Customer Reviews

A Path and a Practice: Using Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching as a Guide to an Awakened Spiritual Life

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Bill Martin is a man of transparent spirituality which on his website he describes as "a blend of Taoist philosophy and Buddhist teachings." From reading A PATH AND A PRACTICE, however, it's clear he didn't just throw the TAO TE CHING and Bodhidharma into an Osterizer and hit start. Instead, Martin has heard the Tao and experienced Zen, integrated his insights and domesticated them for everyday readers.

Two things are immediately apparent upon reading A PATH AND A PRACTICE: it is not a facile self-help book, and nothing has been dumbed down for ease of digestion. The author treats his readers compassionately, simply, and with great patience, much as he must treat himself as he practices the joyful awareness of the ordinary.

I was skeptical at first when I found this book in my local megastore reckoning it was another lame entry into the "Tao of..." field. I soon realized that A PATH AND A PRACTICE was something quite different. After reading it through in its entirety I began it again, this time with the intent to hear, to practice, and to do. Even after the first reading something had already begun to change. I put away my various philosophy and theology books and stopped seeking for 'wisdom from above.' Instead, without any forethought, I began to recognize and experience the wisdom from within.

It doesn't take away one bit from the excellence of A PATH AND A PRACTICE to note that it is a reworking rather than a translation of the TAO TE CHING. The grace and flow Bill Martin brings to the text makes this a unique and uniquely profound meditation on being fully alive in the everyday.

I've met very few authors who's writing made me want to actually go to meet them, but after reading William Martin's 'A Path and a Practice', I've decided that I'd really love to sit down and speak my heart to Mr. Martin.

Although his translation of Laozi's 'Tao te Ching' is pretty far from the original Chinese that it was written in, the SPIRIT of 'the Old Master' prevades every page of this wonderful book.

It's the nearest thing that I can imagine to actually sitting down and learning from old Laozi himself.

And what's more, is that this treasure of a book is written by a man whose heart is wide open.

If you want to learn how to live Taoism in modern times, here in our hectic world, I strongly encourage you to read this book.

Every page of this awesome book is a meditation, and a chance to learn from a teacher who is living the Tao, and writing the Tao, as much as one can, for us to learn from.

This book is much like a deep conversation with a really good friend, who has insight into your own soul and spirit.

If you long to learn real philosophical Taoism, from someone who obvisously lives it out in his own life, I urge you to purchase this awesome book.

It's full of gentle Taoist wisdom and lovely meditations, that you'll be touched by, in a way that will continue, long after you put this book down.

And Mr. Martin, perchance you might read this review, I want to say thank you so much, for writing this heartfelt book.

The Tao te Ching can be poetic or you can be challenged by William Martin to actually live a spiritual life. How does each of us learn to be compassionate, live only in today, allow life to unfold as it will anyway? These are the challenges of this book with a question for each chapter of the Tao in the back. Written to challenge any spiritual individual to live their belief, not just declare it.

This volume is a part of my pracitce on a daily basis. William Martin has taken the profound wisdom of the Tao and created a pathway to internalize the lessons "in the moment" with his insights and qustions to ponder. I highly resommend this book. I have given copies to my clients to help them deepen their own experience.

Having read the English translation of the Tao Te Ching, I found that the author provides some interpretation and guidelines for applying the concepts. His interpretation and guidance are open-ended. I sense no dogma in his words! His words offer ideas to help the reader absorb & understand the Tao concepts. Yes, it is a guidebook. I have opted to get several other of Martin's work as a result. Those considering this book will be best served if they are open-minded and curious.

I love it when something that I really wan to read gets here earilier than projected!!!!!!! I have wanted to read about the Tao Te Ching for a lonf time and the book was in perfect cond.!!!!!!!!!!

A Path and a Practice is just that: "a" way rather than a prescription for "the" way to begin a spiritual journey. I've use it as a morning meditation for a year now. When a friend borrowed it, and kept it, I bought a second copy. The beautiful imagery in the poems remind me to look closely and pause with the beautiful moments in my own neighborhood. They're hidden in secret corners, waiting for those of us who slow down and are willing to see them. The meditations in this book taught me how to slow down and take in the richness this life holds for us. I recommend it for everyone even curious about finding their own way, their own spiritual journey.

Although I cannot evaluate the translation for accuracy, I enjoy this author's interpretations of Lao Tzu. They do ring true for this westerner.
However, I was too optimistic about the potential for a useful "guide" for life.