Hope for a Better World!: The Cooperative Community Way [Paperback]

J. Donald Walters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2004

Walters analyzes with deep insight the views expressed by many of the great thinkers in the West.He studies their conceptions and misconceptions about the individuals relation to himself and tosociety, shows where their influence has proved adverse, and then offers fresh alternatives.In the final chapter Walters describes how cooperative communities can encourage a commonsenseway of life and inspire people to fulfill their own higher potential.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As we enter the 21st century, there is a need for a reevaluation of the various philosophical paths that .... -- David Spangler, author of Everyday Miracles and Reimagination of the World

In Hope for a Better World!, the always insightful J. Donald Walters makes a timely proposal towards crossing the .... -- --Patricia Kirby, Ed.D., M.A., Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland University College

J. Donald Waters reviews the thinking, conclusions, and errors of many of the great, significant minds of past centuries ..... -- David Feinstein, Ph.D., co-author, The Mythic Path

Often I have asked myself is this apparently impossible dream [of a better world] capable of being realized someday? .... -- Dr. Nora Tomosoiu, Academy of Academic Studies, Bucharest, Romania

This uniquely fascinating book distills insights on how we, as individuals, can achieve the fulfillment to all of us.... -- Maria Donatella Caramia, assistant professor of Neurology, University of Rome

From the Publisher

In these turbulent times, when wars, religious strife, bureaucracy, and technology threaten to reduce our very "human-ness" to base conditions and impersonal numbers, a fresh approach to creating a sustainable society is needed. Hope for a Better World is an impassioned, cogent argument for how we can achieve this goal.

In this intellectual tour-de-force, Walters both critiques and expands upon the viewpoints of many of the greatest thinkers of our time including Plato, Copernicus, Thomas Malthus, Machiavelli, Adam Smith, Darwin, Marx, and Freud, among others. Walters carefully examines each thinkers' conception of the individual and society, shows how these sometimes harmful notions have adversely affected us, and offers well-reasoned corrections to those philosophies which have contributed to our societal decay.

In the final chapter, Walters concludes with a clarion call for how each of us can best live up to the highest potential within us; how a new emphasis on building cooperative community environments can restore meaningful interactions and relationships back into each of our lives. These compelling and practical solutions to our gravest challenges are, indeed, our greatest hope for a better world.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 257 pages
• Publisher: Crystal Clarity Publishers (June 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565891708
• ISBN-13: 978-1565891708
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,050,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) , a direct disciple of the great master, Paramhansa Yogananda, is an internationally known author, lecturer, and composer. Widely recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on meditation and yoga, he has taught these principles and techniques to hundreds of thousands of students around the world.

In 1968, Kriyananda founded Ananda Village in Nevada City, California, dedicated to spreading the spirit of friendship, service, and community throughout the world. Ananda is recognized as one of the most successful intentional communities in the world; over 1,000 people reside in Ananda communities in the US, India, and Italy. The European retreat and community located in Assisi, Italy, also serves Ananda meditation groups in Europe, Croatia, and Russia.

Ananda Village is also home to The Expanding Light, a world-renowned guest retreat facilities where thousands of visitors annually visit for renewal or instruction in many aspects of meditation, yoga, and the spiritual life. The nearby Ananda Meditation Retreat, located on Ananda's first property, function both as a retreat and as the site for Ananda's Institute of Alternative Living.

An advocate of simple living and high thinking, his more than 90 books covering a wide range of subjects emphasize the need to live wisely by one's own experience of life, and not by abstract theories or dogmas.

A composer since 1964, Kriyananda has written over 400 musical works. His music is inspiring, soothing, and uplifting. Many of his later albums are instrumental works with brief affirmations or visualizations. Chuck Dilberto, of Awareness Magazine says, "[His] words and music are full of his life and light. His sole intention is to heal, something we could all use during these chaotic times."

Through Crystal Clarity Publishers, his works, have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 25 languages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant advice for a better tomorrow, July 26, 2002

By 

J. Byrom (Sacramento, CA, U.S.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hope for a Better World!: The Cooperative Community Way (Paperback)

Donald Walters latest book is a very readable, practical book of advice on how to deal with the possible "decline and fall of Western Civilization." The philosophies of Plato, Freud, ,Sarte, Adler, Darwin, and Marx and analyzed and shown to be faulty. Walter`s method for determining the validity of a philosphy-"does it work?"
The solution Walters proposes for society`s ills is not one based on the structure of government or changes in tax law, but one based on individual responsibility. He argues that small cooperative communities where people actually demonstrate selflessness, joy, and truth, are the best hope in this day and age for a better world.
This book is a brilliant attack on the abuse of the concept of "moral relativism," but it does not descend to dogmatism. In fact, the fair and open-minded nature of this writer is a breath of fresh air in a world full of self-righteous fanaticism.