What catches the eye first is the author’s devotion to kindness, to living in the world with a purposeful joy.

Not everyone is good at being kind or joyful, and sometimes it’s hard to be positive toward some people. But Bellingham author Jim Papp has created a guide that might help.

“Inquire Within: A Companion Guide to Living in Spirit” profiles the tools of prayer, meditation, gratitude and kindness for creating and maintaining a balanced and harmonious life.

Papp will read from his new book at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 at the Rob Schouten Gallery at Greenbank Farm.

Artist Rob Schouten worked with Papp for many years, and his painting “Into the Garden” is used as the cover for the book.

“I’ve known Jim for over 25 years ,and have long found his quiet unassuming wisdom to be of real value,” Schouten said.

“We are really looking forward to having him at the gallery. ‘Inquire Within’ is an inspiring and reader-friendly book you’ll want for your library.”

The author has had somewhat of a long journey toward the publication of his book.

Papp was raised in the hinterlands of Alaska by loving parents who provided him with a normal, healthy childhood. But over the course of his life, he gradually discovered spiritual authors such as Alan Watts and Ram Dass, and experienced “Aha!” moments through Lao Tzu’s poetic masterpiece of Taoist wisdom, the “Tao Te Ching.” Although he was a basically happy person, Papp’s perspective on life began to change.

After spending 10 years working with a group of painters called the Dharmic Engineers, he met a spiritual teacher named Mary Magdalene of the Cross. As hereditary priestess of the Temple of the Deer Wisdom School, she shared Mayan wisdom with Papp through ongoing lessons and initiations. From that point on, he was set on the path toward a more spiritual life.

Papp has studied spirituality and metaphysics for 30 years. He spent the past 12 years working with Mayan teachers and has made periodic pilgrimages to ancient Mayan cities in Mexico.

Two influences have emerged to become primary teachers, for Papp on how to live in the world.

He credits the teachings of the Dalai Lama and those of Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many Westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga, with guiding him through his daily life of meditation and prayer.

He writes that both these teachers serve “as beacons of light, guiding and reminding me gently to live in spirit with kindness and respect for all life.”

“In the pages of ‘Inquire Within,’ I am presenting a variety of ways you can live in a more spiritually conscious, evolving way,” Papp said.

Drawing from both the spiritual and the secular worlds, Papp has created a highly readable guide book.

“To be able to offer guidance, just as others have helped and guided me, is an honor,” Papp said. “Spiritual practice is our individualized way of learning to live in the ever-present now, and provides a rudder which guides us in seas both smooth and stormy.”

“An Evening with Author Jim Papp” is a free event to which everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call the gallery at 222-3070 or e-mail info@robschoutengallery.com.