Customer Reviews

Grace Unfolding: Psychotherapy in the Spirit of Tao-te ching

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In using this book as an extra reading for a Counseling Strategies class, I found that the authors brought to life client-centered and gestalt philosophy and techniques. In addition, a number of students decided to seek counseling themselves to experience the process of unfolding and self-discovery. The best part of this book is the emphasis on the power and courage of the individual client and on the catalyzing and compassionate role of the therapist who guides the individual toward trusting his or her own process as he or she moves toward greater wholeness and healing.

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in compassionate, client-centered approaches to psychotherapy, whether as a client or practitioner. A remarkable contribution to the art of psychotherapy as well as a soothing and uplifting read. An interest in eastern spirituality is not necessary to enjoy and appreciate this work.

This book was loaned to me years ago -- I was intrigued, never actually plunged into it, and eventually returned it. Then I ultimately purchased it, but again put it aside for another day. Now apparently was THE time. Since I could no longer find my copy, I purchased it again.

Even if it took the 3rd exposure and some seeking after a lost book, I am glad I finally plunged in. Have some regrets I didn't follow through earlier, but then again ... perhaps my worlds are more appropriately aligned now to receive its wisdom.

The book selects passages from the Tao-te ching as translated by a few different authors, frequently Stephen Mitchell. I found these highly relevant -- provoking thought, meditation, connection and feeling to the chapters for which they were chosen. I am not a psychotherapist. However, with some respectful modifications it was easy to see how the depths of these principles regarding nondoing and nonviolence can be helpful at many levels in our world and community ... especially in the setting of other healing relationships.

There is not only a lot of grace in this book, if one engages with it, that grace continues to beautifully unfold throughout and beyond its pages -- hopefully into the lives of its readers and all the persons with whom they communicate. I'm eager now to see more about how grace can unfold in and through me.

I'm a big fan of Tao Te Ching, and also an admirer of Ron Kurtz, the co-author of this book, who is also the father of modern-day body-centred therapy, Hakomi. In combining the two I thought "how could they go wrong?!" Unfortunately I could not enjoy this book because, apart from one or two inspiring passages, it mostly discusses buddhist mindfulness and Hakomi methods, accompanied by (usually) irrelevant passages from Tao Te Ching.

Another criticism is that the majority of their quotes are taken from Stephen Mitchell's Tao Te Ching. Mitchell is criticised widely by scholars and fans of Tao Te Ching because he does not know Chinese but instead paraphrases ligitimate translations of the text, adding into the verses his own interpretations of what he thought Lao Tzu was trying to say, and omitting other passages as he pleases.

The authors are to be praised for advocating a peaceful, non-directive approach to therapy, but I can't help but feel disappointed and ripped-off by a title that promises to be about Taoism, but is primarily about buddhism and Hakomi.

This book is a very simple and beautiful book that captures the essence of what is perhaps most important to pay attention to in doing and being in psychotherapy(and in life for that matter). This is a gem of a book and I recommend it to therapist and layperson alike.

This book is my bible and I learn and understand more of the wisdom within everytime I pick it up. I have already given copies to two of my dearest friends. I am now buying a third copy to give to another. I recommend it to everyone who is a practising counsellor or psychotherapist.