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The Power of Your Supermind
This classic work by the spiritual architect of the New Life Foundation demonstrates how to break the cycle of disappointment and failure and establish a new and fulfilling life.
- GenresSpirituality
Paperback
First published October 1, 1967
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About the author
Vernon Linwood Howard
62 books13 followersVernon Linwood Howard (1918 - 1992) was a philosopher and spiritual teacher.
He was born near Haverhill, Massachusetts. In the 1940s he wrote humor and children's books. He began lecturing on personal development in the late 1950s, and later began writing books on spiritual and psychological growth, emphasizing the importance and practice of self-awareness.
Howard drew from several different philosophical and spiritual traditions. These included: Christian and Eastern mysticism, Gurdjieffian Fourth Way teachings, Jungian psychology, J. Krishnamurti and American Transcendentalism. He taught that there is a way out of suffering, and advocated self-honesty, persistence, the study and application of spiritual principles, and a sincere desire for inner change.
In 1979, Howard founded the non-profit learning center New Life Foundation, where he continued to teach until his death in 1992.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_H...
He was born near Haverhill, Massachusetts. In the 1940s he wrote humor and children's books. He began lecturing on personal development in the late 1950s, and later began writing books on spiritual and psychological growth, emphasizing the importance and practice of self-awareness.
Howard drew from several different philosophical and spiritual traditions. These included: Christian and Eastern mysticism, Gurdjieffian Fourth Way teachings, Jungian psychology, J. Krishnamurti and American Transcendentalism. He taught that there is a way out of suffering, and advocated self-honesty, persistence, the study and application of spiritual principles, and a sincere desire for inner change.
In 1979, Howard founded the non-profit learning center New Life Foundation, where he continued to teach until his death in 1992.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_H...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 28, 2015
Wow. Another great book by Vernon Howard. Granted, another tacky title but who cares. The book is great. Loaded with counterintuitive wisdom of the highest order. As I said in my review of his book The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power I think books like these that get read and reviewed so infrequently is because they are only meant for those with the capacity to receive their wisdom. And the wisdom is just gushing out of this book.
Again Howard's main theme is that we are living unconsciously, tied, painfully, to our "false self," and that our freedom lies in abandoning that false self to our "true self," which is above the petty ego concerns of the false self. You've heard this sort of thing before. 'Let go and let God.' Live from the 'no-self." Etc. I don't care. Howard makes this real. He makes it do-able. Reading this book and doing what it suggests will alleviate your psychic and emotional pain.
He writes:
And that's it. Give up the reins and trust Life to take over.
But it takes work. A courageous effort to see through blandishments and false promises and fears that the world offers and perpetrates on us.
Howard encourages us:
Do not be impatient with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting, and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud.
He asks:
That's as as radical as it sounds. He explains:
He's a realist, though. He knows it's not easy, and he knows it can be a long road. But he also knows it's worth it.
Pain and suffering are our indications that we're living unconsciously and rather than trying to escape from them we should try to understand them. They exist to teach us something. Then once we understand what that is (that we need to wake up) we'll be free from them.
Is the guy a zealot? Absolutely. But why not? If you really want to change you need to be a zealot.
Your mind is not your friend. In fact, it's a master at scaring you and keeping you bound by it.
Living the way Howard suggests is a lot to ask. A ton. If your life is working great, I think this book still holds a lot of insight for you. If your life isn't working so great, this book may be just what you need to turn things around.
Again Howard's main theme is that we are living unconsciously, tied, painfully, to our "false self," and that our freedom lies in abandoning that false self to our "true self," which is above the petty ego concerns of the false self. You've heard this sort of thing before. 'Let go and let God.' Live from the 'no-self." Etc. I don't care. Howard makes this real. He makes it do-able. Reading this book and doing what it suggests will alleviate your psychic and emotional pain.
He writes:
When we are in the right stream, we have no concern with the movements of the boat from left to right, that is, we need not care what life decides for us. We just let it decide and happily enjoy the ride.
And that's it. Give up the reins and trust Life to take over.
But it takes work. A courageous effort to see through blandishments and false promises and fears that the world offers and perpetrates on us.
Howard encourages us:
Do not be impatient with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting, and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud.
He asks:
What would it be like if I ceased struggling to live my life and just let it be lived for me?
That's as as radical as it sounds. He explains:
...let yourself be led to do whatever happens by itself. Do not try to think; let your thoughts think for you. Let go. Drop all initiative. Let yourself flow.
He's a realist, though. He knows it's not easy, and he knows it can be a long road. But he also knows it's worth it.
Pain and suffering are our indications that we're living unconsciously and rather than trying to escape from them we should try to understand them. They exist to teach us something. Then once we understand what that is (that we need to wake up) we'll be free from them.
Is the guy a zealot? Absolutely. But why not? If you really want to change you need to be a zealot.
Your mind is not your friend. In fact, it's a master at scaring you and keeping you bound by it.
...false ideas thrive on anxiety. That is how they maintain their tricky hold on the mind. They try to scare you into submission.
Living the way Howard suggests is a lot to ask. A ton. If your life is working great, I think this book still holds a lot of insight for you. If your life isn't working so great, this book may be just what you need to turn things around.
July 31, 2010
This book has been my all time spiritual textbook for many years. When I feel lost, I open this book to find the most encouraging advise from the supermind.
December 7, 2019
This will be set as one of the greats in my collection. Would read again, I took so many notes from this book. Very insightful.
February 9, 2012
This is an amazing work! It is filled with insightful, innovative advice and is written from a spiritual perspective. It is beautifully crafted and written in language that anyone can understand! I highly, highly recommend it!
November 22, 2010
Personally rewarding.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews