A Tao

The RZA is the co-founder and head-honcho of the legendary hip-hop crew, The Wu-Tang Clan. He's well read in many things; from Comics to The Bible. He released this philosophical memoir in 2009, look above. In this book, he explains something which relates to the topic in which Zach based his final essay on.

The RZA says that if you fast for a few days then you'll feel yourself getting closer with God. Another tactic would be to sleep on the floor or not sleep at all for a few days, too.

These practices are common of the "religion" in which Zach wrote of, Jainism. If you utilize such primitive practices as the RZA mentions then you're nourishing yourself with an utmost purity or ethical connection with God. When your mind and body are weakest or most tired then they gain strength. The strength experienced or obtained is from spiritual awakening.

In The Slave, Jacob is a Jew, but he understands these primitive practices. His character and understanding of the world embodies that of a Jainist. For example, he's a vegetarian (vegan?) and prefers sleeping in unorthodox (one would mostly likely call uncomfortable) fashions. His lifestyle and belief system, to some extent, runs parallel with The RZA (not in religious sense, more of a pragmatic sense).

The Tao of Wu is a quick read, but it's full of parables and simple lessons. Jacob and Zach could learn something from the hip-hop guru's wisdom.