Life Changing Literature

[Buffalo Head '75]

Does anybody else have a book or books that have changed their perspective on things?

Originally it was the Great Gatsby for me. Warned about materialism, gave the image that "God was Dead" through commercialism.

However, having lived in the birthplace of Jack Kerouac (Lowell, MA), I Finally decided to give him a try. I started with on the Road and will definitely read the rest of his works. His stream of consciencenous and free writing have really gripped my soul. The free-wandering Sal Paradise fulfills whatever fantasy that I can't actually act out.

I can't wait to the Dharma Bums. I am really getting into the beat generation of the 50's because of this.

Kinda like a group of travelling bohemians. I am thinking I will take the book and the last 50 pages and read it at the Kerouac park with the large granite plaques with his words on them and finish that book tomorrow.

anyone else?

[LIBRA]

The celestine prophecy by james redfield. I read it when I was 16 maybe 17 and it opened my eyes to spirituality. I realized how we are all connected, since then I started feeling so much compassion towards people, I my use energy to be positive and to help others be positive. I really believe that it works.

I remember getting chills reading it like it was ment for me. I passed that book to all of my friends and it changed us all, since then Ive ran into people and some how it comes up and they've read it too. Its no coincidence. I was at the movie store for the first time in years a long time ago and there it was the movie, one single copy of the celestine prophecy, I cried. It freaked me out, of course I rented it, the book was better as always but none the less it was great.

I may have to reread that now!

I see the book places too, yard sales, salvation army all over, coffee shops. It follows me, lol And its always at the right time, when my spirits are at there lowest.

[PEACE FROG]

^^ you're just now getting around to Kerouac?

[Buffalo Head '75]

^^ you're just now getting around to Kerouac?
yeah, I have ignored him with relative indifference for awhile. The stream of conscienceness thing had always been frowned upon (as had his benzadrine use and blatant disregard for his liver) by teachers, etc.

I was more into Emily Dickinson or Thoreau but moving to Lowell kinda got me thinking about reading it.

It was actually the NPR special that pushed me over the edge.

[Buffalo Head '75]

The celestine prophecy by james redfield. I read it when I was 16 maybe 17 and it opened my eyes to spirituality. I realized how we are all connected, since then I started feeling so much compassion towards people, I my use energy to be positive and to help others be positive. I really believe that it works.

I remember getting chills reading it like it was ment for me. I passed that book to all of my friends and it changed us all, since then Ive ran into people and some how it comes up and they've read it too. Its no coincidence. I was at the movie store for the first time in years a long time ago and there it was the movie, one single copy of the celestine prophecy, I cried. It freaked me out, of course I rented it, the book was better as always but none the less it was great.

I may have to reread that now!

I see the book places too, yard sales, salvation army all over, coffee shops. It follows me, lol And its always at the right time, when my spirits are at there lowest.
The city of Denver has been a re-occuring theme in my life since I went there in September.

I am kinda hoping that would phase out some. but hey, enjoy it while it lasts I guess. Kinda similar to your book thing.

[Unkle_John]

I haven't read Kerouac yet either.

What book changed me, spiritually, was Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler.


Popular demand for this clear-sighted compendium of information about the rebirth of Pagan religions hasn't waned since its initial publication in 1979. Distinguished by the journalism of National Public Radio columnist Margot Adler, Drawing Down the Moon explains this diverse and burgeoning religion's philosophies and activities while dispelling stereotypes that have long been associated with it. Most people don't realize that pagan simply refers to pre-Christian polytheistic nature religions, such as the various Native American creeds, Japanese Shinto, Celtic Druid, and Western European Wicca. Originally, the word pagan meant "country dweller" and was a derogatory term in Rome in the third century A.D., not unlike calling someone a hick today. If you find yourself feeling queasy when you hear the words witch or pagan, a healthy dose of reeducation via Drawing Down the Moon could be the cure. --P. Randall Cohan


It's a long story on why, more for the path section. I'll elaborate when I have more time.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Kerouac is an excellent read... I definitely recommend it. I will have to checkout Adler. I have actually heard of her before but I don't where or why.

[angymnast247]

i should check some of those out! I definately want to read the great gatsby again

I personally very much enjoy Kurt Vonnegut, slaughterhouse five was a interesting novel. and Brave New World was also very good. they both provided me with new perspectives on life, probably contributing to why i am a philosophy major.
currently i am reading the glass and bead game also called magister ludi. it seems really interesting, about the education system and intelligence and such.

[Buffalo Head '75]

I am still stuck in my beatnik run. I have the dharma bums on the way w/ Kerouac's Haiku book. I probably will make the natural progression to Ginsberg next.

[PEACE FROG]

Ginsberg? Cool. You'll like d'harma bums. And I loved On the road it is one of my favorite books. One of my other favs is A Clockwork Orange. Andy, read a book called Conversations with God. That one really made me change the way I think in regards to spirituality. Actually watch the movie first, it is about the writing of the book. But serious check it out.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Ginsberg? Cool. You'll like d'harma bums. And I loved On the road it is one of my favorite books. One of my other favs is A Clockwork Orange. Andy, read a book called Conversations with God. That one really made me change the way I think in regards to spirituality. Actually watch the movie first, it is about the writing of the book. But serious check it out.
Clockwork Orange is too disturbed for me. Movies/books like that mess me up.

I have heard of Conversations with God and I will throw that on my list as well. I read constantly.

[angymnast247]

when i was in 11th grade my dance teacher gave me "conversations with god" to read, and i totally agree that really changed my outlook on life and spirituality in general. very good book!