This is easily my favorite book I've ever read. Although some others come close, this one at least edges out the others for a number of reasons.
Probably one of the big reasons is the way that it reads. Somewhere between a novel and eyewitness account, it reads a little like a fantasy novel, with it's fantastical tales of chi and the many powers and abilities that one can tap into, what it's like, and what you can do with it. Yet at the same time, it reassures the reader that these things are real and acquirable, if difficult to do. Walking the reader through some of the practices done, and a little on how to do them, and what they're like.
The author plays the role of the believing skeptic, much like I am. Believes in these phenomena as well as chi. But skeptical of when someone claims they can do it, and what they see or experience during demonstrations of these abilities. Always on guard for trickery, if only to eliminate it as a variable. Which I like that he would investigate and set conditions upon these demonstrations to verify that it is real, so the wool isn't being pulled over his eyes.
Of the books I read, sometimes the books get a bit preachy, which annoys me when they try and tie certain phenomena like these into some specific religion. Thankfully, this book skips over most of that. Only touching on religion briefly, and when it does, for the most part, both Kosta and John Chang, acknowledge they are merely beliefs on the matter.
Instead of religious dogma on the matter, they often approach these phenomena scientifically. They show in some areas how the principles and effects of chi in the east, match very closely to our ideas in the west. It is actually quite interesting to read the many parallels drawn between the understanding of chi, and our understanding of science. John Chang also assures that their understanding of chi comes from discovery, and trial and error. Over the many centuries, the east has slowly refined their understanding of this mysterious life force.
There wasn't a whole lot in the book that I disagreed with, which is why it's my favorite. But there was a few things that made me skeptical. Often times it was the parts that touched on religious experiences. One such time is recalled in the book where John Chang, during a meditation journey in the mountains alone, wanted to know for sure if God existed. He said over many days, he became more obsessed with some sign, screaming to the heavens for proof. One day during all this, a meteor fall before him and a voice spoke to him. He did take it as the sign he was after, but also acknowledge that it might have just been a powerful spirit messing with him. As I guess they sometimes do that.
The other thing that is slightly annoying about the book is it doesn't go into great detail about how to do these things or get started. It touches on what to do briefly and vaguely, enough to get you started with a good idea, but no depth beyond that, because it's meant to be kept secret. It focuses more on the philosophy and principles involved. Painting a picture of this world, and what you're capable of, rather then a tutorial. Nevertheless, it does have some great information sprinkled throughout. You just got to keep you eyes open for those diamonds the author left hidden in the rough.
Short of that, everything else that might've annoyed me is fairly minor, since it takes fairly general approach to spirituality, it really doesn't trample on religion or endorse it. It's actually more scientific, if you can believe that.
There is one last and best thing that really sells this book home for me far more then any other. Unlike everything else I've read, this book actually comes with proof. It has video evidence of many of the claims in the book.
I've linked to this video before here on the blog, and I don't see any harm in doing so again. This video, or at least parts of it, is what led Kosta to search out John Chang, known as Dynamo Jack in the videos, for apprenticeship. Which also led me to The Magus of Java. After having read it, I loved going back to the video and comparing the book with the video, which lines up strikingly well. I was half expecting to see some divergence between the two, but there really isn't any. They both compliment and reinforce each other very well.
And to be able to actually see many of these extraordinary claims that are discussed in the book, here on video, with John Chang himself performing them under scientific scrutiny, only adds authenticity to the claims in the book. And the Potential in all of us.
9/10
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!
