|
Books worth Reading
PLATO, The Collected Dialogues, Edited by Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns
Each conversation brings new insight into the human condition helping us see the way we think and why we think the way we do and its affect on society. Plato teaches us logic in a playful, very easy to read conversation style that has wit and wisdom in each dialogue. I read this long before I read A Course in MIracles. The first thing I thought as I was reading it, was 'Jesus must have read these." After I read the Course, I found it to be true; the reasoning found in the Course finds its source in Divinity, as Plato knew.
THE PROPHET, Kahlil Gibran
This is one book that has traveled my path every step of the way and if you have not read it yet, you are in for a delight. It has special meaning to me, as it 'showed up' in my life mysteriously about 30 years ago; neither given by a friend or bought by me! It truly 'spoke' to me. Later, when I was reading a book about Kahlil Gibran, the author mentioned that the very same thing has happened to others ~ so....it's a keeper for me!
A COURSE IN MIRACLES, Foundation for Inner Peace
I can only quote the preface of the book, as I don't feel my own words suffice for describing this book.
"The Course makes a fundamental distinction between the real and the unreal; between knowledge and perception. Knowledge is truth, under one law, the law of love or God. Truth is unalterable, eternal and unambiguous. ....It applies to everything that God created and only what He created is real.
The world of perception, on the other hand, is the world of time, of change, of beginnings and endings. It is based on interpretation, not on facts. It is the world of birth and death, founded on the belief in scarcity, loss, separation and death. It is learned rather than given, selective in its perceptual emphases, unstable in its functioning and inaccurate in its interpretations"
This book, written in 1975, was brought to light through the channeled words of Jesus. It is extraordinary. A MUST for every spiritual seeker.
JESUS, THE SON OF MAN, Kahlil Gibran Alfred A. Knopf Publishing
Written from the viewpoint of Christ's closest friends, family and enemies, Kahlil Gibran 'becomes' them! He displays a 'knowing' that is not possible to prove or to measure, and somehow it seeems, he does 'know'. Gibran's poetic and soul-convicting and enlightening writing is what makes him one of the key spiritual authors of our time.
THE JEFFERSON BIBLE, The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.
If you are interested at all in the spirituality of the founders of the United States, this book is probably the best. Thomas Jefferson, believing that Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but to give us the truth that is beyond religion, heard a 'different' Jesus than many of the Christian faith heard. He heard a moral teacher, a person who had the mysteries to the Kingdom within, but not because he was any different than any man or woman. Thomas Jefferson put together this book from the original 4 gospels, leaving out miracles and things that he felt detracted from the Truth. A delightful, insightful book with a good forward by Forrest Church.
BLESSINGS OF THE COSMOS, Wisdom of the heart from the Aramaic words of Jesus.
Written by Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz, internationally known for making it his life business to understand Jesus' original meaning to his message, this book is beautiful. He said: "Every person might become a son or daughter of God, living in widsom and compassion, as Jesus did." Comes with a CD that has 20 Aramaic 'body prayers' similar to what Jesus would have practiced.
EXCAVATING JESUS, Beneath the Stones, Behind the Texts
This book was a helpful resource for me, when I wrote a fiction book on Jesus, "From a Whisper to a Roar", needing to know more about his surroundings at the time of his life in Nazareth and surrounding areas. The book is very up to date, 2001 copyright, with new archeological finds described, including the fairly recent one of what they think is the tomb of Jesus' brother, James. I recommend it for the curious.
THE WHEELS OF LIFE, Anodea Judith Phd. "The Users guide to the Chakra System"
This book leaves nothing uncovered to give you an in-depth understanding of the 'portals' in your body to the spiritual world. The author has an immense amount of knowledge regarding this and explains things in a technical, practical and yet inspirational way!
THE WAY OF THE ESSENE'S, Christ's Hidden Life Remembered; Anne and Daniel Meurois-Givaudan
Written through their spiritual experience of 'tapping into' the Akashic Records, Anne and Daniel 'become' Miriam and Siimon, close friends of the boy named Joseph, later to be called Jesus, the Christ. It begins with them as childhood friends in a community of Essenes, a well loved but often mysteriously viewed group of healers. Their viewpoint is one of precious insight and gives you a very different view of Jesus, as a healer and prophet than what is commonly portrayed by the church and somewhat in the New Testatment. It leaves it up to the reader as to the authenticity of their every word however they vow at the very beginning that nothing was 'changed' to please or displease the reader. Interesting and enlightening!
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE UNIVERSE, Gary R. Renard
This book starts out with a bang, and keeps you glued til the end. An ordinary man, in an ordinary life, has an extraordinary experience with two ascended Masters. As bizarre as it sounds, you will learn the truth about the lessons we are all learning, as we view life with Gary, within the nine years it took for their message to be given. Gary uses his rather irreverent sense of humor and very human views on life, sex, drugs, politics, and everything in between, to satisfy the average reader, and keep the spiritual seeker within happy at the same time.
Here is a brief list of other books I have read that I would recommend, but it has been a while, and I don't have them fresh enough in my mind, to write about them.
The Key to Theosophy, H.P. Blavatsky
The Tree of Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar
Any book on Edgar Cayce. A phenomenom himself, he heard a 'different' Jesus, defying his very traditional upbringing. Known as the Sleeping Prophet, he spoke of many truths, while unconscious.
The Collected works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, if interested in the Transcendalist ideas.
Walden, Henry David Thoreau
EXCELLENT RESOURCES FOR LEARNING YOGA
DYNAMIC YOGA, Godfrey Devereuax
When read to learn more about Yoga (you can never stop learning about it!) read his following book. It was a huge stepping stone for me, carrying me to the next level of physcial, spiritual and mental balance.
LIGHT ON YOGA, B.K.S. Iyengar Shocken Books, NY
A must....but not for beginners. It is considered the bible of Hatha Yoga, but it is a bit overwhelming for a new student and might discourage some. Once you feel ready for some harder positions and feel at a 'stand still' spiritually....check it out. Another level of awareness is brought about from these pages.
LIGHT ON THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATENJALI, B.K.S. Iyengar
A fascinating book making the Sutras understandable, or at least approachable by the western mind. Patenjali, a divinely inspired individual wrote the Sutras over 2000 years ago, and lives in the works of Yoga and the discipline, mental and spiritual that Yoga is all about!
THE SPIRIT OF YOGA, Kathy Phillips
This book speaks from the western culture and the excitement moving throughout our culture about the effects Yoga is having upon so many people. It is beautifully laid out, lovely pictures and inspiring words.
POETRY OF THE BODY, Rodney Yee, with Nina Zolotow
This book is great for its light-hearted approach to Hatha Yoga. It is written in conversation form between Rodney and Nina. Great pictures and descriptions of the positions. They discuss various issues regarding life and Yoga ... it's a practical and sometimes funny book.
|
