This succinct book challenges the western philosophical orthodoxy, revealing the truth about eastern thought. The authors provide a compelling argument that the current Western preoccupation with authenticity and mindfulness is self-limiting, trapping the multi-faceted self in a mundane existence characterised by habitual patterns of behaviour. Counterintuitive notions about agency, such as weak is strong and an emerging holistic view as the book progresses serve to highlight how much the western religious mantra of a moral, structured world in which good is rewarded and bad punished is a delusion. Only by looking outwards and thinking about how we interact at the smallest level can we learn to pattern our fragmented world in a positive and meaningful way. Rehearsed spontaneity and ‘what if ‘rituals rather than inward looking mindfulness are the key to a meaningful life.

I fancied reading something calming, something that might just change my perspective on daily life. The Path did, it was very interesting to read about Eastern philosophy and its approach to certain situations and events in life. It makes you think about the small things, and how they matter and can eventually lead to big changes. It is by no means a how-to book,nor does it aspire to be, but it has very subtly changed my way of acting and thinking, just like the author intended. Thoroughly enjoyed it.