The Passionate Mind: A Manual for Living Creatively with One's Self

by Joel Kramer

In The Passionate Mind , Joel Kramer asserts that "what we believe determines much of what we think and the way we move, the way we respond to people, how we think of ourselves, how we see the world in general." His basic message, stated in short, clear prose, is that passion is to be found only in the present moment, and mainly through becoming aware of the thoughts flowing through our minds, and through the primal process of observing our thoughts, they begin to self-correct. From the author of The Guru Papers , The Passionate Mind is a wonderful journey for anyone seeking to discover how to look at oneself.

Genres: Reference

140 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 1974

Reviews

[Sherry]

I'm sure this book is beyond the number stars allotted for ratings, but my experience reading it this time around only allows me to give it three. I plan to read the updated version and discuss each chapter with my sangha to better understand (being lost has never discouraged me). It was difficult for me, at times, to relate to the examples he used to support his teachings. Other times, I was effortlessly able to see his points, underlining the passages that called me. As a writer, I get that this topic is often beyond words, making language a potential obstacle, which further challenges the offering (especially when one dissuades looking to an authority). This small book, which I could only read 1-2 chapters at a time, contains infinite opportunities to question, which I love.

[ᛗichelle]

The book is written like an conversation, or internal dialogue with a yogi. I thoroughly enjoyed the artwork of 'Memry' the dragon, from Dora Cornwall.

The Book is interesting, and thought provoking. Although the last chapter I found the most profound, and it writes about Evolution. Humans as a race are growing up into Adulthood, where no one can any longer ignore the problems of our world, but must turn inward to awake to truth.

Our world is a reflection of who we are inside.

[Alex]

Not bad. Basic and simple intro to the relation of Zen to freedom, fear, death, etc.