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| September, 2008 | ||
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“RELIGION never satisfied me, and often infuriated me.” This first sentence of Sankara Saranam’s preface may give readers a reasonably accurate indication of what inspired him to write this most extraordinary book. Saranam is the son of self-exiled Iraqi Jews; as a young man, he rebelled against his classical Hebrew education. His rebellion would eventually lead him on an investigation of mystical techniques that included breath control and meditation. The discovery of those techniques ultimately led to his joining a monastic order. Central to the book is Saranam’s firm belief that it is not the intention of religions to support the search for God. He states, “Spirituality is ultimately about expansion of the sense of self. The expansive sense of self that manifests as a result of these endeavors reflects a unifying knowledge of humanity—the fleshand-blood God of which we are all a part.” According to Saranam, a more satisfying and transformative option to religion is to embark on a quest to discover God on your own—an ambitious undertaking, but Saranam is thorough. He offers us seventeen universal techniques for developing a personal relationship with God. Some of these techniques are: “affirmation,” “nonattachment to results” and “tension and relaxation methods” to name a few. What seems to be missing in the author’s bold thesis, however, are some of the staples of most religious quests: faith, love and devotion. I think Saranam, who has a master’s degree in Eastern texts and Sanskrit from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a brilliant and insightful writer. He offers some powerful arguments to challenge the mind about religious dogma, and God's place within it. I feel that what is left out in God Without Religion is a solution to the yearning of the heart. Isn’t this the role of religion? |
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| —Cliff Johnson | ||
FINDING Your Own North Star is an insightful and informative guide for those of us on the path to personal enlightenment. Martha Beck feels that we each have our own internal “North Star,” or deep, inner-wisdom about our lives that we can follow if we’re willing to seek it. It is through understanding and working with your “essential self ” (the navigational equipment that points toward your North Star) and your “social self” (the vehicle which carries you through life) that you are able to chart a course for claiming the life you were meant to live. Beck contends that the essential self is adventurous in comparison to the social self that is stable. To assist you with your pursuit across the galaxy of human experience to connect with your North Star, Beck offers questionnaires and easy-to-follow exercises; some of the exercises are: “Evaluate Your Life,” “Profiling Your Life Style” and “Treating an Emotional Wound.” In Chapter Eight: “Reading Your Emotional Compass,” the question is asked, “What will it take to make me happy?” Beck’s response is: “If your primary emotion is happiness, you already have what it takes, and your only problem is keeping things as they are, or changing in positive ways.” Beck offers a service called “life design.” She feels that when her clients find their North Star it is a discovery for them—an “uncovering” of what was already within them rather than a creation. Martha Beck is an author with impressive credentials. She was a Harvard professor before becoming a life design counselor. |
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| —Mary Porter | ||
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