General Press (2025)

20/09/2025

“Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse stands as one of the most influential spiritual novels of the 20th century, having profoundly shaped Western understanding of Eastern philosophy since its publication in German in 1922. Written by the German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse, who would later receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946, this poetic masterpiece emerged from Hesse’s personal crisis and spiritual seeking following his visit to South Asia before World War I. Although illness prevented Hesse from reaching India as planned, his journey to Sri Lanka and Indonesia left him with an idealized vision of Eastern spirituality that would permeate his writing. The novel reflects Hesse’s attempt to cure what he called his “sickness with life” by immersing himself in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, particularly the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Set in ancient India during the time of Gautama Buddha, the 152-page work follows the spiritual journey of its protagonist through what Hesse structured as the traditional Hindu life stages of student, householder, and renunciate, while incorporating Buddhist concepts of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path across its twelve chapters.

The narrative opens with Siddhartha as the handsome and intellectually gifted son of a Brahmin priest, living in comfort and privilege in his home village alongside his devoted friend Govinda. Despite excelling at traditional religious practices and receiving the admiration of elders and peers, Siddhartha feels spiritually unfulfilled and restless, sensing that conventional Brahmin teachings cannot satisfy his deep thirst for truth and self-understanding. This dissatisfaction drives him to leave his family against his father’s wishes, joining Govinda in becoming a Samana—one of the wandering ascetics who pursue enlightenment through extreme self-denial, fasting, and meditation. For three years, Siddhartha masters the Samana practices, learning to suppress his physical desires and ego through rigorous discipline, yet still finds himself “just as far removed from wisdom…as a child in the mother’s womb”. When the two friends hear of Gotama, the Buddha, who has supposedly achieved perfect enlightenment, they seek him out and become his students. While Govinda readily commits himself to following the Buddha’s teachings for life, Siddhartha recognizes the profound wisdom in Gotama’s presence yet concludes that enlightenment cannot be transmitted through doctrine or instruction—it must be discovered individually.

This realization marks a crucial turning point as Siddhartha breaks from all spiritual teachers and embarks on his own path of self-discovery, leading him to cross a fateful river where he encounters Vasudeva, a humble ferryman who seems to possess the inner peace that has eluded Siddhartha. Unable to pay the ferryman, Siddhartha receives a prophecy that he will return to compensate him in some way, beginning his journey into the material world. Upon reaching the city, Siddhartha encounters Kamala, the most beautiful and accomplished courtesan in the region, who captivates him with her sensual wisdom. Kamala agrees to teach him about love and physical pleasure but insists he must first acquire wealth and fine clothing to be worthy of her attention. Following her guidance, Siddhartha becomes apprentice to Kamaswami, a wealthy merchant, where his patience and tranquility—qualities developed during his ascetic years—make him remarkably successful in business. For years, Siddhartha enjoys material prosperity, sexual pleasure, and the intellectual stimulation of urban life, becoming Kamala’s lover while learning what she calls the “art of love”.

However, this phase of worldly indulgence gradually transforms Siddhartha’s soul in ways he doesn’t initially recognize, as he becomes addicted to gambling, drinking, and the pursuit of wealth. Despite his outward success, he begins to feel spiritually empty and discovers that his former ascetic detachment has been replaced by what Hesse describes as spiritual intoxication and numbness. The turning point comes through a prophetic dream in which Siddhartha finds Kamala’s exotic songbird dead in its golden cage—a symbol of his own spiritual death within the prison of materialism. Awakening to the meaninglessness of his existence, Siddhartha experiences such profound despair that he considers su***de, walking to the river with thoughts of drowning himself. At this crucial moment, the sacred sound “Om” emerges from the depths of his consciousness and the river itself, causing him to fall into a deep, healing sleep that represents another metaphorical death and rebirth in his spiritual journey.

Upon awakening, Siddhartha encounters Vasudeva again, now recognizing the ferryman as an enlightened being whose wisdom flows from his intimate relationship with the river. Siddhartha becomes Vasudeva’s apprentice, learning not only the practical skills of ferrying passengers but more importantly, how to listen to the river’s profound teachings about the nature of existence. Through patient observation and contemplation, Siddhartha discovers that the river embodies the unity of all life—it flows simultaneously toward its source and its destination, containing all voices, all experiences, and all moments in an eternal present that transcends linear time. Vasudeva teaches primarily through silence and gentle guidance, embodying the principle that true wisdom cannot be transmitted through words but must be discovered through direct experience. Over the years, Siddhartha gradually absorbs the river’s lessons about the cyclical nature of existence, learning that past, present, and future are mere illusions and that all life is interconnected in an eternal dance of being.

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20/09/2025

“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley stands as one of the most influential Gothic novels ever written, having revolutionized both horror literature and science fiction since its publication in 1818. Written when Shelley was merely eighteen years old, this groundbreaking work emerged from a famous ghost story contest during the unusually dark and stormy summer of 1816 at Villa Diodati near Lake Geneva, Switzerland. The contest, initiated by Lord Byron among his circle including Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, and Dr. John Polidori, would produce not only “Frankenstein” but also Polidori’s “The Vampyre,” establishing foundations for modern vampire literature. The historical context proves crucial to understanding the novel’s themes, as it was written during the transition from the Enlightenment era’s emphasis on reason and scientific progress to the Romantic movement’s celebration of emotion, nature, and the sublime. This cultural clash between rational scientific pursuit and romantic sensibility permeates the entire narrative, reflecting contemporary anxieties about rapid scientific advancement and industrialization.

The novel employs a sophisticated frame narrative structure, opening with a series of letters from Robert Walton, an Arctic explorer, to his sister Margaret Saville in England. While pursuing his own ambitious quest to reach the North Pole, Walton encounters Victor Frankenstein near death on the ice, pursuing a mysterious figure across the frozen wasteland. This encounter leads to Victor recounting his tragic story, which forms the bulk of the narrative. Victor Frankenstein, born into a wealthy Swiss family in Geneva, describes an idyllic childhood with his adopted sister Elizabeth Lavenza, who becomes his intended bride, and his close friend Henry Clerval. His early fascination with alchemy gradually evolves into serious scientific study at the University of Ingolstadt, where his obsessive pursuit of natural philosophy leads him to discover the secret of creating life. After two years of secretive work involving grave robbing and scientific experimentation, Victor successfully animates a creature constructed from co**se parts, creating an eight-foot-tall humanoid being of grotesque appearance.

However, Victor’s triumph immediately transforms into horror when he beholds his creation’s frightening visage and flees in terror, abandoning the creature without guidance or companionship. The newly conscious being, possessing intelligence and sensitivity despite his monstrous appearance, initially attempts to integrate into human society but faces universal rejection and violence due to his hideous form. Through observing the De Lacey family from hiding, the creature learns to speak, read, and understand human emotions, discovering books including “Paradise Lost,” which profoundly influences his self-perception. The creature’s education includes learning his own origins through papers he discovered in Victor’s laboratory coat, leading to his growing resentment toward his creator. When the De Lacey family ultimately rejects him despite his gentle attempts at contact, and when he is shot while saving a drowning child, the creature’s initial benevolence transforms into malevolent revenge against all humanity, particularly his creator.

The creature’s campaign of vengeance begins with the murder of Victor’s youngest brother William, followed by the framing of the family servant Justine Moritz, who is wrongly executed for the crime. When Victor encounters the creature on Mont Blanc, the being eloquently articulates his suffering and loneliness, demanding that Victor create a female companion to provide the love and acceptance that human society has denied him. Victor reluctantly agrees after the creature promises to retreat with his mate to South America, away from human civilization. However, while working in the remote Orkney Islands to create the female creature, Victor becomes overwhelmed by doubts about the potential consequences of creating a race of monsters. Upon seeing the creature watching him through his laboratory window, Victor destroys the incomplete female companion, enraging the creature who vows revenge by threatening to be with Victor “on his wedding night”.

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20/09/2025

“The Game of Life and How to Play It” by Florence Scovel Shinn stands as one of the pioneering works of the New Thought movement and modern metaphysical literature, having profoundly influenced the self-help and spiritual development field since its self-publication in 1925. Written by Florence Scovel Shinn, an American artist, illustrator, and New Thought spiritual teacher, this compact yet powerful work emerged from her personal spiritual journey and teaching experiences in early 20th-century New York. The book’s creation story is itself remarkable—unable to find a publisher willing to take on her unconventional spiritual ideas, Shinn courageously self-published the work, which subsequently became a cornerstone of metaphysical literature and inspired countless readers worldwide. At just under 100 pages, this concise masterpiece blends biblical wisdom, metaphysical principles, and practical life applications into what Shinn presents as a comprehensive guidebook for navigating existence not as a battle to be fought, but as a game to be mastered through understanding and applying universal spiritual laws.

The foundational premise of Shinn’s philosophy centers on the radical reframing of life as a game rather than a struggle, introducing the concept that existence operates according to specific spiritual laws that anyone can learn to work with rather than against. Central to this game-like understanding is what Shinn calls the “Law of Expectancy,” which asserts that whatever we vividly imagine and expect with genuine faith tends to manifest in our external reality. This principle operates on the understanding that the human mind consists of three distinct components: the conscious mind, the subconscious mind (which Shinn describes as a powerful force without direction that responds to whatever it receives), and the superconscious mind (representing our connection to divine intelligence). According to Shinn, most people unknowingly play the game of life poorly because they allow fear, doubt, and negative expectations to dominate their mental landscape, thereby attracting unwanted circumstances through the law of cause and effect, which she frequently references through the biblical principle “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. The game’s objective, she explains, is to train the imagination to envision only good outcomes while systematically eliminating mental pictures of failure, lack, or limitation.

The power of spoken words forms another cornerstone of Shinn’s teaching, with her famous declaration that “your word is your wand” emphasizing the creative force inherent in human speech. She argues that words are not merely communication tools but actual instruments of creation that shape reality through their vibrational impact on both the speaker’s subconscious mind and the universal field of consciousness. Positive affirmations, when spoken with conviction and faith, act as programming instructions for the subconscious mind, while negative speech patterns create destructive mental programming that manifests as unwanted life circumstances. Shinn provides specific affirmations throughout her work, including her signature phrase “I cast this burden on the Christ within, and I go free,” which serves as a method for releasing worries and negative mental patterns to higher spiritual intelligence. She emphasizes that the transformation process requires vigilant attention to one’s speech patterns, advocating for the conscious replacement of complaint, criticism, and fear-based language with statements of faith, gratitude, and positive expectation.

The Law of Nonresistance represents one of Shinn’s most challenging yet liberating teachings, advocating for a radical approach to life’s difficulties that runs counter to conventional wisdom about fighting problems. Rather than struggling against unwanted circumstances, Shinn teaches that resistance actually strengthens whatever we oppose by giving it our focused attention and emotional energy. Instead, she advocates for a practice of blessing difficult situations, releasing the need to control outcomes, and trusting in what she terms the “Divine Design”—the perfect plan that universal intelligence has for each individual’s highest good. This nonresistant approach does not represent passivity or resignation but rather an active choice to align with spiritual flow rather than working against it. She illustrates this principle through numerous examples of individuals who transformed challenging situations by changing their internal response from resistance to acceptance, often witnessing miraculous shifts in their external circumstances as a result.

The Game of Life and How to Play It (Deluxe Hardbound Edition) — Read book summary or check free book pdf sample | Buy from Amazon Books

20/09/2025

“Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius stands as perhaps the most intimate and authentic philosophical work ever written, offering unprecedented access to the private thoughts of one of history’s most powerful leaders. This remarkable text is not a traditional book intended for publication, but rather a collection of personal notes and reflections that Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 CE, wrote to himself during the most challenging period of his reign. Originally titled “Ta eis heauton” (meaning “Things Unto Himself”), the work was never meant for public consumption but served as a spiritual exercise designed to help the emperor maintain his moral compass amid the chaos of military campaigns and imperial responsibilities.

The historical context surrounding the creation of “Meditations” adds profound depth to its significance. Marcus Aurelius composed these twelve books primarily during the 170s CE while leading military campaigns against Germanic tribes along the Danube River, particularly during his time at Sirmium, Aquincum, and Carnuntum. Despite holding the most powerful position in the ancient world, Marcus faced extraordinary challenges throughout his reign, including constant warfare, a devastating plague, political rebellions, and personal tragedies including the loss of multiple children. Roman historian Cassius Dio noted that Marcus “did not meet with the good fortune that he deserved, for he was not strong in body and was involved in a multitude of troubles throughout practically his entire reign”. Yet rather than becoming bitter or despairing, Marcus used these hardships as opportunities for philosophical reflection and moral strengthening.

The structure of “Meditations” reflects its organic, personal nature. Divided into twelve books written in Koine Greek, the work consists of entries ranging from single sentences to lengthy paragraphs, with no systematic organization or chronological order. This apparent disorder actually serves the work’s purpose, as Marcus repeatedly returned to central Stoic themes throughout his writing, reinforcing key principles through repetition and varied approaches. The first book uniquely stands apart from the others, serving as an extended expression of gratitude where Marcus thanks the various mentors, family members, and influences who shaped his character and philosophical development. The remaining eleven books contain his ongoing philosophical reflections, moral reminders, and practical advice for living virtuously in an unpredictable world.

Central to “Meditations” is the Stoic principle that true power lies within the rational mind rather than external circumstances. Marcus repeatedly emphasizes that while we cannot control what happens to us, we have absolute authority over our responses and interpretations of events. His famous observation that “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength” encapsulates this foundational concept. He argues that suffering comes not from external events themselves but from our judgments about those events, and that by changing our perceptions, we can maintain inner tranquility regardless of circumstances. This philosophy enabled Marcus to reframe obstacles as opportunities, leading to his renowned principle that “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”.

The theme of mortality permeates throughout “Meditations,” with Marcus frequently reflecting on the brevity and fragility of human life. Rather than inducing morbidity, these contemplations serve as motivation for virtuous action and proper priorities. He reminds himself that death could come at any moment and that this awareness should inspire urgency in living well and serving others. Marcus sees death as part of the natural order, writing that just as substances change form in nature, human death is simply another transformation that causes no harm to the universal order. This acceptance of mortality helps him maintain perspective on what truly matters and what deserves attention versus what represents mere distraction.

Meditations (meditations marcus aurelius) — Read book summary or check free book pdf sample | Buy from Amazon Books

20/09/2025

“As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen stands as one of the foundational works of the modern self-help movement, having profoundly influenced countless readers since its publication in 1903. Written by the British philosophical writer James Allen, this slender yet powerful volume emerged from the author’s personal meditation and experience following a period of profound loss and introspection. Allen wrote the book during a transformative phase of his life after retiring from his corporate career at age 38 to pursue a simpler existence focused on contemplation and writing in the English countryside. The work’s title derives from Proverbs 23:7 in the King James Bible: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” which forms the central thesis of Allen’s philosophy. Despite being intended as a brief essay rather than an exhaustive treatise, the book has become a cornerstone of personal development literature, inspiring generations of readers and establishing many of the fundamental principles that continue to shape contemporary self-improvement thinking.

The core premise of “As a Man Thinketh” revolves around the revolutionary concept that human beings are literally the sum of their thoughts, with character being the complete accumulation of all mental activity. Allen argues that just as a plant cannot grow without a seed, every human action springs from hidden seeds of thought, making our mental processes the root cause of all our behaviors, circumstances, and ultimate destiny. This principle operates as an absolute law, similar to physical laws in nature, where good thoughts inevitably produce good results while negative thoughts generate negative outcomes. Allen emphasizes that this mental causation works with unwavering precision, stating that “nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but nettles,” applying this natural law to the realm of human thought and character development. The author maintains that individuals possess complete sovereignty over their mental realm, making them the masters of thought, molders of character, and makers and shapers of their conditions, environment, and destiny.

Central to Allen’s philosophy is the powerful metaphor of the human mind as a garden that requires careful cultivation and maintenance. He explains that like any garden, the mind will inevitably produce growth whether it receives deliberate attention or not, but the quality of that growth depends entirely on the gardener’s efforts. If useful thoughts are deliberately planted and nurtured while negative thoughts are weeded out, the mind produces beneficial results in the form of positive character traits and favorable circumstances. Conversely, when the mental garden is neglected, it becomes overrun with the weeds of destructive thinking, leading to undesirable outcomes and personal suffering. This gardening analogy serves as both a warning and an encouragement, demonstrating that while mental cultivation requires consistent effort and vigilance, every individual possesses the power to transform their inner landscape through deliberate thought management.

Allen fundamentally challenges the common belief that circumstances shape character, arguing instead that character shapes circumstances through the mediating power of thought. He asserts that external conditions always harmoniously relate to one’s inner state, making circumstances a mirror reflection of internal thoughts and beliefs rather than random external forces. The famous declaration that “circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself” encapsulates this principle, suggesting that challenging situations serve to expose existing character traits rather than create new ones. According to Allen, people attract not what they consciously want but what they actually are in their deepest thoughts and feelings. This means that lasting change must begin internally through transforming one’s thinking patterns, which then inevitably manifests as improved external conditions. The author emphasizes that fighting against circumstances while maintaining the same internal thought patterns proves futile, as one continues nourishing the cause while battling the effect.

The relationship between thought and physical health represents another crucial dimension of Allen’s teachings, as he argues that the body serves as the faithful servant of the mind. He contends that mental states directly influence physical well-being, with positive, pure thoughts promoting health, vitality, and even youthfulness, while negative, destructive thinking leads to disease, decay, and premature aging. This mind-body connection operates automatically, responding to both deliberately chosen thoughts and unconsciously harbored mental patterns. Allen suggests that cultivating a diet of positive thoughts proves as essential to overall well-being as consuming nutritious food, making mental discipline a crucial component of holistic health. The author views physical ailments as often reflecting underlying mental imbalances, advocating for mental purification as a pathway to both spiritual and physical healing.

As a Man Thinketh (as a man thinketh by james allen) — Read book summary or check free book pdf sample | Buy from Amazon Books

27/08/2025

Originally published in 1926, ‘The Story of Philosophy’ profiles several prominent Western philosophers and their ideas, written by Will Durant, an American writer, historian, philosopher, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
In this enlightening and eminently readable book, Will Durant accounts the lives, ideas and views of various critical philosophical thinkers throughout history. Starting with Socrates and Plato and concluding with Friedrich Nietzsche, with twelve other distinguished philosophers in between, the author creates a history of philosophy by showing how each thinker’s ideas advised and impacted the next generation. A vital read for anyone intrigued by the evolution of Western philosophy.

The Amazon.in Books Store offers you millions of titles across categories like Children’s Books, Free eBooks, Audiobooks, Business & Economics, and Literature & Fiction. Read user reviews, check out new & upcoming book releases in literature & fiction, business & economics, computing & digital med...

19/08/2025

Dive into a world of creativity and imagination with this enchanting coloring book, designed for kids ages 4 to 8. Featuring over 45 unique and intricate illustrations, this book is filled with beloved themes like princesses, dolls, fairies, unicorns, and mermaids. It's a wonderful way to spark imagination, boost concentration, and practice mindfulness. The high-quality paper is perfect for any medium—markers, crayons, or colored pencils—allowing children to bring each beautiful drawing to life with their favorite colors. This coloring book offers a fun and engaging activity that can help relieve stress and provide hours of creative enjoyment.
Series Name: Coloring Book for Kids, Ages 4-8
Title Name: Princess, Doll, Fairy, Unicorn and Mermaid

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8199107359

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Dive into a world of creativity and imagination with this enchanting coloring book, designed for kids ages 4 to 8. Featuring over 45 unique and intricate illustrations, this book is filled with beloved themes like princesses, dolls, fairies, unicorns, and mermaids. It's a wonderful way to spark i...

19/08/2025

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind' has been a bestseller since its first publication in 1963, selling many millions of copies since its original publication. It is one of the most brilliant and beloved spiritual self-help works of all time which can help you heal yourself, banish your fears, sleep better, enjoy better relationships and just feel happier. The techniques are simple and results come quickly. You can improve your relationships, your finances, your physical well-being.
Dr Joseph Murphy explains that life events are actually the result of the workings of your conscious and subconscious minds. He suggests practical techniques through which one can change one's destiny, principally by focusing and redirecting this miraculous energy. Years of research studying the world's major religions convinced him that some Great Power lay behind all spiritual life and that this power is within each of us.
'The Power of Your Subconscious Mind' will open a world of success, happiness, prosperity, and peace for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Your-Subconscious-Mind/dp/938766922X/ref=sr_1_11?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=27&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.P9dCfBpgiP6gyA1XtsiE-J-o5b5NDvU75UVcGQ_juRgleHHkbogOdFORzT4lR-of-oilW6nMuk2MDxV_D5cIyEGsRLbEQ-HmFNbxICDh3EdD61cr46FiipIffisCFpotnUWkl5euvJAA1LaXBeU6xAmF-lbSSHXHCeHUq8JVLc3Eu8Mub8mx0_nv7qTqjACfQQMzLDMyVbA8VZces7p8NEwqbNp2-VcUNzrpeWE0eQQ.VNW-_1U8kOg9U9oxJr_Bg0gFmVAA6ItfpBsWhxFMldE&dib_tag=se&qid=1755582200&refinements=p_30%3Ageneral+press%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A2656020011%2Cp_20%3AEnglish%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A1294423011&rnid=1294421011&s=books&sr=1-11&unfiltered=1

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The Power of Your Subconscious Mind' has been a bestseller since its first publication in 1963, selling many millions of copies since its original publication. It is one of the most brilliant and beloved spiritual self-help works of all time which can help you heal yourself, banish your fears, ...

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