Intellectual Humiliation
Confront your own ignorance.
5 Religious Books to Read This Easter
It’s Easter and whether you’re a believer in western Christianity or are simply enjoying yourself on this long weekend, it can’t be ignored that religion, is for the most part, the foundation of most civilizations around the world. So I wanted to dedicate this small post to giving you guys a five books that I believe are a must read when it comes to religion, faith and humanity as a whole.
The Cry for Myth by Rollo May
Rollo May was an American existential psychologist who wrote books on the human experience giving meaning to mental health issues such as rage, anxiety, friendship, violence and love. He, in his books, explores in essence what it means to be human for a psychological stand point and how to deal with the shitty cards that life might, sometimes, throw at us. But one book, in my personal opinion has the power to explain the meaning behind the myth (or not) of religion and its uses in human experience: The Cry for Myth. In this book, Rollo argues that man uses myth to help them make sense of their lives, for without it, humans fall apart, and not just in a spiritual sense. It’s an interesting look at religion through the psychological sense.
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
In his book, Robert Wright, not only tries to explain the basic principles of Buddhism and its so widely practice “meditation” in the west, but he tries to explain the origins of anxiety, depression, anger, and greed and what and how the path of the Buddha can help us reign in those emotions. It was my personal introduction to Buddhism, which is a religion I practice now, that was explained to me through a secular stand point. It was interesting to know about a religion that was mystified in science based way.
The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker
Nothing much can be said about this book. Not because its baseless or has nothing to contribute to the reader, but because the lesson the book gives the reader as so deeply personal and subjective that it’s impossible to summarize what I learned from it in a simple paragraph. All I can say about this book is that it analyzes “why” we exists. I come back to it every time I feel disconnected from it all.
Karma by Sadhguru
Karma is a word that means “action” in Sanskrit; and yet in the west it’s been derogated into anything we don’t like about ourselves, others and the world in general. In this book, the Indian yogi explains the origins of karma in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, how it can be cultivated and how you can change your ideas regarding your destiny and the path you must continue on as you live forward.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
Not necessarily a religious text or a book that explores the cons and pros of religion and the necessity to believe in something other than ourselves, but it is definitely one of my favorite science fiction books of all times. Or the only science fiction book I’ve read and liked of all times. Why? Because it explores a basic premise: what it means to be human? Are we human for our empathy? Our emotions? Our awareness? Or is there something deeper than ourselves that we’re not seeing? Well this book explores that.
What are you reading this Easter?
I´m Victoria Marulanda
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