Book Description
Nicholas Herman (c. 1605-1691) was born in Lorraine, France and served as a cook and shoe repairer at a Carmelite monastery. He was only a lay member of the order, and walked with a limp from injuries incurred as a soldier, yet his private thoughts provide a wellspring of devotional insight and refreshment.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic book.......2007-08-04
This is one of my favorite books on the Christian life. Brother Lawrence provides an amazing example of the moment-by-moment faith which is set forth in the Bible (1 Thes 5:17, Jn 15:5, Phil 4:6,7, Gal 2:20,3:5, Gal 5:16,17, Is 26:3, etc.). It's also different than other books because it is written in the style of letters Lawrence wrote, or conversations which were had with him. I think this makes it even more effective as a teaching tool. At first it may seem like a lot of repetition -- and there is a lot, because of the style of the book -- but in each letter I have found a different jewel of truth to encourage me. Another great classic on moment-by-moment faith is Hannah Whitall Smith's "Christian's Secret of a Happy Life." A great book written with the same perspective on continuous faith, specifically in the context of trials is Living Through Crises.
Somewhat plodding..........2007-07-12
I'm finding it very difficult to keep up with reading this book. I thought reading the day to day life instances of a holy man would be little more engaging.
See other reviews to see if this book is for you. Maybe it just isn't for me.
Good thoughtful listening.......2007-06-05
This belongs in every library. It is a combination of two excellent discussions. The first is a collection of letters that tell of a monk's strategies for remaining in God's presence and thereby keeping himself "abiding" in Christ. The second examines the relationship between ones thought processes, and the resulting issues of life. Both are helpful in self-examination and deep meditation.
Must Read.......2007-06-02
This book is a collection of the letters and writings of a 17th century French monk named Brother Lawrence. Br. Lawrence believed he should offer every part and moment of his life to God as an act of worship. His tips on keeping one's mind in constant communion with God will challenge and even surprise modern people. We're not used to this degree of total committment. As a rule, modern concepts of "total" committment do not include all of life, but simply that part of life cordoned off as our spiritual life. Br. Andrew's insights can challenge even the most devout of us to a greater separation to God.
By the way, don't avoid this book on the grounds that you're not Catholic. I'm 100% evangelical/penticostal and found this book extremely worthwhile.
Wonderful book, look for a better edition.......2007-03-29
This is a great book, with practical application for the spiritual practice of all Christians of any denomination. This edition, however, is heavily abridged, cutting the much larger original down to about 95 pages.
Amazon.com
Presence can be read as a both a guide and a challenge to leaders in business, education, and government to transform their institutions into powerful agents of change in a world increasingly out of balance. Since business is the most powerful institution in the world today, the authors argue, it must play a key role in solving global societal problems. Yet so many institutions seem to run people rather than the other way around. In this illuminating book, the authors seek to understand why people don't change systems and institutions even when they pose a threat to society, and examine why institutional change is so difficult to attain.
The authors view large institutions such as global corporations as a new species that are affecting nearly all other life forms on the planet. Rather than look at these systems as merely the extension of a few hyper-powerful individuals, they see them as a dynamic organisms with the potential to learn, grow, and evolve--but only if people exert control over them and actively eliminate their destructive aspects. "But until that potential is activated," they write, "industrial age institutions will continue to expand blindly, unaware of their part in a larger whole or of the consequences of their growth." For global institutions to be recreated in positive ways, there must be individual and collective levels of awareness, followed by direct action. Raising this awareness is what Presence seeks to achieve. Drawing on the insights gleaned from interviews with over 150 leading scientists, social leaders, and entrepreneurs, the authors emphasize what they call the "courage to see freshly"--the ability to view familiar problems from a new perspective in order to better understand how parts and wholes are interrelated.
This is not a typical business book. Mainly theoretical, it does not offer specific tips that organizational managers or directors can apply immediately; rather, it offers powerful tools and ideas for changing the mindset of leaders and unlocking the latent potential to "develop awareness commensurate with our impact, wisdom in balance with our power." --Shawn Carkonen
Book Description
Presence is an intimate look at the development of a new theory about change and learning. In wide-ranging conversations held over a year and a half, organizational learning pioneers Peter Senge, C. Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, and Betty Sue Flowers explored the nature of transformational change—how it arises, and the fresh possibilities it offers a world dangerously out of balance. The book introduces the idea of “presence”—a concept borrowed from the natural world that the whole is entirely present in any of its parts—to the worlds of business, education, government, and leadership. Too often, the authors found, we remain stuck in old patterns of seeing and acting. By encouraging deeper levels of learning, we create an awareness of the larger whole, leading to actions that can help to shape its evolution and our future.
Drawing on the wisdom and experience of 150 scientists, social leaders, and entrepreneurs, including Brian Arthur, Rupert Sheldrake, Buckminster Fuller, Lao Tzu, and Carl Jung, Presence is both revolutionary in its exploration and hopeful in its message. This astonishing and completely original work goes on to define the capabilities that underlie our ability to see, sense, and realize new possibilities—in ourselves, in our institutions and organizations, and in society itself.
Customer Reviews:
Best Book on this topic.......2007-09-09
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It combines important, visionary concepts with clear illustrations and stories for a general readership. The authors present a hopeful way for humans to deal with the challenges of our time.
An important book, perhaps a couple of decades ahead of its time........2007-07-31
This outstanding book has been published in several editions under the same title. It is about how to pursue group endeavors capable of changing organizations, communities and the world for the better. To that end, Senge et al explain the details of the path to be taken which they named as "The U Process". I would say that Presence's concepts pushes the envelop in organizational learning, visionary leadership and strategic thinking. I personally see the "U Process" as a set of guidelines for a "Hero's Journey" to be followed collectively by a group. Most fascinating and enlightening.
From conversations with my colleagues, this "U Process" appears to them as being so novel that it is perhaps way ahead of our times. Yet I would suggest that its far reaching implications are practical, useful and important. In my work in facilitating epic spirit workshops and strategic thinking, this "U Process" helps people get in sync with their overall environment. Furthermore, the U Process allows them to become more conscius of being a part of that same environment thus leading into a higher plateau for individual, organizational and collective learning. It is worthwhile to note that going through a Presencing experience at a personal level might be a prerequisite to fully grasp its power for organizational and or collective learning.
Just as is often the case for many new approaches, Presencing experiences will contribute to enlighten disbelievers. For those of us that are putting this book's concepts to work, the adventure has already started to bring rewards.
Brilliant.......2007-07-01
A new way of thinking and talking about change ... and I hope it will learn us a new "doing" of change ;-) I'm convinced !
Presence: An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society.......2007-05-12
I did not find this to be a very useful book for my MBA studies.
A very important book written by people that care deeply about the direction of our future, and a work in progress however..........2007-01-19
I'm not sure that the presentation given in this specific book is for everyone... and this maybe the source of the polarization of views on Amazon
The best piece of advice I could give would be first go to Otto's website (and some of the other associated websites although probably not SOL) and go through the resources there (and there's an extensive list of resources). It will provide a much better overview than I can give you here. From there you can see the model, gain some context on its origin and application. Then decide if you want to read this book, given what I discuss below.
The book is taken from transcripts of conversations the authors had in the first part of this decade. It includes personal conversations, reflections and commentary on the extensive interviews with scientists, leaders (including many spiritual leaders) and entrepreneurs they did which underpin the philosophical basis of the model they've created. It does provide a good context for the model, it's just that it's quite a long book and sometimes reading it is a little frustrating, especially if you're somewhat versed in the areas they talk about. I struggled getting through the last half for this reason. I have no doubt the other reviewer here was frustrated as well. That said, with the internet, availability of books and democratisation of information these days it can be hard going for authors as often their readers have different and sometimes more extensive experience in the field and other perspectives they've not considered. While their model is uniquely their creation, the concepts and ideas and some of the methods (eg. shamanic journey) are not. For people not well versed in these areas then I'm sure they'd pick up a few valuable new perspectives, insights and ideas they could use in their business (although that isn't the intention of this book and I would suggest that's what frustrated other reviewers who were looking in it for a source of ideas and tools).
In the book you'll find lots of references to dialogue, open space type ideas, systems theory and perspectives, natural systems and the new sciences, spirituality, shamanism, personal transformation and the importance of inner work, prototyping, suspending assumptions, storytelling, synchronicity, seeing from the whole and so on. You'll find that many of the ideas discussed have been written about in their prior individual work. Included are many examples of companies and people that illustrate these philosophies and some extracts of conversations with people like Dee Hock.
What's the difference between editions? From their website:
'The differences between the books are minor. The Doubleday/SoL edition has been revised to be slightly shorter (289 pages vs. 304), but the substance of the book is essentially the same. Changes to the jacket design and the subtitle were made by Doubleday to appeal to a wider audience.
The original SoL edition was conceived as a short-run limited edition book. It was intended for distribution only through SoL's website, and through Amazon. The goal was to get the book directly into the hands of people who were already engaged in deep learning work, and our marketing efforts were focused on that group. SoL decided to have Doubleday publish the book with a SoL imprint in order to respond to a need for wider distribution through more traditional channels.'
There's no doubting though the sincerity of the authors, their care for the planet, and their work and their genuine desire to make a difference with what they do. That can be seen through the establishment of the Global Leadership Initiative and is also deeply reflected in the conversations they've had which are included in this book. (From memory they only go up to around year 2002, so I would imagine things have evolved since then).
This is an important book, one written by people who deeply care about the direction the planet is heading in and have made a very good effort to develop a new tool for use in business and leadership. While some people will see this in a cynical way as being just another theory or another tool for the authors to line their pockets, I don't think this is the case. I love how as part of the course Otto teaches, the notes are actually available free on the internet in the MIT Open Courseware initiative whose aim is to make widely available the content of the university's courses. (Unfortunately though I don't that's going to apply to their teaching of this model!) I know others that do this as well where they generously periodically make publicly available their tools and methods, forcing themselves to constantly innovate and evolve their approach and making a contribution to the public good rather than the common separative method of labeling ideas and models (often that are well known in the public domain anyway) as private intellectual property which is then jealously protected.
For most people reading this review though I'd say looking at Otto's website should suffice to give you all the context you need about the model and then reading his new book Theory U - Leading from the Future as it Emerges due out in 2007.
Book Description
The Presence Process is not about changing who or what we are. This is impossible. Instead, it is about releasing our attachment to our manufactured identity so that we may gently return to an awareness of our authentic Presence. It is about moving from pretence to Presence. It is about consciously connecting with that aspect of our Being that always remains constant. It is about honoring that aspect of our Being that is always present. It is not about becoming something or somebody else. It is about remembering and experiencing who and what we really are and have always been.
The Presence Process is not about changing the nature of what the stars have marked on our forehead, hands, and feet. It is about waking into the fullest potential of each moment that is already destined. It is about responding to our life as it is unfolding right now and not reacting to it as if something else was supposed to be happening. The Presence Process intends to reveal to us that our mistaken desire to change what is happening to us in any given moment is usually born out of an inability to show up and fully enjoy the wonder of our life experience as it is right now.
The Presence Process awakens within us the awareness that it is in the nature of our interaction with what is happening to us right now that we sow the seeds for what is to come beyond the borders of this life experience. It assists us to see that the quality of the seeds that we sow in any given moment is very different depending on whether we choose to react or to respond to our experiences. Reacting to our experience means that we are making our decisions based on what we think happened to us yesterday and what we think may happen to us tomorrow. We are only responding to our experience when we make choices based on what is happening to us right here, right now. It is only possible to respond to our experiences when we unlearn the behaviors and belief systems that lead us into reaction. This "unlearning" is what The Presence Process assists us to accomplish.
There are no failures in The Presence Process, as it is an individual journey driven by commitment, curiosity, and intention. It cannot be experienced for someone else or because of someone else. Activating present moment awareness is an individual responsibility. It is therefore an experience that is by nature immune to comparison or judgment.
The Presence Process is not an end to anything; it is the continuation of a lifelong journey that we have already been making into the heart of our own present moment awareness.
Customer Reviews:
Life changing.......2007-09-25
This book is a must for people tired of suffering and willing to embrace the joy that is the birthright of all of us.
This book is excellent.......2007-09-20
This book is excellent. Everyone should buy this book and use it. Ever wonder why the same things seem to keep happening over and over? This book will explain that, as well as provide useful tips to help you understand your current life experience.
The Presence Process.......2007-08-31
The Presence Process is an enlightening spiritual process. Wonderfully written with wisdom and insight, the process allows one to grow from the inside out, combining mindfulness and personal awareness. I recommend this book to anyone on a serious path of personal, spiritual growth.
Do you really want autentic peace and joy?.......2007-08-04
If you truly are willing to answer yes to the above question, I would say this book is for you. Just by reading the book I saw more clearly what Present Moment Awareness is all about. I also more clearly see how my Mind 'unconsciously is addicted to the mental habit of living in time as an attempt to escape the discomfort within my emotional body' as Michael Brown puts it.
Michael Brown is brilliantly describing the difference between a reactive behavior and a responsive behavior. The former is the repetitive unconscious behavior which keeps us stucked in the unbalanced physical, mental and emotional experiences of life. The later is the responsible conscious behavior which clear our blockages and set us free to an autentic physical, mental and emotional experience of life.
I have just finished reading the book for the first time and have started at the very beginning again. This time I will not only read the book through but also participate experientially in the 10 week program the book offers. The experientially approch means I must be willing to let every discomfort in my emotional body show up when it shows up. It is all about going inward to feel to heal, instead of going outward to blame and be lame (as Michael puts it). Do I dare?
Amazing.......2007-07-12
Everyone will have their own experience with this book but its amazing. Take the time, read and follow the instructions - your life will change.
Customer Reviews:
A shocker!.......2002-02-25
The Presence of Others : Voices and Images That Call for Response
by Andrea A. Lunsford (Editor), John J. Ruszkiewicz was use in my freshman English course. In the beginning I was not too enthusiastic about the book. It took some time to get used to. Now it has become part of my growing home library. It has great essays ranging from John Henry Newman to Bell Hooks. I love the diversity.Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz did a great job putting this book together. There are subjects that everyone can relate to. Since using the book in my English class I have become a both critical reader and thinker that John Henry Newman had a vision of.
The Prescence of Others.......2000-09-14
This book gave me a new insight into the thoughts and ideas of many of the great thinkers of my time. It let me read captivating speeches which contained the same words that once rallied thousands to march in protest,the same words that showed hundreds what their real drive in life should be, and it also showed me that their are more views to life than just my one.
Book Description
Already Not Yet
When Jesus announced, âthe kingdom of God is at hand,â what did He mean? Uncover the reality of the kingdom of God and what it might look like if followers of Christ practiced its in-breaking presence. What happens when we view life through the lens of the kingdom? How does the beauty of Jesus’ reign break into the mess of our broken lives and world? What if we lived as though a world other than this one was here today? This Beautiful Mess launches a paradigm-shifting journey inviting us to experience the kingdom of God in the ordinary miracle of our everyday lives.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.
When a man found it, heâ¦
sold all he had and bought that field.â
âMatthew 13:44
Jesus’ sayings about the kingdom of God just might be the most overlooked of his teachings. Yet the Good News of the kingdomâa treasure beyond priceâwas what he came to preach.
It’s time to ask:
What is the kingdom Jesus talked about?
Could it be already here, hidden from sight? If so, where is it?
How can I be a part of it?
A new generation is tuning in to the teachings of Jesus and to their revolutionary implications. Could it be that living under Christ’s reign is not merely a future vision but a present reality?
Rick McKinley’s exploration is fresh, accessible, and timely. With careful attention to historical texts, he unveils new understandings of authentic personal and social transformation. The time is now. Your opportunity is here. In the mess of everyday life, you can live in the beautiful presence of the kingdom.
Story Behind the Book
âWhen we started Imago Dei Community, it was with a passion to be people who live in love with Jesus and live out the values of His kingdom in our city. But we had no idea how to do that. God let us stumble into grace and discover the wide-open plains of His kingdom. This has ruined us in the best way possible. Because once you taste untamed life in the kingdom, you will never go back to the sterile hallways of religion. The beautiful, transforming grace of Christ shows up in the messiness of life and the kingdom breaks in as a beautiful mess.ââRick McKinley
Customer Reviews:
Brilliant yet simple.......2007-09-18
This is so brilliant yet easy to understand. This world is simultaneously beautiful, because God created it, but a mess, because sin entered in and oh yes, because we live here and make mistakes.
I learned so much about the kingdom of God and the fact that we're living IN it, not waiting FOR it.
A really, really, really great read...see for yourself!
The new religion.......2007-08-29
This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley is a book about living in the present world's mess in the way Jesus described the Kingdom of God. Rick is the pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland , Oregon and he challenges the reader to go beyond the traditional religiousity of churches and get down and dirty among all the people at hand and practice faith and gratitude every day and experience the Kingdom of God at hand in doing so, even in the worst circumstances and among undesirable people.
A glimpse of real Christianity.......2007-07-26
The main mandate of Christ was to love others as we love ourselves. This was topped only by the request to love God. McKinley's book offers a glimpse into what service and grace look like and what, I believe, Christ really offers us.
Great work!.......2007-07-25
This book is clear and concise. It does a great job of pointing to Christ in the midst of our day to day lives. It convicted me; encouraged me; entertained me and most importantly it challenged me. Great job, Rick!
A Clear, Insightful, Biblical, & Practical Look at the "Kingdom of God".......2007-06-28
Jesus proclaimed a single message in a thousand different ways, "Repent for the kingdom of God is arriving." Those mysterious words are frequently lost in our day through their assumptive, inattentive use in pop-Christian culture; but they name the heart of God for humanity. Rick's personal approach to this core message of Christ is thoughtful, gentle, deep, and well-aimed ... right at the heart. It's written in a style that appeals to both men and women and captures the imaginations of all who seek more than empty religion in their experience of God in this life. It's easily in my top five books to recommend to both Christ-followers and unbelieving seekers.
Book Description
This book, HOLINESS, TRUTH AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD, is not a book for everyone. It is for those who are unsatisfied with their progress and willing to do something about it. It is for every saint who feels he cannot exist unless he finds the fullness of God.
Customer Reviews:
Teaches that the "inner work" produces good works.......2007-08-23
Draw closer to God and He will incline Himself to you. It is the Holy Spirit that produces the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. From these internal fruit comes the outward evidence of His inner work. Works are the result of this closer walk - Holiness is an outward manifestation of the inner work. Francis Frangipane again has been led to write an illuminating work about how God's light chases away the inner darkness. Come and learn how to travel the "Highway of Holiness" from the beginning until you arrive home. Bring your heart before God so that He can show you the way.
Pursuing Christ-likeness.......2006-08-09
It appears the human heart is like a many-roomed mansion, and little do we know how dark some of those interior rooms are--if we are even aware of their existence! Francis Frangipane does a great service to the maturing of the Body of Christ by taking us on a trip to explore many of those darkened rooms which are harboring idolatry, pride and hypocrisy, presumption and falsehood, to name but a few of the sicknesses afflicting God's people. The way to health and purity, indeed "wholeness", is by passionately pursuing "holiness" of heart. It is the pure in heart who will see God. Therefore, our goal of Christ-likeness must define our Christian walk, for holiness and sanctification must necessarily precede Kingdom power and the fruit thereof.
Excellent Book.......2006-07-01
I find this to be great reading and right on point if you are serious about improving your walk with God as a Christian. Easy to read, with short chapters that are clear and easy to understand. The author supports his thoughts with scripture. It is one that you can read over and over again and find something new to ponder.
Intimacy, not religion, is the key .......2005-10-02
This book challenged me in a major way. The gist of the book is that seeking after God is the reason for our existence and for victory in our lives. It relates how we substitute other things for what is important, an intimate relationship with Almighty God. From this intimacy with God springs holiness and victory. Power is not found in religion, doctrine, knowledge or anything other than being in the presence of God.
2nd to the Bible.......2004-09-03
I read this at least once a year, and when I open it, I am ashamed that I waited so long. The two other books I would recomend for the serious Christian Life, are: This Church is not Appearing Glorious & it doesn't seem to be Purpose Driven, by Meyers, and Why Reveval Tarries by Ravenhill. Read these books often, and you will change the world.
Book Description
An award-winning news anchor presents methods for better communication in any business environment
During her 20 years in broadcasting, award-winning news anchor Suzanne Bates conducted more than 10,000 interviews, during which she witnessed business leaders, politicians, and celebrities at their best and worst. Now a top CEO communication coach, Bates is renowned for her uncanny ability to transform even the shyest oratorical mouse into a public-speaking lion. In Speak Like a CEO, Bates:
- Reveals the secrets for communicating in any situation
- Describes simple techniques for acing speeches, presentations, media interviews, Q&A sessions, business meetings, and more
- Outlines self-improvement plans that can easily be customized to your needs
- Shares secrets from top leaders, including Mario Cuomo's technique for overcoming stage fright and Colin Powell's secret for projecting authenticity
Customer Reviews:
A great asset to any public speaker or presenter.......2007-05-08
I wish I had read this book a long time ago. It is consise and an interesting read. Above all it has provided me with several great tips on improving presentations which I have already started to use. Unbelievably, both my audience and I have noticed the difference.
Didn't finish it!.......2007-04-27
While some stories were interesting to listen to; there just wasn't enough substance to the (audio)book. I didn't finish listening to it, and unless this is your first book on leadership, I would recommend against it.
More could be gotten from a public speaking book and a few leadership books (Tom Peters is my latest read who is pretty good).
Mike
A true resource.......2007-01-11
The author knows of what she speaks! A former reporter, she has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and helps the reader be one of the good, if not the great. Useful, practical tips for anyone who wants to be more successful both professionally and personally. Well worth your time and money.
Public speaking essentials.......2006-11-30
For anyone who wants to learn about basics on how to conduct public speaking engagement in front of business audience, this is a good starter book. You will learn on how to tell the story, build the humor and keep everyone's focus in place while presenting. Like everything else in life, this skill requires preparation, practice and planning. You must not only know what you are talking about, but also know your audience too. I particularly liked the part of the book with tips on how to answer questions not anticipated during the preparation process (trigger method and making a qualifying or opinion statement).
Worth the read.......2006-11-27
I'm a professional speaker, and was critiquing this book to see if I would recommend it to others. It's a very simple read - you'll get through it in a day or so, I'm sure. It's got some good basic tips, and some interesting insights into leadership styles. The important thing is to DO what the book recommends - not just read it and think the info will infuse into your psyche!
I do recommend it - it would make a good gift for a mentee, as well.
SusanBaughman.com
Product Description
This, the sixth book in a progressive series by the author, finalizes and further clarifies the true nature and core of the condition termed Enlightenment. Although it draws on consciousness research for explanation and contextualization, it is primarily an instruction manual for the serious spiritual devotee and reveals information that is known only by those who have transcended the ego to reach Divine Realization.This is the inner route from the self to the Self, and the descriptions of the progressive states are devoted to the readers own Illumination.The subjective states of the mystic have been of great interest but historically never have been clarified to the degree presented in this semi-autobiographical account that also provides the means by which to identify their rare occurrence and thus describe the core characteristics of Spiritual Truth.Devoid of ecclesiastical doctrine or religious belief systems, the pristine essence of all spiritual Truth is revealed in its purity with unprecedented clarity. It becomes clear that to truly know is to be rather than to know about. Why all of Dr. Hawkins books begin and end with Gloria in Excelsis Deo! becomes apparent.
Customer Reviews:
To fear God........2007-04-24
I first came upon Power vs. Force on 2003 or so and was hooked.Then I read
The Eye of the I,"I", Truth vs Falsehood,and Transcending the Levels of
Consciousness. Dr. Hawkins has been a lifesafer. I am in awe and have not finished reading his latest and hopefully not his last book.God bless...waste no time. Gloria in Excelsis Deo!
Rare it is to be born a human being..........2007-03-31
...and rarer still to have read this book. 'Devotional Nonduality' is of the same high quality as 'Eye of the I' and 'I:Reality and Subjectivity'; it may even be his best work.
The other 5 star reviews summed it up pretty well. It's packed from cover to cover with practical information to prepare the spiritual student for what lies ahead on the pathway as one advances through the levels of consciousness. Described in length are the advanced states, the traps, the temptations, techniques on meditation, contemplation, letting go of attractions and aversions, walking the razor's edge, death of the ego.....and just about everything this author teaches (...though with little reference to kinesiology :-)).
The first week this book became available a person online gave the following description: "Dr. Hawkins leaves no room for the ego to hide!"--Quite true.
A definite read for the spiritual seeker.
Flawless !!.......2007-02-25
Anyone interested in subjects such as, the witness/observer, transcending the ego, becoming enlightened & dedicating there life to God, this book is the best I have read, the information given in this book about these subjects are of the highest integrity possible. Dr. Hawkins devotion to truth, integrity and God, shine through quite obviously in every chapter. It is a flawless masterpiece of information providing insights into all the challenges a spiritual devotee may face and explains with pristine clarity certain atributes of the different stages of the evolution of consciousness/awareness.
What a Blessing.......2007-01-31
I have been a student of Dr Hawkins for 3 years now. For the past 2 years I have been fortunate enough to see him at many lectures. I have to say that this this definitely his most powerfull work yet. It really does clarify the state of enlightenment. There is so much practical info in here to take us all the way Home. I would like to respond to the other reviewer that I know for certain thatt Dr Hawkins will be having several more books because he has said so in several of his recent lectures. Thank you Dr Hawkins for being a true Gift from God.
Hopefully not his last book:).......2006-11-07
This is another superb book by Dr. Hawkins that explains the path to enlightenment, and I hope he's got more in him. The book is in two parts, part one focuses on the spiritual process and part two focuses on discussion, with both sections having a lot of Q & A style writing, which is easy to digest. Some of it is repeating what he's written in other books. For example, he lists the same integrous spiritual teachings and writings as he's listed in a previous book, I was hoping for new lists and info. But it is mostly new information, and the main focus is answering important questions a devotee of devotional nonduality would have such as, "As a spiritual person, what is our responsibility in relation to world events?" and "How should one envision spiritual work?" and "How can one simultaneously participate yet not get attached or involved? Does that not lead to avoidance?" and "How best to choose a pathway?". There are no politics or worldly info., it is strictly spiritual. I think this is my favorite book of his because its more directed at the serious student rather than a general audience. This is required reading if you are on the path, and recommended reading if you are spiritually curious. 5 stars!
Book Description
Every moment of your life is like a page in a Where’s Waldo book. God is there, the Scriptures tell us—on every one of them. But the ease with which he may be found varies from one page to the next. God is closer than you think!
Download Description
Two works of art help John Ortberg think about the presence of God. One is Michelangelo Buonarroti's brilliant painting of God and Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. God is close. His hand comes within a hair's breath of the hand of the man. It seems to say that God is closer than we think-he's here, now, today, accessible to all who will but "lift a finger." The second work of art is Martin Hanford's cartoon character Waldo. He is on every page of the Where's Waldo? books, but he can be difficult to find. In the same way, even though God is present on every page of our lives, he's often not easy to spot. In God Is Closer Than You Think, John Ortberg examines this frustrating paradox of the Christian life. "When it is so easy to 'see' God all around me (in trees, in birds, in nature) why is it so hard to feel his presence-especially when I need him most?" Ortberg helps readers discover the secret to living daily in the reality of God's most frequent promise in Scripture, "I will be with you."
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding!.......2007-07-27
Ortberg is a master. Next to his book, If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out of the Boat, this was as good as it gets for relating to God in our limited human minds. Ortberg has tremendous way of taking ordinary stories, humor and life experiences and making them clear pictures of what Scripture communicates. Excellent, excellent book.
Where's Waldo?.......2006-11-10
I purchased this book for a small group setting and it fit the bill perfectly. Ortberg has a way of uncovering truth and in this book, encourages you to find Waldo, a God who wants to be part of your everyday life. I enjoyed it personally, was challenged by it and found the group setting enhanced my learning. I do look for God differently now since I've read the book. He is closer than we think.
I would have kept the orginial jacket cover. It focuses you to the subject matter much better.
Not bad.......2006-09-23
This book is a pretty decent book if you are interested in a mostly narrative style of discussion on Christian Living. Entertaining, well written, and clear, I would recommend it if you are looking for this type of book.
Don't try so hard!.......2006-07-19
This is a very helpful little book on how to find God in your everyday life. The discussion of Martha & Mary is particularly astute. My only complaint about the book is that Ortberg tries way too hard to be funny and even hip. (This is the first book of his that I've read, so I don't know if he does this all the time or not; I suspect he does.) Humor should be natural, not forced, as it is in this book. His attempts to be hip are merely pathetic. For instance, he quotes the line "The jerk store called & they've run out of you" attributing it to a friend of his. He obviously has no clue it comes from a Seinfeld episode! Still & all, a good book, though, for a Christian at any level.
I Am Convinced!.......2006-04-14
Upon a recommendation from my pastor, I picked this book up and I was not disappointed. John Ortberg writes with a Max Lucado approach. Taking everyday things and making us realize that they too have a place in our spritual walk. He challenges us to look for God in everyday occurences. His premise, as indicated by the title, is that God is more active in our everyday walk than we give Him credit for. In turn, he challenges us to do our part in praying that God bring His Kingdom to earth.
Book Description
"The Art of Being a Healing Presence" shows how a difference can be made in the lives of others by learning to be present in a way that is healing, nurturing, and potentially even transforming. Seven steps to being a healing present are explained, including opening onself, making the intention, preparing a space, honoring the other, offering what you have to give, receiving the gifts that come, and living a life of wholeness and balance. The book includes whole pages of quotations interspersed throughout. It's full of essential information, yet still easy to read.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful!.......2007-05-08
Amazing, easy to read, offering instructions on how to become healing presence for others. I was drawn to this book after being given the gift of healing presence by a hospital Chaplain after losing a baby. This is the real macoy!
Books:
- The Predators' Ball: The Inside Story of Drexel Burnham and the Rise of the Junk Bond Raiders
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- The Razor's Edge
- The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates (Volume 1)
- The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God
- The Serpent of Paradise: The Incredible Story of How Satan's Rebellion Serves God's Purposes
- The Truth Seeker (The O'Malley Series #3)
- The Ultimate Gift (The Ultimate Series #1)
- The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
- The Year of Magical Thinking
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realit
- Hinterland: Book Two of the Godslayer Chronicles
- Understanding Frank Lloyd Wright's Architecture
- A Mathematical Introduction to String Theory: Variational Problems, Geometric and Probabilistic Meth
- Color Design Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design
- Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fifth Edition
- Cerdos En La Sala / Pigs in the Parlor
- Animation: From Script to Screen
- A Theology of the Built Environment: Justice, Empowerment, Redemption
- Adv in Understanding Modelling Be
Inspirational | Protestantism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
The Imitation of Christ (Vintage Spiritual Classics)
Practicing His Presence (The Library of Spiritual Classics, Volume 1)
Dark Night of the Soul
The Imitation Of Christ (Hendrickson Christian Classics)
Interior Castle
