Gibsons author Dorothy Riddle's book, Principles of Abundance for the Cosmic Citizen, is not light reading. It's the kind of book one keeps by the bedside, reads a little, thinks about a lot, and uses to make positive changes in one's life.
It is the first book in a series entitled Enough For Us All. Though it ranges freely in its philosophy, the underlying premise of the book is derived from architect and visionary Buckminster Fuller who said in 1980: "For the first time in history, it is now possible to take care of everybody at a higher standard of living than any have ever known."
The fact that this seemingly reachable goal has not been achieved in Third World countries or even at home in Canada prompted Riddle to action.
"We spend so much time in a state of fear and worry about scarcity," she said, and she uses many examples in the book to underscore these statements. We live in fear of global warming, for example; we are worried about the scarcity of fossil fuels. Of course, these are important issues, but worrying about them does nothing.
"We can't solve issues in society except with a real understanding of who we are," Riddle said. Her teachings draw from many disciplines, and she displays a facility with pulling together many diverse themes and concepts. The book gives simple, thought-provoking exercises that help develop a sense of what is possible, a curiosity for living, and a genuine excitement and joy for life. Along the way, we learn to be good cosmic citizens, recognizing how interconnected we are.
Riddle will be leading a class called Tools for Living Joyously using principles from her book. At first, she will run the pilot class from her home but hopes to have the course run at Capilano University in the spring. It's good for anyone interested in growth, she said, is suitable for all ages, and will answer the question: What does it mean to live interdependently?
Riddle, a psychologist and economic development specialist, uses sound principles of physics in her work. We are all connected - this is not only a New Age mantra, but scientific fact, proven by physics. She also examines the latest work in cosmology and other esoteric studies listed in the book's comprehensive reference section.
Sounds deep? Yes, but somehow after treading carefully through its abstract concepts, scientific principles and self-help psychology, what emerges is plain common sense. Of course we must live in harmony on this planet - in that way, there will be abundance for all.
Riddle's world perspective began as a child living in a small community in India, and it was honed by years of experience as an economic development specialist who has lived and taught on almost every continent. While working for the United Nations, she went to Uganda to lead a three-day workshop in which she developed theories about what was later to become a passion: the importance of services and infrastructure. By the end of the workshop, the participants had come up with about 40 services - engineering, accounting, health care, etc. - that were being exported to other countries and that would have been better for the economy if they had stayed at home.
But how does this knowledge gleaned in Africa years ago apply to Riddle and her life in Gibsons now?
"I see so much possibility here on the Coast for service development," she said.
For example, the role of personal assistant can be accomplished at a distance these days using Internet and computer, allowing an employee to live on the Coast and work globally.
A newcomer to the Coast, Riddle loves it here; it's allowed her time to write and self-publish the book last March. Recently, she released her second book in the series, Positive Harmlessness in Practice. The first book is available for $17.95 at Shanti's Gifts in Wilson Creek, Khuya's Healing Arts in Gibsons, Banyen Books in Vancouver or through www.EnoughForUsAll.com.
For registration in the course Tools for Living Joyously, contact the author at [email protected].
