title: The Art of Taking Action: Lessons from Japanese Psychology
author:  Gregg Krech 
description: <div>      <div><i>The Art of Taking Action</i> is the best book on developing habit/building character that I have ever read. The book&apos;s insight is superb, with numerous examples of road blocks that people face when they try to make changes. An excellent book -- introducing Eastern Psychology to the West in a very practical way.</div><div>--<b>Ying Studebaker</b>, former Director of Wellness and Health Coaching, Ohio State Univ. Health Plan.</div><div></div><div><br /><br />The Art of Taking Action is a practical and inspiring book on cultivating an active, purposeful life. In the world of daily responsibilities to family, work and community, it&apos;s a useful and guide to moving forward actively and gratefully and brings balance to contemplative practice.</div><div>--<b>Rev. William Masuda</b>, Shin Buddhist Minister</div><div></div><div><br /><br /> In <i>The Art of Taking Action</i>, Gregg Krech has created a set of cables for jump starting projects of any size. And once the project is on the road, Krech uses wit and timeless spiritual wisdom to provide a map for the entire journey.</div><div>--<b>Victoria Register-Freeman</b>, author, Love Stories from the Bible</div><div></div><div><br /><br />In &quot;The Art of Taking Action,&quot; Gregg Krech has not just pointed out the importance of action to our lives, but formulated a system for deciding what truly &quot;should be done&quot; and then overcoming the obstacles that get in the way of following through. Happily, Krech not only has a grasp on what it takes to get going and keep going, he also has a gift for making Japanese wisdom both accessible and interesting to read.</div><div><b>--Morris Sekiyo Sullivan</b>, Sensei, Volusia Buddhist Fellowship</div></div><div>   </div>
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  Back to One
  
  
  
  
  
  A Practical Guide for Psychotherapists
  
  
  
  
  
  Sheldon Kopp
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  IMITATION—“In imitation there should be a tinge of the
  
  
  ‘unlike’. For if imitation be pressed too far it impinges on reality and
  ceases
  
  
  to give an impression of rightness.
  
  
  
  
  
  Seami
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  * Seami. Works, 14th Century Japanese manuscript, p. 54, quoted in _The N_ _ō
  
  
  Plays of Japan_, by Arthur Waley, with letters by Oswald Sickert, Grove
  
  
  Press, New York, originally published in England in 1920, p. 46.
  
  
  © Copyright 1977 Sheldon Kopp
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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