The Path

What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, Personal Transformation, Health & Well Being, Self Help, Mental Health, Happiness, Philosophy
Cover of the book The Path by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh, Simon & Schuster
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh ISBN: 9781476777856
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publication: April 5, 2016
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Language: English
Author: Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
ISBN: 9781476777856
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication: April 5, 2016
Imprint: Simon & Schuster
Language: English

For the first time, an award-winning Harvard professor shares his wildly popular course on classical Chinese philosophy, showing you how ancient ideas—like the fallacy of the authentic self—can guide you on the path to a good life today.

Why is a course on ancient Chinese philosophers one of the most popular at Harvard? Because it challenges all our modern assumptions about what it takes to flourish.

Astonishing teachings emerged two thousand years ago through the work of a succession of Chinese scholars exploring how humans can improve themselves and their society. And what are these counterintuitive ideas? Transformation comes not from looking within for a true self, but from creating conditions that produce new possibilities. Good relationships come not from being sincere and authentic, but from the rituals we perform within them. A good life emerges not from planning it out, but through training ourselves to respond well to small moments. Influence comes not from wielding power but from holding back. Excellence comes from what we choose to do, not our natural abilities.

In other words, The Path “opens the mind” (Huffington Post) and upends everything we are told about how to lead a good life. Its most radical idea is that there is no path to follow in the first place—just a journey we create anew at every moment by seeing and doing things differently. “With its…spirited, convincing vision, revolutionary new insights can be gleaned from this book on how to approach life’s multifarious situations with both heart and head” (Kirkus Reviews).

A note from the publisher: To read relevant passages from the original works of Chinese philosophy, see our ebook Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi: Selected Passages, available wherever books are sold.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

For the first time, an award-winning Harvard professor shares his wildly popular course on classical Chinese philosophy, showing you how ancient ideas—like the fallacy of the authentic self—can guide you on the path to a good life today.

Why is a course on ancient Chinese philosophers one of the most popular at Harvard? Because it challenges all our modern assumptions about what it takes to flourish.

Astonishing teachings emerged two thousand years ago through the work of a succession of Chinese scholars exploring how humans can improve themselves and their society. And what are these counterintuitive ideas? Transformation comes not from looking within for a true self, but from creating conditions that produce new possibilities. Good relationships come not from being sincere and authentic, but from the rituals we perform within them. A good life emerges not from planning it out, but through training ourselves to respond well to small moments. Influence comes not from wielding power but from holding back. Excellence comes from what we choose to do, not our natural abilities.

In other words, The Path “opens the mind” (Huffington Post) and upends everything we are told about how to lead a good life. Its most radical idea is that there is no path to follow in the first place—just a journey we create anew at every moment by seeing and doing things differently. “With its…spirited, convincing vision, revolutionary new insights can be gleaned from this book on how to approach life’s multifarious situations with both heart and head” (Kirkus Reviews).

A note from the publisher: To read relevant passages from the original works of Chinese philosophy, see our ebook Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi: Selected Passages, available wherever books are sold.

More books from Simon & Schuster

Cover of the book The Price of Loyalty by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Weeknight Baking by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Shaken Up by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Sweet St. Louis by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Space Lizards Ate My Sister! by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book She Made Me Laugh by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Tides of Honour by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Winger by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Fatal Mistake by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book The Point of Departure by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Her Little Majesty by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book The Last Street Novel by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Lessons from Madame Chic by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Me llaman heroe (They Call Me a Hero) by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
Cover of the book Royal Rabbits of London: The Hunt for the Golden Carrot by Michael Puett, Christine Gross-Loh
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy