Auspicious Thoughts, Propitious Mind

Intriguing down to earth practical philosophy that paints a perceptive view of what much of life is all about.

About The Book

'Auspicious Thoughts, Propitious Mind'

This is a book about our thoughts and how we can encourage them to create a mindset that inspires us to confidence, contentment and peace of mind. This is just the kind of book that appeals to those young to middle age adults, and others who reflect on where life is taking them, and wanting to feel that there should be more to life than they have experienced so far. All this is helped by an understanding of our attitudes and motivations, and what makes others behave the way they do.

With our life ahead of us, there's always time to plan what we want to do with it. It is natural to want to be happy as we go along, and also, at the end, to know that we have led a useful and contented life. Whilst planning 'what' we want to do is important, 'who' we become means being recognised and rated - not for any fame or fortune - but more vitally, 'who' we are as a person: a person of note, loved, respected, appreciated, valued and emulated, for all that is best in a man or woman.

This is an insightful social commentary and an explanation of the purpose of life, why we are here and defines the meaning of the word 'love.' The author puts aspects of Christian teachings under the microscope and argues that whilst for some there may not be a god, there is undeniably a force for goodness that is God that grants life and points us towards what is right and just, and love; and that force is there for anyone seeking it.

Beautifully presented, this book makes good reading, with its 40 chapters, each with a different interest for the reader. It is a cheering, thought-provoking and intriguingly different book that due to its considerable useful content, begs to be re-read, studied and retained for reference, and for others in the family to read and think about the way we live, our relationships, hopes and fears, and making decisions work, as well as asking, 'How is it some just seem to sail through life?'
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Genre

The genre is social commentary; a philosophical commentary on life today and where it has come from, the essence of life; life with all its vagaries, challenges and mysteries, and our aspirations for achievement, contentment and understanding. The author argues the strengths and weaknesses of human relationships, our beliefs and our ethics, and rationalises Christian orthodoxies with questions about our existence, that which is suspected, but unknown, in a well-balanced way that is intriguing.
In navigational terms it is a pilot book, a book that can guide us to a safe haven.

About The Author

Richard’s perception was acquired at the School of Experience, and now at the age in his 80's ranks as a graduate of the University of Life. But in this fast-changing world, has any of that any value still? Only the reader can decide the answer to that.

In his book Richard offers to the reader a line of thinking that may be seen as akin to that ‘man-in-the-street,’ with opinions similar to and a kindred spirit with the notional 'Man on the Clapham Omnibus,' who is adopted by the courts as a legal-fiction to arrive at what is justly and reasonably expected of anyone how their dealings in life are usually conducted, being any fair-minded average person and of sound mind. That thinking is held out to be one of a common-sense, down-to-earth practicality and pragmatism; but there are times when Richard’s alter ego asks a question that neither he, nor life, as yet, have an answer.

Richard writes in a practical and thought-provoking way on a wide range of matters that will be important to many who wonder 'what life is all about.' His interest in the 'psychology of self,' and ‘what makes us tick,’ began in his 50s. He researched the subject further and began writing his book just prior to the new millennium. He is a Christian by faith but suspicious of religious practices.

With a degree of insight, Richard draws on his varied experiences of life working with people and with animals as a veterinary surgeon. Those experiences included real-life experiences whilst being an employer and founding partner in a professional partnership, that became an SME of up to fifty staff of young men and women, with all the tribulations employees bring with their worries, stresses, marriage and relationship breakdown, even, sadly life’s disasters of divorce, miscarriage, abortion and suicide; all that plus the worldly issues of employment law, and Health & Safety matters as they developed between the thirty years from 1970.

Read Auspicious Thoughts, Propitious Mind

Auspicious Thoughts, Propitious Mind is for those who worry or are just curious to understand life, others and themselves better, and for those whose role it is to help them achieve that.

This book can help satisfy a yearning and enquiring mind on many matters of importance in the reader’s life.

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a 'state of mind' that we are all capable of experiencing. The common states of mind usually seen are: - awake, asleep, half-awake or half-asleep or one of the other states of consciousness, e.g., high alertness or awareness. Mindfulness is a state of focused consciousness, that is moment-by-moment, aware, taking care, being mindful of or minding something or someone, and being alert, to beware a danger, but more importantly, being in touch with and alert to our 'creative-self' and our spirituality.

This book's chapters are aimed to encourage a practical thinking, based on a practical philosophy, and an everyday psychology. Psychology is a science, whereas philosophy is an art, and where the two range alongside each other, the edges become blurred. In that blurring, counselling can be found. Counselling is probably the most useful of the three disciplines. The philosphical solution that is practical most likely means phronesis is at work.

With mindfulness, we aim to say what we mean and mean what we say ... but we have to be careful to whom we say it. We can look deeper into our opinions to rationalise our thoughts, feelings and our self-concept. We can improve our opinions in the light of developments and above all, avoid any prejudice.

Only a very few special people in our life will ever be worthy of our trust. And when we have placed that trust, is all then well?

What is it, in essence, that separates us from the animals? It surely is, in all essence, ‘The gift of imagination and the means to communicate it.’

There’s a downside to just about every splendid invention, not intrinsic but extrinsic by the machinations and perversions of mankind.

We have two minds, each mostly doing their own job, but with overlap, and with an agreed position on which mind overrules the other, when ‘needs must’.

It’s best for us all if we say, ‘There is no such thing as fate, and no force for evil, and certainly no such thing as an honour killing!'

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Book data – ISBN – Copywrite – 40 chapters/preface/intro/epilogue – 500 pp. – 210,000 words - 20 years in writing