Being

Susan Hayward has established a genre: Books of Divination.

Readers meditate on a problem and open at random to a short quotation which miraculously conveys insight . . . and sometimes even an answer. 'Being' is an anthology that defines the nature of suffering and its meaning in our evolution.

The works are drawn from those whom Ms Hayward has identified as 'conscious beings', unique individuals throughout history who have evolved into higher awareness through the transformation of their suffering.

There are excerpts from Goethe, Rilke, Aristotle, Socrates, Ouspensky, Shakespeare, Marcus Aurelius, Emerson, Whitman and Epictetus, to name a few. And the paramount message from these great beings? 'Whatever may happen to you / it has been prepared for you / from All Eternity'.

While Ms Hayward's first bestseller, 'A Guide For The Advanced Soul', drew upon New Age spirituality as a source of meditations, 'Being' draws from classical Western philosophy. Its themes of divinity and inspiration are augmented by 30 colour plates from the works of Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

'Being' is a beautiful gift. The cover is vellum-like paperstock that suggests the feel of goatskin. The book is hardbound, with padding in the board which creates the sense of an old handmade volume of wisdom.