Review Of Literature
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
I invite you to look further into any perspectives of the self and life purpose that you feel attracted to through readings or experiential exercises. This section will give you ideas for further reading either for yourself or others.
Dharma Gaia (1990), edited by Allan Badiner, explores the relationship between Buddhism and ecology and the insights they have to offer each other. Over thirty short essays reveal many insights into how the notion of interbeing applies to the study of ecology and our relationship with the earth and cosmos. This book is highly recommended for a study of the applications of Buddhism toward life purpose.
Messengers Of The Gods (1993), written by James Cowan, explores tribal people's perspectives on living in communion with nature. In western culture today we are seeing drastic consequences of millions of people acting for self interest only. Cowan shows us the incredible possibility for change and sustainability if western culture were to adopt the insight offered by tribal peoples, which is that we have a responsibility to consult with nature before we act out of self-interest. When we act in this way we engage our eco-self.
Steven Foster and Meredith Little wrote The Book Of The Vision Quest (1980). This book explores the components of vision questing as done by these authors. It also presents first-hand stories of people as they experienced vision questing. Steven Foster writes, "This book is about the re-creation, in modern times, of an ancient rite of dying, passing through, and being reborn." (1)
In Creative Visualization (1995), Shakti Gawain teaches readers how to use affirmations and mental imagery to create their goals in life. This book is written clearly and gives specific meditations and other exercises to put into use. Gawain states, "Creative visualization is not just a technique; ultimately it is a state of consciousness. It is a consciousness in which we deeply realize that we are the continuous creators of our universe and we take responsibility for that in every moment." (183)
Esther and Jerry Hicks have presented the teachings of the nonphysical entity called Abraham in the book Ask And It Is Given (2004). This is a book about manifesting that which we desire in our lives by using the law of attraction, viewing the world as being made up of vibrations of energy, and following the three steps of asking, being given an answer, and allowing the answer to be received.
Coming Back To Life (1998), written by Joanna Macy and Molly Brown, invites us to open our hearts to the state of the world and allow ourselves to dive deeply into the pain and frustration that we may feel. This book is designed to help us stop running from our feelings and instead use them to motivate us to make change. It is also a guide book with many practices for how to develop awareness of the eco-self. The authors hope that through awareness of the eco-self we can begin to restore the earth and make it sustainable for all beings.
In Rainbow Medicine (1994), Wolf Moondance presents Native American shamanism. Moondance describes experiences that she has had, along with many teachings of how to create shamanic experiences yourself. These teachings include ceremonies, meditations, and creative processes.
The book A Single Blade of Grass: Finding The Sacred In Everyday Life (2002) is a beautiful book of spiritual wisdom written by Ellen Grace O'Brian. Reverend Ellen Grace O'Brian is a spiritual teacher in the Kriya Yoga tradition. This book discusses the elements of a spiritual path and reasons why cultivating such a path can be desirable. It also contains short and meaningful pieces of wisdom that can be used daily by reading one page of wisdom and using it as a focus of contemplation for the day.
Creating Money (1988) is a guide book on how to open your self to abundance. Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer channeled their guides Orin and Daben to create this book. The authors claim that abundance is our natural state and that once we relax into this awareness with the help of some simple techniques we will then be in the flow of money and beneficial circumstances. Through the process of transforming acquired habits of unworthiness, feelings of lack and negativity, our natural state of openness, acceptance, and manifestation powers begins to dawn and guide our life.
Sanaya Roman channels the spirit teacher named Orin in Personal Power Through Awareness (1986). This book helps you to sense energy within the body and in the environment. By learning to sense energy, the author shows that we can live a more empowered life that is in alignment with our Higher Self. If we allow ourselves to be at the whim of energies from within and without we cannot live our highest purpose. Once we understand energy dynamics, we are then free to choose our path and manifest it.
Spiritual Growth (1989) is another book Sanaya Roman wrote by channeling the spirit teacher Orin. Orin shows you how to merge with your Higher Self and live in this awareness at all times. There are many meditations throughout the book designed to help you connect with your deepest knowledge and find your highest purpose in life. The basic premise of the book is that to be truly happy and satisfied in your life you need to merge with your Higher Self.
In Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow (1987) Marsha Sinetar guides readers in how to find the work that allows their passions, needs, and talents to be fulfilled. This book not only gives small steps to identifying and creating our life purposes, but also addresses the internal blocks that may arise when we try to do so. Marsha Sinetar gives many real-life examples of people who she has worked with, and these examples mirror to us how the process of finding our right livelihood can look.
The Healing Wisdom Of Africa (1998) is a book written by Malidoma Somé, a man who comes from a small village in West Africa. Malidoma Somé bridges the understanding between indigenous and Western peoples in his work. In addition to bridging these two worlds together, Somé states that the purpose of this book is "to show how the indigenous world and its wisdom might heal many of the spiritual and emotional problems from which Western civilization suffers" (15). The healing power of nature, community, and rituals are clearly shown by Somé, who offers specific rituals for healing. Anyone interested in healing through ritual could greatly benefit from Malidoma Somé's unique perspective.
Wisdom From The Earth (1997), written by Anna Voigt and Nevill Drury, is a study of the beliefs and practices of the aboriginal peoples of Australia. What the authors found in their study was the profound connection aboriginals had with the land they inhabited. Through ritual, art, ceremony, song, dance, and everyday activities, aboriginals live constantly in a sacred communion with the natural world. There is no separation between connecting with the earth and not connecting with the earth. Thir tradition is a beautiful example of what it can be like to live an eco-centric worldview.
Ken Wilber wrote the book No Boundary (1979), in which he has created a framework to look at the many types of psychologies that exist. Wilber shows how the various types of psychologies are actually addressing different views of the self. While psychoanalysis can be useful for the ego level, for example, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism can be helpful for the unity consciousness level. Our views of self can expand from the persona level to the unity consciousness level, where there are no boundaries.