A Spiritual Handbook for the Modern Era is a handbook for life, providing spiritual sustenance and guidance for anyone searching for meaning or requiring assistance in times of trouble or confusion. It explores life stages and common difficulties that may arise at these times, offering discernment on coping with such diverse areas as bullying, pregnancy termination, depression and ageing.
In later chapters, Kate Rouse, comments on the world as it is, nature and living a spiritual life, simultaneously offering some hope for the future. A Spiritual Handbook for the Modern Era is an invaluable tool for those in need of psychological or spiritual nurturing in this often complicated and sometimes challenging era we find ourselves in today. It is a small book with a big message, and maybe a book that every teenager will cherish, and maybe some oldies will too.
The eldest of four sisters, Kate Rouse grew up in Albury and on a small farm at Table Top, New South Wales, Australia. She had a happy childhood with freedom to explore nature and enjoy life with horses that were a huge part of her life then as they still are today. After completing a BA and Dip Ed at the University of New England, Armidale, Kate worked at Mt Hotham and Mt Buffalo in various roles and travelled extensively throughout the world for 12 years, interspersed with teaching English in Japan and casual teaching in New South Wales and Victoria. She self-published two travelogues in the 1990's. Kate loved to travel slowly by bike or hiking and immerse herself in the culture and landscape she was passing through. Spiritual exploration was very much a part of her travelling life. During the following 12 years Kate worked as a teacher, Aboriginal Education Worker, youth worker, pool manager, factory hand and receptionist. She travelled in Australia with her partner, Shayne, completed Certificate IV in Community Welfare, a Diploma of Counselling and a Fine Arts Certificate. At Christmas 2010, Kate was struck down with pneumonia and during this time she contemplated her mortality. Slowly recuperating while house-sitting in Queensland, Kate began to think about what she would write if her life was coming to its finality when the idea of, "A Spiritual Handbook for the Modern Era," emerged in 2012. Kate wanted to help others who were experiencing trouble or confusion and provide some clarity with relevance to the sometimes complicated and often demanding era we find ourselves in today. Kate published the book with Zeus Publications in 2013. With the help of school friend, Wendy Blake, a second edition was published in 2019 by Zephyr Publications. Kate and Shayne now live in Queensland where they are establishing a small horse stud. Living with Chronic Fatigue and its many challenges, Kate is still pursuing her dream of being a writer and artist. She has experienced life broadly, felt life deeply and studied spirituality from an early age. Kate and Shayne share their lives with Teuco, a talkative blue parrot, Whispit and Sox, mischievous tabby cats and 12 beautiful horses.
