Ask the awakened;: The negative way - Softcover

Wei, Wu Wei

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0316928100 ISBN 13: 9780316928106

Publisher: Little, Brown, 1973

Synopsis

Between the years 1958 and 1974 a series of books appeared that were attributed to the mysterious Wei Wu Wei. Perhaps the most important of these works, Ask The Awakened, is now available in a new edition. This work draws on a variety of sources, including Taoism--specifically the texts attributed to Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu; Buddhism--especially the Heart, Diamond and Lankavatara sutras; and Chan Buddhism as taught by Hui Neng, Huang Po, Hui Hai, etc.; as well as the teachings of Padmasambhava and Sri Ramana Maharshi, among others. Wei Wu Wei joins Paul Reps, Alan Watts, and Philip Kapleau as one of the earliest and most profound interpreters of Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies. The depth of understanding evidenced in Ask the Awakened places it in the top tier of modern spiritual classics. This classic gem of Eastern spirituality is especially timely in the current climate of interest in Buddhism. Wei Wu Wei's unique and fresh interpretation of the ancient teachings opens the reader's eyes: "Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 per cent of everything you think, and of everything you do, is for yourself--and there isn't one." This powerful book rewards by exposing illusions, and takes the reader beyond logic to the inexpressible truth of existence.

About this title

From the Publisher

From the Foreward by Galen Sharp: "My original copy of Ask the Awakened, here on the desk beside me, was published in 1963, almost 40 years ago. It is heavily marked with margin notes and underlining, important pages have been turned down at the corners and a bunch of ragged bits of paper are sticking out all over to mark places of special significance. Quite possibly this crisp new book that you are holding in your hands will look just like that in a year or two. The portrait of Hui Neng, the sixth patriarch, on the frontpiece of that edition instantly reminds me of Wei Wu Wei's deeply penetrating understanding of the early Ch'an masters. I continue to be awestruck by this every time I open one of his books. One can also tell that although he was enormously serious about the subject, it was also a great source of pleasure and fun for him. It will help to start this book with the assumption or, if you can manage it, the belief that what Wei Wu Wei is telling us is absolutely true as far as can be expressed. Your own intuition will soon recognize the ring of truth. But it may not be what you expect. And instead of mentally arguing about the parts that one may not agree with or that do not make sense, set that aside for a while and just try to understand how it could be true because he is speaking to us from actual experience, not from conjecture, theory, learned doctrine or even from mere belief. This is a rare opportunity." (2001)

From the Author

In this book we continue the journey during which the truth that can never be written is gradually approached by intitution rendered dualistically. As one closes in on that truth that which has been described vaguely is subsequently described more accurately and more fully , and that which was imperfectly comprehended is corrected by that which has later been understood. Only the awakened can say definitely whatever it may be possible to say without error.

Edition details

• Publisher: Little, Brown
• Publication date: 1973
• ISBN 10: 0316928100
• ISBN 13: 9780316928106
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 282