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 Tao
of Surfing is a way of healing, a way
to understand the meaning of our existence. It
explores our interaction with nature, and what
happens when we become disassociated from it.
It explores the nature of reality, the nature
of life, and the nature of death. Finding
depth at low tide allows us to uncover meaning
from the most difficult times. Whether it is
pleasant or painful, every event is
significant towards enhancing our continuous
growth. Pulling forth meaning and reshaping
our lives from these experiences nurtures our
existence. Tao of Surfing will take you on a
journey to wind swept beaches along the
California coast and for a brief, but symbolic
period, into the deserts of New Mexico. But
ultimately, the journey will be into the self,
exploring your inner being and the recesses of
your most profound memories. Issues that have
not been resolved, you will suddenly once
again face. But this time, you will face them
with a new understanding that will help you to
finally resolve these issues once and for all.
You will realize that it is time to go
forward, to reflect on the past, and finally
let go. Like so many things in life, we must
learn to let go. Never forget the moments that
brought us to where we are today, but break
free from those things that bind us further
from the truth.
Tao of Surfing emphasizes
"nakedness" exposing that which is
so often covered up.
"Truth lies below the surface, beneath
the rhetoric. Waves are formed by the contour
of the land that lies below the surface,
rarely seen, rarely touched. Without
inhibition, innocence is revealed. Paddling
over the ocean toward the sun as it appeared
behind the forest covered hills, I looked back
toward the beach only to see a woman slowly
entering the cool and seemingly motionless
early morning waters of the bay. The tide low,
the reef was exposed as was she in all her
beautiful nakedness. In an instant, like a
sudden flash of insight, I perceived the
beauty inbeing naked. Therein lay spontaneity
and fearlessness that revealed underlying
truth. The power of the moment lay bound in
the fearlessness to present what is most often
hidden, an ability to go beyond the rigidity
of structured norms that only bind us farther
from deeper meaning. This total exposure also
allows us to return to the natural state. No
barriers, no walls to inhibit the pure
interaction with nature itself. Nakedness
stands as a metaphor and symbol of the raw
material that gave rise to our sensitive
nature. I realized too that it was this
sensitivity from being vulnerable that brought
forth a pure understanding and awareness
necessary to go beyond societal walls."
Tao,
pronounced "Dao," is a term
originating in the Chinese Language usually
associated with the philosopher Lao-tzu. The
word itself, however, is undefinable. To
attach a name to it, to attach a label to it
is to notice the
name and not the entity. As the famous Zen
saying goes, "One may point his finger
toward the moon, but once the moon is
recognized, the finger is no longer
needed." It is as Being was to Hegel,
true undefinable existence which
ultimately must remain nameless if it is to
retain its own pure essence. But for purposes
of communication, we ultimately do name it.
Taoism also emphasizes simplicity, avoiding
complication. Simplicity itself in its pure
form is the natural state. To return to the
"natural state" is to return to the
uncarved block, the uninhibited Self that is
free from worry and
fear, walking through life without rigidity,
with minimal needs and concerns. Hence the
discourse on nakedness as a metaphor
symbolizing the stripping away of external
baggage that eliminates our ability to truly
"interact" with our
environment.
Biography:
Michael Allen holds a Master's degree in
philosophy as well as a certificate in Asian
Studies from the California State University
at Long Beach. While serving as President of
the Student Philosophy Association, he chaired
the session, "Medical Ethics," for a
seminar on Applied Ethics. He has presented
numerous papers on Chinese Philosophy. In 1989
he lectured on Taoism at the International
Society for Chinese philosophy at the
University of Hawaii.
His interest in Chinese Philosophy led him to
travel extensively through the People's
Republic of China while attending the
International Society for the Philosophy of
Science. Upon his return from China, he
published his Master's thesis on East-West
comparative philosophy. He then packed up and
headed for the central coast of California,
where he was able to teach philosophy and
begin intense work on Tao of Surfing. Still
feeling the need to be back "on the
road," Michael decided it was time to see
America. Spontaneity winning over his rigorous
schedule, he took Amtrak across the country,
finally returning to finish writing the book.
He continues his studies in the Chinese
language and is avidly working on completing
the screenplay for Tao of Surfing. Michael
Allen has been surfing for over 25 years. He
and his wife live along the central coast of
California.
Tao of Surfing is available through Amazon.com
and your local book store. web site: http://home.pacbell.net/taosurf
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