When I was a kid I used to "eat" books (as my mum used to say).
I dont even know if they remember it, but my parents used to ask me questions about its content, just to confirm that, in fact, I was reading the books and not just pretending I had.
However, my passion for books had a flaw. I wouldn't be able to stop... I would read a book for hours and hours, until I would reach the end, eager to know what happens to the story. Sometimes, it would be 3, 4, 5 am in the morning and I would still be reading, desperately fighting the urge to sleep or the dauting thoughts about having to wake up early to go to work.
And.. before I even knew it, the pleasure of reading slowly became overruled by fear. Fear that I would again not sleep enough, that I wouldnt be able to stop when needed, that I would neglect social interaction and so on...
Before I even noticed it, the list of "books to read" disappeared and, for many months in a row, my bed side table would have none on top of it. Obviously, there would always be te occasional book that was a "must read" (meaning all the ones I could find from Marion Zimmer Bradley) and a couple of business books for work, but just that.
So, when I talk about my "spiritual journey", it is funny* to realise that not only did it get sparkled by books but that, at the same time, it allowed me to finally find a pace for my reading, with no anxienty for what is there to come in the next chapter...
I now read each chapter as if it was the last, saviouring it bit by bit. And just when its getting more interesting, I lay it on the top of my bedside table, turn the lights off and go to sleep. Well, most of the times, anyway... :)
Another interesting bit is that I now like reading different books all at the same time too... pausing from one to another, depending on the mood and the energy.
A book about spirituality/meditation (
Walking in Zen, Sitting in Zen by Osho), a book about global warming and economy (
Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L.Friedman), a book about an Indian so called entrepeneur (
White Tiger by Aravind Adiga) are all piled up, waiting for a share of my attention. And it just feels right.
Also, when
Tiago asks me "
which books?", it gets hard to answer**...
Obviously, the Celestine Prophecy was the spark that awoke something in me that was already there. But I would have never started asking questions about meditation and so on if I wasnt reading "Eat, Love, Pray" or if I didnt happen to travel to India at the time. Or maybe I would. Thats the thing about it all, I guess. It works for you, when it does. The same formula might not work with others.
I know people who read the Secret and laughed at it... "what a bunch of nonsense", they said. I bought the Celestine Prophecy for someone over Christmas and that person had a different reaction to the book, much more rational and objective. Its entirely their prorogative.
Whatever brings you closer to yourself, only you know.*and now funny also has a complete new meaning... as in "coincidence that is more than a coincidence".**Tiago, there is also a chance you are simply asking which books I bought in India for cheap cheap. In that case, drop me an email and I will let you know.. Its a big list! eheh. Oh, and apologies for the long ranting, as if that was the case, the answer above is so not addressing your question!! ;)
