ABOUT THIS BOOK
Welcome to “My Living Manual”!
This free downloadable book (below) contains over twelve hundred systematic steps for living that have worked for me, or I believe would work for me if I could successfully implement them in my quest to try and live a “good” life as defined in this book.
I started collecting these ideas in 1961 when I was thirteen years old – in my first year at Bendigo High School in Australia. I was exploring the school library at lunch time, as an introvert does, when I encountered Russ Tyson’s “Philosopher’s Notebook”, and I was so intrigued and excited about the various items of practical advice displayed in those pages, that I’ve been collecting ideas like that ever since.
This volume brings all that advice together in one place. It describes a journey along twelve different pathways of life all aimed at helping to facilitate the Judaeo-Christian ideal of “shalom”, defined as a state of growing towards wholeness where “all things are working together for good” (Rom 8:28) – and also understood as the “Kingdom of God”.
The current version (below) is another major update. I have re-written my title sub-heading and hundreds of paragraphs to better reflect a more overtly Christian take on the 1250 or so steps for living included in the manual. I encourage you to read the introduction to the book all the way through to understand where I am coming from.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my manual – I hope it contains some wisdom for living that may assist you.
Geoff James – February 2025.
“My Living Manual” is now available below for download as a .pdf file. If viewing this page on a PC, you will be able to browse the pages of the book in the viewer below. On iOS devices, you will need to download the file before browsing. Updated versions will be produced as required and I plan to highlight the main changes made to the text through the “Blog” attached to this site – click the “Blog” link above and then click “View all posts by the Wayfarer” at the bottom of the page.
The “Introduction” to the book is reproduced in the “About” section of this site – click the link above.
To read about the main sources and events that have influenced me in the development of the book, click “The Story” link above.
Shalom!
BROWSE AND DOWNLOAD THE BOOK
I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
Ettiene De Grellet (1773)
My Living Manual 