Alan Cohen - Joy is My Compass

I find Alans writing positive and in tune with our needs today. I trust he will continue in his good work as I do mine. Together, were bound to make a difference!

Leo Buscaglia, author of Living, Loving, and Learning

I loved The Dragon! Thanks for a great contribution. I want powerful, enlightened, conscious people to read and apply our messages.

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, author of Your Erroneous Zones

The way Alan Cohen shares his heart in his books and tapes is a positive and dynamic force which is making significant contributions to healing humanity. It is important that his books be read by many people!

Dr. Jerry Jampolsky, author of Love is Letting Go of Fear

Alan Cohen has a rare and precious quality: He inspires happiness, and his message is as pure as his heart.

Hugh Prather, author of Notes to Myself

Alan Cohen is one of the most gentle and powerful guiding lights of the profound transition now occurring on earth. His writing will give you the courage to release all fear and allow yourself to be lifted naturally to the next stage of human evolution.

Barbara Marx Hubbard, visionary and peace activist

I think Alans work is very insightful and helpful. Many people have told me how they have grown as a result of his books and tapes. Alans teaching has brought peace and fulfillment to thousands, and I heartily endorse it!

Wally Famous Amos, cookie magnate and
motivational teacher

To order Joy Is My Compass:

Personal Orders:

To order by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express,
call:

1 (800) 462-3013
Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM Eastern Time
Toll-free number for orders and catalog requests only.

Or write:

Alan Cohen Publications
P.O. Box 5658
Somerset, NJ 08875

Bookstore Orders:

Joy Is My Compass is available from these distributors of fine inspirational books:

A catalog of Alan Cohens books and tapes
is included at the end of this book,
along with information on
Alans workshop and retreat schedule.

Joy Is My Compass: Taking the Risk to Follow Your Bliss

1990 by Alan Cohen Publications

ISBN 0910367-34-5

Cover design by Patt Narrowe.

Cover photo by Joyce Weibel

The author wishes to acknowledge the contributors listed below for their kind permission to reprint their copyrighted material. All materials used by permission. All rights reserved.

Alanen, Erkki, for illustration on page 10, 1987 Erkki Alanen.

Angelight Music, lyrics from Take Your Power Back by Charley Thweatt, 1988 Angelight Music.

The Crossroad Publishing Company, excerpt from Tales of a Magic Monastery by Brother Theophane, 1981 Cistercian Abbey of Spencer, Inc.

Golden Quest, photos of Hilda Charlton.

Inner Harmony Music, permission to adapt from lyrics of Joy is My Compass, 1989 Michael Stillwater.

BY ALAN COHEN

Books

Companions of the Heart

The Dragon Doesnt Live Here Anymore

Have You Hugged A Monster Today?

with illustrations by Keith Kelly

The Healing of the Planet Earth

Joy Is My Compass

The Peace That You Seek

Rising In Love

Setting the Seen

Cassette Tapes

Deep Relaxation

with music by Steven Halpern

Eden Morning

I Believe In You

with songs & music by Stephen Longfellow Fiske

Miracle Mountain

Peace

with music by Steven Halpern

Video

Dare To Be Yourself

Foreword by Joyce and Barry Vissell

In the Spring of 1985, our Unity minister asked us if we would do a favor for her. A guest speaker was coming in two weeks, and he needed a place to stay overnight. She wondered aloud, I just dont know what I shall do with Alan Cohen.

When we heard the name, a bolt of energy went through both of us. Suddenly we felt very joyous. He can stay with us, we offered. Neither of us had ever heard of Alan Cohen before, yet the feeling that came with his name was warm and comfortable to us.

Driving home, we began to talk about our expected visitor, and wondered what he was like. Instantly we felt, without any doubt, that we were about to enter into a close relationship with our unknown friend. We had never felt so attracted to a persons joy and light, all the while not knowing anything about him.

Upon arriving home we told our two children, Rami and Mira, about our guest. The girls felt excited, too. Rami jumped up and said, Oh, I just know Im going to love this man. Mira asked, Is he like Santa Claus?

In the days that followed, a happy anticipation of meeting Alan Cohen grew. Finally the big day arrived! We met Alan at his lecture, and instantly we felt reunited with a dear kindred spirit. (To Miras disappointment, he did not look like Santa Claus. However, his jolly manner had us laughing most of the night.) After the lecture we sat together in our home and affirmed the depth and importance of our connection.

Since that time, we have read all of Alans books and delighted in each one. Sometimes we enjoy reading passages to one another before going to sleep. We have attended Alans lectures and retreats, and we have grown from them, as well. Truly this gentle man sees Spirit through the eyes of love, as we do.

The fondest times, however, are the times we have had alone with Alan. Along with our playful times, we have seen him face challenges like any human being. What impresses us most about Alan is that even in difficult times, there is a beautiful light about him. His thoughts are still with God and he returns to the strength of that connection. Over and over, he has demonstrated to us that joy is his compass.

We are inspired by Alans willingness to confront and transform pain when it comes along, rather than run from it. This requires a great deal of courage. Many of us want our lifes path to be one of joy and lightness only. We dont realize that earth is also a schoolroom where we have to learn all the lessons. When we are willing to look at, embrace, and learn from the challenging feelings in our livessadness, grief, fearthen we find that our capacity for joy and love is actually increased.

In this important book, Alan Cohen transforms everyday life situations into opportunities for growth and healing. In his clear, intimate, and humorous style, Alan demonstrates how to live from the heart. He shows us all how to make joy a dancing partner in our lives.

Joyce Vissell, RN, MS
Barry Vissell, MD

authors of The Shared Heart,
Models of Love, and
Risk to be Healed

Introduction

When I received a call from Virato, the editor of New Frontier Magazine, inviting me to write a monthly column for that publication, I was touched and challenged. What a marvelous opportunityto have an outlet through which to share my most important thoughts with thousands of people monthly!