The Oasis Within: A Journey of Preparation

by Old Tom Morris

This is a book about our inner power to live and flourish in a challenging world. In 1934, a thirteen-year-old boy from a small village in western Egypt is on his first trip across the desert when he discovers something about his life that transforms his future. He’s traveling with his seventy-year-old uncle, who is exceptionally wise for any stage of life. The boy and his older relative are also accompanied by a caravan of merchants and animals traveling to Cairo to bring goods to market. The young man has had no idea what awaits him on this trip. His uncle will decide to share with him the basic elements of a practical and yet profound philosophy of life, as they deal with events and challenges that appear throughout the journey. And this wisdom for living will prove to have come at just the right time, when the boy learns that he is on his way, not just to a marketplace, but to a life change that will thrust him into new dangers and opportunities beyond anything he has ever imagined. This book is the short prologue to a forthcoming series of seven novels entitled, Walid and the Mysteries of Phi .

Genres: Philosophy, Fiction, Leadership

196 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

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.

[Joy Kidney]

Walid and his Uncle Ali journey by camels across the desert while Uncle Ali dispenses all sorts of wisdom to his eager and astute 13-year-old nephew. At the end, Walid's diary sums up all he's learned about preparation for whatever is in store for him. It's a delightful story told by possibly the "world's happiest philosopher."

[Nick]

A wise elder prepares a young boy for the adventure of life by teaching him the ways of the Stoic philosophers in practical, accessible ways. Mentally preparing yourself for life's battles will allow you to weather whatever storm life throws at you with calm, fortitude, patience, and even a bit of joy.

[Tammy Fuller]

I enjoyed this book. It's easy to read, and you could easily miss so many great bits of wisdom. I love that the learnings are all listed in the back as a quick reference. I'm looking forward to continuing the story of Walid and Ali in the next book.

[Lawrence Hall]

My review of this delightful and thoughtful book is available at https://poeticdrivel.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

[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.

[Annie Slessman]

THE OASIS WITHIN
Tom Morris
Wisdom Works
ISBN: 978-0-692-50047-7
$14.99 – Paperback, $22.95 – Hardcover
194 Pages
Reviewer: Annie Slessman

THE OASIS WITHIN, by Dr. Tom Morris is his first book of philosophy written in a fiction format. Being a first, one would think there would be flaws in the attempt. However, there are no flaws here. Just a beautifully written piece of fiction filled with complex philosophical concepts broken down into language easily understood by young and old alike.

As Walid and his Uncle Ali, cross the desert with a caravan, there is ample opportunity for Uncle Ali to share his wisdom and experience with young, Walid. Each vista and new experience provides a venue to explain life management techniques to his young nephew. That the book tells a story and still instills one with the wisdom of the Stoics, provides for some very interesting reading.

I will share this work with my eight-year old grandson and use the book as a mapping system for helping him to better cope with society and live a happier, healthier life.

I am excited to see Dr. Morris finally take his wisdom and experience into a fictional format. He has said there is more to come in the “Oasis” series and I for one, cannot wait for the next installment.

[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.

[Sharon Griffin]

This is an excellent philosophical little book with a very calming tone. While riding on camels crossing the desert, a kind uncle addresses his young nephew's questions about life. The nephew is 13 years old and I think this is a book every young person should read to achieve balance in their life.

[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.