Grain of Truth: The Ancient Lessons of Craft

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Grain of Truth is a book about the creative process; its flavors and shades and peculiar demands.The narrative follows the meandering track of the author's craft, woodworking, through the course of just over a year. It asserts, at every turn, the work of hands as an exemplary guide in the unfolding of awareness. Combining ancient Taoist philosophy with reflections on family, culture and nature, Laird provides a compelling view of the diverse rewards of creative endeavor. He confirms, with elegance and precision, that the creative path is both nurturing and relentless. It leads, gently and irrevocably, toward a lucid core of mystery. Within that core, wisdom swirls like smoke.

Grain of Truth, shortlisted for the Governor General's award, the highest literary award in Canada, explores creative work as devotion, as revelation, as a rough opening polished by the shapes of beauty. Through the experience of rebuilding a childhood sailing dinghy, crafting a garden lantern, making a musical instrument, or simply stacking lumber, Laird reaches for the essence of creativity. He shows how the work of hands can fill each moment with new breath, new forms, so that the self becomes gossamer-light, a kite held aloft by unfathomable strings. He leads us through the simple alchemy that begins in the hand as it opens the palm and reaches, with supple fingers, outward.