LIVING A LIFE OF JOY
by John Randolph Price

Reviewed by Kathy Juline, Science of Mind Magazine

Living a Life of Joy by John Randolph Price (Fawcett Columbine, $12) reminds readers of some of the ancient wisdom from which our contemporary practices are drawn. The author reviews the legacy of the Transcendentalists, especially Ralph Waldo Emerson, who taught that there are no limitations except the ones we place upon ourselves when we fail to recognize the Essential Self within. We always have a choice in life, and we begin our spiritual journey by deciding not to be dependent on anyone else or anything outside ourself for our happiness. As Price puts it, "All is within- in the God of our Individual Being." With this idea as a foundation, the author goes on to suggest a motto he has adopted in his own life: "There's no sense worrying about anything, everything's just fine." He gives several examples of times when applying this principle of truth-which Price sees as another way of recognizing and aligning with divine consciousness-brought forth a healing or lifted him out of harm's way. There are also many meditations and affirmations interspersed within the text of the book, adding valuable support to the spiritual teachings Price is elaborating. Throughout the book he emphasizes the basic idea that we create our reality through our consciousness. Forgiveness of hurt or anger from the past is essential, as is the releasing of all self-condemnation. There is a metaphysical interpretation of some writings from Confucius, providing a succinct summary of what is involved in the process of spiritual renewal. In an interesting section on scientific prayer, Price also discusses the way manifestation works, applying some basic laws of physics to metaphysics. He states that "an inner thrust of mind on the Unified Field results in an outer radiation..." and notes that "when we impress a certainty, an absolute Truth, on the Unified Field of our causal powers with great feeling, they have no option but to express that certainty in visible form and experience." Price and his wife, Jan, formed the Quartus Foundation and are also the originators in 1986 of World Healing Day-a global meditation for peace that has been observed every December 31 for over a decade.