Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Truly a beginner's, COMPLETE book of "the way"., 26 Jun 1999
By A Customer
I believe I was like everyone else in thought, that I could try to be healthier, but that I wouldn't feel THAT much better. But I did, and I did. So much so that I took Reid's suggestions (ancient Chinese wisdom) to extreme, my life so much better for it. It's amazing how much improvement can be made from diet alone. Acupuncture and herbs can tweek your condition, but the most substancial improvements are made with diet as described in this book. I found great improvements with every aspect tried - including colonics. Areas of possible improvements are endless. With true effort following this book, I have cured my allergies, improved my vision, controlled Reynaud's phenomenon, and have been sick only twice in the past two years (both just a head cold. My most prized improvement has been clarity of mind, best described as level of awareness. I also recommend Reid's, "The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing", as an important compliment. Although this second one is repetishous of "The Tao ...", it has some sound info on food profiles (p.108) and some important material (not in "The Tao ...") on replenishing or building up your lactobacteria colony, especially following any colonic irrigations. If you have interest in taoist philosophy and practice, "The Tao ..." is a great place to start, covering most every aspect "the way" can be applied and reaped in ones life. Happiness and Wholeness.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
inauthentic, sometimes harmful, interpretation of tao., 19 Feb 1999
By A Customer
It often happens that the original precepts of a taoist concept are lost in translation -- these ideas are difficult for Chinese, even before introducing the myriad difficulties of translating between two very different languages (Chinese and English). Sometimes when this happens, the gentle spirit is preserved, if still diluted. Meaning is lost, or mixed into a debased and generalized new age concept of Eastern religion/philosophies. This is harmless enough. But sometimes what gets lost in the translation is the vigilant care and gentleness that is central to the taoist practices. The yin gets lost, superceded by the Buddhist yang, which can transform many of the healthful practices of the taoist tradition into dangerous and degenerative practices. I must say, with some regret, that the author of this book finds himself in this position. Much of the information in this book is extremely valuable, particularly that which is concerned with diet and digestive health, if one is careful to know where the author strays from the path. Where he strays, especially in regards to sexual practices and colon cleansing, his advice becomes unhealthful. The obsessive fixation on the sexual organs and lower bowels, and skimpy material on physical exercises, betrays a lack of dedication to the true tao. If you are really interested in practicing tao, I suggest you start with tai chi chuan or chi gung. Chi gung is the most fundamental part of following tao. Find a teacher that is well-versed in an authentic taoist chi gung tradition. It may take a little effort to find one, but they are around.
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