Books and Community (Part I)
I love books. I turn to books during times of crisis and joy. I love reading books to embrace wisdom from all over the globe throughout history.
But, I also have to remember to seek community to embody the wisdom of the teachings. (more to follow on the next post)
I want to share three books that changed my life. Bold statement, eh?
The Dhammapada - Easwaren’s edition is amazing. And you can buy the Classics of Indian Spirituality set with the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. The Buddha’s teachings are perfect if you’re wondering how to manage suffering and looking for life guidance. Easwaren’s introductions to each text are brilliant.
The Inner Work of Racial Justice - Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness by Rhonda Magee. As a criminal defense lawyer, I often feel discouraged by our legal system. I love how Rhonda Magee embodies spirituality and mindfulness to bring about social change and healing to our community. It leaves me with a sense of optimism and a path. And one of my favorite quotes:
“What if this difficult time, this moment in which we seem more racially and culturally divided than ever, signifies not the beginning of the end but a profound opportunity for a new beginning? What if, through the pain of seeing the way things are, we now have a new chance to get it right? What if this time in which we can all see more clearly than ever how easily we can be divided by appeals to racism is just what we need to help us work for racial healing in ways that we never have before?”
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. I think this book was recommended to me 100 times before I read it. I hesitated because I was in a space that I didn’t think I could handle much more heaviness. So grateful that I did. It’s the story and lessons learned by a man who survived Nazi extermination and concentration camps. Frankl offers a remarkable perspective and tools for anyone dealing with tough times.
More book discussion coming soon! And I offer up more suggestions in my newsletter!