Writing as Spiritual Practice - Recommended reads Part 2
This is the second in the series of books recommended by Matt West as background reading for the Writing as Spiritual Practice series (book your place on the course here) we are co-hosting with ArtfulScribe from 24th of September. The works here are background reading for anyone interested in the course or indeed anyone interested in exploring a deeper sense of Self and our connection with a broader network of Being.
The first in this series of recommendation is Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet which is a collection of letters written from Rilke to Franz Xaver Kappus, who was a 19 year old officer cadet who was at the same academy where Rilke had trained years before. The collection gives some great insight into the ideas behind Rilke’s poetry.
The next in the creatively inspiring Charles Eisenstein and The More Beautiful world our hearts know is possible which takes the reader on the journey of what we can do as individuals to make the world a better place. A wonderful read.
Another classic text is the next recommendation with Lao Tzu’s Tao te Ching is possibly the oldest text recommended, dating from the somewhere between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE. Short and sometimes cryptic poetic pieces range from practical advice to universal wisdom, embracing politics, society and the journey to the self.
The final recommendation in this collection is When Things Fall apart by Pema Chödrön . A book in which Pema teaches that there is a fundamental opportunity for happiness right within our reach, yet we usually miss it – ironically, while we are caught up in attempt to escape pain and suffering. Pema’s advice is both heartfelt and accessible.
We hope you enjoy these reads.
