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23rd out of 98 books
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87 voters
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The Red Book: A Deliciously Unorthodox Approach to Igniting Your Divine Spark
by
Sera J. Beak (Goodreads Author)
"The Red Book" is nothing less than a spiritual fire starter -- a combustible cocktail of Hindu Tantra and Zen Buddhism, Rumi and Carl Jung, goddesses and psychics, shaken with cosmic nudges, meaningful subway rides, haircuts, relationships, sex, dreams, and intuition. Author Sera Beak's unique hybrid perspective, hilarious personal anecdotes, and invaluable exer...more
Paperback, 287 pages
Published
June 16th 2006
by Jossey-Bass
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I stumbled across this book as I was searching for Jung titles, believe it or not. The title was intriquing and I thought, "hey, getting the 'ol divine spark would be good." so I trooped myself over to the library and picked it up. It was a nice new perspective on finding a pathway to our own spirituality. It never takes itself too seriously but also maintains a solid integrity that many current "self-help" and/or "new age-y" titles tend to sacrifice for the sak...more
As someone who was raised in a Hindu family and moved away from that to agnosticism, this book was a pretty great way to start exploring spirituality again.
I especially love the portion of the book that Sera devotes to spiritual materialism and misappropriation of traditional religious practices and belief systems. She's not extreme in either direction, but lays out the arguments for both sides and encourages plain ol' common sense and respect.
Oh, and the chapter on sex a...more
I especially love the portion of the book that Sera devotes to spiritual materialism and misappropriation of traditional religious practices and belief systems. She's not extreme in either direction, but lays out the arguments for both sides and encourages plain ol' common sense and respect.
Oh, and the chapter on sex a...more
The author is very knowledgeable about a variety of traditions, and her discussion was positive and interesting at times. That said, most of the book felt like a remedial course to me. I appreciated the middle to end which involved more practical ideas and I look forward to checking our her reading list, which she provides in the back.
This might be one of my all time favorite books ever! I downloaded this book on my Kindle after hearing Sera Beak interviewed by Dr. Oz on Oprah and Friends XM Radio the beginning of the year. After listening to her interviewed I knew that I had to read her book. She is funny, very knowledgeable of different religions and cultures of the world. She weaves different culture, religions into her own. Her book is one that I had to enjoy in little chunks. I highlighted and took lots of notes whi...more
This book was an excellent way to kick start our book club. It stimulated conversation that may not have ever been brought up otherwise.
It would be wise to start a discussion on this with the question of, "what is your religious upbringing?"
Written to stimulate thought on spirituality. Great if have never questioned why you believe or don’t believe what you do. The writing style is very simple and kind of fun. Written like sort of like a Cosmo (which can...more
I think I read this book at the wrong point in my life. Had I stumbled upon it ten or fifteen years ago (before it was written, lol) it may have had more of an impact on me. As it was, I abandoned it about three chapters in. I haven't discarded it - simply returned it to my shelf - I'm not convinced it WON'T be helpful to me at some point.
This is very, very spiritually based (which is great), but just coming off of Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art", I was looking for ...more
This is very, very spiritually based (which is great), but just coming off of Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art", I was looking for ...more
This book has a little bit of everything. It is definitely geared toward women, though I suppose men might get a little something out of it too. I liked that the author discusses such a variety of religions, beliefs, and spiritual practices. I appreciate that she encourages the reader to test their beliefs and rely on their own sense of what’s right and what works for them. There is a little bit that seemed too much for me (meshing spirituality and quantum physics, quoting questionable studies,...more
When my mother gifted me this book and I flipped through it, I thought "Uh oh! Chick Lit meets Spiritual How-To? No thanks," and I put it aside. But then I found myself in a funk and needed a light, spiritual, female-focused pick-me-up and I picked up this book. What a sweet little gem! Sera Beak's style is very conversational, which I often find extremely annoying, but she pulls it off. She felt like a sweet girlfriend that I could respectfully tease the world with. She's got a great ...more
The Red Book by Sera Beak is a must have for all you Goddesses out there. This is one of those, every woman should read and have a ratted out, dog-eared, coffee stained copy of on their bookshelves.
Being what some people call a spiritual seeker, I am always on the lookout for a good “spiritual” book. It’s a rarity for me that I find one that I can actually read cover to cover, without getting too bored and having to read something else in between. It’s also a rarity, being a young woman, ...more
Being what some people call a spiritual seeker, I am always on the lookout for a good “spiritual” book. It’s a rarity for me that I find one that I can actually read cover to cover, without getting too bored and having to read something else in between. It’s also a rarity, being a young woman, ...more
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This was definitely a fun read and look forward to discussing it with a group of lovely ladies. I like her open-mindedness and studies of various religions to back up what she's saying. The threading of a new age hipness woven through the prose got a little tedious at times, but was always redeemed with some profound wisdom that resonated within. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those trying to find their 'Higher Power.'
This was a fun book. It was written for younger women who are just starting to explore spirituality that might be different from the traditions they were raised in, so much of what the author said I've thought about or run across before. However, it was fun, creative and a good boost of inspiration to remind me to stay on my own path.
A friend of mine bought this for me. She knew I was struggling with 'what to believe'. I am not religious at all, but I would love to have something in my life. I was really inspired by the way that she tackled many different ideas with such gusto. This book made me feel okay about what I believe or want to corporate into my life.
Deb, the Word Muse
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone who understands that life cannot be taken that seriously.
This book caught my eye while I was browsing the shelves and I'm glad it did. It is wonderfully open about the ideologies it pulls from. And anyone that can meet with the Dalia Lama in one chapter and quote Charlie Chaplin in the next is interesting and quirky enough for me to read again. I’ll pull it off the shelf any time I feel myself taking life too seriously.
The Chaplin quote? “In the end, everything is a gag.” Now there’s a truism.
The Chaplin quote? “In the end, everything is a gag.” Now there’s a truism.
A nice, hip, fast-paced, very girly (in a good way) inspiring little read about getting in touch with your own spirituality. Really just a friendly, forceful push to read some of the more academic writings on spirituality, Buddhism, Jainism, Juddaism, Christianity, Meditation, Yoga, sex and really anything and everything in-between, that you feel could lend spiritual guidance to you. A fun read for anyone needing a little inspiration.
Bree
is currently reading it
I'm only on chapter 4 right now, but I love it already. I can relate to it, I feel like I was meant to read it at this point in my life. I was lacking/disorganized/not driven spiritually like I wanted to be. Reading this book is benefiting me greatly. I'll write more when I'm finished!
Ok, listen up. If you can get past the use of gross and sticky words like "spiritual" and "divine" then this little red book might actually teach you something. For young women specifically. She isn't selling anything, just encouraging you to explore life and philosophy yourself.
Blueberry
added it
I am just 16 pages into this book, and already have much food for thought. The author writes about a very tricky subject with flare, and fun. She discusses some aspects of many different religions and the shift of cultures away from a patriarchal view to more earth, feminine influences and how this effects everything from
religions to the Marlboro Man. She uses lots of luscious language and focuses a lot on finding what is right for each individual in the spiritual realm whatever form i...more
religions to the Marlboro Man. She uses lots of luscious language and focuses a lot on finding what is right for each individual in the spiritual realm whatever form i...more
She's a fire-cracker. She'll pick you up. Waited too long to read this, but now it's on my Kindle--and that goes everywhere that I go...
I loved this book. It's fiery and fun. Required reading for the inquisitive female soul.
Sandra
rated it
Recommends it for:
Young women interested in exploring their spirituality
Shelves:
inspirational-spiritualality
Wonderful introduction to spiritual and metaphysical principles.
Glenda
is currently reading it
a little repetitive, but it just confirmed and added to certain ideas
This is an amazing book. Every woman should read this. I mean it.
Great book on spirituality with a great sense of humour.
A must read for all women.
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
"The Red Book is nothing less than a spiritual firestarter-- a combustible cocktail of Hindu Tantra and Zen Buddhism, Rumi and Carl Jung, goddesses and psychics, shaken with cosmic nudges, meaningful subway rides, haircuts, relationships, sex, dreams, and intuition. "
I absolutely agree with the above description written on the back of the book. Imagine if "Pronoia" was written specifically with women in mind. This would be close to the end product.
I absolutely agree with the above description written on the back of the book. Imagine if "Pronoia" was written specifically with women in mind. This would be close to the end product.
This book seriously resonated with me on so many levels...LOVED it!
Steven Walker
is currently reading it
I found this book in Borders by pure coincidence and couldn't put it down, so I decided to buy it. So far, I really like the author's witty, down-to-earth, friend-to-friend style of writing. I also found each page I've so far looked at to be a treasure of imaginative insights. I look forward to reading it at length.
This is an amazing read. Sera is a vivacious, passionate woman talking about spirituality and how it can be added into our lives in a more unorthodox way, which is nice for those of us who tend to see things a little differently. She gets you thinking about things in a different way.. which is always a good thing.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! Reading it again!!!!! This time, slower ...
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Sera Beak is a world-traveled Harvard-trained scholar of comparative religion and an intrepid spiritual cowgirl. Her first book, The Red Book: A Deliciously Unorthodox Approach to Igniting Your Divine Spark, is aimed at jaded, yet still spiritually curious young women, although the material speaks to all ages and genders. She calls the book a firestarter. Sera is called a woman who is hands down t...more
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