This philosophical book helped me understand the world a lot better by giving me a new perspective on life. A key point that I learned and that is clearly explained in this book is that actions are not just either 'good' or 'bad' but that they are good if they are going in the right 'direction' that is, toward expansion of consciousness, and that there are many degrees or speeds of this movement toward expansion, thus some actions are better or worse than others, not merely good or bad.

If education followed this model, we wouldn't be having all the problems in high schools resulting from the kids' perceived meaninglessness in these institutions.

First, a goal for education is established--educating for all of life, not just for the standardized tests or for job competency. Then we are given some ideas of how this can be done.

For example, Walters suggests helping students develop four Tools of Maturity. They are more basic than Gardner's eight multiple intelligences, and by addressing each Tool, every child's strengths will be found and recognized.

For me the most powerful part of the book is the section on Progressive Development. A rather different model of working with different children differently according to their energy level has proved very useful in my classroom. I know of only one other author who proposes approaching children differently in this way, and that's Lickona who recommends different approaches depending on moral development. Energy level seems easier to perceive for me.

The book could have more specific examples of how to implement the insights it provides, but I think it is meant to be a signpost for parents and teachers, pointing the way, but encouraging us to use our own intuitions to make the journey.

What a wonderful tool this book is for any spiritual seeker. The author has recorded quotes from his great guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, and has presented them in such a way as to bring the reader very close to the consciousness of Yogananda. Each of the twenty chapters focuses on a theme, for instance, "The Lesson of Reincarnation", and covers many aspects with numerous quotes, some of which cover multiple pages. The author must have an amazing memory to be able to produce such volumes of quotes, or a great ability to tune in to the wisdom of his great guru.

Each chapter of this book provides gems of insight into the true nature of human spirituality. If you are interested in self-reflection, no matter what your spiritual background, you will find many universal concepts to ponder in this very readable book.

Donald Walters latest book is a very readable, practical book of advice on how to deal with the possible "decline and fall of Western Civilization." The philosophies of Plato, Freud, ,Sarte, Adler, Darwin, and Marx and analyzed and shown to be faulty. Walter`s method for determining the validity of a philosphy-"does it work?"
The solution Walters proposes for society`s ills is not one based on the structure of government or changes in tax law, but one based on individual responsibility. He argues that small cooperative communities where people actually demonstrate selflessness, joy, and truth, are the best hope in this day and age for a better world.
This book is a brilliant attack on the abuse of the concept of "moral relativism," but it does not descend to dogmatism. In fact, the fair and open-minded nature of this writer is a breath of fresh air in a world full of self-righteous fanaticism.

If you're like me and sometimes run a little "dry" in your meditations or can't get enough momentum going, this tape is a great way to get plugged in again. You feel easily guided into an inner space with deepening calmness or expanding awareness. The two meditations are just about the right length (@ 20 minutes each) and the imagery and music really focus your mind without getting caught up in merely entertaining visualizations (I've heard other meditation/visualization tapes where you feel more like you're "spinning out there" and end up getting wrapped up even more in your thoughts rather than getting beyond them).This tape is also very helpful to anyone that is new to meditation.

Meditation leads to Superconsciousness and for many people an experience of bliss and ecstacy that surpasses understanding. Imagination and sleep lead to the subconsciousness. Meditation leads to actual God contact! Paramahansa Yogananda infused truely dead dogmatic and old crystalized forms with a Spirit and life that had been missing for many of us in religious words and phrases that had lost their meaning. This man of God, lived what he spoke and through his autobiography more people will awaken to greater "consciousness"(another word for "Soul"). This book, "Autobiography of a Yogi," is infused with Light and Love Divine literally. Here true seekers will be true finders. Since the book is authorized by Self Realization Fellowship (his only true organization authorized by him to promote his teachings) one will find the super jet plane path off the wheel of birth and death (reincarnation). A true teacher such as Yogananda is rarer than you might imagine. And Autobiography of a Yogi (his evolution/remembrance) was written in a manner that was for me, very entertaining! More fun than Science Fiction--because it is TRUE! This is possibly, a starting point for the change you have unknowingly wanted all your life. Yoganada brings from the East light that reveals to us more than we may have known about our Western path. The blend of the two paths is Light Divine. I've read it three times. And all my friends and family agree--Yogananda was an enlightened being. A true gift from God. Leading many souls back to God. (Buy it, read it, contemplate it. Come to it with an open mind and heart). Fear not--it is a great read! 5 Stars!

Walters does a better job explaining New Science in the context of Eastern wisdom than such respected luminaries as Fritjoff Capra, Ken Wilber, and Deepak Chopra. For one thing, his writing is accessible to a far wider audience. A good thing, too, because what he's done is nothing less than demolish the West's leading killjoys: the twentieth-century thinkers who claimed that life is meaningless because science has shown us that the universe simply doesn't make sense: evolution is random (Darwin), light behaves like both a particle and a wave (Einstein), and we are creatures of mud who struggle to rise above our roots (Freud).

The ringleader of modern western nihilism was Jean Paul Sartre. While fully accepting the findings of science on which the nihilists based their claims, Walters arrives at radically different conclusions. When he's done, Sartre stands revealed as the last in a line of rationalist con-artists, and life is shown to be not bereft of, but bursting with meaning.

Walters wakes me up and inspires me to shout with pleasure. Finally, here's a synthesis of western and Eastern wisdom that is a joy to read as well as intuitively and rationally persuasive.

Thank you, JDW!!

"Be strong in yourself, that you may give strength to others. Be like a spreading oak, in whose shade many can find shelter."

If we become what we think, then thinking thoughts that make us stronger, wiser and successful has to be the way to go.

In "Secrets for Men," J. Donald Walters presents one thought for each day of the month. He encourages you to keep one page open throughout the day and to read it as often as possible.

The though can then slowly work its way into your subconscious. Eventually you acquire a complete understanding of the subject at hand.

Some of the subjects Include:

Giving others the freedom to be themselves.
Not letting others do your thinking for you.
Being a sincere friend to all who cross your path.
Seeing yourself as a part of a greater reality.
Developing graciousness and appreciation.

Nice "gift book" for the man in your life.

"True beauty is a radiance outward from within. It comes from kind, happy thoughts, and from virtuous qualities. Beauty is not the outer mask a person wears to please the world. It is erroneous to make a cult of youth. Every age has its intrinsic beauty." -J. Donald Walters

J. Donald Walters is well known as an author, philosopher, playwright, composer, poet and lecturer. He seems to have the gift of writing beautiful and meaningful thought that inspire the mind and touch the heart.

He takes complex subjects and turns them into beautiful expressions of the heart. I love this tiny book for women. It contains meditations for each day of the month. First you say the saying out loud, then softly, then in a whisper, and then only in your mind.

Each repetition allows the words to be more deeply absorbed into your subconscious. If you become what you think, they thinking some of these beautiful thoughts will make you a more beautiful person inside.

The design of this "secret" book is especially pretty. I love all the gorgeous pictures of flowers, lakes, streams, waterfalls and sunsets. The writing is on the left with the picture on the right. Each thought is really an experience all on its own.

How true is it to read: "Transcend your personal troubles by offering solace to other troubled hearts." When you start caring about other people, they give you so much more in return than you could ever hope for. It is as if caring unlocks your own creativity and problem solving abilities.

The author focuses on concepts relevant to women in particular and discusses:

How women should focus on their inner beauty and be a mother to all.
Why we should allow people to grow at their own pace.
How to expand the capacity for loving.
Why our moods color our lives.
How emotional reaction clouds reality.
Why we can heal sickness and disharmony with kindness.

Peaceful reflections to encourage the free flow of joy in your life.