I am more used to go directly to source or scholar texts, both on Martial Arts or Philosophy. The modern commentary or explanation falls usually in two categories: the simplistic and the esoteric. The "Scholar Warrior" is a very good exception though. Not only it provides a overall view on the various topics that a contemporary Daoist Scholar Warrior, it also provides useful insight on some topics. It is certain that the chapters on Qi Gong, Meditation and Medicine are bound to be superficial. However the chapters on applied philosophy are very interesting, by bringing a more down-to-earth to usual difficult to grasp Internal Martial Arts concepts. For example explanations of Simplicity (撲）, Noncontention(不爭） and Transcendence of Learning (絕學） allow a refreshing take on Wuwei (無為).
Post a Comment