Playing Ball on Running Water: The Japanese Way to Building a Better Life

Do what NEEDS to be done. This is what I took away from this book. I had gotten away from living in the moment. I become stuck in the past and future. I questioned too much, worried about a lot, and allowed anxiety to dictate my decisions. Then a co-worker told me about this book. I immediately picked it up and raced through it. I am a slow reader but this book made me seem like a speed reader. It was enjoyable and kept my interest. It was an easy read with practical applications. There are stories or exercises at the end of the book which are also a great tool for learning and prove to be very thought provoking. I have since been learning from information that is on the TODO Institutes website and look forward to reading my next Morita Therapy book; whatever that may be. I recommend this to everyone but particularly to those who want to improve there life by enjoying what is happening right now.

This book succinctly describes the Morita method,Japanese psychotherapy based on the precepts of Zen Buddhism, but also highly applicable to everyone regardless of spiritual background. The method is focused on fully accepting all emotions and then moving on to positive life habits rather than recycling old feelings and wallowing in negativity.He uses lots of case examples and stories to illustrate the application of the concepts. This book helped me finally deal with old emotional detritus and move forward and act to achieve my life's purpose. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh way to deal with their emotional baggage.

great book for shrinks and humans who like action to cure some of the few mistakes they made in their lives.No talking but action

Awesome book, I have read in the past, gave it to my son and had to buy another one to have

I had bought Playing Ball on Running Water many years ago. Somewhere along the way, the book got away from me. Because I like the book's philosophy so well, and consider it a reference book, I ordered a copy from Amazon. The precepts in this book are timeless and universal, applicable to persons of all ages and various stations in life. I highly recommend it.

Don't be fooled. The daily practice seems too simple, but it has the ability to turn your life around.

I re-order this book from time to time to keep it in stock in my own library. I first picked it up maybe 25 years ago. I have turned quite a few friends onto it (gifting) over the years. For me the line of thinking is very practical, helpful and rational. In a nutshell...life is not perfect, don't expect it to be. Plug away and do what you can. (my words, not the authors).

5/5

This is a fantastic book. Such a different approach to dealing with problems from the western approch. I think that everybody should read this.