The Tao of Abundance: Eight Ancient Principles for Living Abundantly

Tons of books are out there on health, wealth and prosperity....and after a while they kinda get boring. But Laurence's work is absolutely magnificent. A masterpiece in ever sense of the word. Laurence creates a beautiful tapestry of Eastern and Western philosophy to create a book that reads more like a poem, than a book of facts. A book that has changed my life - and a book I intend to read throughout my life.

We have a large home library (mostly non-fiction) and many of the books are on eastern thought. This book is one I savor. I am reading it now and reading it is akin to savoring a long wonderful meal where each bite of food bathes the senses with wonder and pleasure.Now I admit that Tao is a school I have always been interested in, but never fully, for whatever reason grasped. Until that is, I bought this book. And I guess the phrase "go with the flow" is what comes to mind a great deal when reading the book, because I am really learning the value of becoming more intuitive and comfortable with my own skin. The book does teach or encourage thankfully the whole march to your own healthy drummer. Live simple but content and don't feel that because "society" pushes and idea that it is a healthy idea.I appreciate the chapters that deal with money issues and how money can be good or bad, depending on how it comes into our lives. Does it come from production or investment in a good ethical product from a fair market price, or does it come from unethical practices that make a few rich and most (the workers) poor or sick?I look at the key word in each chapter like The Nature, Ease, Flow, Power, Harmony, Leisure, Beauty of Abundance and can see the consistent flow. Not a negative term is used. And I love how the author has chosen wonderful quotes from well known, past and present, sages. Like at the beginning of the chapter on The Beauty of Abundance where "A thing of beauty is a joy forever; Its loveliness increases; It will never Pass into nothingness... John Keats". Each quote is perfect for each chapter and hopefully will also encourage the reader to read works of those who have written the quote in question.I also learn so much from the explanations of Tao terms and how they relate to the subject being discussed i.e. Te is often translated "virtue" or jen "human heartness". But its the slow leisurely reading of what total abundance is in all areas of my life that is so empowering. This is not however and easy read, and that's good. It is a book that like a good meal, good friends, good sleep, must be a part of ones life. A book that you read a chapter and then think or meditate on so that you can savour all the wisdom each chapter has to give. It is not a quick fix book or new age or a fad. The wisdom is centuries old.

Getting off the western consumer treadmill is very hard. This book has, at many different points in my life, helped me take baby steps towards a life where I am more appreciative of what I "have" and what the world can offer me. I keep it by my bed and wind up reading or rereading sections each week.

I have read many books on Eastern religions and philosophies. I found this particular book to be very easy to read, very easy to understand, yet it opens many doors and causes one to probe deeper into the realm of Eastern thought. I have recommended the book to a number of people who range from well-read to beginners, and am using the book for a study group I am forming through my church. I think it is an excellent introduction and an excellent synthesis.

I too have been looking for a book that combines Eastern philosophy with the practicalities of the Western economic system. The first part, which describes the concept of tao, was slow going. But once I got to the second chapter, I was hooked. The arguments are well-supported and logical, and help you break your personal paradigms about abundance and work. I am recommending this book to all my friends who are also going through that midlife questioning ("Is this all there is to life?").