Kulturez Highly Recommended Reading

The RZA of Wu-Tang clan provides us with an amazing and inspiring personal story in, The Tao of Wu. When I read this book for the first time, I found myself writing down passages to share with friends. I’m sure there are still RZA quotes on my facebook timeline somewhere.

“Many cultures consider an island to be the ideal home. First, because you’re surrounded by water, which is life. Second, because you’re isolated from the masses, which allows you to find yourself, to develop inner strengths you couldn’t find anywhere else.” – RZA

The book moves back and forth between a story of growing up through struggle and the payoff that comes with hard work and dedication. Not only a payoff of wealth and success, but a payoff of growth and knowledge.

RZA discusses his early encounters with the “5% Nation group” in his neighborhood and how he would later come to understand their dedication to philosophy, math, and the importance of self-worth. He tells us of his passion for music, family, kung-fu, chess, numerology, spirituality, and how it’s all tied into his game plan for life and career.

“I think most of my approach to life has been like that, to find order in chaos, to be in the middle of a bunch of things happening at the same time, but find focus. I strive to be like the sun sitting in the middle of the solar system with all the planets spinning around it — millions of things going on. It’s just sitting there being the sun, but exerting gravitational effect on everything. I think man should look at himself that way.” – RZA

After reading this book I immediately passed it onto my friend Mayan Tamang. He read it twice within the following month. If you like Wu-Tang clan, Kill Bill, Kung-Fu movies, inspirational concepts, this book is for you. Wu-Tang clan ain’t nuttin’ to f*%# with!!