Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia, Revised and Expanded: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings

A lot of us are lucky enough to get hit with occasional strokes of genius. Not too many of us follow through and put a brilliant idea into form. And almost nobody:--ceaselessly sees truths that habit and culture make most of us wholly blind to,--leads revolutions in thought and lifestyle that (if we're lucky) actually have the credible potential to transform us all into a species of happy beings,--magnetizes an entire community of like-minded truth- (and beauty-) (and joy-) seekers who, like little lost lambs from a scattered herd, have been wandering, nameless and leaderless, for years,commands superior talent not just in literature but also in music,--and prolifically -- every single day -- churns out art and philosophy of the highest quality.But Rob Brezsny does!It's true, too, that genuinely unique beams of original light have been known to be overlooked by most of their contemporaries, praised by some, and scorned by others (maybe people who have either never attempted to do anything difficult, or have tried, given up, and, whining all the way, settled for the mediocrity Brezsny's genius inspires us all to free ourselves from).Rob Brezsny is one of the most talented, far-sighted, creative people of our day, and we wouldn't be surprised if what he hasn't done yet proves him to be one of the most creative, admirable, joy-inspiring people ever.Amen!Om!Hallelujah!Shalom!Namaste!More power to you!EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK:Have you ever been loved? I bet you have been loved so much and so deeply that you have become jaded about the enormity of the grace it confers. So let me remind you: To be loved is a privilege and prize equivalent to being born. If you're smart, you pause regularly to bask in the astonishing knowledge that there are many people out there who care for you and want you to thrive and hold you in their thoughts with fondness.Animals, too: You have been the recipient of their boundless affection. The spirits of allies who've left this world continue to send their tender regards, as well. Do you "believe" in angels and other divine beings? Whether or not you do, I can assure you that there are hordes of them beaming their uncanny consecrations your way. You are awash in torrents of love.As tremendous a gift it is to get love, giving love is an equal boon. Many scientific studies demonstrate that whenever you bestow blessings on other people, you bless yourself. Expressing practical compassion not only strengthens your immune system and bolsters your health, but also promotes self-esteem, enhances longevity, and stimulates tranquility and even euphoria. As the scientists say, we humans are hardwired to benefit from altruism.What's your position on making love? Do you regard it as one of the nicer fringe benefits of being alive? Or are you more inclined to see it as a central proof of the primal magnanimity of the universe? I'm more aligned with the latter view.Imagine yourself in the fluidic blaze of that intimate spectacle right now. Savor the fantasy of entwining bodies and hearts and minds with an appealing partner who has the power to enchant you. What better way do you know of to dwell in sacred space while immersed in your body's delight? To commune with the Divine Wow while having fun? To tap into your own deeper knowing while at the same time gazing into the mysterious light of a fellow creature?

TITLE:Buy this book - it is a catalyst for personal liberation & joyREVIEW:The title of this review may seem melodramatic, but it has been my experience with this book, "Pronoia." I have bought 4 copies at this point: 1 for me, 1 for my partner, 1 for my sister, and 1 for someone I may or may not have met who will read it and be dazzled.This is not the kind of book that you read in one direction. I use it more like a kind of inspirational reference. Whatever my state of being - peaceful, stressed, depressed, mournful, joyous - I flip through this book and find helpful, compassionate words that speak to where I'm at. I have bought it for myself and for loved ones, as we go through transitions in life, work, love, etc. We have found it a helpful guide and fodder for conversations. I have probably only read 15-20% of the book, and I look forward to many more readings.I have to say I balked at the graphic design at first; it struck me as a bit gaudy and incoherent. But I have found over time that the images & graphics in "Pronoia" compliment the words, and enhance the power of the book.One example from my experience with "Pronoia": there is a meditation on anger which asks you to imagine yourself, when you are filled with rage, as both the fire, and the log that it burns; both the energy and the fuel, both burning brightly. The meditation, better written than what I have here, is accompanied by several icons of burning logs and fires - kind of "camping-sign" cartoon-style graphics. The day after I read through the meditation and practiced it once (feeling peaceful this first time through), I was at work. One of the usual frustrations in the course of the day provoked me into a rage - perhaps I stubbed my toe or got a papercut, maybe a co-worker brought angering news, I can't remember. But as I stood by my office window, starting to feel hot under the skin, feeling like I was starting to boil - I looked down and saw it. One of the identical icons from the meditation - a cartoon log being consumed by flame on a box of matches on the windowsill. It triggered the memory of the meditation, and I entered into it - breathing in the fire and the flame, becoming both the consumer & the fuel, quietly combusting there by the window. I felt the heat increase in intensity... explode light and heat around me in a fiery blast, until a fever pitch... and then subside to a dull roar & crackle. All this while quietly looking out the window and breathing evenly, calmly. The feelings passed and I went back to my work, able to focus and address the original trigger. I felt liberated - not from my anger, but by it. That's Pronoia.I could tell you half a dozen more stories like this one, but I think it's time for you to stop reading this, and start your own experience with "Pronoia." Also makes a great gift - good value for such a rich paperback.

For those who know Rob Brezsny's funny, wise and inspirational writings from his FreeWill Astrology, the fact that this book is so great will come as no surprise. It's actually a workbook for learning how to live your life with a serious determination to be happy. Like his horoscopes, it's often irreverent and uplifting and smart in ways that it sometimes takes you days to figure out but the journey is always well-worth it. The book includes lots of mental, emotional, creative and physical exercises to help you on your way.For those of you who have never read Brezsny's FreeWill Astrology (although I'll bet you can find it locally since it's syndicated in SO many papers and it's also available online at [...] ), don't think that this is one of those "Don't worry, Be happy" types of books because it is NOT. Rather, it stresses that our attitudes, perceptions and ideas about life tend to be too negative because of the way we've been taught to think about things in our culture. Pronoia teaches us that, although there are many "bad" things going on in the world, WE are the ones who get to decide the ways in which we deal with those things and that we can Joyfully Learn from them into the bargain. Pronoia can be Very Challenging & Difficult Work but, if you work on it whenever you feel like it, you will find yourself SO Empowered to Make YOUR Life SO Much Better that you just might want to go to San Francisco and kiss Rob's feet! I know that -I- would love to have that honor ;-)A "Must Read" for anyone who can read English! For a sneak peek at the book and more information about Pronoia, just go to the URL below and you'll find excerpts from the book (he says it represents about 20% of the book, actually, but I wouldn't miss The Rest of the Book for Anything :-)[...]

This book is just perfect! And it is HUGE! So much bigger than I ever expected.Tons of humour, lots of enlightening facts, smart pictures all over the place, incantations, miraculous healings, provocative thoughts,social awareness, kicks in the butt, love, light, wisdom, what else can I say?Buy this book! It is pure joy and it is filled with hope in humankind and our future.

Fabulous

Love this book! It's really fun to read and is well written. I've purchased several as gifts for friends.

Great 👍

A huge book but nothing in it for me. I expected some positive inspiration and guidance, something i could apply in my life in terms of thought patterns etc but to me it was just a bunch of airy, esoteric stuff. A waste of money, as far as I'm concerned.