References

I have kept this list short, so that the reader may be more likely to browse through, and get a sense of how the collection fits together. Each of these offerings has been a personal treasure for me. Some are books giving insight into the human condition, some are organizations dedicated to education, still others describe methods of living that can bring clarity and deeper connection. Most of them I have returned to many times, participating in events, discovering correlations and finding new clarity. Although the collection draws from different disciplines, I have found their overview to form a rich synthesis that, for me, comprises a single body of wisdom. Together, these references have become my own framework for understanding the breadth of human potential, how we may tap into that potential, and help each other develop the strength all of us have in common.

An Alchemy of Mind: The Marvel and Mystery of the Brain by Diane Ackerman

Alexander Technique– reprogramming habitual movement to overcome harmful habits, dispel chronic stress, and move more freely

I took the training at Santa Barbara City College Adult Education over several months, and I developed a new relationship to my body. I went from simply trying to do things: sit down, get in a car, walk through a crowd; to consciously developing grace in the expression of my movement. It felt wonderful, my movement-range became greater and freer, and I started to enjoy my movements as a part of how I expressed myself, who I was, and how my gestures could become more sincere, because they came from poise and balance, not constant over-correction.

Anapanasati – mindfulness with breathing; unveiling the secrets of life by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Be Here Now by Ram Dass

Beyond Blame – a full responsibility approach to life by Yehuda Berg

When I read the little book, I realized how I needed a reminder that the gift of life was delicate in my rough hands, that pleasure and happiness are landmarks of gratitude, discovered in hindsight, and not to be pursued head on, that the symptoms of my discontent came from my oblique and unsteady relationship to the challenges of life.

The Book: On the taboo against knowing who you are by Alan Watts

Another, much more eloquent way of saying that engaging and meeting present conditions, working with heart at the task before you, brings about a wider range of choices, by developing a positive emotional valence for personal challenges in general. This is the doorway to adulthood, and the author outlines it, not as a dare, but as the grace of a full life.

Cognitive Archaeology and Human Evolution

edited by Sophie A. de Beanne, Frederick L. Coolidge, and Thomas Wynn

A complilation of scientific paper synopsis from two diverse fields: Archaeology, and Social Evolution. I read more into these studies than was actually stated, because I believe the questions they ponder about our cognitive development have beed largely described in the esoteric traditions. I don’t take that on faith, either. I see it constantly, in our ability to heal, to reframe and to connect. Our success in overcoming is a very old and true pathway. Having said that, the studies are important, because they are beginning to confirm that the avenue of our evolutionary success was cooperation, not dominance.

The Compassionate Brain: How empathy creates intelligence by Gerald Huther and Michael H. Kohn

This is a primer on empathy. It is the most succinct, and accessible essay I have seen on how the human condition is based on deep cooperation, not dominance, that the operative human language is affection, not control. It describes in detail why the driving force of human evolutionary success is empathy, and has been since the beginning.

Deep Play by Diane Ackermann

It is a delight when an author articulates something in a whole new way. The subject of flow state experiences has been broached by many, using words like trance, ‘the zone’ and immersion. Here the author makes two cases: flow is accessible to everyone, and that we should look to the masters of sports, music, and theater in a new way. We should see them as showing us how to enter our own play in a more freely spontaneous, more deeply engaged way. Deep play recognizes the flow state as something both precious and vital. Beyond that observation, it is a call for our participation, a gentle nudge to not miss out on the kind of fun that takes everything you’ve got, and brings you home in the process.

The Empathic Civilization: The race to global consciousness in a world in crisis

Where the Compassionate Brain is a summation of the fundamental role empathy plays in our evolution, this author’s book is an exhaustive, brilliant and compelling tome on the subject. Reading this work was the single biggest reason that I developed this site. His vision of our potential, and the future we can work for is breathtaking, yet completely steady.

The Esalen Institute, commonly just called Esalen, is a retreat center and intentional community in Big Sur, California, which focuses upon humanistic alternative education. Esalen is a nonprofit organization devoted to activities such as personal growth, meditation, massage, Gestalt, yoga, psychology, ecology, spirituality, and organic food. The institute offers more than 500 public workshops a year, in addition to conferences, research initiatives, residential work-study programs, and internships.

Essential Reiki: A complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art by Diane Stein

The Esoteric Tao Teh Ching by Lao Tzu and Hua-Ching Ni

Translated with commentary and cultivation techniques

Gestault As a Way of Life:

Awareness Practices as taught by Gestault Therapy founders and their follows by Cyndy Sheldon

Gestalt Therapy Verbatim by Frederick S; Perls, MD PhD

The Healing Promise of Qi – creating extraordinary wellness through Qigong and Tai Chi

Hierarchy of Needs– a theory of human motivation By Abraham Maslow

With this book, the author attempted to switch the emphasis of psychology from curing mental dysfunction to guiding the individual towards their greater potential. Many people credit this work as the introduction to the Human Potential Movement.

Holotropic Breathwork A new approach to self-exploration and therapy by Stanislav Grof and Christine Grof

Integral Psychology: Yoga, Growth, and Opening the Heart by Brant Cortright

Light Emerging: The Journey of Personal Healing by Barbara Ann Brennan

Man’s Search for Meaning: an introduction to Logotherapy by Victor E. Frankl

The straight story about how we must face our challenges with steady hands and strong heart- from a man who has been there. There is a good synergy between this and two other books in this list: Beyond Blame, and The Book

Meditate by Swami Muktananda

State Univ. of New York Press copyright 1191 ISBN: 0-7914-0978-3

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Nurture Shock: New thinking about children by Po Bronson

The Partnership Way by Riane Eisler and David Loye

The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley

Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen Ed. D.

The Classic Guide to helping children develop self-discipline,

responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills

The Power of Now – A guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Power vs Force by David P. Hawkins, MD PhD

Ritual by Malidoma Patrice Some’

Rudolf Steiner’s Gift to Education– The Waldorf Schools by Francis Edmunds

Social Intelligence: The revolutionary new science of human relationships by Daniel Goleman

The Spell of the Sensuous – perception and language in a more-than-human world by David Abram

The Unfolding Now – realizing your true nature through the practice of presence by A.H. Almaas

The Vedanta Society– The work of the Vedanta Societies in the west has primarily been devoted to spiritual and pastoral activities, though many of them do some form of social service. Many of the Western Vedanta societies have resident monks, and several centers have resident nuns. I have taken visiting friends to the temple in Santa Barbara countless times over some years. I was always happy when we could take part in their tradition, and by doing so, make the shift from the city into a space that is at once ageless and also precious in the moment.

Violence and Human Nature – an essay from Declarations of Independence by Howard Zinn

The author makes a brilliant and, in my mind, indisputable argument for human nature being cooperative and nurturing, rather than a fight for dominance. His works are inspiring and grounded in fact.

Vipassana Meditation– a modern Theravada practice, in which mindfulness of breathing and of thoughts, feelings and actions are being used to gain insight in the true nature of reality. Due to the popularity of Vipassanā-meditation, the mindfulness of breathing has gained further popularity in the west as mindfulness. Training sessions are ongoing and open to the public by donation only. Their ten day retreat is a life-changing event.

Waking the Tiger-Healing Trauma:

The innate capacity to transform overwhelming experiences by Peter A. Levine

The Way of Zen by Alan Watts

Mark Whitwell – The Yoga of Heart Mark teaches Yoga is Southern California. He is the author of several books that beautifully describe how to have an authentic practice, by finding your own way into the unfolding mystery of the present moment. Mark lives his connection. I saw it in his eyes when I first met him in 1994. He does book tours every so often, and his public speaking has a surprisingly open and gentle quality. His classes have been inspirational to many otherwise ‘seasoned Yogis’. He always reminds me that coming home is only a breath away.

The World’s Religions by Huston Smith

The introduction explains that this is not a treatise on ‘comparative religion’. This tour through the major spiritual traditions gives the reader an experience from the inside, from those who believe and practice their religion. Not a comment on the institutions, or policies, Huston’s book takes us on the path of acceptance and practice in human terms. I especially recommend this book to those who are not attracted to religion in general, because of it’s experiential-based insight into the wisdom traditions. The chapter on the primal religions of indigenous cultures is particularly illuminating.

References

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