This book is short and satisfying. Composed by Codrin Stefan Tapu, Romanian professor of psychology, it is intended to engender positive thoughts, feelings, and actions. The "teachings" comprise a universal view of deity that even encompasses atheism. Tapu states that all the world's great religious teachers were "geniuses of spirituality." Divided into brief chapters, many of which read like poetry, Teachings on Being moves swiftly, from ideas on relationship ("When someone truly loves you, even if they leave, you feel that they leave for you, and not against you"); to clothing ("If you are dressed in shattered clothes, you don't get recognized, even if you are the president"); to sleep ("Sleep… saves from exhaustion, and finishes your work."). He addresses controversial subjects, like guilt("Nobody can convince me that if I feel bad, others will be better") and euthanasia (" …To ease the suffering before death, and, for family and friends, also the suffering after death.”) One notable section is framed as a conversation, "Codrin Talks God with an Unbeliever."

Though the use of English occasionally falters, this is a strong, well-considered work. While many books on religion are sectarian, and others filled with flaming jeremiads, this one encourages and gently informs us that, whether we believe in God or don't, we remain in God's plan. The book concludes with the exhortation:

Your birth is your resurrection.
Don't be afraid, and don't be sad.
YOU ARE!

Teachings on Being presents spiritual knowledge in a manner reminiscent of Sufi mystics. It's also a practical self-help guide. As Tapu would say, "Only together can we find solutions. But only if we do not think the same."

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