Finalist (Self-Help)
Title: Manual for Living: Reality: A User’s Guide to the Meaning of Life
Author: Seth David Chernoff
Publisher: Spirit Scope Publishing
ISBN: 978-0984093090
Pages: 296, Paperback & Kindle
Genre: Self-Improvement/Spirituality
Reviewed by: Dr. Joseph S. Maresca, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
The author is a two time cancer survivor who lived to tell about the experience. These events lead to living a better life. The presentation poses some very basic questions like “What is our true driving force?” and “Why are we in a hurry?” By extension, the next question is “Why do we act in various ways ?” This self examination is critical to latching onto a meaningful set of steps to move our life forward devoid of irrelevancies. The author succeeds in conveying the need to do a thorough self-examination and benefit from the process.At some point, the meaning of life is a life of meaning or a life well lived. Leo Tolstoy said ” Everyone thinks of changing the world but no-one thinks of changing himself. ” Perhaps, this is a most visible truism. By extension, our concern should not be shallow perceptions of our surroundings and endless spirals of the fight/flight phenomena. The inner self and inferential knowing should be of paramount concern.
Von Goethe reminded us that “A useless life is an early death.” This is so because perceived uselessness is very depressing. Such modes lead
to abuses of every kind of vice and a spiral of flight from the ugly reality of life in the present. Ultimately, we must accept ourselves for who we are unless there is an overwhelming motivating force directed to change for the better.
Lastly, the author explains that death is traumatic. In some respects, this is so. For some, death comes quickly like a thief in the night. For others, the agonal phase is a slow steady descent right up to the point of the last breath. During this time, the mind may slow down and the patient is in and out of consciousness. Ultimately, a person reaches a point where consciousness can never be gained.
In my own experience, the people who live the longest lead constructive lives with plenty of exercise and a moderate diet. In addition, they are masters at controlling stress.
