Reviews
There Is No Somewhere Else by Francis Pring-Mill is a lovely entryway into the deep truths of the Tao. He skillfully weaves poetic beauty with practical prose in an invitation to examine our thoughts and the illusory sense of self created by these thoughts. His contrast of a life centered on the self versus a life centered in the Tao illumines the heart of the human condition and offers a clear way forward. A much needed book in today’s chaotic world.
– William Martin, author of The Parent's Tao Te Ching, The Sage’s Tao Te Ching and The Couple’s Tao Te Ching
Francis Pring-Mill is an experienced traveler who can lead us to the ancient Tao. While the Way might be steep, he is a worthy and generous guide. Grounded firmly in the ideas of the Tao Te Ching, There Is No Somewhere Else will reward frequent readings with many profound insights.
– Deng Ming-Dao, author of 365 Tao, The Lunar Tao and Chronicles of Tao
The Tao Te Ching tells us that the Tao cannot be named, but that doesn’t mean that a window can’t be opened for us to see it whirling, creating, and transforming the world around us. Francis Pring-Mill’s There is No Somewhere Else is just such a window that makes the esoteric lessons of Taoism clearer and illuminates the Tao’s energies at work. Even more, this book provides valuable insights and reflections to recognize the currents of the Tao flowing in life by lighting a passageway toward deeper wisdom and peace.
– David Clippinger, Ph.D., author of Cultivating Qi, Director of Still Mountain T’ai Chi and Chi Kung, Executive Director of One Pine Institute
Francis Pring-Mill’s There is No Somewhere Else takes us on an inspired journey through the timeless wisdom of the Tao Te Ching. With its meditative reflections and breathtaking nature photos, this beautiful book encourages us to see beyond distractions, embrace the present moment, and realize our oneness with the flow of life.
– Diane Dreher, Ph.D., author of The Tao of Inner Peace
Francis takes the profound texts from the Tao Te Ching and assembles a timeless piece of both poetry and prose with a clear and understandable application to everyday living. He reminds us to let the universe unfold through our own actions by being present in the moment. Francis provides comfort while guiding us toward a more peaceful and enlightened existence. His Taoist humanitarian wisdom presents a simple and beautiful approach to life that can heal ourselves and the world around us, “Aim to create harmony. Forget desire and expectation. Act with intent and caring. Then let go.”
– Michael A. Allen, M.Phil., author of Pulitzer Prize nominated Tao of Surfing: Finding Depth at Low Tide and Producer/Co-Screenwriter for the award-winning feature film A Long Road to Tao
It is a delight to find this insightful and creative way of interpreting Tao wisdom from Dr. Pring-Mill’s new book There is No Somewhere Else. It is clear from reading his work, he has found a well-balanced East/West synthesis within. He shares with us his personal learning, awareness and insight along the way—probing, searching with honesty and simple ease, entertaining his readers with seemingly unanswerable questions.
I am reminded of my learning from several of my mentors, kindred spirit soul mates such as Alan W. Watts with his belief in “the eternal now”, Ram Dass’s “Be Here Now”, and Joseph Campbell’s “follow your bliss.” As well as recalling T.S. Eliot’s lines “to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” Pring-Mill reminds us, “Only the present moment is home. Everything else is somewhere else. Come home.”
Again, what I appreciate in this new book is the simple ease of wisdom we can incorporate into our “moment to moment” life’s journey. As an octogenarian approaching another decade ahead myself, I would attempt to declare with ease and joy, borrowing the title of this book, “There Is No Somewhere Else” and happily coming home to be here in the Tao, simply being alive with much gratitude.
– Chungliang Al Huang, author of Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain and Essential Tai Ji, co-author with Alan W. Watts of
Tao: The Watercourse Way, co-author with Jerry Lynch of Thinking Body, Dancing Mind and Tao Mentoring, Founder-director of Living Tao Foundation / Lan Ting Institute
In There Is No Somewhere Else: Insights from the Tao Te Ching, Francis Pring-Mill weaves together new poetic insight with stimulating questions about the nature of reality, and offers a fresh interpretation of the timeless wisdom of Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching. Dr. Pring-Mill’s analysis is clear and thoughtful, even as he points to powerful experiences that transcend the limitations of thought. The stunning black-and-white photographs are an essential part of the book, silently providing a view of the beauty and spaciousness of the wordless, eternal Tao. This is a guidebook for living—an invitation to the deep reflection that will lead each reader to experience the Oneness and Wholeness that is ever-present, the essence of the Tao.
– Linda Holiday, author of Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei
Have you ever longed for a wise guide to turn to when you need help, to show you the right way to look at things? With There Is No Somewhere Else Francis Pring-Mill becomes that guide, giving you ancient, yet timeless wisdom on how to be in natural harmony with life. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to use these universal principles in all aspects of your life. This is one of those books to keep on your nightstand because it will help you over and over again!
– Jean Haner, author of The Five-Element Solution: Discover the Spiritual Side of Chinese Medicine
There is No Somewhere Else grows on you as you allow the journey of the book to unfold. And by the end you may find the meaning in the title really striking. Drawing effectively from Stephen Mitchell’s translation of the Tao Te Ching, Francis Pring-Mill offers a bracingly nourishing unpacking of “the Tao” and how living in accord with “the way things are” can look and feel. While there are many translations of the Tao Te Ching—a small book of 81 short verses—it’s rare to find a refreshingly unadorned exploration and in-depth reflection on just what “Taoist wisdom” is like when lived.
Dr. Pring-Mill’s colleague-like conversational tone makes these profound philosophical explorations rather fun. It’s also refreshing to find a new book which “translates” these ancient Taoist insights into bite-sized (but not watered down) reflections readily available for the minds of today. But beware! There is No Somewhere Else will stop you in your tracks—if you let it—and the views from this mountain top, as Lao Tzu pointed out, will guide you.
– Kolin Lymworth (Founder of Banyen Books, Vancouver, BC)