infinity

The thing I don't get is how can you call a book "the secret" when in fact there are 1000's if not millions of copies all over the world. It's not a very good secret in my opinion. seriously, I have not read it for this very reason.

maybe 'In the Absence Of the Sacred: The failure of technology and the survival of the native american nations'. By Jerry Mander

Thanks so much guys I'm putting, 'The bell Jar', 'Faber book of madness' and 'Praise of folly' on my high priority wish list!

thanks for the list echo, 'masters of the mind' looks interesting, and I read a brief history of madness by Roy Porter, so I will look into 'madmen:..' poppy, as to what my definition of madness is.., I'm not sure if I can answer that. Only that personally, I would much rather be described as mad then be termed mentally ill. I tend to think that madness is an external issue and not only involves the madman but the environment which possibly makes them 'mad' or termed mad. I tend to think 'Mental illness' is just a new word for an age old struggle. I suppose I have a bit of a spiritual/mythological bent on madness and believe that ancient ecstaticism and modern day psychosis may be one of the same only that societies reception to it has changed. I'm not sure if I've given you my definition sorry, but more my line of inquiry I think...

HI has any one read any good non fictional books about madness or books by madmen or women? I'm considering Madness and Civilization by foucault. but I would also like to consider autobiographies. Also has anyone read any Mad authors in fiction??

I picked up "conversations with god" in the book shop and thought "I know what a psychiatrist would think about it" I think spiritualism needs to reign it in a bit and look at the issue of spiritual aspiration/madness and contemporary culture (in particular Psychiatry). we live in a world where spirituality is so individualistic. Many who have peak experiences and have been well read in contemporary spiritual literature have such experiences because they cease reading and start practicing. we all can't be writers 'having conversations with god' but does our culture accept us as individuals having conversations with god and survive it without psychiatric intervention? When one is consumed by the spirit in this day and age, one has to be very careful in their contemporary environment. This is a gritty issue that I have been searching for in Spiritual literature.

Thanks Andrea, even though I'm looking for contemporary books I tend to fall back on earlier stuff. cheers

hello from Australia! (NewSouthWales)

Thanks ooshie I tend to have a thing for 60's/70's publications, I'll definitely check it out..thanks for the blurb.

99% of what I read is non fiction..I love 'wacky' non fiction it started with books on occultism magic spirituality. Now I'm reading books on madness and society. There is so much strangeness out there in the world I just don't feel compelled to look for it in a work of fiction. I would rather try my own hand at say magic then read a harry potter book for example. I probably should read fiction more, but i like the idea of writing weird essays and referencing all that I have read and come to understand.

oh the smell of a crisp new book.....I have second hand books but they dont smell as good...some even a bit wiffy ... I also wonder why that person has let go of it sometimes, then I read it and I understand...this is a common occurrence with the exception of one little book I found called 'The Right to Useful Unemployment' By Illich. I also wonder if I am a hypocrite as I get annoyed by underlined passages in second hand books but I underline text also. I suppose id be ok as I use pencil and I can rub them out for sale. My second hand copy of 'Diary of a madman' has highlighter in it. Now that really makes me mad! mainly because I cant find any reason why they highlighted the passages they did in the first place...

at the end of 'The Politics of Experience' by R.D. Laing some of it is quite abstract. Some of it is quite visionary. There is a bit in the back called 'The Bird of Paradise' which i am limbering up for.

I think i'll put No Logo on my to read pile also, thanks chrissy

'The Lazy Mans Guide to Enlightenment' was shall I say, enlightening. I drew alot from 'The Five habits of highly effective people' but would not consider myself effective by any means. My most influential book was 'The 48 Laws of Power' By Robert Green (pocket version). Very historical, lots of great quotes (from the greats). It let me into understanding our Machiavellian ways and helped me identify those who manipulate and Deceive before they try it on me. But the book I've tended to re-visit is The 'I Ching or Book of Changes' (Richard Wilhelm trans.) The translations are really rich. I only use it as an oracle, never read it cover to cover but as far as life changing is concerned, it has always helped re-direct matters of the heart and mind.