The Tao of Forgiveness: The Healing Power of Forgiving Others and Yourself [Mass Market Paperback]

William Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2010

Bestselling Taoist author William Martin brings the power of the Tao to the essential practice of forgiveness, creating a unique path from guilt, blame, and shame to peace of mind and freedom.

How do we forgive when forgiveness seems impossible? William Martin, author of the bestselling The Parent's Tao Te Ching, provides practical and time honored answers. He weaves excerpts from the ancient sacred Taoist scriptures together with insightful teaching stories, bringing the practice of forgiveness to readers of all spiritual backgrounds. Each chapter contains two parts-a journey toward forgiveness and a practical exercise in forgiving-and also includes personal anecdotes, poems, and simple exercises.

With the devastating personal and societal damage caused by resentment, anger, guilt, and shame in mind, Martin patiently and compassionately helps readers overcome the ills of "holding on" with the openness of the Tao. In this accessible work, he illustrates how forgiveness is freedom and that the pathway to overcoming anger is also the way to spiritual liberation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With parables, exercises, and "mind meditations," Martin (The Parent's Tao Te Ching) explores forgiveness from a Taoist standpoint. Rather than merely adding a twist of Lao-tzu to this essential yet often difficult action, Martin goes for the big picture. An accepting, nonjudgmental attitude (he calls it "Tao Mind") must come first. Only then can forgiveness of self, others, and the world be possible. Martin's commentary is usually spent contrasting Tao Mind with the strict and resentful conditioned mind. Exercises to locate Tao Mind are interactive; readers who follow them will be breaking plates, walking around with eyes closed, and moving rocks around. Those who jump in and complete the exercises may be pleasantly surprised. Also inspiring is the author's use of analogy. A particularly affecting example places forgiving thoughts within a tea ceremony. Forgiveness is a paradox -- what should be the most effortless thing to do is often the hardest. Fortunately, the Tao is no stranger to paradox, and Martin proves it can be a vital resource for anyone holding on to not letting go.
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About the Author

William Martin is a bestselling Zen and Taoist author of four books. He is the founder of The Still Point, an educational and consulting center in Chico, California, where he conducts workshops and seminars on Tai Chi, Zen, stages of spiritual development, meditation, and religious burnout.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher; Original edition (May 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585427896
• ISBN-13: 978-1585427895
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Martin Bio.

The name given me is William Cecil Martin, Jr. Everyone calls me Bill. I am the spouse of Nancy, the father of Lara and John, and the grandfather of Jillian and Andrew. I live in Chico, California, where I teach at The Still Point Center for Zen Practice. I also write. I am the author of several books on Taoist and Zen thought, including: The Parent's Tao Te Ching, The Couple's Tao Te Ching, The Sage's Tao Te Ching, A Path and a Practice, and The Tao of Forgiveness. You can purchase these books through Amazon or any local bookstore.

My professional history is varied. If my father were alive he would still be waiting for me to get a real job. He was delighted when I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.S. in Engineering. He never really got over it when I left my job as an Electronic Engineer and embarked on a path that led me to a M.Div. degree from Western Theological Seminary and a brief, uncomfortable, stint as a clergy. From there I spent a few years working in Criminal Justice Reform. Then I entered private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist and spent twelve years as a therapist and also teaching counseling at a Community College in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1999, Nancy and I sold all of our furniture, packed our remaining possessions in a 5 ft. by 8 ft. UHall trailer, and moved to the Oregon coast. We spent a year living in a small apartment overlooking the ocean. Nancy worked at a small Inn in Newport and I wrote a book. We walked, talked, and thought about life. We felt the intensity of natural forces - wind, water, and forest. It was a transformative time.

In 2000, we moved to Chico and began The Still Point Zen Center, and a new life. We are delighted with every moment of it.

If you would like to contact me, please do so. [e-mail] or visit our website www.thestillpoint.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle Reminder, May 28, 2010

By 

LuLu ""radio head"" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tao of Forgiveness: The Healing Power of Forgiving Others and Yourself (Mass Market Paperback)

A wonderful book written in kind words. Stories intertwined with insight and excercises that break open your heart. A glimpse into a world where forgiveness is not a moral duty but a spiritual joy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading several times, October 23, 2011

By 

Russell L Viers - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tao of Forgiveness: The Healing Power of Forgiving Others and Yourself (Kindle Edition)

If you open your heart and mind as you read this book, you will be a different person finishing it than you were when you bought it. I'm on my second read and I find the opening chapters now have new meaning to me as I continue on my journey to forgive others, but more importantly, forgive myself.
I've since bought other books by Martin on the Tao and find him a valued Tao Master to help me along my path to a more spiritual life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book review, January 11, 2012

By 

YancyRey - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tao of Forgiveness: The Healing Power of Forgiving Others and Yourself (Paperback)

I actually recommend this book to anybody who is trying to look for a very positive way to view and practice forgiveness. An easy read but very insightful in its simplicity.