The Rapture of Maturity: A Legacy of Lifelong Learning

Home-grown philospher Charles D. Hayes has discovered the fountain of youth: cultivate curiosity, satisfy it by becoming a passionate, life-long learner, then ACT on what you've learned--before life passes you by. Speaking especially to those who have reached the lifepoint where reflection comes naturally, this little book is the product of a well-read and insightful mind. It's a call for action that distills years of thought about things that are really important--like legacy, love, life, time, and the power of relationships to change the world. This powerful and profound polemic is clearly one of the most important books I've read in the last twenty years.

For a reader who has moved out of the "fast lane" and into the second half of life's journey, Charles Hayes provides insight and inspiration. In the first half, we are busy proving ourselves. By the second half, we know what works. We know what counts. We know what matters. We realize that things aren't black or white or true or false; we're able to understand and embrace ambiguity. In THE RAPTURE OF MATURITY, Hayes shows us that learning is the greatest joy. He convinces readers that the journey is ultimately about lifelong learning. This is a book you will treasure and return to often. RAPTURE is the ideal gift for adults who have grown up.

This is the latest masterpiece by Charles Hayes, one of today's finest social thinkers and most inspirational pathfinders. The Rapture of Maturity is far more than a book about the power of knowledge and learning as it can promote "maturity." It is a book about everything -- life, love, spirituality, compassion, authenticity, rage and despair, values, curiosity, peer power, solitude, courage, and the modern assault on time, including the way in which busyness has become a virtue. On the subject of creativity and reverence for life, Hayes writes "By extending this appreciation for things that inspire us, we can behold simultaneously our individuality and connectedness; we can intuitively make the connection that reverence is a property we should come by naturally." He reveals many of the paradoxes of the modern age, and gives an exceptionally insightful critique of the cultural insanity that blocks intellectual growth and character development. He offers an immense range of wisdom on numerous topics in showing the way forward in an era afflicted by psychic deadness and forces that have resulted in the death of mind. While he tackles many serious problems of today's world, it is a highly uplifting book and one that leaves the reader more equipped to engage in the thought and action, as well as the creative cultural disobedience, required to navigate the pathological conditions that have surfaced in contemporary consumer culture. The book has some excellent material on the so-called "pursuit of happiness." For instance, he writes "...the direct pursuit of happiness is a fool's journey and is virtually guaranteed to end in failure. Happiness derives from purpose, and purpose itself is a product of an effort engaged in for its own sake, not for the benefit of happiness." Hayes has a wonderful eye for literary treasures, and these are interspersed throughout his many provocative discussions. The Rapture of Maturity is the type of book that one wants to keep close at hand and re-read several times to extract all the wisdom and insight it has to offer. Anyone who wants to learn the art of living, or to better understand the world we live in, should read this book. Highly recommended. Destined to be a classic.

Charles Hayes has done an extraordinary job of describing the benefits of lifelong learning. He talks about the wisdom of using the experiences of those who've lived before us to help us gain balance in our own lives. In doing so, Hayes stresses that "the passing on of knowledge from one generation to the next is one of the most important things human beings do." (p. 138) He credits grandparents with playing a significant role in this arena. In fact, to experience the "rapture of maturity", Hayes encourages people to be more involved in positive relationships with others. He says, "Life begins and ends with relationships. A world in which our children are valued and cared for ensures a world in which future generations will receive the same kind of attention." (p.123) Also, Hayes advises us to get away from living in an entertainment society by turning off the TV and reading more. He cautions us to be wary of "a culture driven by a telematic, symbolic cyber-world bent on overriding the autonomy of individuals." (p.143) In other words, be careful of what technology is doing to our society. Hayes focuses on becoming less attached to material things, too. He wants people of all ages to be authentic, develop new interests, and to be in the moment. Instead of focusing so much on the future, make more time for the present. This is a great gift book not only for the holidays, but also for friends and family members who are celebrating "significant" birthdays. I've already given copies of The Rapture of Maturity to several friends. Certainly, the title implies that aging can be a joyful experience!

The Rapture Of Maturity: A Legacy Of Lifelong Learning by former Marine and self-taught philosopher Charles D. Hayes is a self-help guide intended especially for the middle aged and those passing the half-century mark, that discusses how to sift wisdom from one's own experiences, get in touch with younger generations, take steps to leave the world a better place, and focus on what is truly important in life. An upbeat, plain-terms guidebook encouraging the reader to reap the rewards of living authentically and responsibly, The Rapture Of Maturity is a source of abiding inspiration to persevere and determine the goals to which one most wishes to dedicate oneself. Highly recommended.