Why am I passionate about this?

Arriving home from school at age 8 with a story I had written called The Mystery Artist, my mother asked, “Do you want to be a writer?” “Oh yes, and I want to be an actor too and travel all over the world!” Mom smiled and said, “Honey, I believe you will.” I’m now 79, healthy, and happy. Telling traditional and true stories on stages in schools, theatres, and churches, traveling to more than 40 countries, and writing multiple multicultural collections of tellable tales is a dream come true. And along the way, I’ve searched for Light and Life. The journey isn’t finished. There is always more to come.


I wrote

Vagabond Tales, In Search of Light and Life

By Pleasant DeSpain,

Book cover of Vagabond Tales, In Search of Light and Life

What is my book about?

A Spiritual Journey: Your life stories contain the pattern of your past karma unfolding in this life. Healing karma is…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Be Here Now

Pleasant DeSpain Why did I love this book?

I was 28 years old and living in Seattle in 1971 when this "counterculture bible" was first published. Reading about meditation, dropping acid, and searching for my "true self," I decided it was time to take my spiritual journey seriously.  Discovering Eastern philosophy, the power of breath, ancient yoga techniques, and "being here now" resonated strongly. A psychologist told me of a near-death experience that he, Ram Dass, and four others experienced with a small plane's engine failure while flying to an island off the Washington State coast. The psychologist and others knew fear. Ram Dass began laughing long and loud! "Isn't this great?" he yelled. "What a way to go!" They didn't crash, thank God.  

By Ram Dass,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked Be Here Now as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Beloved guru Ram Dass tells the story of his spiritual awakening and gives you the tools to take control of your life in this “counterculture bible” (The New York Times) featuring powerful guidance on yoga, meditation, and finding your true self.

When Be Here Now was first published in 1971, it filled a deep spiritual emptiness, launched the ongoing mindfulness revolution, and established Ram Dass as perhaps the preeminent seeker of the twentieth century.

Just ten years earlier, he was known as Professor Richard Alpert. He held appointments in four departments at Harvard University. He published books, drove a Mercedes…


Book cover of Science of Being and Art of Living

Pleasant DeSpain Why did I love this book?

Initiated into Transcendental Meditation in 1972, I committed to meditating for 20 minutes twice daily. My stress was relieved, and I experienced intense feelings of hope. Reading and understanding the theory of the Unified Field of Natural Law theory forever changed my life. I realized I had access to pure Being wherever I was. Maharishi asked, "Are you a cave dweller or a householder?" Was I going to dawn a robe and sandals, or was I destined to live and work in society? I chose householder, and 50 years later, I'm a healthy and happy man.

By Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Science of Being and Art of Living as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this classic book first published in 1963 and which has reached millions of readers, Maharishi unfolds his vision for "a new humanity developed in all life's values - physical, mental, material, spiritual." Now this book has been re-released with new appendices and an afterword by Dr. Bevan Morris, President of Maharishi University of Management.

Not long after Maharishi began his world tours, his students urged him to commit this great teaching to paper. In 1963 Maharishi offered to the world the Science of Being and Art of Living, which systematically unfolds for our scientific age the wisdom of the…


Book cover of The Artist's Way

Pleasant DeSpain Why did I love this book?

I encountered The Artist's Way by learning to be a professional storyteller in writing and oral presentations. Ms. Cameron combines creativity and spirituality in a logical step-by-step understanding that helped me meet the daily challenges of making a living while charting an unusual and unproven profession. She imbued in me that creative expression in all its forms is the natural direction in life. 

By Julia Cameron,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked The Artist's Way as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"With its gentle affirmations, inspirational quotes, fill-in-the-blank lists and tasks — write yourself a thank-you letter, describe yourself at 80, for example — The Artist’s Way proposes an egalitarian view of creativity: Everyone’s got it."—The New York Times 
 
"Morning Pages have become a household name, a shorthand for unlocking your creative potential"—Vogue

Over four million copies sold!

Since its first publication, The Artist's Way phenomena has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose. Julia Cameron's novel approach guides readers in uncovering problems…


Book cover of The Integral Vision: A Very Short Introduction

Pleasant DeSpain Why did I love this book?

An excellent and easy-to-read introduction to the brilliance of Ken Wilber. During our current times of distractions and divisiveness, I found this brief missive a place of reason and calm. His ability to explore the inner connectedness of our world by combining knowledge and human experience is most satisfying. This work led me to his Brief History of Everything, and I'm forever grateful. 

By Ken Wilber,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Integral Vision as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Publishers Weekly Book of the Year

This pop culture presentation of Ken Wilber’s Integral Approach—an inclusive, visionary framework for understanding human potential—is as an easy introduction to his work

What if we attempted to create an all-inclusive map that touches the most important factors from all the world’s great traditions? Using all the known systems and models of human growth—from the ancient sages to the latest breakthroughs in cognitive science—Ken Wilber distills their major components into five simple elements, ones that readers can relate to their own experience right now.
 
With clear explanations, practical exercises, and familiar examples, The…


Book cover of The Power of Breath

Pleasant DeSpain Why did I love this book?

Maintaining my meditation practice for over 50 years, I’ve learned the power of breath. If you control your breath, you control your life. Conscious breathwork enhances our mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. I’ve recommended these practices since I finished this brief and well-written guidebook. Momentary and lasting bliss is possible with breath. She is the master to follow. 

By Swami Saradananda,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Power of Breath as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Often the simple act of breathing is overlooked, even by those who practice yoga, but this is the body's most fundamental physical process. Join renowned yoga and meditation teacher Swami Saradananda as she expertly shows you how to enhance your life through the power of breath, making Pranayama (the formal yogic practice of controlling the breath) accessible to everyone. Boost your energy and confidence, reduce stress and anxiety, and address a wide range of health concerns with a wealth of inspiring exercises and tips. Explore all five types of breathing in the Eastern tradition - each related to a particular…


Explore my book 😀

Vagabond Tales, In Search of Light and Life

By Pleasant DeSpain,

Book cover of Vagabond Tales, In Search of Light and Life

What is my book about?

A Spiritual Journey: Your life stories contain the pattern of your past karma unfolding in this life. Healing karma is possible and probable if you are willing to enter the darkest cave to find the greatest treasure. “A pioneer of the American storytelling renaissance,” Pleasant DeSpain, world traveler and author of 18 award-winning multicultural books, found a wealth of treasures along the way. Join him on this nine-chapter journey of true and traditional tales from around the globe celebrating light and life, healing, surrender, and happiness. 

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Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

Book cover of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

Margot Machol Bisnow Author Of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve become passionate about telling parents how to raise happy, resilient, creative, confident, entrepreneurial children who are doing something that gives them joy. So many young people are unhappy; parents don’t understand how to help. They think their children should follow their path, but that no longer works for many. For the last 10 years, I’ve been speaking to parent groups; I was an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of MUSE School, preparing young people with passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey, mentoring low-income high school students to achieve college and career success. 

Margot's book list on learn how to raise confident children

What is my book about?

This book shakes longstanding assumptions of parenting.

Through 99 stories of people who are now changing the world, it shows how to raise creative, confident, resilient children who are filled with joy and purpose. Based on interviews with top entrepreneurs and their parents, it guides you to help your children identify their passion and figure out how they can spend their professional lives doing something they love. 

Parents' well-intentioned efforts often boomerang. By ignoring their children’s skills and interests, parents can inadvertently create pressure and anxiety, thwarting their children's ability to excel and find happiness. Too often, following your heart…

Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

What is this book about?

Learn how successful entrepreneurs were raised! Could your children start a company that disrupts existing industries? Or a non-profit that helps people around the world? Or follow their passion as an artist or activist? And most important, lead a life of joy and purpose, to be happy and fulfilled? Margot Machol Bisnow, mother of two thriving entrepreneurs, reveals how to raise creative, confident, resilient, fearless kids who achieve their dreams, through 99 stories of families who did it.

Read stories from 70 families who raised true game changers. See family photos of these thriving entrepreneurs, both when they were young…


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