Scholar Warrior: An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life

by Ming-Dao Deng

Book Overview

In this beautifully illustrated offering of ancient wisdom, Deng Ming-Dao shares the secrets of the spiritual path handed down to him by Kwan Saihung, his Taoist master, as well as by herbalists, martial artists, and other practitioners of the ancient arts. Deng shows how Taoist philosophy and practice may be integrated into contemporary Western lifestyles for complete physical, mental, and spiritual health. He provides an abundance of philosophical...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062502328
• ISBN13: 9780062502322
• Release Date: December 1990
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

ABC of Taoism

This is a good reference introduction to westerners on Chinese Taoism, in philosophy and religion. It covers the external way of exercise and internal way of nutrition for physical health. Deng is a master of Taoism in the Bay Area. He points out the yin and yang of the universe that nothing is eternal such as the Roman Empire, British Empire and American Empire. The White House and some congressmen need to know this truth of holding the hegemony. Learning Taoism will be the opening of wisdom of happiness and freedom.

A very good reference for all things Taoist...

Deng Ming Dao provides a very thorough overview of the history, general techniques and theory of many aspects of Taoism. The sections on Qigong and meditation are excellent and there is lots of food for thought here. The recipes are rather humourous in my opinion but it does bring up the important aspect of healthy eating is balanced eating.I believe there are better historical accounts (see Grigg's "Tao of Zen") but overall this book is very informative. I really like the quiet tone and ego-less method of trying to convey the information.

Just how does one properly practice Taoism? Here's how...

This book is a remarkably comprehensive guide for the modern practicing Taoist. It stands alone among the numerous volumes published on this pragmatic religion/philosophy for this very reason: it is not just another commentary on the works of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, but rather a treatise on how the actual living philosophy has been applied to daily life for over 2500 years. Deng Ming Dao has accomplished a bit of a miracle here, for he has synthesized an admittedly confusing tangle of ancient Chinese Taoist traditions (many of them contradictory) and has presented the essence of the ancient wisdom and practices for the contemporary reader. Deng, like most Taoists, is a realist: he urges the practitioner to attain a level of absolute and "effortless" mastery (Wu Wei) in whatever endeavor he/she undertakes in this life ON THIS PHYSICAL PLANE. This is accomplished through persistent practice and daily focus...Taoism is NOT about "going with the flow", but rather about following the path of the heart without giving in to societal pressures or feelings of doubt. The Way has typically been walked by the "rugged individualists" of the world, NOT those who follow the herd. This is the uncompromising quest for perfection, and this perfection can only be attained if the individual is healthy in mind, body, and spirit, all of which Deng sees as being totally interdependent: one with a sick body can not have a healthy mind and one with an underdeveloped mind can not benefit from a healthy body. Hence, the intellectual must not have disdain for physical workouts and the athlete must not shun books. Indeed, roughly half of the book concerns itself with physical health: herbology and qigong breathing/stretching exercises are lucidly described. In regard to herbal remedies, Deng stresses prevention of maladies through the use of herbs as opposed to their uses as cures for diseases (in which case, he tells us, we must naturally turn to the aid of licensed physicians). I should note here that you will probably need to order many of the herbs that Deng reccommends through mail order if you do not live in an area with a "Chinatown" (addresses for mail order herb outfits are provided). The Way of the scholar warrior is a difficult one and it is not for everybody, but for those who wish to "be all that they can be" and who are willing to "just do it" (isn't this the whole essence of the Tao Te Ching?), I highly reccommend this book as a ready guide.

A great guide

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to apply the principles of taoism to their daily lives. Deng Ming-Dao is an amazing writer/teacher and comes across as a close friend without ever sounding condescending. This book has become a very valuable resource for me, and I can't recommend it enough. EDIT/Update (3/2007): It has since been told to me that Ming-Dao's teacher is a fraud, so I suppose take the information in this book with a large grain of salt.

Very, Very, Very Good

Whether you are seeking a new path in life or simply want to learn about the history and practice of Taoism in a not-quite-textbook context, this is the book for you. Written with sensitivity, grace, and insight, this is a book to read and read again.

great intro to practical taoism

Here's one person writing about Taoism who doesn't try to make it all "sweetess and light." Almost all the way through Deng is completely credible. The stretching and qigong exercises are great, too. More info on meditation would have helped, but that's the book's only shortcoming.This book won't please the heads-in-the-clouds New Agers, but so what?