Watching the Tree : A Chinese Daughter Reflects on Happiness, Tradition, and Spiritual Wisdom

by Mah, Adeline Yen

• ISBN13: 9780767904100
• ISBN10: 0767904109
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Broadway

Summary

From the bestselling author ofFalling Leaves,a remarkable book of wisdom and spirit. Somewhere it is written that every Chinese wears a Confucian thinking cap, a Taoist robe, and Buddhist sandals. InWatching the Tree, Adeline Yen Mah brings together the many influences on her life as a child of the East and as a student and adult in the West. Conveying a wealth of insight and experience, Adeline illuminates major aspects of Chinese customs and culture while weaving in stories of personal struggle triumph throughout her life. Taking a step beyond her previous book,Falling Leaves, a powerful memoir set against the backdrop of political and cultural upheaval in China, Adeline explores the centuries-old Chinese traditions and their legacy in modern-day China and the West. With Adeline's provocative essays on Buddhism, the I Ching, Tao, Confucius, and their role in shaping Chinese thought,Watching the Treeinspires as it uplifts the soul, giving readers an unusual glimpse inside a culture that remains mysterious and often misunderstood. In her sharp observations on Chinese food and medicine, yin and yang, Zen, and feng shui, Adeline enlightens readers with the mundanean approach to healing an illness you might find at a Chinese grocery storeto the larger questions in life surrounding true happiness, health, and spirituality. Bridging the cultural divide between the East and West, these stories reveal the strength and peace of mind that comes from opening one's heart and mind to the wisdom and experience of our combined histories. For anyone looking for a clearer understanding of Chinese culture and for inspiring personal stories that embody a life lived in the wake of Chinese tradition,Watching the Treeopens the door into a world of calm reflection, knowledge, and spirituality.

Author Biography

Adeline Yen Mah is a physician and writer. She divides her time between London, Hong Kong, and her home in Huntington Beach, California

Table of Contents

Watching the Tree to Catch a Hare	1	(11)
Shou Zhu Dai Tu
The Wisdom of the I Ching	12	(18)
Yi Jing Zhi Zhi
Hidden and Nameless Tao	30	(16)
Dao Yin Wu Ming
A Confucian Thinking Cap	46	(32)
Ru Mao
The Path to Zen	78	(25)
Wu Fo Zhi Dao
Thousands and Tens of Thousands Varieties of Qi	103	(16)
Qi Xiang Wan Qian
Let Food Be Medicine	119	(25)
Yi Shi Wei Liao
Yin and Yang in Harmony	144	(30)
Yin Yang Rong Qia
Hidden Logic Within the Shape of Words	174	(28)
Zi Xing Cang Li
The Invisible Energy of Feng Shui	202	(26)
Feng Shui Ying Neng
The Lessons of Silence	228	(17)
Bu Yan Zhi Jiao
Bibliography	245