Recommended reading | ||
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Mind, body, spirit
Tai chi is renowned for positively affecting all
areas of a student's life.
The physical training will result in a calmer,
clearer, more focussed mind.
Exercising the body is only half the story with
tai chi.
To fully embrace the art, you must
exercise the
mind as thoroughly as you do the body.
Constructive reading
Exercise your mind by reading our website
and studying supplementary books.
Constructive reading changes attitudes, improves sensitivity,
encourages insight and deepens
understanding.
Here is a small selection of titles:
Motivational
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking by Edward B. Burger & Michael Starbird
- an excellent jump start for anyone seeking to improve how they use
their brain
Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
- exploring 'comfort zone' and 'mental
representation' in a very thorough
way, covering a multitude of permutations
Tai chi principles
The Essence of Tai Chi Chuan - The Literary Tradition by Lo et al
- The Tai Chi Classics presented in full
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi by Peter Wayne
- a thorough exploration of the medical benefits of
tai chi
The Power of Internal Martial Arts by Bruce Frantzis
- an engaging account of Frantzis' journey through the martial arts
Tai Chi Chuan: The Internal Tradition by Ron Sieh
- a personal introduction to tai chi
The Tai Chi Journey by John Lash
- a comprehensive introduction to tai chi and Taoism
Tai Chi Secrets of the Ancient Masters by Yang Jwing-Ming
- The Tai Chi Classics with
excellent commentaries
There Are No Secrets by Wolfe Lowenthal
- a candid account of one man's experience of tai chi in New York
Tao/Zen/spiritual
Back to Beginnings by Huanchu Daoren
- a gem of a book that combines
Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian insights
Become What You Are by Alan Watts
- thoughtful discussions concerning Taoism
The Book of Life by Krishnamurti
- short, daily readings
The Book of
Tea by Kakuzo Okakura
- a fascinating exploration of the spiritual practice
Chuang Tzu in a Nutshell by Robert Van De Weyer
- a great introduction
Commentaries on Living Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Krishnamurti
- beautiful descriptive passages, short
conversations and interviews regarding living, thinking and conditioning
I Ching Made Easy by Sorrell & Sorrell
- an accessible version of this Taoist classic
In Praise Of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki
- a curious look at how the presence of light has changed our reality
Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching by Timothy Freke
- a straightforward, accessible translation
The Little Zen Companion by David Schiller
-
a lightweight introduction
The New Lao Tzu by Ray Grigg
- a well-written modern version of
Tao Te Ching
Play to Live by Alan Watts
- Taoism, living, contemplation and reflection
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
- this often quoted, beguiling book offers some spectacular insights
The Tao of Being by Ray Grigg
- a well thought-out Tao Te Ching adaptation designed to promote
awareness and
contemplation
Tao: The Watercourse Way by Alan Watts and Al Chung-Liang Huang
- an interesting exploration of Taoism
The Tao of Zen by Ray Grigg
- a consideration of Taoism and Zen
Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking by Alan Watts
- an intriguing range of discussions concerning Taoism
Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers by Leonard Koren
- embracing the melancholy as well as the upbeat
aspects of life
Wabi Sabi: The Japanese Art of Impermanence - Understanding the Zen
Philosophy of Beauty in Simplicity by Andrew Juniper
- an interesting journey through the origins and development of wabi
sabi
The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton
- perhaps the most accessible interpretation of
Chuang Tzu ever written, this collection of anecdotes, stories and aphorisms
offers Taoism to people with a sense of humour
The Way to Love by Anthony De Mello
- examines our conditioning and questions how we
perceive our reality
Zen For Beginners by Judith Blackstone & Zoran Josipovic
- a graphic novel-style introduction
Martial principles & principles
The Art of War (Penguin Classics) by Sun Tzu (Minford version)
- Sun Tzu wrote a book called
The Art of War in which he scientifically
detailed the principles of combat and strategy. His teachings are as
relevant to individual self defence as they are to the battlefield
The Art of War (Giles version)
- a clear, easy to read version
The Art of War by Sun Tzu (Cleary version)
- a more detailed, scholarly edition with a wonderful introduction by
Thomas Cleary
The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
- Miyamoto Musashi was an undefeated
samurai, famous for fighting using two
swords rather than one. His five
part instruction guide is concerned with conflict and strategy
36 Strategies by General Wang Jingze
- a wide range of effective strategies designed to baffle and confuse the
opponent
Chinese Boxing by Robert Smith
- a variety of accounts concerning different Chinese martial arts
instructors
Effortless Combat Throws by Tim Cartmell
- a comprehensive, detailed introduction to the throwing aspect of
shuai jiao. Excellent introductory sections and
appendixes
Moving Zen by C W Nicol
- a well-written, enjoyable account detailing the experience of living
and training in Asia
Sword and Brush by Dave Lowry
- a consideration of how Japanese calligraphy, words and meaning
apply to the practice and study of the martial arts
The Sword Polisher's Record by Adam Hsu
- an exploration of what it means to study and practice
Chinese martial arts in earnest
Tai Chi Theory & Martial Power by Yang Jwing-Ming
- provides a thorough explanation of what each
jing means and how they should affect the opponent
Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
- a fascinating study of how the spirit of Zen can infuse a martial art
With today's round-the-clock
access to news we can now receive a twenty-four-hours-a-day parade of mostly
negative information about random shootings, drug wars, environmental
disasters, racially motivated hate crimes, rampaging serial killers, and
gruesome sex crimes. As they say in the world of television news production,
"If it bleeds, it leads." The news, in fact, has become so stressful that
health experts recommend 'news fasts' to improve psychological health.
(Dr Bradley Wilcox, Dr Craig Wilcox and Dr Makoto Suzuki)
Self-help
The Detox Plan by Jane Alexander
- a step-by-step guide to detoxing your life and
experiencing a richer, fuller condition of health
Green Tea Living by Toshimi A. Kayaki
- eco-friendly, clean living, practical tips on how to incorporate
traditional Japanese sensibilities and health care into modern life
How Not To
Die by
Dr Michael Greger
- the significant benefits of eating a varied plant-based diet
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- engaging essays about the application of Taoism in
business and everyday life
Keep it Simple by Nick Page
- great ideas for uncluttering your life
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Phoenix/Orion books edition)
- incredible wisdom and insights concerning human character, integrity
and wholeness from the Roman Emperor
The Okinawa Program by Dr Bradley Wilcox, Dr Craig Wilcox and Dr Makoto
Suzuki
- a fascinating book about the 25 year centenarian study
- the three doctors maintain that tai chi (with its ancient origins and incredible health
benefits) is the ideal form of
exercise for modern
people
The Road Less Travelled by M Scott Peck
- a well thought-out book designed to increase self-awareness
Rip It Up: Forget positive thinking, it's time for positive action by
Richard Wiseman
- pop psychology for the chronically unmotivated
Simplicity by Edward De Bono
- a carefully considered stratagem for more effective communication
Re-read
The books on this list are all worth buying.
Some you may enjoy immediately whereas other may take
a few reads to appreciate.
To understand an oriental
discipline, one must understand the ideas and world view upon which the
discipline rests.
That is why the oriental disciplines can never merely be hobbies or pastimes.
(John Lash)
You will change
As you grow and change, the relevance and
significance of each book will
alter.
The unfamiliar becomes commonplace. Elusive
meanings are suddenly clear
and apparent.
Many books will continue to become richer as
your own journey progresses.
Sharing
You will even outgrow some titles.
The message may not be relevant to your level
of training.
Or the text no longer challenges your mind.
If so, pass the book on...
Let somebody else benefit from reading the book.
Sifu Waller's choice
Sifu Waller has found these books to be particularly useful over the
years:
The Art of War (Penguin Classics) by Sun Tzu (Minford version)
Back to Beginnings by Huanchu Daoren
The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
Commentaries on Living Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Krishnamurti
The Essence of Tai Chi Chuan - The Literary Tradition by Lo et al
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Phoenix/Orion books edition)
The New Lao Tzu by Ray Grigg
The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton
Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
Page created 3 March 1997
Last updated
16 June 2023