Wisdom for the Soul: Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing

By Larry Chang

There’s a fresh take on an old standby, the book of quotations. The difference with Wisdom for the Soul is in the selection and organization of the quotations. Each has been chosen for its universal... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977339106
• ISBN13: 9780977339105
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Gnosophia Publishers
• Length: 824 Pages
• Weight: 3.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 2.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Ultimately, its about the wisdom you actually live...

Wisdom for the Soul: Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing Five stars I keep Larry Chang's Wisdom for the Soul next to my bed and I read it greedily. I have been called a "quote-a-holic." I have dozens of quotations books, but Wisdom for the Soul is not just another book of quotations. Larry selected quotes for the purposes of "self-analysis, elucidation and empowerment," and has avoided merely clever quotes...filtering he said, "for negativity and unhelpfulness." Larry's introduction to the book is even peppered with great quotes, and is delightful. He is a fine writer in his own right. Bergen Evans said: "...there is wisdom in the selection of wisdom," and Larry Chang is a wise man whose has studied broadly and has lived broadly, wisely and deeply...and that makes all the difference. Larry chose which profound thoughts this book would contain. For me, this is the best recommendation this book can have because it comes from someone who knows wisdom when he sees it. Reading books of quotations is easy. Living the wisdom within them is not. Herman Hesse said "Only the ideas we actually live are of any importance." I have spent time with Larry and can attest to the fact that he not only thinks wisely but he lives his wisdom. See his website and see the range and depth of his life. [...] If one could only live a tiny portion of the wisdom in this book, one's life would be better, society would be better. I hope to live into at least a small portion of what the book proscribes. One of the quotes from the book, from that famous seer, Anonymous, seems apt here: Give your ears, hear the sayings, Give your heart to understand them, It profits to put them in your heart. And I say, if you don't live the wisdom , then really, what is the use... except to attempt to impress neive people at a cocktail partys.

Daily bread for your spiritual journey

I seem to collect quote books. I find that the chunks of wisdom that they contain are perfect for daily times of quiet reflection. This one and "A Treasury of Traditional Wisdom" by Whitall Perry are my two favorites, with this one edging out the latter. I particularly like the Biographical Index feature, and the subjects have been selected to effectively encourage personal spiritual growth. This has become one of the volumes in my library that I depend upon. It has consistently provided spiritual nourishment and comfort. I recommend it very highly.

wow--and I mean WOW!

First let me say that I have spent the last several years reading close to 3,000 books in a sort of spiritual journey/quest for "enlightenment" (whatever that means, and assuming there is is such a thing.) I've read just about all the great "classic" works--everything by Plato and Jesus, tons by Buddha, along with mega-amounts of ancient and modern philosophers and thinkers, both Eastern and Western, etc. that I could get my hands on. Yet this book has managed to astound me. It's close to 800 pages, and huge. Unless you go on a non-stop reading binge for a couple days, you'll take weeks to read this entire thing. Which is just fine, because on almost *every* page there is a quote that either (a) helps me see something from a perspective I haven't quite encountered before, or (b) expresses a thought i've already encountered, but expresses it in a way that is so pithy and fresh and memorable that I want to run out and share it with the people I know (and in some cases I've done just that!). And then you will want to read it again. And again. And again . . . The book is very well organized. Each chapter covers from between 1 to 7 pages or so of a different topic--e.g. "compassion"-- with quotes arranged in roughly chronological order of the year of the person being quoted. The headings to each chapter have extensive cross-references so that the reader can look up related entries, either similar concepts or opposite concepts. An extensive bibliography at the back lists all the entries in which each author appears. One minor gripe I have is that the source of the quotes is not as well documented as it could have been. Some of the quotes have specific works listed, but many do not, so that (a) the reader is left merely to trust that the compiler is correct in quoting from that speaker, and (b) the reader has no way to read further in the work quoted. Still, wisdom is wisdom, and even if there is no way to verify who said what, an anonymous truth found on a crumpled up piece of paper on the street is still truth! Also, the reader might think of a topic or two that should have been given a separate entry but wasn't (e.g. there is no entry for "beauty" which in my mind is essential for a book on "spiritual wisdom.") But still the entries are fairly exhaustive in their coverage overall. One other minor gripe is that the author focuses much more on modern (1800s and especially 1900's) thinkers than on ancient wisdom. People like Plato, Aristotle, Jesus, or Buddha for example (all of whom I'm quite familiar with their work), could have, and should have been, quoted much more extensively than they were, especially when numerous modern, very recent authors were given far more quotes than any of them. Still, as I said above, truth is truth, regardless who says that truth. This is a reference book that you will keep not just on your shelf, but on your coffeetable or nightstand, for easy access, and perhaps permanently. And you will enthusia

This book is like having a council of wise people from five millenia in your home to offer you life-

I can't speak highly enough of the riches contained in this book - an extraordinary treasury, containing potent seeds of life-enriching wisdom, highly compactified, fructifying patterns of intelligence. This book creates a direct line of communication with the quintessential wisdom of the world's greatest minds and spiritual traditions. Each time I open the book there are messages of wisdom that feel uncannily perfect for me, addressing current situations and concerns. And because the author has consciously selected quotes that speak to the potential within the individual, they stimulate the wisdom that lies dormant within us, resonating with the seeds that are already there. Each time I read the selection of quotes on any given subject, I walk away feeling empowered and inspired. It's quite extraordinary when one thinks of the transmission of these seeds of wisdom, which take root and create positive "fruits of the spirit." It's like having an entire council of wise elders at one's fingertip, available for powerfully transforming advice at every moment. This is one of the best investments of $50 I can imagine. This is a book that everyone should own as a life-long reference, no matter what age or point in one's life journey. I plan to give it to my nephew for his high school graduation, knowing it will provide guidance for him as he embarks on his own. And it's a wonderful resource for finding meaningful quotes to share with friends.

An impressive collection of more than 10,000 quotes about personal empowerment

Painstakingly compiled, accessible organized, and expertly edited by Larry Chang, Wisdom For The Soul: Five Millennia Of Prescriptions For Spiritual Healing is an extensive collection of quotes, sayings, commentaries, texts, insights and perspectives on issues and considerations relevant to spiritual growth and development. Providing seekers of wisdom, knowledge, metaphysical understanding and spiritual advancement with an impressive collection of more than 10,000 quotes about personal empowerment, advancement, and mastery through 220 areas of growth and challenge drawn from over 2200 authors and sources both ancient and contemporary, Wisdom For The Soul offers readers an accessible anthology of inspiring and encouraging contributions from the collective history of philosophy, theology, poetry, metaphysical intuition, perspective, spirituality, and religion. A welcome reference for personal, seminary, academic, and community library "Religion, Spirituality, and Metaphysical Studies" collections, Wisdom For The Soul is very strongly recommended for readers searching for encouraging and empathetic words of wisdom for the conduct and improvement of their lives.