Raymond Barnett. I found much of the book to be useful or inspiring, especially the earlier chapters “Living in the Seasons,” “Continuity with Your Ancestors,” and “Celebrating Your Guides.” But there are some places where he unrealistically romanticizes the Chinese “people.”
But in China’s Bronze Age, the patriarchal, mind-exalting aspect of society began to wax. In time, this faction hitched its fortunes to the Confucian philosphy, and has been in control of the ruling central authority in China for the past three thousand years, whether in a feudal, imperial, or Communist regime. Taosim, with its appreciation of the richness of reality, the balance of yin and yang, the proper place of humans, has been the view of the people for these three thousand years.
Oh yeah, that explains why there’s an excess of young men growing up in China and an excess of girl babies being adopted overseas.
Then there’s his admittedly old-fashioned perspective. In “The Clown Within” he suggests–gasp–dressing like a member of the opposite sex in a Halloween Challenge. But “this is stretching things a bit, and it may be too much for you.”
And I found the chapter “But What about the Tough Cases?” disappointingly shallow.
I find that many writers from the west tend to romantize and sentimentalize the east. It’s too bad, because it’s difficult to know what the true pearls are.
I’ve always considered dressing as a woman for Halloween as stretching things a bit, too. However, other days of the year doing so suits me fine.