The Tao of Symbols : How To Transcend the Limits of Our Symbolism

by James N. Powell

Argues that poetry, prayer, meditation, and questioning can be used to go beyond the symbols of single culture and find deeper meaning

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality

Paperback

First published October 1, 1982

About the author

~ New York Times

Most people think they use language to communicate. But language is insidious; it determines the way we think. Modern philosophers say we live in a universe limited by our language. Ludwig Wittgenstein even said we were ''bewitched.'' James Powell goes a little further. He examines the symbols of language the way a biologist examines cells. By inquiring into the nature of symbols themselves, he hopes to show the transcendental capacity of language not for mere communication but for ''communion.'' He assures us that the universe is a silent partner in a dialogue that goes on all the time and that throughout history certain images and techniques of meditation have led consciousness to break through the limitations of language.

Mr. Powell argues that we tend to underestimate the volatility of symbols. In world politics, we can easily see the danger of a breakdown in communication. When one world of meaning has no reality for the other, dialogue stops, sometimes violently. If the breakdown is taken as a failure in communication, in which each side sees the other as willfully irrational, the result is explosive. If, however, the failure is seen as a collision of symbol systems, each of which has absolute internal reality, then dialogue may be pursued with a different understanding. 'The Tao of Symbols is Mr. Powell's attempt to bring occupants of different worlds together (Buddhist and Moslem, scientist and sage) and to suggest the basis for a new kind of dialogue.

Some Suggestions for Interreligious Dialog



In addition to his published works, Jim Powell collaborated with Imogen Cunningham on a photographically illustrated translation of the verse of St. John of the Cross. James Powell: As a boy, James’s chores included keeping coyotes out of the chickens, riding fence, branding, milking, and harvesting. Since then, his jobs have changed quite a bit. He cut line for Smokey on many western wildfires–working winters surveying and building trails, while gradually awakening to Chumash and Vedic wisdom of fire ecology.

James has also taught meditation around the world, including to Michael Jackson's Neverland staff, Beach Boy Mike Love’s family, and Lithuanian-born archeologist Marija Gimbutas. The California meditation center he chaired for ten years provided ongoing instruction for over ten thousand Santa Barbarans. What’s more, he was Ayurvedic consultant to Deepak Chopra and Arianna Huffington at the Center for Perfect Health–which he co-founded–with Deepak's lectures drawing audiences of over 1,000. He collaborated with Group f/64 photographer Imogen Cunningham on a photographically interpreted book of his translations of the verse of Spanish mystic San Juan de la Cruz. The project was under consideration at various publishing houses when Imogen passed away.


Prologues to What Is Possible

1.

There was an ease of mind that was like being alone in a boat at sea,

A boat carried forward by waves resembling the bright backs of rowers,

Gripping their oars, as if they were sure of the way to their destination,

Bending over and pulling themselves erect on the wooden handles,

Wet with water and sparkling in the one-ness of their motion.



The boat was built of stones that had lost their weight and being

no longer heavy

Had left in them only a brilliance, of unaccustomed origin,

So that he that stood up in the boat leaning and looking before him

Did not pass like someone voyaging out of and beyond the familiar.

He belonged to the far-foreign departure of his vessel and was part of it,

Part of the speculum of fire on its

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

 
 
 
a Secret making circles
hidden and revealed
hidden and revealed

formlessness becoming form becoming formlessness
ever and always becoming, becoming, becoming

no-time ago, I felt a Oneness moving apart
becoming
aware of Itself, knowing Itself
loving Itself in its abundant splitting off
its abundant splitting off then forgetting
manifesting longing
desire to see itself
to re-member itself
its Self beyond form

then ‘hello, remember me?’
a part of, not apart from?
a confused gaze
a knowing smile
and a Seeker making circles
hidden and revealed
hidden and revealed

formlessness becoming form becoming formlessness
ever and always becoming, becoming, becoming

and into the vast space
of the one known as James
a conversation beginning
form becoming doorway
an expression of Spirit
and doorway becoming through-way
inviting movement into Spirit
and form, encountered by the observer
as a thing of beauty
and beauty singing
‘no form, no conversation
for Spirit simply Is!’

and this, the primal nature of the Artist
who is bridging and resolving
actualizing and fulfilling
what is form and formlessness
Jim and James
the oak and the ocean
and a Seer making circles
hidden and revealed
hidden and revealed

formlessness becoming form becoming formlessness
ever and always becoming, becoming, becoming
dissolving doorways into all-ways
sounding spinningness into spirals
into liquid potential beingness
and a way of All-Beingness
a way for all beings

and a Secret making circles
hidden and revealed
hidden and revealed

formlessness becoming form becoming formlessness
the way in and the way out

a mountain speaks
 
                                                                                ~ Marianne  ╰⊰⊹✿
 
 
 

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended ! Very Interesting and Mind Expanding and ahead of it's time. The history about the Hopi Indians inspires me to learn more about their culture.
Thank You
Tj =)

Disabled Vetean

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and expansive look at the resonance and limits of symbolism in the traditions of Buddhism, Taoism, indigenous folk religions and many others.

[Rjyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is worth reading just for the wicked retelling of the Hopi creation myth near the end. It's a fun kind of tour of various mystical views of language from a couple different cultures and eras, focusing in on going in deep on a few (ancient Vedic mantras, Druidic tree-worship, William Blake's poetry, to name a couple) instead of trying to cover too much, which is welcome and good. Don't focus too much on the subhead on the cover, though ("How to transcend the limitations of our symbolism")-- I did and for much of the middle ~180 pages was thinking, "That's cool, didn't know that, but how to transcend the limitations of our symbolism?"

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a survey through history of the use of symbols and language in the pursuit of the numinous. It seems that humans have been attempting to express the experience of transcendence as far back as cave paintings created by neanderthals, and continue to do so with poetry and spiritual writings. This book explores the many ways that this ubiquitous urge manifests, including zen koans and the prophecies of the Hopi. The works of the Druids, William Blake and T.S. Elliot are also taken into consideration. In all this is a very satisfying book for the nerds among us (including myself) fascinated with spirituality, history, archeology, and linguistics.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that compares and contrasts the symbolic meaning of different cultures, religions, and philosophers but the author does so in a very poetic way. It is a very dense academic yet creative and poetic essay on how symbols which of course includes spoken and written language effects us as individuals and societies. At times very dense and hard to get through, but if you are interested in world religions and the meaning of symbols this book may soon be a long forgotten gem as it is no longer in production.

[John Fredrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. It is hard to know where to start, but it covers an immense amount of ground on the use of words to describe (and limit our perception of) the Word. Ranging from Sanskrit and Hinduism to St John of the Cross, and a myriad of other traditions, the author has produced a book that I look forward to reading again.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected. It's a overview of various mystical traditions, and some of the overlapping symbols that belong to them.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is highly recommwended to readers. Liked the book!

[Delia · Rating 4 out of 5]

U

[Jihad Ftouny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very captivating book. Not 5 stars because some three chapters didn't get me stuck to reading them like the others. Very important information for the spiritual kind nonetheless. Must read!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ New York Times Review of Books November 21, 1982

Most people think they use language to communicate. But language is insidious; it determines the way we think. Modern philosophers say we live in a universe limited by our language. Ludwig Wittgenstein even said we were ''bewitched.'' James Powell goes a little further. He examines the symbols of language the way a biologist examines cells. By inquiring into the nature of symbols themselves, he hopes to show the transcendental capacity of language not for mere communication but for ''communion.'' He assures us that the universe is a silent partner in a dialogue that goes on all the time and that throughout history certain images and techniques of meditation have led consciousness to break through the limitations of language.

Mr. Powell argues that we tend to underestimate the volatility of symbols. In world politics, we can easily see the danger of a breakdown in communication. When one world of meaning has no reality for the other, dialogue stops, sometimes violently. If the breakdown is taken as a failure in communication, in which each side sees the other as willfully irrational, the result is explosive. If, however, the failure is seen as a collision of symbol systems, each of which has absolute internal reality, then dialogue may be pursued with a different understanding. 'The Tao of Symbols is Mr. Powell's attempt to bring occupants of different worlds together (Buddhist and Moslem, scientist and sage) and to suggest the basis for a new kind of dialogue.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Read many times.