Carry Tiger to Mountain: The Tao of Activism and Leadership

By Stephen Legault

Book Overview

"Stephen Legault's marvelous ability to connect the experiences of the present leaders of social causes with the wisdom of the ancients shows us all that there is a passage through the often-seeming ly] insurmountable obstacles of the present, a way that enables all who care to be successful in their personal and professional lives."--Brock Evans

This fascinating and useful book is a modern-day interpretation of Lao Tzu's Tao te Ching for social activists and leaders within various activist movements in western civil society. It's a thoughtful examination of how the Tao, and Taoist thought, might be applied to the challenges, conflicts, and obstacles that activists and concerned citizens face as they fight contemporary battles regarding such issues as poverty, workers' rights, environmentalism, freedom of expression, gender and sexual equality, and social justice. The book also includes a verse-by-verse interpretation of the Tao te Ching's 81 "chapters"; the Tao te Ching is one of the most important historical works of Chinese philosophy, and is the basis of Taoism (or Daoism).

Carry Tiger to Mountain is a timely book about the role of spirituality in activism in the twenty-first century, and how we--not only activists per se, but those for whom issues of social and political justice are important--can forge new paths in their daily struggles to make the world a better place, and at the same time restore personal balance to their lives.

Includes an introduction by Dr. Jim Butler, a political activist for the past 30 years who is also a Buddhist monk.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551522004
• ISBN13: 9781551522005
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Things You Knew But Didn't Know You Knew

Anyone who has spent some years of her/his life as an activist learns many things along the way. We tend to internalize these insights and carry the learning with us, but sometimes don't have the language to talk about them, or even to think about what they mean in terms of our personal leadership styles. Stephen Legault articulates those things that we know, but at the same time weren't fully aware of, by putting them in the context of the ancient Chinese wisdom book, the Tao te Ching. An activist is by definition, active. We are always on the move, speaking, writing and doing. Legault offers us a chance to stop and consider how our leadership abilities are derived from our spiritual sense and how, in turn, our sense of spirit can more fully inform our leadership, if only we will sit back for a minute and let it do so. For those of us who come out of a Western heritage, the Tao offers a very different, gentler way of looking at the world, as well as at oneself. Legault makes this ancient viewpoint accessible, even if you have little experience with Eastern philosophies. This is a beautifully written book that is full of insight. And it is a book that, once read and savored, you will return to time and time again.

From mistakes to ego in organizational management, everything is covered.

CARRY TIGER TO MOUNTAIN: THE TAO OF ACTIVISM AND LEADERSHIP pairs a modern interpretation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching to Western leadership goals and values, considering how these principles can be applied in a new era of spirituality in activism. Experiences of present leaders of social causes blend with the author's own decades of experience as a social and political activist: from mistakes to ego in organizational management, everything is covered. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Nice to See the Left Has a Spiritual Aspect

This is a fascinating book about carrying the Tao of Lao Tzu to leadership in social issues and activist movements in Western Civil society. It is a timely book about the role of spirituality in activism that covers the left side of the social and political spectrum. It is a relief to see that the whold world hasn't been converted to the fundamentalist Christian conservative side.

Inspiring and thoughtful

Steph Legault offers an unusual perspective on activism in his new, thought-provoking book. It is a highly personal take on the spiritual, passionate nature of taking part in the world in a positive way. While I think it's a great book for "professional" activists to read, I also think the person who lives life actively will get something out of too. Highly recommended! (I should also disclose that Steph interviewed me for the book, but I'd like it even if he didn't!)