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The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power
CC-17
260 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1988
35 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
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 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 3, 2017
I read this book many years ago when I was going through a very difficult time in my young life. The first time I read it, it didn't seem to make much sense. Then I read it again and had a few "aha" moments. I have read this book again and again over the years and it has been my saving grace when I'm having a difficult time trying to comprehend the way other people think and why they do the things they do. I can't even explain how many "aha" moments I have had. Sometimes, when I'm questioning something in life, I'll just open the book randomly, and it's almost like Vernon Howard is standing right there giving me the answer. When you start understanding what he's trying to tell you, it's like a light bulb goes off and "you get it." He has wrapped up, into one book, all of the thoughts the many great Masters have tried to convey. I have several of Vernon Howard's book, and I love them all, but this is the one that I have worn out.
April 27, 2013
First, this book was originally published in 1967, not in the 80s. It is really old, especially for the message it brings. It literally changed my life. The ideas were totally new to me and the simplicity of their presentation made them very logical and easy to understand. I found it an amazing supplement to a better life. Love this book! Love it!
December 27, 2019
Mr. Howard presents a Taoist philosophy adapted for Western tastes. He states (repeatedly) that his Mystic Path is a way to happiness and serenity. And he provides some general guidelines on how to achieve this such as self-observation, suppression of the ego, detachment from worldly things. But he provides little in the way of step-by-step exercises or concrete practices to perform. I liked the book a lot but it had a bit of an air of promotional literature for his in-person lessons.
He references many books and mystics by using quotes and footnotes. These references could be a starting point for deeper study of the matter. The book has no index making it a challenge to use as an in-depth guidebook. The table of contents is quite detailed though.
He never defines what is meant by the term "Cosmic Power" in the title. But judging by the book's contents I think he means power over oneself.
The author's theory is that we're composed of two internal entities, our False-Self and our True-Self. This is a simplistic version of more complicated psychological explanations of our internal life (or life of the mind). The False-Self represents everything that is sinful, evil, hateful, stupid or corrupt. The True-Self represents everything that is good, calm, peaceful, content and happy. The basic idea of the book is to minimize or eliminate the False-Self in your life, thereby allowing your True-Self to take over. The author asserts that this is the mystic path to lasting happiness.
The False-Self can be eliminated by observing it, understanding it and disassociating oneself from it. You can say that any bad thing you did was not done by you (i.e. your True-Self) but, rather, it was done by your False-Self (i.e. the devil made you do it). Therefore, you need never feel bad about your evil, sinful or stupid actions because they are all the fault of your False-Self. Those actions aren't really “You”. You should dispassionately observe and understand your False-Self's actions. This will allow your True-Self to reveal itself and act in the future. So all of your worries, fear, guilt and shame will fade away to be replaced by the happiness and right-action of the True-Self.
Similar remarks are made about dealing with tragedies and catastrophes in your life. You should disassociate yourself from them. They have nothing to do with the inner, soulful life of the True-Self. And any bad feeling you have about anything has nothing to do with the exterior event and everything to do with your reaction to it. If your reaction is to be glad or indifferent to a catastrophe then you can be happy no matter what happens.
Obviously, the above is a bit difficult to put into practice in the real world. That's why the author urges the practitioner to be persistent in walking the mystic path and to wait out difficulties.
I think that if you can do the above you will be persistently happy and content but also a bit like a zonked out zombie who is selfishly indifferent to everything but their inner mental life. I like the idea of being happy all the time (I give it five stars for that) but I'm a little repelled by the thought that it may come at the cost of discarding morality and compassion toward others. And, of course, it's entirely possible that I don't fully understand what the author is trying to say. I think I'll reread the book later and also check out some of the other authors that he mentions (like Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson).
He references many books and mystics by using quotes and footnotes. These references could be a starting point for deeper study of the matter. The book has no index making it a challenge to use as an in-depth guidebook. The table of contents is quite detailed though.
He never defines what is meant by the term "Cosmic Power" in the title. But judging by the book's contents I think he means power over oneself.
The author's theory is that we're composed of two internal entities, our False-Self and our True-Self. This is a simplistic version of more complicated psychological explanations of our internal life (or life of the mind). The False-Self represents everything that is sinful, evil, hateful, stupid or corrupt. The True-Self represents everything that is good, calm, peaceful, content and happy. The basic idea of the book is to minimize or eliminate the False-Self in your life, thereby allowing your True-Self to take over. The author asserts that this is the mystic path to lasting happiness.
The False-Self can be eliminated by observing it, understanding it and disassociating oneself from it. You can say that any bad thing you did was not done by you (i.e. your True-Self) but, rather, it was done by your False-Self (i.e. the devil made you do it). Therefore, you need never feel bad about your evil, sinful or stupid actions because they are all the fault of your False-Self. Those actions aren't really “You”. You should dispassionately observe and understand your False-Self's actions. This will allow your True-Self to reveal itself and act in the future. So all of your worries, fear, guilt and shame will fade away to be replaced by the happiness and right-action of the True-Self.
Similar remarks are made about dealing with tragedies and catastrophes in your life. You should disassociate yourself from them. They have nothing to do with the inner, soulful life of the True-Self. And any bad feeling you have about anything has nothing to do with the exterior event and everything to do with your reaction to it. If your reaction is to be glad or indifferent to a catastrophe then you can be happy no matter what happens.
Obviously, the above is a bit difficult to put into practice in the real world. That's why the author urges the practitioner to be persistent in walking the mystic path and to wait out difficulties.
I think that if you can do the above you will be persistently happy and content but also a bit like a zonked out zombie who is selfishly indifferent to everything but their inner mental life. I like the idea of being happy all the time (I give it five stars for that) but I'm a little repelled by the thought that it may come at the cost of discarding morality and compassion toward others. And, of course, it's entirely possible that I don't fully understand what the author is trying to say. I think I'll reread the book later and also check out some of the other authors that he mentions (like Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson).
July 12, 2019
Why couldn't I have discovered this book earlier in my life? Vernon Howard provides the answer to man's perpetual existential dilemma - clinging to the illusory false self while rejecting the True Self as an enemy. Book is easily readable but full of profound wisdom. Instantly made me a Vernon Howard fan!
October 25, 2020
Really opens your mind
Very well written I have come through this book with an understanding that I never thought possible. The examples help you work through any doubt. I enjoy the last pages and will read them daily as affirmations
Very well written I have come through this book with an understanding that I never thought possible. The examples help you work through any doubt. I enjoy the last pages and will read them daily as affirmations
October 2, 2012
I thought it was all sort of dumb. Basically, "If you don't like anything, you won't be disappointed?"
December 30, 2012
This book is great for teaching one how to walk down the mystic path, which simply means, self-awareness. When you self-observe, you change you, not someone else. Great book!
August 18, 2019
Amazing Book can be life-changing. Highly recommended.
June 21, 2020
Very accessible. If the at times gimmicky writing style and overall package, doesn't throw you off theres definitely pearls of wisdom to be found here.
January 4, 2021
Terrible title! Fantastic book! ;)
Full of great life advice; real publication date is 1967.
Full of great life advice; real publication date is 1967.
April 13, 2025
Highlighted and tabbed several parts of this book. Good concepts.
January 4, 2017
A friend of mine strongly recommend I get this book. I ordered it right away. After it arrived and I was part way through the book I realized I actually already had this book on the shelf and had forgotten about it. I clearly must not have read it before because this book was one of the best I have ever read and I do not say that lightly! It is totally empowering!
Vernon has a great way to wake you up and get you pumped up and motivated to change your life. With chapter titles like "How to be an Entirely New Person" and "A Sure Cure for Fear and Tension" how could you not love this book?! This book has been very transformational. I read it at a time when I was looking to make a change in my life and step outside the career path I had been doing for years. It helped me see that I had the courage and ability to do so. Like a lot of people I was feeling stuck and many things such as fear. I had been doing property maintenance and personal assistant work for years. In lots of ways it had been rewarding and I have been grateful for the experience. I have gotten to care for some very beautiful and expensive property's and my clients have been great. After doing this for many years there was a burning desire inside me to make a change. I wanted to help people on a deeper level rather than maintaining peoples houses and possessions. Vernon certainly played a role in my new career path and I am greatly thankful. The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power is one of those books you can pickup and read again and again and continue to get more and more out of it.
Vernon has a great way to wake you up and get you pumped up and motivated to change your life. With chapter titles like "How to be an Entirely New Person" and "A Sure Cure for Fear and Tension" how could you not love this book?! This book has been very transformational. I read it at a time when I was looking to make a change in my life and step outside the career path I had been doing for years. It helped me see that I had the courage and ability to do so. Like a lot of people I was feeling stuck and many things such as fear. I had been doing property maintenance and personal assistant work for years. In lots of ways it had been rewarding and I have been grateful for the experience. I have gotten to care for some very beautiful and expensive property's and my clients have been great. After doing this for many years there was a burning desire inside me to make a change. I wanted to help people on a deeper level rather than maintaining peoples houses and possessions. Vernon certainly played a role in my new career path and I am greatly thankful. The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power is one of those books you can pickup and read again and again and continue to get more and more out of it.
May 1, 2008
A great overview of how to improve your life through how you think. Clumsy synopsis; perhaps I'll improve at a later date.
February 11, 2009
That awareness rather than fear helps the seeker to find deeper understanding of life.
April 8, 2009
I came across this book by chance. Vernon Howard has an excellent understanding of human behavior, psychology, and spirituality. I am reading more.
June 29, 2014
A Western spin on Eastern approaches to enlightenment and a worthy read. This is one of my desert island books.
February 13, 2012
Vernon Howard was a master.
July 1, 2012
A life-changer. Still pick it up from time to time, and recommend highly.
January 23, 2014
worthwhile read
January 19, 2015
"Impartial self-observation leads to self-awakening which leads to self-liberty."
Very enlightening read. Plan on reading it again right away and perhaps again after that.
Very enlightening read. Plan on reading it again right away and perhaps again after that.
November 2, 2015
Powerful message. Life changing. Very practical info and easy to apply. Teaches how to develop meaningful relationships with God, oneself and others.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews