Book Recommendations
Deepak Chopra’s
“The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.”
This little book has been out in print for about
eight years and is near the top of my “Best Reads.”
Subtitled as “A Practical Guide To The Fulfilment Of Your
Dreams,” it is essentially just that. It begins by laying
a simple philosophical foundation: that your true essential nature
is one of joy and abundance and that success, defined as “the
ability to fulfil your desires with effortless ease,” 1 unfolds
by following the spiritual laws that govern the universe. The seven
chapters of the book then outline these seven laws and provide guidance
for applying them to your everyday life.
There is wisdom and truth in these laws and anyone who earnestly
follows them is bound to reap great benefits. Be advised, however,
that the true power of the book is subtle and can only be realized
by a gentle and consistent practice. Although a quick read, the
book might best be viewed as a garden to be moved through slowly,
taking in it’s true richness and beauty. The Seven Spiritual
Laws of Success is available from Amber-Allen.
1. Chopra, Deepak. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.
San Rafael, CA: Amber-Allen, 1994. P 2.
Paulo
Coelho’s “The Alchemist.”
This little jewel of literature is pure magic and is at the top
of my recommended readings list. The book follows the journeys of
a boy named Santiago as he struggles with finding and realizing
his destiny. Written as a parable, it has a timeless and universal
quality that is bound to charm, resonate with truth, and perhaps
enlighten. For those who dare to dream their heart’s desires,
it is a wonderful reaffirmation of that which you already know.
For others, it may help to open your life to its infinite possibilities.
This can be a quick read or a book to slowly ponder. I would also
recommend it as a book to read to your children as they grow; it
carries life lessons that are founded in the true wisdom of the
ages. The Alchemist is available from Harper Collins
Thom
Hartmann’s “Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception.”
This groundbreaking book was among the first to de-pathologize Attention Deficit Disorder.
ADD affects as much as 10% of the North American population and has usually been linked to
underachievement, addictions, and even criminal activity. Hartmann points out, however, that
it is also associated with creativity, entrepreneurial success, and effective leadership. He
makes a compelling argument that what has usually been looked upon as a brain disorder is actually
a normal variation of the human condition. He points out that the features of ADD have point-to-point
correspondence with the qualities required of a hunter in the wild and argues that what we now label
as ADD is actually the original blueprint for our species. The problems commonly associated with ADD
are then seen as the failure of “hunters” to adapt to a “farmer’s” world.
The very same traits that present a challenge to hunters, however, can become powerful resources if
properly channeled, and can propel the individual to success. Hartmann asserts that over 50% of
successful entrepreneurs could be diagnosed as having ADD and that a sizable portion of the movers
and shakers across history have been 'hunters'. Well written and filled with practical tips to help
hunters capitalize on their gifts, it is a must read for anyone who believes they have ADD or who has
a loved one so gifted. It is available in paperback from Underwood Books.
Gay Hendrick’s & Kate Ludeman’s
“The Corporate Mystic.”
When The Corporate Mystic was first released in 1996 it provided a compelling vision for the
future of business leadership. Sufficiently ahead of the curve at the time, its message is
still fresh and relevant today. The authors use the term “corporate mystic” to
refer to those business leaders who who operate from a base of integrity, pursue their visions
with passion and compassion, and evoke the full potential of those with whom they come in contact.
They are men and women who are committed to being their full, undivided selves, and to promoting
the same in others. Their key gift is the capacity to project themselves into the future, intuit
a clear vision of where their organizations need to go, create a road map to get there, and inspire
those they lead toward the realization of the journey.
Hendricks and Ludeman have drawn on their extensive experience in training leading
executives to identify the core qualities corporate leaders need to possess to flourish in today's
ever changing business environment. They then provide guidelines to help readers develop and use these
qualities in their current leadership roles and private lives. The book is insightful, inspiring, and
validating to those who have already become corporate mystics in their own ways. For some, it may well
read as a manifesto. The Corporate Mystic: A Guidebook For Visionaries With Their
Feet On The Ground was published in 1996 by Bantam.
Roger Housden’s
“Chasing Rumi.”
The best way to describe this little book is found in its subtitle:
“A fable about finding the heart’s true desires.”
It follows the quest of a young man, Georgiou, for something to
settle a yearning in his heart that he does not even understand.
When he is touched by the poetry of the Sufi mystic
Rumi, he ventures from his native Florence across the homeland of
his ancestors and into Turkey, the birthplace of Rumi. Uncertain
of what he is seeking, his journey takes him a place of discovery.
It is there that he awakens to the transcendent power of complete
surrender of the self to love. Charming and well written, Chasing
Rumi will likely end up in your collection of special books to be
re-read time and again. It is available from Harper Collins.
Ken Wilber’s
“A Theory Of Everything.”
Ken Wilber has become one of the world's pre-eminant thinkers in
his quest to create a model that will unify all aspect of human
understanding and endeavor. He is a man with a mission and his
target is to promote integral thinking and the evolution of human
consciousness. A Theory of Everything explains the basis of integral
thinking and provides a vision of how it may apply to the areas of
business, politics, science, and spirituality. If you know little of
the integral perspective, I would highly recommend a little google
research. If the topic interests you and you'd like a deeper exploration,
then this book is a good place to start.
Wilber is an extraordinarily deep thinker and is not known
for simplicity in his writing. His books are not a quick read for most of
us and are not for the faint of intellect. At the same time, they are bound
to stimulate thought and perhaps change the way you look at the world. A
Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision For Business, Politics, Science, and
Spirituality was published in 2000 by Shambala Books
Copyright © 2002 / 2009 G. S. Renfrey
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