No Way: A Guide for the Spiritually "Advanced" [Paperback]

Ram Tzu (Author), Ted Kingdon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1990

Ram Tzu says, 'Ram Tzu is accessible from many levels of misunderstanding. 'Serious students of enlightenment are in for a wild ride with this little book. The ironic appeal of the subtitle 'For The Spiritually Advanced' barely hints at how little Ram Tzu is impressed by individual spiritual achievement. The 97 free verse poems in No Way are incredibly funny, but for seekers they may also seem paradoxical, heretical, penetrating and insightful. If you re lucky, you ll recognize yourself in its pages - it s good to see when you ve been taking yourself a little too seriously. One minute you ll howl with laughter at people s pretenses, and the next you ll squirm self-consciously as Ram Tzu gleefully points out that you, like the fabled emperor, also wear no clothes. This widely quoted book is guaranteed not to produce any 'self-improvement' in you at all. It has original line drawings by Ted Kingdon, and in Wayne Liquorman's Introduction, he claims not to know who Ram Tzu really is, but don t you believe it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Advaita Press (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929448138
• ISBN-13: 978-0929448138
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #921,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ram Tzu is accessible from many levels of misunderstanding., February 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: No Way: A Guide for the Spiritually "Advanced" (Paperback)

If you are serious in your pursuit of enlightenment you are in for a rough ride. Ram Tzu does not coddle. His truths are self evident to some and heresy even blaspheme to others. The pages of this book are filled with incredibly funny and intelligent paradox, that is all the more stunning because it is delivered at the most dizzying heights of mankind's most cherished beliefs. Ram Tzu is a Zen Master's Master. And like a Zen Master of old if the Student is blinded by his own flame the Master smacks him, on occasion. Ram Tzu laughs at you... But only when you need laughing at. An example form the book: "Ram Tzu knows this...You indulge in self mprovement... and...All you have to show for it is an improved self." If this makes you mad you missed the point. Losing the self is the point not improving it. This book is not for the pius, those that take themeselves too seriously. To the truly enlightened, nothing is sacred. Ram Tzu is truly Enlightened.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, June 20, 2001

By 

Mark K. Dodds (Kirkland, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Way: A Guide for the Spiritually "Advanced" (Paperback)

This book, without a doubt is one of my favorite books. Funny and delightful, it bares open the obvious stupidity of trying to be something you're not.

I've read and reread the book many times. Each time it's new and wonderful. Highly recommended, unless you have areas of your life that are sacrosanct and you don't want to be free.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slap in the face, April 20, 2004

By 

Shiva "thenongod" (One of the floating population) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Way: A Guide for the Spiritually "Advanced" (Paperback)

If you have been wading about in the spiritual path, and got a thought into your head that one day you might be sitting under a tree, and all at once the Truth will be revealed, and you will be doused in holy light, and forever have a saintly smile etched on your face, and will commune with the spirit, and recognise your true self, your face before your parents begot you...Then this book is indeed for you, coz it will slap you back into your senses. To quote from the book "You are your own worst enemy. Ram Tzu is your friend, so he will have to kill you to save you from yourself."