So - Doug Gordy asked me to post the 10 books (fiction or non) that I think have INFLUENCED me the most.... with the caveat that most people tend to choose their FAVORITE books, which is NOT quite the same thing.... 10) The Starship and the Canoe by Kenneth Brower Father son issues in epic style about a father and son who just dont understand each other, and the sons duty to finish his fathers work after he passes. Its a brilliantly told story - with a sense of duty and love between men Ive never read in another book. 9) The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon & City of Shy Hunters by Tom Spanbauer These two books were devastating, real - and taught me that people can write about tragic, difficult things with incredible beauty. 8) The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton. While I am ANYTHING but Catholic - the story of faith and of committment to that faith, this is a remarkable book - and has led to a fascination with Merton as a character. So much in fact, he is an important noncharacter in my new novel project. 7) How Not To Be Afraid of Your Own Life by Susan Piver. After recovering from the Rickisode (the quasiboyfriend EPIC disappointment that I moved to SF for in 2006) this book was honestly the turning point for me in that breakup process. She says Although you may not realize it, fear is getting in your way and stopping you from connecting with others, reaching your true potential, and finding happiness and joy. It completely turned my personal spiritual practice upside down - and made me concentrate on removing fear from my life, and letting the barriers in my way unlock. Seriously! I use her seven day retreat once a year to reset and remind myself of the lessons this book taught me. 6) Walden by Henry David Thoreau. A friend sent me a copy of this to read while I was down hard with cancer in the late 90s. Its clear to say that the book, and Thoreaus life - is another journey I find remarkable. Launching flights across country to walk on Walden Pond, producing the Robert Lee play THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL in Boise (to great critical acclaim). There is a lot to learn from Uncle Henry 5) The Three Questions by Tolstoy. online-literature/tolstoy/2736/ Most new friends receive this story in some form or another within a few months of being a friend. Its such a simple parable and honestly - when applied to every daily situation can be life altering. 4) The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz. Ruiz has turned the Four agreements into an industry that I dont necessarily buy into (toltec wisdom?) - but - his base four agreements have helped me navigate life daily for over a decade. toltecspirit/ 3) The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. What started out as a 12 week program recommended by a college professor has turned into a creative life I could not have imagined before reading and following this book. While a little heavy on the God and a bit preachy in spots, it offers solid advice and tools to help even people who dont FEEL creative - find the creative spark in their lives. I taught a workshop when I worked at Boise State University on Taming the Dragon her version of the creativity journey for professionals who needed to rediscover the creative spark in their careers. Her work inspired my 150 words a day series and she is an idol of mine in the creative space. 2) Virtual Equality: The Mainstreaming of Gay and Lesbian Liberation by Urvashi Vaid. When I moved to Idaho in 1999, I was fired from my first job for being gay. Literally, the boss handed me my paycheck on a flight home from California and said I cant have a faggot representing my company. It was awful. and from then on I became an activist - serving as editor of Idahos gay newspaper and even lobbying in the Idaho State legislature. A leader in the community in Boise, Nicole Lefavour, reccomended the book to me and it was like reading my own thoughts - but mature versions of them. Vaid understood what the next ten-fifteen years of the gay liberation battle was going to be like. Granted, now its a bit dated, but for me, it was a bible, and a book Ive read over and over and over again. 1) Learn to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Self-Discovery and Fulfillment by David Fontana. To say that meditation and its gifts changed my life, is a powerful understatement. When I broke up with my ex in Idaho in 2004, I realized how much pent up ANGER I had. When I went to my doctor and literally said the anger is making me sick he told me to get this book, read it, and try and apply its simple approach to meditation. It led to a decade of research into the Buddhist path and finding ways to incorporate mindfulness and compassion into everything that I do. Am I always successful? Of course not, but people that knew me when I was Angry Bob - are thankful this got introduced to me. I didnt find myself on the Buddhist path of joining a sangha or community like many of my other Buddhist friends. But - I purposefully find time for meditation, quiet, and thoughtful STOPPING every day.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:25:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015