Wisdom of the Ages - Paperback

6 Days to Enlightenment

What do our ancestral scholars, whom we consider the wisest and most spiritually advanced, have to say to us today?

The answer to this question posed by bestselling author Wayne W. Dyer lies in this powerful collection of writings, poems and phrases by some of the greatest thinkers of the past twenty-five centuries. In succinct original essays, Dr. Wayne Dyer sets out to explain the meaning and context of each piece of wisdom, and, most important, to explain how we can actively apply these teachings to our modern lives.

From ancestral masters including Buddha, Michelangelo, Rumi, Whitman, Jesus, Emily Dickinson, and Emerson, here are treasured passages on a variety of subjects, including solitude, time and passion. Among the contributions are words on inspiration from Pantanjali, author of the Hindu classic Yoga Sutras, teachings about the power of prayer from thirteenth century monk St. Francis of Assisi, and thoughts about the importance of action written by Mother Theresa.

The voices collected here cut across a wide range of historical eras and cultures, yet they communicate universal truths about the human experience.

Wisdom of the Ages provides us with a marvellous dual opportunity: to receive guidance from our great ancestors and to recognise our own potential for greatness.

Dimensions: 9.52" x 6.32"
Details: Hardcover, 288 pages
Author: Wayne Dyer

Testimonials

Library Journal

This is intended as a handbook of wisdom gleaned from 60 sources, ancient and contemporary, ranging from novelists, poets, sages, and saints to statesmen, including the likes of Herman Melville, Dorothy Parker, Shakespeare, Buddha, Jesus, Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi. Each chapter, prefaced by a quotation from an individual whose contribution to history is summed up in a few lines, revolves around a specific theme, such as forgiveness, work, family and home, divinity, individuality, and so forth. These writings are often rambling and take inspiration from individuals who have no bearing on the selected quotations. This book is self-actualization guru Dyer at his presumptuous best, capitalizing on the wisdom of others and devoting the final chapter to himself as a master worthy of the last word. Not much to recommend here.

--Bernadette McGrath

Kirkus Reviews

An enhanced version of a commonplace book, Wisdom of the Ages offers brief excerpts from the writings of 60 "teachers" (ranging from Buddha and Jesus up to George Bernard Shaw and Mother Teresa) followed by three- to four-page musings by Dyer (Real Magic) which attempt to explicate the sayings. The necessarily fragmentary nature of such an approach means that the book lends itself more to browsing than to study; the often bland and unsurprising analyses of the excerpts, and the only fitfully convincing effort to draw from each excerpt some plan of action for change and enhanced awareness would suggest that only the author's longtime fans are likely to find the volume of much interest or utility.

About Wayne Dyer

Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of 30 books, has created many audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows.

His books Manifest Your Destiny, Wisdom of the Ages, There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and the New York Times bestsellers 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, The Power of Intention, and Inspiration and now Change Your Thoughts—Change Your Life have all been featured as National Public Television specials.

Dyer holds a doctorate in educational counseling from Wayne State University and was an associate professor at St. John’s University in New York.

Dr. Wayne Dyer is affectionately called the “father of motivation” by his fans. Despite his childhood spent in orphanages and foster homes, Dr. Dyer has overcome many obstacles to make his dreams come true. Today he spends much of his time showing others how to do the same.

When he’s not traveling the globe delivering his uplifting message, Wayne is writing from his home in Maui.