We are used to thinking about Eastern religions mainly in terms of contemplative practices such as meditation. But there is also a value system that focuses on taking action. It is found in principles such as non-attachment, purpose, gratitude, interdependence, and befriending fear. These in turn are evident in martial arts (Aikido, Kyudo), psychology (Morita therapy, Kaizen, Naikan), and religion (engaged Buddhism).

Gregg Krech is an author, poet, and one of the leading authorities on Japanese psychology in North America. His extraordinary book Naikan received a Spirituality & Practice Best Spiritual Book Award for its explanation of a classic gratitude practice. His other books include A Natural Approach to Mental Wellness and A Finger Pointing to the Moon. He is the editor of Thirty Thousand Days: A Journal of Purposeful Living and currently lives in Vermont where he is the Executive Director of the ToDo Institute.

In this down-to-earth and practical work, Krech joins with those who have studied with him at the ToDo Institute in an exploration of taking action or "doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done." For Krech, the model for living as a person animated by action and determination as well as spirituality and prayer is Mahatma Gandhi.

Many societies today take pride in efficiency and productivity. In that milieu, some typical obstacles that may arise when we have to get something done are anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, loss of trust, sleep problems, low self-esteem, and anger.

Another roadblock to taking action promptly is the fear of risk. Many times when facing a deadline, we freeze up and do nothing at all. We think we are playing it safe but what we really are doing is putting our future in jeopardy. Krech ponders Morita therapy and its advocacy of acceptance at the heart of action: "Accept your thoughts and feelings. Rather than fight what goes on in your mind, simply accept it." Two other members of a psychological trio helpful for taking action are Kaizen (the effort of making continuous improvements) and Naikan (a process of inside looking); both help us see the importance of gratitude and interdependence in our lives.

Krech and other contributors to this handy little paperback also cover obstacles to action such as adherence to likes and dislikes, not stopping after a few small steps, the perils of excitement, the strength and stick-to-itness it takes to swim upstream, busyness and being obsessed with the unfinished. In the final stretch, the authors square off against the demons of inaction — fear, indecision, discouragement, procrastination, television, boredom and difficulty. They provide instruction in some strategies for taking action, including overcoming by going around" (see the excerpt), keeping your feet moving, and just doiong it.

Reading The Art of Taking Action brought to mind a teaching story by Joseph Gosse we used in our book 100 Ways to Keep Your Soul Alive:

"The young salesman approached the farmer and began to talk excitedly about the book he was carrying. 'This book will tell you everything you need to know about farming,' the young man said enthusiastically. 'It tells you when to sow and when to reap. It tells you about weather, what to expect and when to expect it. This book tells you all you need to know.'

" 'Young man,' the farmer said, 'that's not the problem. I know everything that's in the book. My problem is doing it.' "