A review by maniikoi
The Tao of Wu by The RZA, Chris Norris
3.0
I was very skeptical about reading this book. My boyfriend is a big fan of the Wu-Tang Clan, and wanted me to read this book since re enjoyed reading it so much. I am not a Wu-Tang Clan fan. I don't know anything about them. I have only ever heard a couple of their songs. So, I decided to give this book a shot. This is supposed to be an autobiography about RZA and how he started the Wu-Tang Clan, but it is more like a spiritual guide in disguise as an autobiography. I have very mixed feelings about this book - both good and bad. The book was simply just... okay.
When I first started reading the Forward (first chapter - introduction) I found myself rolling my eyes at most parts of it. Lets first start off by me letting you know I am agnostic (someone who neither believes nor disbelieves in the existence of gods or deities). There is absolutely nothing wrong with people's beliefs or opinions of any religion or otherwise spiritual. The Buddhist, Sifu Shi Yan Ming, goes on to talk about the RZA as if he is some kind of God. Someone who is more superior, and above everyone else. "He's the RZA: different from others. His spirit drives his actions, and those actions change the world." Really!?! There are lots of people in the world who are driven to helping others, (less fortunate or otherwise) to teaching others, taking care of others, or simply to make the world a better place. RZA is a Human being, just like everybody else. People sometimes loose sight of that fact just because they're famous. Sifu Shi Yan Ming also mentions that the Wu-Tang Clan, "is known as the most famous group ever to practice rap as a martial art."Rap is a creative outlet, but the way Sifu Shi Yan Ming says it, it goes to mean that the Wu-Tang Clan consider raping the same as martial arts. Martial arts is traditions of combat practices, which are practiced for a variety of reasons: self-defense, physical health and fitness, as well as mental, physical, and spiritual development. I really don't see how they can be on the same level, it is none of those things.
I like the insight and the concept of the Twelve Jewels. RZA goes on to explain 'the lessons' which are teachings from Islam. They are not actually jewels, (diamonds, rubies, etc.) but mental jewels - morals, principals, and the way of life. The explanation is beautiful, and very well said, and wonderfully explained. It couldn't have been explained any better than how it was written in the book. It was my favorite part in the whole book. The only parts in the book that I disliked were when Sifu Shi Yan Ming says something. Some parts are very confusing, and the thoughts are chaotic, and sometimes off subject or don't make any sense. I was left staring at what is written and wondering to myself, 'what the heck did I just read?' Examples: "Body is nothing more than emptiness, emptiness is nothing more than body. The body is exactly empty, and emptiness is exactly body." I know some people believe that the body is just a shell to contain ones soul; but this except from the book is just word play. He goes on saying that everything in life is empty: nothing is born, nothing dies, and everything is just...empty. It doesn't make any sense, and I didn't like it at all. Everything else was amazing.
When I first started reading the Forward (first chapter - introduction) I found myself rolling my eyes at most parts of it. Lets first start off by me letting you know I am agnostic (someone who neither believes nor disbelieves in the existence of gods or deities). There is absolutely nothing wrong with people's beliefs or opinions of any religion or otherwise spiritual. The Buddhist, Sifu Shi Yan Ming, goes on to talk about the RZA as if he is some kind of God. Someone who is more superior, and above everyone else. "He's the RZA: different from others. His spirit drives his actions, and those actions change the world." Really!?! There are lots of people in the world who are driven to helping others, (less fortunate or otherwise) to teaching others, taking care of others, or simply to make the world a better place. RZA is a Human being, just like everybody else. People sometimes loose sight of that fact just because they're famous. Sifu Shi Yan Ming also mentions that the Wu-Tang Clan, "is known as the most famous group ever to practice rap as a martial art."Rap is a creative outlet, but the way Sifu Shi Yan Ming says it, it goes to mean that the Wu-Tang Clan consider raping the same as martial arts. Martial arts is traditions of combat practices, which are practiced for a variety of reasons: self-defense, physical health and fitness, as well as mental, physical, and spiritual development. I really don't see how they can be on the same level, it is none of those things.
I like the insight and the concept of the Twelve Jewels. RZA goes on to explain 'the lessons' which are teachings from Islam. They are not actually jewels, (diamonds, rubies, etc.) but mental jewels - morals, principals, and the way of life. The explanation is beautiful, and very well said, and wonderfully explained. It couldn't have been explained any better than how it was written in the book. It was my favorite part in the whole book. The only parts in the book that I disliked were when Sifu Shi Yan Ming says something. Some parts are very confusing, and the thoughts are chaotic, and sometimes off subject or don't make any sense. I was left staring at what is written and wondering to myself, 'what the heck did I just read?' Examples: "Body is nothing more than emptiness, emptiness is nothing more than body. The body is exactly empty, and emptiness is exactly body." I know some people believe that the body is just a shell to contain ones soul; but this except from the book is just word play. He goes on saying that everything in life is empty: nothing is born, nothing dies, and everything is just...empty. It doesn't make any sense, and I didn't like it at all. Everything else was amazing.