SURFER AND THE SAGE: Noah benShea and Shaun Tomson

Description

Sometimes life’s waves knock you down; other times, life might seem to sweep you along powerless. But the choice is always yours to swim back up to the light. Legendary world champion surfer Shaun Tomson and international bestselling poet-philosopher Noah benShea join forces to offer you insight on a path of purpose, hope, and faith. This timely guidebook alternates between Tomson’s inspiring experiential essays and benShea’s spiritual commentary that lift the soul, all accented with stunning full-color surfing photographs.

After losing his son, Tomson walked the bitter road of loss and crossed from darkness into the light. The Surfer and the Sage addresses the eighteen relentless, breaking waves of life, from loss and aging to relationships and depression, and guides you to transformation. It is not a list of rules to follow that guarantee success, health, or wealth, but rather a collection of advice from two guides who have traveled far and wide and suffered deeply, but still look forward to tomorrow with faith and hope.

About the Authors

Noah benShea is one of North America’s most respected and beloved poet-philosophers. He is the Pulitzer Prize–nominated author of 29 books, translated into 18 languages and embraced around the world.

Shaun Tomson is a former World Surfing Champion and has been described as one of the greatest and most influential surfers of all time; he is an inductee in the US, Jewish, and South African Sports Halls of Fame. Shaun is also a world-renowned leadership mentor, entrepreneur, environmentalist, and author.

Praise For…

“Some great insights into riding the waves of life. If you surf, read this book. If you don’t surf, read this book.”—Carissa Moore, surfing Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion

“Open-minded surfers will want to catch this wave.” —Publishers Weekly

Praise for Noah benShea:

“The insights in Noah benShea’s work will benefit and transform all who read it.”—Deepak Chopra, international best-selling author and physician
“Noah benShea is a wise and compassionate man. His writings have touched me deeply. I highly recommend his work!”—Jack Canfield, best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series
“Noah benShea is a national treasure!”—US Representative (CA) Lois Capps
“It’s a very nice thing to have an old friend who is full of wit and wisdom. For me, that friend is Noah benShea.”—Sandy Koufax, Baseball Hall of Fame
“Noah benShea is the Compass because he has, with wit, compassion, and humor, helped so many of us to find our way.”—Larry King, CNN
“Noah benShea has elevated the human spirit to great heights with his wisdom.” —Howard Schultz, executive chairman, Starbucks
“I am proud to have Noah benShea in my life. He is a spiritual, inspirational, and insightful man. Everyone needs a friend like Noah.”—Herbert Simon, chairman emeritus, Simon Property Group, Inc., owner of the Indiana Pacers, and chairman, Kirkus Reviews
“Noah benShea is a welcome source of compassion and humble wisdom.” —Bob Costas, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster 

“Mixing self-help with photography and poetry, professional surfer Tomson (The Code) and philosopher benShea (We Are All Jacob’s Children) present a charming program for connecting people to their “true purpose.” The authors compare navigating life’s ups and downs to riding waves, share reflections on hardship, and offer guidance on how to stay afloat. Tomson describes his “Code Method” for finding purpose, which helps one articulate one’s priorities by creating 12 statements that begin with “I will” (e.g., “I will be better”). He also shares personal anecdotes about surfing and family, including how the death of his 15-year-old son shook his faith. BenShea contributes poems with such enigmatic admonitions as “Your calm is not at a distance from you unless you are at a distance from you,” and waxes philosophical about surfing (“Faith is believing that the great wave destined for you is still out there”). Merkel’s vibrant photos, meanwhile, depict the waves and surfers of California and Hawaii. Aside from Tomson’s “Code Method,” the advice is sparse, but benShea’s offbeat wisdom is worth sticking around for (“Hope and despair are both equal opportunity clothing options in every closet”). Open-minded surfers will want to catch this wave.”—Publishers Weekly