Reviewer Michelle Kaye Malsbury:
Michelle was born in Champaign, IL. Currently, she resides in Asheville, NC
and is in her second year of doctoral studies at Nova Southeastern
University in Ft. Lauderdale with specialization/concentration in
conflict resolution and peace studies. She has over six hundred
articles published on the web and one book published thus far with
many more in the wings. Hobbies include; reading, writing, music, and
playing with her Australian Cattle Dog, Abu.
ISBN: 978-1-946885-04-3
Authors: Dr & Master Zhi Gang Sha
ISBN: 978-1-946885-04-3
Doctor Zhi Gang Sha has written a few other books with his esteemed co-authors Master Maya Mackie and Master Francisco Quintero. (2017, p.107-110) All prior and current books are spiritual in essence. Doctor Sha is a healer, humanitarian, author, calligrapher, and speaker. He is a doctor of Chinese medicine (MD) and founder of Tao Academy.
The introduction of this book speaks about the issues that plague our planet earth and what we, as people, must do to try to change those dynamics and preserve the earth for future generations. According to Doctor Sha everything is comprised of shen qi jing and when the shen qi jing is out of alignment we experience sickness, depression, wildfires, and more. The good news is that if we spread or share the practice of Taoism we can heal and transform all facets of our lives and those of mother earth too!
Chapter one introduces the Da Ai or greatest love. (2017, p.1) Sha says that human love is finite and that Da Ai is unconditional and unlimited. There are ten premises to obtaining this quality; love, forgiveness, compassion, light, humility, harmony, flourishing, gratitude, service, and finally enlightenment. (p.2-3) Shen encompasses the soul, heart and mind which can become blocked by karma. (p.4) Karma is “…cause and effect, action and reaction.”. (p.5) Spiritual debt is what occurs when our karma comes back to haunt us. Clearing our shen qi jing brings us back into harmony and balance.
Chapter two talks about why Da Ai is so important to our lives. Chanting raises our vibration and moves us toward enlightenment. Doctor Sha says this can and will improve every part of our lives if done with regularity.
Calligraphy is spoken about in depth in Chapter three. Yi Bi Zi is a precious form of calligraphy and means one stroke word. (2017, p.21-22) Calligraphy has been used to bless certain parts of our lives and to connect one with their spiritual fathers and mothers. Tao calligraphy is thought to be the highest vibrational force ever and as such helps to improve all that is amiss in our lives and on this earth. (p.32)
The remainder of this book invites the reader to partake in these ancient practices of chanting and tracing calligraphy so they can experience these blessings and move toward true enlightenment. There are letters from people who have done so and received great blessings in this life along with hopes for more beyond. I enjoyed learning about the Tao and calligraphy. I think you will too!