OPEN THE HEART OF SELF-DISCOVERY through the spirituality in the lives and profound works of Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman in this award-winning book.
Much has been written about Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman as prominent American writers, but much less research has been done regarding their spirituality, which gave the writing of their classics such impact.
This study helps to remedy this by focusing on the mysticism in the lives and major works of Thoreau and Whitman, two great American literary mystics of the 19th century.
You'll find out:
~ How their classic works, Thoreau's "Walden" and Whitman's ground-breaking poem,"Song of Myself" were inspired by their spiritual revelations and struggles.
~ What the deeper meanings are in key passages from "Walden" and "Song of Myself"
~ How their spirituality reflected their different personalities and characters.
Paul Hourihan asks “Is Thoreau’s way the way for us?” And explains the special challenges we have today in following a spiritual life compared to Thoreau’s time and before.
Hourihan also delves into the subject of depression and the role it plays in the life of the spiritual seeker in light of Thoreau’s extended depression after publishing "Walden,” his masterpiece.
By understanding the wisdom and strengths, as well as the faults and failings, of these two great influential writers, we can know ourselves better.
Winner of the Bronze, Best Non-fiction, and Best Spiritual Book awards from the Northern California Publishers & Authors Assn.
From the Foreword:
"A valuable study not only as a critical interpretation, but as a deeply insightful 'biography' of these two great minds, in charting which Dr. Hourihan brings to his task a certain inwardness of understanding combined with the force of personal conviction....
At a time like this, Dr. Hourihan performs a valuable service by his courageous reaffirmation of what is of permanent value in the lives and works of two of the most original minds in American literature.
- V. K. Chari, Professor Emeritus, Carleton University, and author of "Whitman in the Light of Vedantic Mysticism"
