Book recommendation

[Fuze]

I'm not sure if anyone can help me, but I was wondering if anyone can recommend a book on eastern philosophy/train of thought. I'm not sure if Zen or osmething is what I'm talking about? Basically, I want to read it because I hope it'd help me gain an understanding for arrogant people and/or find a way to block it - not to mention it interests me.

[pam123]

I almost posted part of my library but then sense intervened.
For the eastern religions, I suggest Daniel Goleman's "The Meditative Mind".
For the Western view of it Evelyn Underhill's "Mysticism".
And for a little cold water as to why you won't be running with either Hans Kung's "Does God Exist" ( he's a catholic theologian ) and "Montaigne's Essays" (secular humanist).
The best current American written books are by Kathleen Norris : "The Cloistered Walk" and " Amazing Grace" ( both western ) are invaluable.
They tell you a good deal about what's gone wrong and what's still right ( it's not a current error, it just keeps turning up over the centuries ) and do an effective of nailing both sides.
Never read one view, read them all.
You won't emerge converted to anything but you will have taken several giant steps in understanding religion and in recognizing it's misuse, no matter what guise the fraud is hiding under.
There is real value in religion, you just have to get to it.
Enjoy and enlarge.

edit: Yes I know there's a preview. I just have to remember to use it.

[Fuze]

thanks pam - yea those I'll look into. I'm just tryin to get information about Eastern though to put it short. I'm catholic and aren't lookin' to convert or anything - dont wanna send the wrong message haha. But i appreciate the recommendations and will be sure to check those out.

[PMich]

I had a required course on ancient cultures when I was pursuing my bachelor's degree. It's been a few years ago now but I think we read the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Tao Te Ching. If eastern religion/philosophy is of interest to you, these are all good books to read.

[AerynSedai]

Originally posted by Fuze
Basically, I want to read it because I hope it'd help me gain an understanding for arrogant people and/or find a way to block it. i'm not sure any culture has fully mastered that ability. ;)

AS

[Fuze]

Originally posted by PMich
I had a required course on ancient cultures when I was pursuing my bachelor's degree. It's been a few years ago now but I think we read the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Tao Te Ching. If eastern religion/philosophy is of interest to you, these are all good books to read.


Yea, I have read the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bhagvad Gita. Maybe i'm just looking for a meditation type book or something - i dunno...

Its jsut I'm a junior in HS and it is extremely cutthroat day in and day out about "MY SAT'S are better than yours.." "I won't help you..." "where are you going to c ollege?!?!?" blah blah - I just awnt a way to block it out because I'm one to be very not-outgoing with important matters like that since its so competitive. and now im rambling lol

[PMich]

You are obviously a pretty bright young person so I don't want to preach at you but I will give you a few words of advice. Set your goals for yourself (and nobody else) and work hard to achieve them. Don't set your goals based on solely on the goals of your peers and the expectations of others. As long as you are happy with yourself and your performance then anyone who truly cares about you will be happy for you, too. It's been quite a few years since I was in your position but I still empathize with you. Nobody will remember that 20 points on your SAT scores ten years down the road, trust me. Don't feel pressured to rush into decisions just because you are at the age that everyone starts asking those difficult questions such as "Where are you going to college?" and "What are you going to do with your life?" You will figure it out in time.

There is a series of books out there called "Don't sweat the small stuff:..." by Richard and Kristine Carlson. They may be of interest to you.

On a little lighter note, whenever I get in the kind of mood you are in I watch Office Space and that always seems to put things back into perspective a little bit.

[Fuze]

Originally posted by PMich
You are obviously a pretty bright young person so I don't want to preach at you but I will give you a few words of advice. Set your goals for yourself (and nobody else) and work hard to achieve them. Don't set your goals based on solely on the goals of your peers and the expectations of others. As long as you are happy with yourself and your performance then anyone who truly cares about you will be happy for you, too. It's been quite a few years since I was in your position but I still empathize with you. Nobody will remember that 20 points on your SAT scores ten years down the road, trust me. Don't feel pressured to rush into decisions just because you are at the age that everyone starts asking those difficult questions such as "Where are you going to college?" and "What are you going to do with your life?" You will figure it out in time.

There is a series of books out there called "Don't sweat the small stuff:..." by Richard and Kristine Carlson. They may be of interest to you.

On a little lighter note, whenever I get in the kind of mood you are in I watch Office Space and that always seems to put things back into perspective a little bit.



Thanks, I appreciate the advice - I think I might have to bust out Office Space this weekend now that you mention it haha.

[james8547]

How about The Art of War by Sun Tzu? http://www.chinapage.com/sunzi-e.html
I breezed through it awhile back and it helped improve my game in SC and chess :D