"Thus I understand the simple truth of life: There is nothing better than for you to rejoice in every deed done in harmony with the moment. For doing is your purpose; in doing is your meaning. Leave the result to those who come after you, and attend solely to doing well that which must be done at all." 
In this thoughtful, fresh interpretation, Rami Shapiro presents King Solomon's philosophy as that of a Taoist sage and the book of Ecclesiastes not as a lamentation of life's vanities and meaninglessness but as a guide to reality and how to embrace it with joy and tranquility. Shapiro's Ecclesiastes shows modern spiritual seekers the way to truth, gratitude, contentment, and joy.
Traditional translations of Ecclesiastes dampen the hopeful spirit of Solomon's message, while Shapiro's rendition illuminates an ancient wisdom as timely and relevant today as ever. Shapiro boldly asserts that Solomon didn't in fact cry "vanity of vanities," as his words are so often translated, but rather, "Emptiness, emptiness, all is emptiness." Read this way, the message becomes a meditation on the promise of finding joy in even the most ordinary of daily acts and true peace of mind in our contemporary world of ego and artificial distractions.
Positioning Solomon as a realist with the instincts of a Zen master who seeks a path away from illusion and toward true enlightenment, Shapiro presents an innovative, engaging translation of the full text, and then lingers over the most moving and important passages, offering real-world examples of how this classic book of wisdom can be incorporated into our own lives. Solomon beseeches us to accept impermanence in order to embrace the present with freshness of body and mind. He calls on us to engage each moment, lest we miss today by agonizing about yesterday or daydreaming about tomorrow. And he urges us to recognize and celebrate the interdependence of all things, so that we may act justly and compassionately.
Shapiro's passion for the timeless message of Ecclesiastes is evident throughout The Way of Solomon. He encourages us to read with open minds and hearts, to savor the wisdom of this ever-popular book of the Bible, to consider its implications carefully for our own lives, and to commit ourselves to testing its truth against our own experiences.

The Way of Solomon: Finding Joy and Contentment in the Wisdom of Ecclesiastes

Shapiro, Rami

Religion & Spirituality

HarperOne

Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent: Sacred Teachingsâ€"Annotated & Explained (16pt Large Print Edition)

ReadHowYouWant

Rabbi Rami Guide to God offers theory and a series of techniques to practice—for those who want to know about God and those who want to know God directly.

Rabbi Rami's Guide to God: Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Teacher

Spirituality & Health Books

In his Guide to Forgiveness, Rabbi Ramil help you to see that you aren’t who you think you are, and to work towards not identifying with the slights and grudges borne against you. Once your Self is free from the confines of self, forgiveness can begin to happen naturally.

Rabbi Rami Guide to Forgiveness: Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler

Religious Studies

It is the stories we tell our kids rather than the rules we impose upon them that have the longer lasting and more meaningful impact. These stories inform our children’s minds and shape their way in the world. Rabbi Rami sets the stage for sharing these stories that open heart’s and shape their character.

Rabbi Rami Guide to Parenting: Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler

Self-Help

Relationships

Does the Golden Rule matter? It depends on the game. ''We have to shift the game before we can promote the Rule. This is why teaching morality alone is insufficient. Educating our children in the Golden Rule without teaching about finite and infinite games and zero-sum and nonzero worldviews is a waste of time. Doing so would be like teaching them the rules of chess while insisting they play only checkers.''-from Chapter 10, ''Play Different'' This provocative and challenging exploration of the Golden Rule, widely accepted as humanity's moral true north, neither praises the Rule uncritically nor naively insists that it is applicable in every situation. Rather, it looks critically at the Rule in the context of game theory to see where it works and where it doesn't, when it is applicable and when it isn't. It shows you why knowing the difference can offer you a powerful way to transform your life from one driven by fear to one driven by love. This philosophical game changer is written for people of all faiths or none who praise the Rule and yet violate it over and over again. It invites you into the fascinating world of ethical decision making in a way that helps you use the Golden Rule as a fulcrum for shifting your life from often unethical competition to compassionate and even loving cooperation.

The Golden Rule and the Games People Play: The Ultimate Strategy for a Meaning-Filled Life

Writing-The Sacred Art: Beyond the Page to Spiritual Practice

A ''bible'' for the religiously unaffiliated, weaving sacred texts from the world's major religions into a coherent exploration of the core questions at the heart of every religion's search, with insightful commentary on using these texts in our daily lives.

Perennial Wisdom For The Spiritually Independent Sacred Teachings-Annotated & Explained

In this hope-filled approach to spiritual and personal growth, the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are uniquely interpreted to speak to everyone seeking a freer and more God-centered life. This special rendering makes them relevant to those suffering from specific addictions-alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, sex, shopping-as well as the general addictions we wrestle with daily, such as anger, greed, and selfishness. Rami Shapiro describes his personal experience working the Twelve Steps as adapted by Overeaters Anonymous and shares anecdotes from many people working the Steps in a variety of settings. Drawing on the insights and practices of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam, he offers supplementary practices from different religious traditions to help you move more deeply into the universal spirituality of the Twelve Step system.

Recovery – The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice

Tantor Audio

In this hope-filled approach to spiritual and personal growth, the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are uniquely interpreted to speak to everyone seeking a freer and more God-centered life. This special rendering makes them relevant to those suffering from specific addictions-alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, sex, shopping-as well as the general addictions we wrestle with daily, such as anger, greed, and selfishness.Rami Shapiro describes his personal experience working the Twelve Steps as adapted by Overeaters Anonymous and shares anecdotes from many people working the Steps in a variety of settings. Drawing on the insights and practices of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam, he offers supplementary practices from different religious traditions to help you move more deeply into the universal spirituality of the Twelve Step system.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Shapiro, Rami. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Shapiro, Rami

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Shapiro, Rami. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Way of Solomon: Finding Joy and Contentment in the Wisdom of Ecclesiastes

Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent: Sacred Teachingsâ€"Annotated & Explained (16pt Large Print Edition)

Rabbi Rami's Guide to God: Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Teacher

Rabbi Rami Guide to Forgiveness: Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler

Rabbi Rami Guide to Parenting: Roadside Assistance for the Spiritual Traveler

The Golden Rule and the Games People Play: The Ultimate Strategy for a Meaning-Filled Life

Writing-The Sacred Art: Beyond the Page to Spiritual Practice

Perennial Wisdom For The Spiritually Independent Sacred Teachings-Annotated & Explained

Recovery – The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice

Recovery – The Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice