In this world of rat races, keeping up with the Joneses in pursuit of the mighty dollar, and achieving the American Dream, there isn’t much time for inner reflection. To maintain a homeostasis of mind, body, and spirit, to feed ourselves the sustenance needed to be successful at being human, we need a guide.

Richard Singer’s new book, Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds, does the job. Singer breaks down a year into a day-by-day-like calendar. Each day is broken into subcategories and assignments.  A book is suggested for each month. In March, the suggested book is As a Man Thinketh by James Allen. In June, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is recommended.

One of the subcategories is “A quote from a great mind in history.” On March 13 a quote from St. Augustine reads “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” In response, Singer writes, “Life, the Universe, and the world, consist of infinite pages, eternal chapters, and inexhaustible ‘stories’ of growth, triumph, and love. Plan to move forward on your reading and adventure, get out, experience, see, love, dream, and succeed. Read the book of life intensely and create your tale of success. Take a voyage inside your being, into novel situations, into new cultures, and discover the connection of humanity and the oneness of the Universe.”

Another subcategory is called “Personal Journaling.” For example, Singer asks, “What is the title of your next chapter?” He closes with a positive affirmation:

Today, I will notice the sacred in all of life and honor the divinity of existence.

Yes, it does sound a bit preachy and New-Age-ish, tossing around esoteric words like ‘sacred,’ ‘divinity,’ and ‘oneness,’ but Singer’s book is not enabling to the reader. Instead, Singer shows readers how to empower themselves and convinces them to be accountable for their own actions and consequences. Supporting his ideas with quotes from truly great minds, Singer doesn’t have a get-rich-quick scheme and doesn’t expect the reader to join a cause, tithe, or give up all their worldly possessions. He doesn’t want to be praised or be known as a guru with all the answers. Singer doesn’t expect the reader to believe or seek forgiveness from an entity that sits on a golden throne and judges all humanity. Singer only wants readers to believe in themselves and offers Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds as a tool or reference book — like a dictionary, atlas, or encyclopedia — to be used at the reader’s leisure.

Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds: Wisdom and Enlightenment of the Past and Present
By Richard A. Singer Jr.
Loving Healing Press, 2007

Lee Gooden