“Progress is impossible without change
and those who cannot change their minds
cannot change anything.”
George Bernard Shaw.
I have long been a follower of Dr Wayne Dyer from way back in the 1970s when I first read “Your Erroneous Zones”, “Pulling Your Own Strings” and “The Sky’s the Limit”. Over the years I have read many of the books he has written, bought videos and CDs and in fact think he is great.
On his behalf, I was upset to learn that his 20-year-old marriage had ended in divorce following closely some major health problems he had suffered.
In 2007 Dr Dyer published the book “Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life“ after taking himself off on “a year long journey of research, contemplation and application of the Tao Te Ching book of wisdom.” I have had the book since it was first published when I tried to read it, but up until now haven’t read it all. So about this book..
Five hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ a Chinese man named Lao-tzu put together 81 verses that many regard as the “ultimate commentary on the nature of our existence.” The text and the 81 verses offer advice and guidance on achieving a balanced, moral and spiritual life.
Dr Dyer reviewed many translations of the work and has now written an essay for each of the verses showing how we can apply this ancient wisdom to today’s modern world. Each chapter is devoted to living the Tao and concludes with a section entitled “Doing the Tao Now”. The titles of some of the chapters are:
Living Without Resentment; Living By Being Here Now; Living By Letting Go; Living By Contentment; Living Naturally etc, etc.
This is not a book to sit down and read as a novel. It is a whole work to be read slowly, one essay at a time. As Wayne Dyer says, “This is a book that will forever change the way you look at your life, and the result will be that you’ll live in a new world aligned with nature. Writing this book changed me forever, too. I now live in accord with the natural world and feel the greatest sense of peace I’ve ever experienced. I’m so proud to present this interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, and offer the same opportunity for change that it has brought me.”
So I am starting from the beginning again and this time intend to read all 81 chapters and take time to understand them. Verse No 1 is “Living The Mystery” and here we learn that “The Tao is both named and nameless. As nameless it is the origin of all things; as named it is the Mother of 10,000 things” As I said, not a book to be read to fill in an odd half hour while you are waiting for the dentist.
And because the water in the waterfall keeps moving onwards, day after day, I shall keep this in mind as I work my way through this book.
Related articles
- Need to change? Try the I Ching (culturalcreativestimes.wordpress.com)
- WISHES Fulfilled by Dr. Wayne Dyer (margauxdenador.typepad.com)
- living in the treasure-house of the Tao (sarahchyb.wordpress.com)
- Tao Te Ching – the history (thetaotechingblog.wordpress.com)
I had not known the basis of the book until you shared it with us, Judith. The book sounds intense, in that the lessons are large and require moments of reflection. When I take our current selection of books back to the library, I may see if they have Dyer’s book on the shelf.
LikeLike
It’s not an easy book to read. But it’s worth persevering.
LikeLike
I found lots to contemplate and quite a bit to hold onto when I read that book. A slow read, but worth it 🙂
LikeLike
I am making a second attempt to finish it now.
LikeLike
I look forward to Autumn, when time opens up a bit more for me, and I can start a more thoughtful book. I love Wayne Dyer, too, and have read several of his books over the years. This sounds like one worth the time. Thanks for the recommendation!
LikeLike
I replaced the copy that somebody borrowed because I think it is a book to keep. One that you can dip into when you have some spare time – say an hour or so.
LikeLike
I just finished his book “The Power of Intention”…well worth the read, also not one to sit and read all at once. I’ll have to check out this one now.
LikeLike
I havejust bought the DVD of the Power of Intention. Interesting!
LikeLike
I’ve read several of his books and find them to be so enlightening. I had the opportunity to see him at a conference here a few years ago and it was very moving.
LikeLike
Oh lucky you. He doesn’t seem to venture down into our part of the world. But when I win the lottery…
LikeLike
Pingback: FITFS Judith Baxter | bridgesburning
Hi Judith, you are m FITFS hero today. And now off to find that book!
LikeLike
Thank you Chris. And then I remembered the great post you had written some 15 months ago on Jessic aFletcher. In that post you were very complimentary to me too!
LikeLike
Hahaha you will always be my Jessica Fletcher idol.
LikeLike
I’m reading “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp.
Lovely waterfall!
LikeLike
I don’t know this book but tomorrow when I am in the library I shall see if they have it. Thanks.
LikeLike
Q: What is the Tao Te Ching? A: The Tao Te Ching is wisest, most influential book ever written. It was written 2,500 years ago, at the time of Confucius by a Chinese master named LaoTsu. The Tao offers a way of living with integrity. In fact, LaoTsu believed that people do not need rules’ Just raise children to grow up and stay connected with the Tao.
LikeLike
I am sorry to be so late in responding; this was in the spam folder. I agree that we should raise our children to grow up and stay connected with the integrity of the Tao.
LikeLike
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. ~ Wayne Dyer
Enjoy digesting all 81 Life Lessons, Judith. 😀
LikeLike
Isn’t he a master of words and ideas? Have you seen the DVD Ambition to Meaning (I think it was renamed The Shift)?
LikeLike
I am a huge fan of Dyer, and his books are deep – or books to keep. Thanks for blessing me today Judith.
LikeLike
Thanks Jackie. Have you seen his DVD Ambition to Meaning, That’s a good one too.
LikeLike