Essential Spirituality The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind

by Walsh, Roger

• ISBN13: 9780471392163
• ISBN10: 0471392162
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-04
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

"Essential Spirituality beautifully articulates the benefits of spiritual living in the material world."-Dan Millman, author, Everyday Enlightenment and The Way of the Peaceful Warrior"Deceptively simple. Its power is rooted not only in Dr. Walsh's formidable intellectual capacity to deal effectively with a vast body of religious literature but in his own deep spiritual practices in a multitude of disciplines over many years. An important contribution."-Ram Dass, author, Be Here Now "An absolute masterpiece . . . Essential Spirituality is helpful to both the unseasoned and seasoned seeker. The writing is deep, simple, and clear yet at the same time poetic and musical. A must read."-GERALD G. JAMPOLSKY, M.D. author, Love Is Letting Go of Fear "Energetic, engaged, and occasionally electrifying. . . . The field of spiritual books has been looking for its own Lewis Thomas or Carl Sagan, and I believe Roger Walsh may be that one."-KEN WILBeR, author, One Taste and A Brief History of Everything Based on over twenty years of research and spiritual practice, this is a groundbreaking and life-changing book. In his decades of study, Dr. Roger Walsh has discovered that each of the great spiritual traditions has both a common goal and seven common practices to reach that goal: recognizing the sacred and divine that exist both within and around us. Filled with stories, exercises, meditations, myths, prayers, and practical advice, Essential Spirituality shows how you can integrate these seven principles into one truly rewarding way of life in which kindness, love, joy, peace, vision, wisdom, and generosity become an ever-growing part of everything you do.

Author Biography

ROGER WALSH, M.D., is professor of psychiatry, philosophy, and anthropology at the University of California at Irvine. His writings and research have received more than twenty national and international awards. His other books include Paths Beyond Ego: The Transpersonal Vision, Gifts from a Course in Miracles, and The Spirit of Shamanism.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Unveiling the Sacred	1	(9)
Discovering the Seven Practices	10	(5)
Using This Book	15	(7)
Spiritual Practices: What Do They Do and How Do They Do It?	22	(9)
The Seven Practices
Practice 1/ Transform Your Motivation: Reduce Craving and Find Your Soul's Desire
The Secret of Happiness	31	(11)
Exercises to Reduce Craving	42	(9)
Find Your Soul's Desire: Redirect Motivation	51	(6)
Exercises to Redirect Desires	57	(8)
The Higher Reaches of Desire	65	(6)
Practice 2/ Cultivate Emotional Wisdom: Heal Your Heart and Learn to Love
The Gift of Love	71	(5)
The Challenge of Difficult Emotions	76	(6)
Exercises to Reduce Fear and Anger	82	(17)
Cultivate Love and Gratitude	99	(12)
The Higher Reaches of Love	111	(6)
Practice 3/ Live Ethically: Feel Good by Doing Good
The Value of Virtue	117	(8)
What Is an Ethical Life?	125	(12)
Exercises in Ethical Living	137	(6)
The Higher Reaches of Ethical Living	143	(4)
Practice 4/ Concentrate and Calm Your Mind
Your Meandering Mind	147	(7)
Develop a Peaceful Mind	154	(14)
The Higher Reaches of Concentration and Calm	168	(7)
Practice 5/ Awaken Your Spiritual Vision: See Clearly and Recognize the Sacred in All Things
The Healing Power of Awareness	175	(9)
Exercises in Awareness	184	(11)
Seeing the Sacred in All Things	195	(6)
Exercises in Sacred Seeing	201	(4)
The Higher Reaches of Vision	205	(8)
Practice 6/ Cultivate Spiritual Intelligence: Develop Wisdom and Understand Life
What Is Wisdom?	213	(8)
Awakening Wisdom	221	(11)
Exercises in Wisdom	232	(11)
The Higher Reaches of Wisdom	243	(8)
Practice 7/ Express Spirit in Action: Embrace Generosity and the Joy of Service
The Spirit of Service	251	(9)
Develop a Generous Heart	260	(8)
Exercises in Generosity and Service	268	(7)
The Higher Reaches of Generosity	275	(5)
Enjoy Your Self: Awakened Heart, Awakened Mind	280	(7)
Source Notes	287	(10)
Further Reading	297	(1)
Bibliography	298	(5)
Index	303