique and fresh interpretation of the ancient teachings opens the reader's eyes: "Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 per cent of everything you think, and of everything you do, is for yourself--and there isn't one." This powerful book rewards by exposing illusions, and takes the reader beyond logic to the inexpressible truth of existence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A book about asking yourself how to tap the infinite resources of True Nature--and arriving at very precise answers. -- Douglas Harding, author of On Having No Head

If you relish conceptual challenge in the spirit of Zen and Taoism, then you’ll find this book a treasure trove. -- Pilgrims UK

Wei Wu Wei goes right for the root. He takes away everything, and leaves nothing. Then he takes that away. -- Joan Tollifson, author of Bare-Bones Meditation

From the Publisher

From the Foreward by Galen Sharp: "My original copy of Ask the Awakened, here on the desk beside me, was published in 1963, almost 40 years ago. It is heavily marked with margin notes and underlining, important pages have been turned down at the corners and a bunch of ragged bits of paper are sticking out all over to mark places of special significance. Quite possibly this crisp new book that you are holding in your hands will look just like that in a year or two. The portrait of Hui Neng, the sixth patriarch, on the frontpiece of that edition instantly reminds me of Wei Wu Wei's deeply penetrating understanding of the early Ch'an masters. I continue to be awestruck by this every time I open one of his books. One can also tell that although he was enormously serious about the subject, it was also a great source of pleasure and fun for him. It will help to start this book with the assumption or, if you can manage it, the belief that what Wei Wu Wei is telling us is absolutely true as far as can be expressed. Your own intuition will soon recognize the ring of truth. But it may not be what you expect. And instead of mentally arguing about the parts that one may not agree with or that do not make sense, set that aside for a while and just try to understand how it could be true because he is speaking to us from actual experience, not from conjecture, theory, learned doctrine or even from mere belief. This is a rare opportunity." (2001)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 203 pages
• Publisher: Sentient Publications; 1 edition (September 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971078645
• ISBN-13: 978-0971078642
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars masterpiece, November 14, 2002

By 

None (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ask the Awakened: The Negative Way (Paperback)

Most people are probably not ready to read this book (not trying to be arrogant here) or will not see much sense in it. But for serious students of adavita, this book is a jewel. Ramana Maharashi and Nisgardatta Maharaj were the true sages of our time but their written material may not directly appeal to our 'advanced' logical and technological mind. It's just too true to appeal to us. This book, however, does a fabulous job of explaining the unexplainable. Other books that are written for the 'modern' time are by Ramesh Balseker. Read Maharashi's Talks or Maharaj's "I am That' or any books by Wei Wu Wei or Ramesh Balseker if truth is what you are after. Remember the first thing these guys will tell you, however, that your seeking truth is the problem. You ARE the truth. There is nothing to gain or loose. When there is no light or darkness, you are. When there is neither hate nor love (love as known by modern humans), you are. In fact, when there is no dualistic AND non-dualistic worlds, you are. You are during the gaps in your thoughts. You are 'subjectivity' - not a subject neither an object. Anything you think you are, you are not (neti neti). ANY thing that could explain the truth is an illusion. There is no subject that could understand the truth as an object. Everything is a concept (humans, earth, love, nirwana, samsara, liberation, suffering, universe, technology, progress - anything) and concepts are not real. They are illusions. Of course all of the above is a concept and hence unreal.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When the Dreamer Wakens....., April 10, 2003

By 

Orva Schrock "Author of "Worthless Boy"" (goshen, in United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ask the Awakened: The Negative Way (Paperback)

This is a rich and beautiful collection of short essays, quotes, and commentaries regarding the glorious "path" of Nondualist Realization. The mysterious Wei Wu Wei shares wondrous bits of the highest wisdom from his own understandings and insights but also quotes liberally from Taoism, Zen, Vedanta, Buddhism, and other more obscure sources. This vital collection includes over 100 short pieces, some a page or two, some only a paragraph. We know little about the "author". We know he spent time with the great Ramana Maharshi in India before Ramana left the body. However, the author's own high realization shines through as he beautifully developes his "negative way" theme in this great book. For the reader interested in giving up his self in favor of his Self, this grand collection offers much to ponder, numerous fingers pointing at the moon. If we think, however, that finally these wise sayings will enlighten us while we retain ego and selfish interests, we will enjoy a good read but still not get the message: "There is no path. The image is misleading - for there is nowhere to go and no one to go anywhere. There is only looking in the right direction...no one does it, nor is anything done..." I highly recommend you get the book. Its beyond the understanding of the rational mind, but these pithy koan like sayings may very well move us a little closer to the Real. A little closer to seeing we are no thing. A little closer to a clear view of the void. A little closer to finding the key to the gateless gate. A little closer to realizing the greatest secret of them all.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely one of the best!, February 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ask the Awakened: The Negative Way (Paperback)

This book is the single most amazing thing that has happened to my life! It is a book to read over and over again because what you get from it is very different depending on what stage of development you are at when you read it. Regardless of when you read it, it is full of inspiration! If you are searching for a book full of wisdom, look no further. If you are exploring the meaning of the non-dual, look no further. If you are exploring the nature of consciosuness and the subject-object differentiation, look no further. This book would benefit people best if they had a little background on Eastern philosophy. If you are not informed about Eastern philosophy, I would highly recommend the delightfully written book, "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It is an excellent book that explains all of these things starting from a "Western" perspective but ultimately leading up to an understanding of non-dualism. It is quite amazing also. I truly think that these are perhaps the two best books on this topic.