Alan Cohen

I love this book. It is not the kind of book you read cover to cover, you read a page a day (sometimes I read more to catch up) and you can re-read it continually year after year.

As a writer, my ideal morning ritual starts with journaling three "Morning Pages" (as suggested by Julia Cameron in her "The Artist's Way") rewarded by reading today's (yearless, dated) page of Alan Cohen's "A Deep Breath of Life" - and maybe journaling some more after thinking about that.

Of course, I'm not show more perfect. ;-) So I miss lots of days (weeks and months sometimes!). If they have been particularly stressful or crazy, I look back on what I missed for any insights that can be gleaned but sometimes, I am delighted to leave those pearls of wisdom and inspiration laying in wait to be discovered fresh next year.

I have bought this book many times over to give as gifts to fellow writers or friends needing inspiration. Sometimes I'll scan a page I've earmarked from somewhere else in the year and email it to correspondents who need a boost or validation. My own copy is drenched in highlighter and crunches now as I've left it out in the rain accidentally. But that just adds to its character.

When I open up to an already very highlighted day, I am surprised to find that sometimes, it doesn't have the same impact upon re-examination when I'm at a different place in my life but often, the passages ring as true and as clear as they have for years!

It's just a great book.
Highly recommend. ;-)
With delight! ;-( show less

I tried to read a Course in Miracles several years ago and really had a tough time. Since I wasn't raised Christian the Father, son and Holy Ghost thing sort of gave me some problems and I really struggled with it. I was hoping that this book would give me a better grasp on it and I was pleasantly surprised. The beginning didn't grab me at first but it peaked my interest and kept me reading, by about halfway through I was highlighting passages and finding "aha" moments. The epilogue is show more supreme and titled: "Everything you always wanted to know about A Course in Miracles but didn't want to have to read the whole course to find out" and it truly is a 14 point breakdown of the whole course.

Wonderful food for thought that I will probably be returning to again and again. show less

Okay, I'm biased - I have writings included in this book - but it's a fantastic book with a wonderful concept. Each poet has a double-paged spread with a short essay on how he or she got into poetry, and one poem. Alan Cohen did a great job of putting this collection together. There are some very well-known poets (Ted Kooser, Jane Hirschfield, Coleman Barks) along with some relatively unknowns like me.

I wouldn't say that this is a life-changing book, but it is certainly filled with wonderful gems of wisdom. Everything is simple and I think it is the key that makes this book a great one to come back to again and again. I believe that self-help book will be good or not depending on your style and how writer connects with you. For this book, even though it does not ring with you, at least it is a good read and fun. If it rings with you, it can be one of the best books for you. So, try it show more out. You won't regret it. show less