‘The Dao of Flow’ by Jin Young Lim: Water as metaphor for life

Manu Moudgil

Throughout history, there have been individuals known for their conquests, wealth and knowledge. Often, they leave behind a legacy of pain, exploitation, and arrogance. In contrast, there are those who take a different path. These people may not be very well known, but their work aligns with nature, brings solace in turbulent times and uplifts others. ‘The Dao of Flow’ by Jin Young Lim celebrates these little-known do-gooders who redeem the whole human race. Lim likens the lives of these people to water as it flows effortlessly through the thick and thin, hard and soft realities of the world. In this book, nature meets spirituality and we are introduced to traditional Chinese and Japanese philosophies, often through folklore.

In a world full of heroes from the West, ‘The Dao of Flow’ is a refreshing exhibit of inspiring people from the East. A Zen priest trying to decontaminate Japan after the nuclear disaster, a harbinger of holistic education in Ladakh, a panda conservationist from China, a painter who survived incarceration and brutality to create timeless art, a Japanese doctor’s zeal to dig wells and build canals in war-torn Afghanistan, there are many such stories that instil hope. Masanobu Fukuoka, the Japanese farmer-philosopher of the ‘One Straw Revolution’, also makes an appearance in the segment on natural, ‘do nothing’ farming.

At some places, however, the writing lacks the desired flow on such a subject. The author has also interspersed his own life journey — discovering new places and people — into the book but sometimes the personal details are overstretched. A few portions also seem unnecessary. For instance, a whole chapter on China’s history and geography derived from a class lecture is labourious and the information could be trimmed and interspersed with other segments. At such times, one can’t help but wish the editor had refined the text more thoroughly.

Throughout the book, readers are introduced to new words from Mandarin and Japanese, as well as the practices of tai chi and yoga, to illustrate different states of being or becoming. Tea is also a constant companion through the pages as the author, a tea enthusiast himself, goes into its history, spiritual significance and the decline in quality because of the pressures of global markets. Those interested in the Eastern philosophies, ethos and folklore will find a wealth of information and inspiration in this book.