"Many Lives, Many Masters" really moves Jesse and comes highly recommended! The book is about an atheist professor who heads the Psychology department at Columbia. He hypnotizes one of his female patients and during this hypnotic state she transcends into past lives, speaks in different languages, and experiences a total of 96 different lifetimes. Through this experience of listening to his patient's various spiritual episodes the professor is converted to a spiritual lifestyle. As the patient talks more and more the professor experiences more and more changes. "Here is a man with a PhD, an atheist to boot, and now he's been changed and sees the light just by listening to his patient this whole time", Jesse says. "This act as a whole is so moving and unbeliveable! I mean, to change ones frame of mind like that...to make him budge from science to spiritual...that means alot!" Jesse goes on to tell me that this professor now goes on talks around the country about his experience. He also thinks this book is great for all types of people because it isn't preachy and there is no ego involved.
Another book Jesse recommends is "What Would Buddha Do?" by Franz Metcalf and Franz Aubrey Metcalf. "It's a neat book...very similar to the 'What Would Jesus Do" and helps one towards their journey to enlightenment." Jesse has also enjoyed "The Gnostic Gospels" by Elaine Pagels. Jesse pauses and thinks a bit more on other favourite books then he smiles and looks at me. "Ok this is going to sound like such a cliche but I want to say the Bible. And I know, once people say they love the Bible everyone looks at them a certain way and starts to 'judge' them a bit. Yes, I do enjoy the Bible but I read it differently. Often times people read it with a strict eye but you have to take into consideration the Aramaic translations. You can't always take everything literally and have to read the passages and teachings as metaphors for a grander picture. One has to take into account the philosphy behind it all. There shouldn't be barriers. One must interpret it all for their spiritual enlightenment."
So why the spiritual reading kick? "I grew up thinking one way. I used to party hard, drink and do drugs, smoked alot. I was a wreck! Then about 3 to 5 years ago I felt a tap on my head from a higher being and that was when I knew I had to make a change in my lifestyle. Since that moment I've changed my life around. I don't party anymore. I've stopped drinking, the drugs, and I don't smoke anymore. I don't hang out with the same crowd as much. And when I do I just don't party hard like I used to. I go to church more often, I'm a vegan, and I'm continuously experiencing spiritual growth." Jesse explains that he embraces spirituality as a whole and doesn't conform to one belief, per se. "Just because you don't believe in it doesn't mean it's not true."
Jesse doesn't always have his nose in spiritual books. He also enjoys sci-fi books like the Dune series and the Ender's Game. He is convinced that not very many people know about the Ender's Game series but on the contrary I informed him that I've encountered a number of reader's who enjoy the series! Growing up he also enjoyed all of the Vonnegut books. If he had to choose a favourite from them all it would have to be Slaughterhouse Five. When he isn't carrying a paperback around with him he likes to pass the time with the newspaper, National Geographic, or Rolling Stone magazine. "I make a note to read something everyday."
If he were to write a book of his own it would have to be about finding joy and living in the everyday. One should find joy not through what they are taught but by helping others. "I want my book to be about how being good isn't bad." I like that.
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