Spirituality 101 For Dropouts of the School of Life
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- Ivan Figueroa-Otero MD
- https://www.pubmatch.com/ifigueroa.html
More About This Title Spirituality 101 For Dropouts of the School of Life
English
Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?
We all have asked ourselves these questions, but few have sought the answers that truly make sense. Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero not only dares to answer them, but humbly presents a guide to understanding these and other questions about our spiritual nature, while closing the apparent gap between the religious and scientific vision with an eclectic and original delivery.
"I invite you to explore your soul in the infinite dimensional spirals of knowledge of the School of Life. I hope that the fruits of my failings help you to exceed your exams with fewer burdens and more joy."
Iván Figueroa Otero MD FACS
We all have asked ourselves these questions, but few have sought the answers that truly make sense. Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero not only dares to answer them, but humbly presents a guide to understanding these and other questions about our spiritual nature, while closing the apparent gap between the religious and scientific vision with an eclectic and original delivery.
"I invite you to explore your soul in the infinite dimensional spirals of knowledge of the School of Life. I hope that the fruits of my failings help you to exceed your exams with fewer burdens and more joy."
Iván Figueroa Otero MD FACS
English
Iván Figueroa Otero M.D. FACS, FAAMA
After graduating from the School of Medicine of the University of PR in 1970, Dr. Figueroa Otero trains as General Surgeon at the University Hospital of the UPR School of Medicine, integrating a one-year fellowship in the study of cancer, and one year in experimental research. Post-graduate studies in Pediatric Surgery, then follow at Miami Children's Hospital and the San Juan Municipal Hospital.
Looking for non-surgical or less invasive options for pediatric conditions, Dr. Figueroa Otero explores Eastern philosophies that emphasize a holistic concept of disease. He was one of the first physicians to become certified in medical acupuncture in Puerto Rico, training in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture with professors from the University of Seville. Eventually he was certified in medical acupuncture nationally.
In 2009, he became certified in anti- aging medicine and in December of that year he retired from the practice of pediatric surgery, focusing instead on a holistic medical practice and emphasizing disease prevention and modification of life styles. In 2011 he was invited to become a Trustee of the American Board of Medical Acupuncture, which is the national body organization responsible for certifying physicians in the field of acupuncture through national exams. In that same year he was recognized by Natural Awakenings magazine as Holistic Physician of the Year.
Dr. Figueroa Otero is currently engaged in his private practice and continues in his role as an educator, trying to achieve full integration of traditional Chinese acupuncture courses in the curriculum of medical schools, promoting that physicians to be certified both locally and nationally, and to establish clinical research protocols on the use of acupuncture in known conditions compared to the methodology established by modern medicine. Another immediate priority is to incorporate meditation techniques and their role in preventive and therapeutic medicine.
After graduating from the School of Medicine of the University of PR in 1970, Dr. Figueroa Otero trains as General Surgeon at the University Hospital of the UPR School of Medicine, integrating a one-year fellowship in the study of cancer, and one year in experimental research. Post-graduate studies in Pediatric Surgery, then follow at Miami Children's Hospital and the San Juan Municipal Hospital.
Looking for non-surgical or less invasive options for pediatric conditions, Dr. Figueroa Otero explores Eastern philosophies that emphasize a holistic concept of disease. He was one of the first physicians to become certified in medical acupuncture in Puerto Rico, training in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture with professors from the University of Seville. Eventually he was certified in medical acupuncture nationally.
In 2009, he became certified in anti- aging medicine and in December of that year he retired from the practice of pediatric surgery, focusing instead on a holistic medical practice and emphasizing disease prevention and modification of life styles. In 2011 he was invited to become a Trustee of the American Board of Medical Acupuncture, which is the national body organization responsible for certifying physicians in the field of acupuncture through national exams. In that same year he was recognized by Natural Awakenings magazine as Holistic Physician of the Year.
Dr. Figueroa Otero is currently engaged in his private practice and continues in his role as an educator, trying to achieve full integration of traditional Chinese acupuncture courses in the curriculum of medical schools, promoting that physicians to be certified both locally and nationally, and to establish clinical research protocols on the use of acupuncture in known conditions compared to the methodology established by modern medicine. Another immediate priority is to incorporate meditation techniques and their role in preventive and therapeutic medicine.
English
II. Table of Contents
Solitude - Poem
PROLOGUE
Chapter I – The Origins of the Universe
(How did we get into this mess?)
Chapter II – As the rivers of a vast ocean
False perception of individualism and separation
Chapter III – Our universe, a story without beginning or end
Responsible co-creation arising from our Free Will
Chapter IV - “God's name is so big it doesn't fit in our mouth.”
Experiences that tear us apart. The origin of religious discrepancies.
Chapter V - “When you learn to see the universe through the eyes of your Spirit (heart) you will only see love”.
Realizing our true nature at the negotiation table (our heart) The beginning of the Resolution of our Cosmic Schizophrenia
The Cosmic Melody Of Silence - Poem
Chapter VI - Parallel universes made up by our mind.
“The Blind of Spirit will never find Love”
Chapter VII – Taking responsibility of our life as co-creators of our universe.
Results of the final reconciliation between the Rational and Transcendental Minds (The final resolution of our cosmic schizophrenia)
Chapter VIII – Return to the Garden of Eden: Remembering the way back home
The Map and Compass, the tools to guide us on the way back.
Chapter IX - The Final Exam for the School of Life dropouts.
Bibliography
Solitude - Poem
PROLOGUE
Chapter I – The Origins of the Universe
(How did we get into this mess?)
Chapter II – As the rivers of a vast ocean
False perception of individualism and separation
Chapter III – Our universe, a story without beginning or end
Responsible co-creation arising from our Free Will
Chapter IV - “God's name is so big it doesn't fit in our mouth.”
Experiences that tear us apart. The origin of religious discrepancies.
Chapter V - “When you learn to see the universe through the eyes of your Spirit (heart) you will only see love”.
Realizing our true nature at the negotiation table (our heart) The beginning of the Resolution of our Cosmic Schizophrenia
The Cosmic Melody Of Silence - Poem
Chapter VI - Parallel universes made up by our mind.
“The Blind of Spirit will never find Love”
Chapter VII – Taking responsibility of our life as co-creators of our universe.
Results of the final reconciliation between the Rational and Transcendental Minds (The final resolution of our cosmic schizophrenia)
Chapter VIII – Return to the Garden of Eden: Remembering the way back home
The Map and Compass, the tools to guide us on the way back.
Chapter IX - The Final Exam for the School of Life dropouts.
Bibliography
English
Kirkus Book Review
TITLE INFORMATION
SPIRITUALITY 101
For the Dropouts of the School of Life
Figueroa-Otero, Ivan
Coqui Antiaging Solutions, Incorporated (98 pp.) $23.95 paperback
ISBN: 978-0991150632; February 5, 2014
KIRKUS BOOK REVIEW
A holistic look at the intersection of the spiritual and scientific world, playfully cast as a primer for a final exam.
In this engaging, enormously readable debut work of nonfiction, Otero urges his readers to "delve deeper into the concept of life as a prison created by our own mind," . Its well-designed layout includes highlighted passages and eye-catching marginal illustrations. The author presents many explanations with a wry, tongue-in-cheek bemusement.
Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media LLC, 6411 Burleson Rd.,
Finalist Indie Excellence Awards in Spirituality
"His first book, Spirituality 101: For the Dropouts of the School of Life, Dr. Figueroa-Otero not only dares to answer timeless questions about our spiritual nature, but humbly presents a guide to self-understanding while closing the apparent gap between the religious and scientific vision with an eclectic and original delivery."
" Ivan Figueroa-Otero, MD writes a compelling book about living in a spiritual world that is so easy to understand that it becomes elegant in its simplicity."
Focus on Women Magazine.
focusonwomenmagazine.com/index.html
Judge's Commentary:
"Dr. Figueroa is an exceptionally intelligent and creative author. He has put together an intriguing and clever study guide to help the soul-weary find peace and contentment in this worldly life. Figueroa concisely points out the impediments to human contentedness in day-to-day life, which involve a look at man's responsibility in understanding his relationship with humanity and God. I loved the author's likening of any given person placed as colors in a painting or notes in a musical score.
Judge, 22nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
"Spirituality 101 is a book for people that want to have a better understanding of the world they live in. It is a book of about life and how us humans can reconcile the apparent discrepancies in trying to understand life through either science or religion. No matter your religious beliefs, this book teaches you how to live a balanced life within this existential paradox. The author arrives at this reconciliation with school formats to be applied in the School of Life."
Samantha Rivera, Reader's Favorite.
Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite
Spirituality 101 is a non-fiction book for the religious or spiritual individual who is looking to better understand the world they live in. It is a book of ‘rules’ and beliefs about life that will help you to know the science of the world and the way that science can interact (not contradict) your religious teachings. For those who are Christian, Buddhist, or really any other religion this book will help you to understand a sort of balance between your life and your religion. Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero has laid out a ‘study guide’ for life so that everyone can know and understand the important aspects.
This book is broken down into short chapters with tables, graphs, pictures, and more which definitely makes it easy to read. The material is heavy and those methods help anyone to understand what is being said, whether it’s a comparison between classic physics and quantum physics or explaining the characteristics of co-dependent people. The cute images also help you to understand what you should be doing with the information that you read and how it’s able to impact you and your life. I have to say that many of the ideas and ‘tips’ were interesting to me and I would like to try them out for myself. The idea of studying for the test of life is an intriguing one as well and I'm sure many readers will find Spirituality 101 a good guide on that very subject. And did I mention there’s a test at the end?
BOOK REVIEW
A holistic look at the intersection of the spiritual and scientific world, playfully cast as a primer for a final exam.
In this engaging, enormously readable debut work of nonfiction, Otero urges his readers to “delve deeper into the concept of life as a prison created by our own mind,” in order to work their way closer to “life’s archetypal questions,” such as “Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I go from here?” The book’s explanations of scientific facts—including the Big Bang, the nature of antimatter and dark energy, Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum mechanics—are fluent and approachable. Its well-designed layout includes highlighted passages and eye-catching marginal illustrations. The author presents many explanations with a wry, tongue-in-cheek bemusement that underscores his doubt about some of science’s certainties. He artfully juxtaposes them with a more spiritual point of view, which centers on the essence of the universe; Otero initially characterizes that essence as “Love,” but quickly narrows it considerably to the love of an explicitly Christian God. The book weighs the wonders of science and nature against this divine love in which, Otero says, “Jesus represents the human manifestation of the Holy Spirit which is the force of Love that God left us after his Son left.” Such explications, despite frequent allusions to Jewish and Buddhist writings, will likely exclude many readers from taking this final exam, let alone passing it. But for Christian readers, the book’s concluding chapters will prove interesting, as they steadily expand the biblical dictum, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” into a concept of “Compassionate Intelligence” that manifests when “love guides reason to the definite realization of our holographic and supportive universe.”
A friendly, stimulating Christian guide to combining thought and faith in order to live a more fulfilled life.
Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite
Spirituality 101 is a non-fiction book for the religious or spiritual individual who is looking to better understand the world they live in. It is a book of ‘rules’ and beliefs about life that will help you to know the science of the world and the way that science can interact (not contradict) your religious teachings. For those who are Christian, Buddhist, or really any other religion this book will help you to understand a sort of balance between your life and your religion. Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero has laid out a ‘study guide’ for life so that everyone can know and understand the important aspects.
This book is broken down into short chapters with tables, graphs, pictures, and more which definitely makes it easy to read. The material is heavy and those methods help anyone to understand what is being said, whether it’s a comparison between classic physics and quantum physics or explaining the characteristics of co-dependent people. The cute images also help you to understand what you should be doing with the information that you read and how it’s able to impact you and your life. I have to say that many of the ideas and ‘tips’ were interesting to me and I would like to try them out for myself. The idea of studying for the test of life is an intriguing one as well and I'm sure many readers will find Spirituality 101 a good guide on that very subject. And did I mention there’s a test at the end?
KIRKUS BOOK REVIEW
A holistic look at the intersection of the spiritual and scientific world, playfully cast as a primer for a final exam.
In this engaging, enormously readable debut work of nonfiction, Otero urges his readers to "delve deeper into the concept of life as a prison created by our own mind," . Its well-designed layout includes highlighted passages and eye-catching marginal illustrations. The author presents many explanations with a wry, tongue-in-cheek bemusement.
Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media LLC, 6411 Burleson Rd.,
5.0 out of 5 stars comforting, February 19, 2014
By
Luz Ivette Sepulveda
This review is from: Spirituality 101: For the Dropouts of the School of Life (Paperback)
This book integrates the usual discrepancies between religion and science in a comforting holographic view of a reasonable interdependent universe, where humans are integrated in a matrix of love and free will that motivates them to participate responsibly in making our lives a sharing effort. It explains simply how to improve communicating skills needed to interact with others with compassion and understanding of the different points of view that separates us. I loved the chapter review questions and exercises that help you grasp the message of each chapter better. I recommend you start with the final exam if you want to laugh your head off. The concept of cosmic schizophrenia as cause of our existential emptiness is interesting and new.
A great and amusing guide!
By Carlos R. Alvarado on April 3, 2014
Format: Paperback
Anyone looking to know herself/himself inside out and to deal with others in the most adequate way should start the process by reading this book. The author uses a casual and informative writing style to provide us a scientific and spiritual vision of many aspects of life. I think that everyone should read Dr. Figueroa's explanation about the effect of egoism, individuality, faith, and love in human beings, something that is discussed in many parts of the book. A must-read publication for these times!
Spirituality 101: A Wonderful Little Book!!!!
By Samuel Figueroa on February 27, 2014
Format: Paperback
Spirituality 101 is a beautiful and delightful book written with gusto and sensibility. Very accessible for anyone seeking to explore contemporary spirituality. It is a good book and also a book of wellness. Reading it produces a sense that something really good is happening to you. At the end, a sense of forgiveness, hope and self-understanding comes back to you. One is no longer a dropout of the school of life, but a student with all the right tools to enjoy life fully.
I recommend it without qualms.
Samuel Figueroa-Sifre
Professor, Sociology of Religion
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
TITLE INFORMATION
SPIRITUALITY 101
For the Dropouts of the School of Life
Figueroa-Otero, Ivan
Coqui Antiaging Solutions, Incorporated (98 pp.) $23.95 paperback
ISBN: 978-0991150632; February 5, 2014
KIRKUS BOOK REVIEW
A holistic look at the intersection of the spiritual and scientific world, playfully cast as a primer for a final exam.
In this engaging, enormously readable debut work of nonfiction, Otero urges his readers to "delve deeper into the concept of life as a prison created by our own mind," . Its well-designed layout includes highlighted passages and eye-catching marginal illustrations. The author presents many explanations with a wry, tongue-in-cheek bemusement.
Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media LLC, 6411 Burleson Rd.,
Finalist Indie Excellence Awards in Spirituality
"His first book, Spirituality 101: For the Dropouts of the School of Life, Dr. Figueroa-Otero not only dares to answer timeless questions about our spiritual nature, but humbly presents a guide to self-understanding while closing the apparent gap between the religious and scientific vision with an eclectic and original delivery."
" Ivan Figueroa-Otero, MD writes a compelling book about living in a spiritual world that is so easy to understand that it becomes elegant in its simplicity."
Focus on Women Magazine.
focusonwomenmagazine.com/index.html
Judge's Commentary:
"Dr. Figueroa is an exceptionally intelligent and creative author. He has put together an intriguing and clever study guide to help the soul-weary find peace and contentment in this worldly life. Figueroa concisely points out the impediments to human contentedness in day-to-day life, which involve a look at man's responsibility in understanding his relationship with humanity and God. I loved the author's likening of any given person placed as colors in a painting or notes in a musical score.
Judge, 22nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
"Spirituality 101 is a book for people that want to have a better understanding of the world they live in. It is a book of about life and how us humans can reconcile the apparent discrepancies in trying to understand life through either science or religion. No matter your religious beliefs, this book teaches you how to live a balanced life within this existential paradox. The author arrives at this reconciliation with school formats to be applied in the School of Life."
Samantha Rivera, Reader's Favorite.
Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite
Spirituality 101 is a non-fiction book for the religious or spiritual individual who is looking to better understand the world they live in. It is a book of ‘rules’ and beliefs about life that will help you to know the science of the world and the way that science can interact (not contradict) your religious teachings. For those who are Christian, Buddhist, or really any other religion this book will help you to understand a sort of balance between your life and your religion. Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero has laid out a ‘study guide’ for life so that everyone can know and understand the important aspects.
This book is broken down into short chapters with tables, graphs, pictures, and more which definitely makes it easy to read. The material is heavy and those methods help anyone to understand what is being said, whether it’s a comparison between classic physics and quantum physics or explaining the characteristics of co-dependent people. The cute images also help you to understand what you should be doing with the information that you read and how it’s able to impact you and your life. I have to say that many of the ideas and ‘tips’ were interesting to me and I would like to try them out for myself. The idea of studying for the test of life is an intriguing one as well and I'm sure many readers will find Spirituality 101 a good guide on that very subject. And did I mention there’s a test at the end?
BOOK REVIEW
A holistic look at the intersection of the spiritual and scientific world, playfully cast as a primer for a final exam.
In this engaging, enormously readable debut work of nonfiction, Otero urges his readers to “delve deeper into the concept of life as a prison created by our own mind,” in order to work their way closer to “life’s archetypal questions,” such as “Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I go from here?” The book’s explanations of scientific facts—including the Big Bang, the nature of antimatter and dark energy, Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum mechanics—are fluent and approachable. Its well-designed layout includes highlighted passages and eye-catching marginal illustrations. The author presents many explanations with a wry, tongue-in-cheek bemusement that underscores his doubt about some of science’s certainties. He artfully juxtaposes them with a more spiritual point of view, which centers on the essence of the universe; Otero initially characterizes that essence as “Love,” but quickly narrows it considerably to the love of an explicitly Christian God. The book weighs the wonders of science and nature against this divine love in which, Otero says, “Jesus represents the human manifestation of the Holy Spirit which is the force of Love that God left us after his Son left.” Such explications, despite frequent allusions to Jewish and Buddhist writings, will likely exclude many readers from taking this final exam, let alone passing it. But for Christian readers, the book’s concluding chapters will prove interesting, as they steadily expand the biblical dictum, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” into a concept of “Compassionate Intelligence” that manifests when “love guides reason to the definite realization of our holographic and supportive universe.”
A friendly, stimulating Christian guide to combining thought and faith in order to live a more fulfilled life.
Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite
Spirituality 101 is a non-fiction book for the religious or spiritual individual who is looking to better understand the world they live in. It is a book of ‘rules’ and beliefs about life that will help you to know the science of the world and the way that science can interact (not contradict) your religious teachings. For those who are Christian, Buddhist, or really any other religion this book will help you to understand a sort of balance between your life and your religion. Dr. Ivan Figueroa Otero has laid out a ‘study guide’ for life so that everyone can know and understand the important aspects.
This book is broken down into short chapters with tables, graphs, pictures, and more which definitely makes it easy to read. The material is heavy and those methods help anyone to understand what is being said, whether it’s a comparison between classic physics and quantum physics or explaining the characteristics of co-dependent people. The cute images also help you to understand what you should be doing with the information that you read and how it’s able to impact you and your life. I have to say that many of the ideas and ‘tips’ were interesting to me and I would like to try them out for myself. The idea of studying for the test of life is an intriguing one as well and I'm sure many readers will find Spirituality 101 a good guide on that very subject. And did I mention there’s a test at the end?
KIRKUS BOOK REVIEW
A holistic look at the intersection of the spiritual and scientific world, playfully cast as a primer for a final exam.
In this engaging, enormously readable debut work of nonfiction, Otero urges his readers to "delve deeper into the concept of life as a prison created by our own mind," . Its well-designed layout includes highlighted passages and eye-catching marginal illustrations. The author presents many explanations with a wry, tongue-in-cheek bemusement.
Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media LLC, 6411 Burleson Rd.,
5.0 out of 5 stars comforting, February 19, 2014
By
Luz Ivette Sepulveda
This review is from: Spirituality 101: For the Dropouts of the School of Life (Paperback)
This book integrates the usual discrepancies between religion and science in a comforting holographic view of a reasonable interdependent universe, where humans are integrated in a matrix of love and free will that motivates them to participate responsibly in making our lives a sharing effort. It explains simply how to improve communicating skills needed to interact with others with compassion and understanding of the different points of view that separates us. I loved the chapter review questions and exercises that help you grasp the message of each chapter better. I recommend you start with the final exam if you want to laugh your head off. The concept of cosmic schizophrenia as cause of our existential emptiness is interesting and new.
A great and amusing guide!
By Carlos R. Alvarado on April 3, 2014
Format: Paperback
Anyone looking to know herself/himself inside out and to deal with others in the most adequate way should start the process by reading this book. The author uses a casual and informative writing style to provide us a scientific and spiritual vision of many aspects of life. I think that everyone should read Dr. Figueroa's explanation about the effect of egoism, individuality, faith, and love in human beings, something that is discussed in many parts of the book. A must-read publication for these times!
Spirituality 101: A Wonderful Little Book!!!!
By Samuel Figueroa on February 27, 2014
Format: Paperback
Spirituality 101 is a beautiful and delightful book written with gusto and sensibility. Very accessible for anyone seeking to explore contemporary spirituality. It is a good book and also a book of wellness. Reading it produces a sense that something really good is happening to you. At the end, a sense of forgiveness, hope and self-understanding comes back to you. One is no longer a dropout of the school of life, but a student with all the right tools to enjoy life fully.
I recommend it without qualms.
Samuel Figueroa-Sifre
Professor, Sociology of Religion
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
