The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation

by Tom Morris

What wisdom can equip us best for the journey of life? A young boy and his uncle are traveling with some friends across the desert in Egypt in 1934, on their way to Cairo. During a rest at a beautiful oasis, the older man decides that the time is right to begin preparing his nephew for the future. So, as the days pass, they talk about such things as inner peace, the challenge of change, the dynamic nature of balance, how things can help or harm us, the true power of the mind, the hidden structures of our world, the importance of wisdom, the elements of human nature, the necessity of love, the requirements of success, and the world’s strangest gift of all - uncertainty. The boy keeps a diary. And what he learns on this journey may be as life changing for readers as it is for him. Philosopher Tom Morris has produced a gem of a book that’s packed with wisdom for life and work today. You’ll find in this short tale a profusion of vivid images, profound reminders, and new perspectives that can help greatly as you grapple at the interface of desire and difficulty throughout your life. There is profound and simple wisdom to be gained about how to deal with the opportunities and obstacles that are everywhere in this world. You’ll find much of it here, in this brief but rich account of one remarkable trip. We can all cultivate the oasis within, of which this book speaks, and it will provide a source of peace and power that can lead to remarkable outer results.

Genres: Philosophy, Leadership, Fiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

There is more than one author by this name. This profile contains various Tom's.

Reviews

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different kind of novel, and since it is something of a prequel, it doesn’t have to follow the typical story-line pattern. It is a series of wisdom conversations between an old man and his nephew. In many ways it sums up Morris’s own philosophy of life.

Key idea: a person’s inner strength comes from cultivating an “oasis within” himself. Nevertheless, we cannot stay at an oasis. We have to do more than simply rest in moments of strength and recovery. We must achieve balance. Morris’s interlocutor, Uncle Ali, explains, “Balance is not a steady, static thing. It’s ever changing. The essence of it is care and correction, or awareness and adjustment. It is an ongoing dance of change” (Morris 13).

Key idea: We can’t control the day, but only what we make of the day.

Lessons from the viper: emotions and feelings aren’t bad. They are often good teachers, but only if they are disciplined and controlled. Morris says “we must cultivate a sensitivity to what is real” (33). We do this “by creating new habits of feeling.” Very few things are as bad as we fear them to be. We should neither ignore all our fears nor over-exaggerate them.

What do you want to do with your life? There are two different types of “opportunities” we get. Some are for particular actions and some are for directions to grow (39). The latter type usually materialize more than once in life. The key thing is to “act with as much excellence as you can.”

Ancient philosophers spoke of the four elements. While we know that the physical reality isn’t reducible to earth, air, fire, and water, these elements nevertheless serve as a good picture of man. Those who have “fire” have a creative energy in them. Earth represents stability. They are dependable and have fertile soil for vision to grow. Water flows out to encourage and nourish people. Air is information.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walid and his Uncle Ali journey by camels across the desert while Uncle Ali dispenses all sorts of wisdom to his eager and astute 13-year-old nephew. At the end, Walid's diary sums up all he's learned about preparation for whatever is in store for him. It's a delightful story told by possibly the "world's happiest philosopher."

[Tammy Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's easy to read, and you could easily miss so many great bits of wisdom. I love that the learnings are all listed in the back as a quick reference. I'm looking forward to continuing the story of Walid and Ali in the next book.

[Lawrence Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this delightful and thoughtful book is available at https://poeticdrivel.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

[Richard Pütz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to the world of philosophy this book and the entire series of novels are the perfect way to discover the meaning of the great philosophers throughout the ages. Tom presents their teachings through the characters in his novels.

[Annie Slessman · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE OASIS WITHIN
Tom Morris
Wisdom Works
ISBN: 978-0-692-50047-7
$14.99 – Paperback, $22.95 – Hardcover
194 Pages
Reviewer: Annie Slessman

THE OASIS WITHIN, by Dr. Tom Morris is his first book of philosophy written in a fiction format. Being a first, one would think there would be flaws in the attempt. However, there are no flaws here. Just a beautifully written piece of fiction filled with complex philosophical concepts broken down into language easily understood by young and old alike.

As Walid and his Uncle Ali, cross the desert with a caravan, there is ample opportunity for Uncle Ali to share his wisdom and experience with young, Walid. Each vista and new experience provides a venue to explain life management techniques to his young nephew. That the book tells a story and still instills one with the wisdom of the Stoics, provides for some very interesting reading.

I will share this work with my eight-year old grandson and use the book as a mapping system for helping him to better cope with society and live a happier, healthier life.

I am excited to see Dr. Morris finally take his wisdom and experience into a fictional format. He has said there is more to come in the “Oasis” series and I for one, cannot wait for the next installment.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliantly, though thinly, disguised treatise on the philosophy of living a full and worthwhile life hides just below the surface of Tom Morris's first novel. I wasn't sure I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but I found myself going back to re-read sections and chapters to make sure I really "got it." I'm looking forward to the real story in the set of novels the follow this fascinating little book.

[Sharon Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent philosophical little book with a very calming tone. While riding on camels crossing the desert, a kind uncle addresses his young nephew's questions about life. The nephew is 13 years old and I think this is a book every young person should read to achieve balance in their life.

[Donna Karlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on multiple journeys; not only the ones Tom guides you through with his stories but how you attach your own life's stories to them as well. This is a book you'll read more than once as a reminder of what's truly important in life. I can't recommend it highly enough!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever had the chance to see Tom give a talk live, you'll enjoy this short novel. It captures his ability to spin a fascinating story and in the unfolding fable you'll learn much about concepts and techniques to make the most of your own journey.