43 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the serious Tao student!, April 13, 2004
This review is from: The Tao of Inner Peace (Mass Market Paperback)
I consider myself a student of Tao, having read Taoist classics including the Tao Te Ching, the I Ching, and the Chuang Tzu. I have also read the Tao of Pooh, Everyday Tao, and the Tao of Physics just to name a few. I also practice Tai Chi. Therefore, I cannot fully express the disappointment I felt while reading Dreher's the Tao of Inner Peace.
Why? It did not seem to gel with Taoist principles. In fact, Dreher's presentation of Tao is hampered by a distinctly western perspective, more influenced by Hippie culture than by far eastern mysticism. Though Hippie culture is somewhat based on Zen, and Zen is based on Taoism, Hippie culture is not Taoism proper. In fact, at the closest, her presentation is Taoism twice removed.
Although there are a few pearls of wisdom, they are hidden within what turns out to be a thinly veiled treatise on Green Party Politics. The book is hampered by militant political views. Though it is true that Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching to be a guide to proper leadership, that leadership is 1) by example, and 2) meant to be performed naturally and subtly. Dreher's politics, however, are blatant and combative, encouraging an activist role. Traditionally, Taoists are non-political and withdraw from public life. So it was with Chuang Tzu. Even Confucius, that pinnacle of ancient Chinese politics, after studying the I Ching and after meeting Lao Tzu looked back on his life with regret. He felt he had pushed to hard for law and order, and had not simply withdrew and lived the simple life free from chaos and disorder.
The meditations in this book are also very western, having been directly selected from self-help guidelines. Thus, they are more 'new age' and 'trendy' than Taoist. The practice of Tai Chi and Chi Gong have existed for centuries, but are mentioned briefly if at all. In their stead are new age, pop psychology practices such as daily affirmations.
In conclusion, Dreher seems to have used the increasing popularity of this ancient philosophy to further her own political cause. Though her intentions were good, I felt she had done Taoism a disservice. It is similar as to how Christian evangelists misuse the bible to combat homosexuality. Dreher uses "her own translation" of the Tao Te Ching, taking Taoist concpets out of context and spinning them to suit her own ends. For example, she uses the term Tao person and describes what qualities she expects a Tao person to have. In Taoism, a follower of Tao is referred to as a sage or a perfect man and has qualities not quite the same as Dreher's Tao person.
In conclusion, I feel this book is a mascarade, a politically charged book disguised as a source for modern Taoist wisdom. I regret having to write so harshly a review, but the Tao is close to my heart. Having someone twist it to suit their own purposes without fully understanding it affects me deeply. The misuse of a 3000 year old philosophy to benefit a comparatively insignificant political view is what kept me from enjoying this book. Please, stick to the taoist masters like Alfred Huang.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a decent introduction to modern Taoism., January 6, 2002
This review is from: The Tao of Inner Peace (Mass Market Paperback)
This book has quotations from the "Tao Te Jing" interspersed with personal experiences amd anecdotes.
I would rank about 90 - 95% of this book as excelent.
Unfortunately; Ms. Dreher fell into preaching militant environmentalism in that 5-10% that I have no use for.
I am 100% in favor of protecting the environment for future generations. However a real Tao person (in her vernacular) understands there needs to be a balance somewhere so that nature can be protected, and allowing mankind to take what is necessary to sustain life.
I encourage questions and comments about my reviews; Two Bears
Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Practical Applications of Ancient Wisdom Principles, February 28, 2004
This review is from: The Tao of Inner Peace (Mass Market Paperback)
Diane Dreher takes on a daunting task ... teaching modern human beings how to live a more harmonious life ... using ancient Chinese texts written by Lao Tzu. She does an admirable job and achieves her goal ... for the highly motivated reader. First, the book is divided into sections that cover the concepts in a logical sequence. Her divisions are I. "The Way: Then and Now", II. "The Inner Way", III. "The Way of Nature", IV. "The Way of Life, and V. "The Way of Peace". I like how she starts each chapter with a translation of a specific Chinese quote which illusatrates the concepts and principles to be covered in the chapter. She amplifies the meaning of the text, bringing it up to date for modern consumption. The goal of her book is to help the reader become a "Tao person" defined as "someone who recognizes and works with the patterns of nature." {p. 5, Harper Perennial Paperback, c. 1990]
I feel her book is very helpful but more so for readers already familiar with the ideas and concepts of creating harmony with individuals and groups. Readers who have already immersed themselves with many of the principles would benefit more from her explanations and in depth analyses. Her everyday examples are very excellent. They are a guide on how to apply the principles to commone situations. No one need feel she is providing an inflexible unalterable route "from here to there". She does not do this ... she covers concepts and principles related to leadership, cooperation, judgements, fragmentation, transcending dualism, centering one's self, embracing the shadow, service to others, problem solving and cycles, timing and readiness, consensus/ group goals, personal power and process improvement. It is a principle based book and therefore some recognition and familiarity with the basic concepts is required for the reader to apply the teaching in their own environment. This is not a step by step technical manual -- there is no such thing.
The reader needs to be aware that life is dynamic and flowing, with energy shifts. Knowing everyone has personal preferences and patterns of behavior which are predictable but nonetheless changing ... learning to align one's self with the Tao will help create more inner and outer harmony, therefore more winners than losers. This book is highly recommended for those willing to explore personal energy and group energy along with the dynamics of success and failure. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
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