The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation by Tom Morris


The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation
Title : The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : -
Language : English
Format Type : Kindle Edition
Number of Pages : 196
Publication : First published September 1, 2015

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.

The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation Reviews

  • Jacob Aitken

    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.


  • Richard Pütz

    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.

  • Dave

    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.

  • Donna Karlin

    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

    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.