Religion and Spirituality Books

C. S. Lewis is not only one of the 20th century's finest minds, he's also amazingly perceptive of human behavior. This well-written description explains so clearly the four kinds of love and with such accessible illustrations from real life. Most eye-opening for me was the chapter on "affection" where I began to understand for the first time why we moms think we are so misunderstood; in actuality, our "affection" (storge) for our family has gotten out of hand! You'll need to read in order to understand. I highly recommend this book.

This is in my opinion C.S. Lewis's best nonfiction work. The premise has been done before, but rarely with the sort of insight given here. His overviews of Affection and Friendship are much too often overlooked and glossed over as unimportant, but here they're given a status they really deserve.

The section on friendship, and the idea that people are bonded through mutual passions, and his grim statement that people who are just looking for a friend will never find one, was spot on. Friendships are formed as an extension of a passion for something bigger than the individual. A mutual cause drives people, whether they be sports fanatics, a tribe pining for survival, or art critics.

The pitfalls he explains for the loves such as lust, bigotry, elitism, etc. are self explanatory, but it's also practical. Friendships are exclusive by their very nature, and there's nothing intrinsically wrong with such a thing. Eros is most certainly exclusive. He emphasizes that we can't be friends with everyone, love everyone with Eros, but we can love everyone with Charity, the final section of the book.

One could write a book three times longer and not come close to the depth portrayed in this little book. Strongly recommended.

CS Lewis does a wonderful job defining the four Greek words for Love. I would recommend this book most highly to the man (women are less likely to make this error) who thinks he needs no friends. Lewis shows the importance of friendship to a good life.

It Is One of those books that should be sitting on a coffee table. It defines the various types of pure love: agape, venus, and storge to name some. It truly defines where the 'heart' is and perhaps defining the brotherly love, the parental love, or the true love...



Susan Saige

Within this work, Mr. Lewis is quick to point out the inherent difficulty with regard to the concept of love facing individuals whose native tongue is English. That is, it is easily recognized that there exists an extreme deficit when one applies the same word to describe the sentiment shared with one's spouse, as well as their favorite food. In such extreme cases of difference in terms of the word's application, clarification is hardly needed and might be written off as an embellishment about that which one feels about, say, strawberries or chocolate. However, other instances are more difficult to write off as a poor choice of words; such as, love for friends, family, a spouse, and God. One must surely agree that the sentiment in each of these instances of love can exist and be experienced in significantly different ways. While love is the umbrella under which all of these sentiments rest, they are, as far as most people can tell, very different things. That being said, it is lucky for the reader that Mr. Lewis, almost immediately, circumvents the language barrier and begins to illustrate the foundational understanding which must be apparent for further exploration of the concepts of love to proceed. For those who have struggled with this, even the simplest concept of love's significance, as this reviewer has, the first chapter alone is worth the price of this work's purchase.

Building upon a necessary base of knowledge, Lewis begins to explore the nature of love beginning with that love which might be the gray area between the words love and like, or either of the two, as spoken in the English language. Lewis continues his endeavor by tackling what people often consider the more significant forms of love such as friendship, erotic love, and the love of and for God. While no attempt will be made here to convey the significance of the final chapter regarding actual Love in fear of diluting a brilliant message, each of the chapters leading up to that point share common threads. That is, Mr. Lewis illustrates the difficulty which can be had with love in any form if left to our own devices. This illustration is achieved in the author's typical fashion of profound analogies and appeals to common experiences. One can be certain that while this recognition of the volatility of human love is of extreme importance, it is the overriding concept that only by surrendering these loves to Love that one can achieve happiness, solace, and purity in Love which makes this work unquestionably valuable to those that are fortunate enough to read it.

This is a classic work.
It is short and still covers many attributes of God.
What's so good about this book, is authors ability to give comprehensive and interconnected view of divine attributes; to show how they are connected and do not oppose each other.

I would recommend this book for everybody.
It's easy to read and will cause you to rethink your relationship with God for better.

The Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer is a must read for every Christian. He seems to see into the heart of God and knows, as we all should, that God wants us to know Him and in knowing Him worship and serve Him. The book has short chapters each on something "True about God" and the essential first chapters explain why we need to think rightly about God, anything short is idolatry. As I said, the book is essential reading with an open Bible next to it for all Christians, young and old.
In Jesus
steve

This is a book about the attributes of God. Tozer does an outstanding job of pointing us to God by recalling those things which the Bible says are true of God Almighty.

A few ideas Tozer repeats throughout the book. These ideas are:

1) Modern man has lost the vision of the majesty of our God, and the first step to aquiring it is to determine to "Aquaint ourselves with God".

2) In attempting to see God the way that He truly is, we must believe in order that we may understand, not the other way around.

3) That God is unitary in His being and that all of His attributes work together perfectly without conflict with each other. Also, since God is infinite then all of His attributes are infinite as well.

I read a chapter from this book daily, and my hunger for His presence has certainly increased as a result. This book has helped me to see how futile I am in myself and how pride and worldliness are my biggest hinderences to drawing near to the Lord. This book will help you to see that nothing else in life really matters in comparison to our Almighty God.

AW Tozer is the best at anthropomorshism, which is the abilit to explain the unexplainable in terms understandable. This concept is almost beyond reason but after reading "The Knowlege of the Holy" I have experienced it.

This is the best book for those wanting to better understand God. It's also perfect for those who are struggling with their spiritual life. Tozer' gift is the ability to explain God's attributes in very simple terms.

It's a timeless book. I keep several copies on hand and use them for spontaneous gifts.

some have marked Tozer as a writer and theologian who took a rather "mystical" look at God and the things of God, but this book's beautiful prose serves not to mystify God but to make Him more understandable to the human mind. It helped me in seeing what it meant that He is lovely.

This is a beautiful book, and from my experience, you will not find it in stores for less than $60. It was delivered on time, in perfect condition, and cost a lot less (including shipping), than it was in stores. This makes a beautiful gift or addition to a personal collection.

C.S. Lewis was certainly 1 of, if not the most, thought provoking theologist of the last century. As a former atheist/current agnostic, I will say, his is the only sensible argument for Christianity I've ever come across. Of course his prose is as always thoughtful, intelligent, & often humorous.

the seller got the book to me promptly - i have not had time to read it yet - it's in the to be read pile...it appears to be in good condition.

The detail and depth of arguments is incredible. The presentation is equal and fair to both sides but leaves no doubt of the ultimate truth. I especially enjoyed the allusions by the author to time period events and situations. ie. WWII and English manners.

To have in one place the works of one of the greatest minds of the Twentieth Century is to have a treasure in ones hands. The logic of Mere Christianity is so close that it leave little wiggle room for the deepest of intellects. The satire of Screwtape Letters is hilarious but pointed and so true to life. Miracles is another apologetic as well as the Great Divorce. One needs this volume at hand and needs to read its content from cover to cover to even start to say that they are an educated person. For me Lewis is one of the greatest writers of all time, and a theologian without all the trappings of obscurantism. Enjoy the exercise of mind and heart in reading these classics.

The intricacy with which the author compares his job as a sheep farmer with the love of God opens one's mind to the all-incompassing work of the heaven Father on our behalf. However, just as he used his experiences to describe the shepherd's work which gives the reader a broader prespective of the attributes of God, I would have liked a little more of the mini steps that we, as sheep, can use to gain spiritual growth and be overcomers in the faith.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 This is a wonderful book. I have always loved Ps 23 and this book gives a clear meaning to what David was writing. I highly recommend.

I did not read the book right off but put it on a shelf. When I did start to read it I finished it in 2 days. It is really easy reading..it pulls you in the story and you feel like you are taking the journey with the shepherd yet you also begin to see yourself as the sheep and how Jesus is taking care of you. You get the views of both the shepherd and the sheep. It is a great book to give in lieu of cards or in addition. I gave copies to friends who lost loved one..when you don't know what to say but want to say something...the book speaks volume without speaking too loud. Many write that it's great for leaders of the church but it is also a great bedtime story for children. The sheep and what happens to them is great and the children learn the Psalm 23 in the process. It has helped me explain a grandparents death and child neglect to a child of one of their friends. The shepherd not taking care of his sheep as one stories is told was great explaining to a 5 yr. old why a friend was taken from her parent..she actual got it an said the parent must have been like the shepherd in the book who did not take good care of his sheep. This is a great book to give to a parent, leaders in any setting to understand their role in caring for those that they are leading in someway. Best book I've read on Psalm 23.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Philip Keller is the perfect book for anyone who wants to understand the analogy of the relationship between an actual shepherd and his sheep and the relationship between Jesus, our Shepherd and us, the sheep. Each sentence of Psalm 23 is explained from both perspectives. The earthly applications bring light to the spiritual truths.
I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old in the faith. It is as good as any devotional, always pointing back to the Savior and Shepherd of our souls!

The 23rd. Psalm is certainly one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. Despite that fact, author W. Phillip Keller adds new depth and meaning to it as he shares his experiences as a shepherd as they relate to Psalm 23. He shows us that a good shepherd is sufficient for all of a sheep's needs if he will but follow and obey him. He describes how a shepherd sets up a cast sheep (one who has fallen on his back)on his feet just as our Good Shepherd can set us up on our feet after problems. He tells the reader the importance of the shepherd providing water and good food for a sheep just as God provides us with physical and spiritual nourishment. I would recommend this book to anyone--believer and non-believer alike, and to anyone who is going through tough times and needs reassurance of God's love and guidance.

This book is deeply moving, inspiring and challenging. Thomas a Kempis lays out what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus, not just an adherent or a church-goer. The simulated conversations with Christ in the book are especially powerful. Aside from the Bible, no other book has touched and moved me like this. Highly recommended reading.

Why claim trinkets when you can read one of the best devotionals on the market. I use it to keep my daily life in check, to remember to have the right focus and to live what I believe. This is the top of the charts for a "Christian" work. Brother A'Kempis was a great instructor and a wise disciple. So much of todays mediocre fluff is twisted by society, self centeredness and lazy Christianity where the thinking is done for those who don't see the value in meditation and self examination. Next to the Bible, this is my favorite work.

This wonderful book was written by the priest Thomas a Kempis in the 1400's and is very reminecient of the Apostle Paul's writings by encouraging readers to live a simple spiritual life. It recommends that peace is found in the heart of the humble and that in overcoming the ego you overcome the world. Joy is found in a quiet conscience and you are only happy when you have done what is right. This may also be the original source of the advice to choose the less of two evils. It also warns that pleasure and desire carry the seeds of sorrow. This book is spiritual focusing on living the inner life and not getting entangled with the world. A must read for all Christians or anyone on a spiritual path.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's a slow read, but not difficult - there's so much packed into these 280 pages that you'll have to take your time to get it all.

This is not a review of the book per se (just got it, have not read it yet), but thought I needed to share this. Book arrived with another book (a textbook) in the usual Amazon box, each laying side by side. It was left out in the rain for most of the day by the local carrier until I brought it inside. The entire box was soaked and ruined, tape fallen off and box literally gaping open, all of the paperwork inside was falling apart in pieces and soaked, my textbook was completely ruined (soaked through, wavy wet pages etc - got returned), yet this book was absolutely dry - not a trace of even a microdrop of water - perfect condition. Take away whatever message you want...

La biblia Cronologica es una biblia muy clara y presisa. Es una buena inversion para aquellos que quieren entender y vivir cada pagina de la palabra de Dios. Uno siente como si estuviera dentro de cada hecho que ocurre. De verdad se las recomiendo. Al igual La biblia de Joyce Meyer.

This is a wonderful book, easy to read, logically arranged, and provides a better understanding of the Bible.

.....you wanted to read the entire Bible, this is the way to do it. Being chronological, scripture is drawn from various books as best they could determine in sequence. Makes for a great story and allowed me to put things in perspective.

I first started reading The Daily Bible over 15 yeards ago and I continue to do so today. I can think of no better version to use as a daily bible. Being arranged chronologically, gives a better understanding of the history of God's dealing with mankind. In addition, reading the various writings in their historical context is a great aid to understanding why these inspired men wrote what they did. I keep several copies of The Daily Bible on hand and give them to those who I meet that are sincere students of God's word.

This is great tool for daily bible readings. You can read the bible thru in a year. Loved it and I ordered 2 more after receiving mine.

In starting to write a review of Jehovah Unmasked, I find myself at a loss for words. In my own personal experience, there have been few if any books that have made as deep an impact on me as this one. I simply cannot adequately express how important this book can be not just for everyone's personal life, but how it has the power to truly transform this world into a place you wouldn't even recognize from today's spiritually jaded wasteland.

Through the plentiful use of quotations straight out of the Old and New Testament Bible, author Nathaniel Merritt unmistakably demonstrates that the Jehovah of the OT could not possibly be the same "Heavenly Father" that Jesus spoke of in the NT. The contrast is in fact so stark, that one has to stop and seriously ask why the Old Testament God wasn't dethroned 2,000 years ago. This is clearly not the loving God that millions of Christians THINK they worship today. He is nothing less than a raging, vindictive, bloodthirsty maniac who violates his own commandments on a regular basis. And yet millions of Christians continue to believe that this is the One True God. The cognitive dissonance that resulted from this failure to recognize the obvious has probably caused more inner turmoil than any other single thing in history.

There are so many "gems" in this book, I cannot begin to number them all. But just to give you a clue as to what I'm referring to, I quote the following paragraph from page 111:

"Just as 'you are what you eat' so too 'you are what you worship.' Ideas have consequences. Ideas have psychological consequences, societal consequences, and spiritual consequences. If the god you and your sect worship is a petty, angry, egotistical, mercurial, raging, murdering, irrational despot such as Jehovah, that is what you and the members of your sect will eventually become. If the god you worship indulges in murderous fits of rage, so will you and the members of your sect. If the god you worship shifts the blame for the woeful condition of the kosmos it fashioned onto your narrow shoulders, and tells you that you are born sinful, wicked, and fit only for hell-fire and damnation, your inner self will be fragmented and burdened with terrible guilt and self-loathing."

Contrary to what many people may believe upon reading this, Merritt is not exhorting his readers to become godless atheists. He is only revealing that the emperor god Jehovah, who has held sway over mankind for thousands of years, has no clothes. He is a pathetic thing, frankly far more worthy of our derision than our respect, much less our adoration.

Merritt DOES give us an alternative, as did Jesus. However, this alternative of a truly loving, infinitely merciful God, who only asked us not to sin, but didn't threaten us with eternal damnation if we occasionally slipped up, threatened the religious establishment. The early Gnostic Christians simply wanted to experience this perfect God of Love personally, but the Church of Rome couldn't allow this. This was because they, quite simply, wouldn't be needed anymore as an intercessor between man and the wrathful, punitive Jehovah-god. The Church slyly offered Jesus as a "way out" of perdition, but only if you accepted the premise that you are a sinful creature, inevitably cursed by your blood descent from Adam, the original sinner who dared to try to find out what was good, and what was evil.

I could go on and on, but then I would be writing a book myself. Spare me the trouble and just buy this book and read it for yourself. If you read it with the intention of "disproving" the author's points, you will learn nothing. You will only be condemning yourself to the same-old doctrine-infested "old time religion".

Emerge from the Darkness and come out into the Light. The water's fine out here.

This book highlights an age old belief in the demiurge (craftsman or creator). Alternative Gnostic names for the Demiurge include Yaldabaoth, Yao or Iao, Ialdabaoth and several other variants. The author must be applauded for bringing forth the following information to enlighten specifically those who have influence of a Judeo-Christian background:

The flawed Character of Jehovah depicting an evil and malevolent deity comparison to the devil himself (much evidence eg 1 Chronicles 21:1 and 2 Samuel 24:1, yet page 171 "may or may not" shows uncertainty to this position)- The Divine Feminine - The formulation of the bible and its corruption by Jewish and Catholic authorities - The murder & destruction of Gnostics, Gnostic views and manuscripts - Gnostics as being the true Christians - The widely held belief and acceptance of reincarnation and the suppression of this by the Catholic Church (excellent sources provided) - `Monkey see monkey do' I.e. humanity following in the footsteps in the sins of the father (Jehovah); Jehovah as an evil, malevolent role model for humanity. A look at the other reviews for this present work will provide numerous scriptural references for that which I have just mentioned.

Of special interest to myself was page 116 of this book. Herein is described the book of Genesis comprising two sources; one from the Elohist source and one from the Jehovist source. The author points out that within the Elohist document we find the religion of the northern tribes (Israel) who worshiped the God El and his underling elohim. The Jehovist document describes the evil and bloodthirsty Jehovah or Yahweh. It is stated that "in the 5th century B.C. Jewish priests combined portions of the J and E documents, adding some of their own thoughts, which are referred to as JE Documents". It is unfortunate that the author of this book did not provide further sources of information to corroborate this information, as this is a pivotal point, especially as this present book contains much repetition needlessly clamouring for authenticity. My own studies reveal that the God El has its roots in Armenia Mesopotamia. It is interesting to note that the wife of El is Ashtoreth, the mother of the Gods; interesting in that Ashtoreth is suppressed in the Old Testament in sync with the suppression of the Divine feminine. Also interesting to note is that Baal is the son of El. Further study is needed in clarifying sources and linking all of this with the Gnostic position of the seven Cosmo creators. H. P. Blavatsky in the `Secret Doctrine Vol 1' pages 136-152 provides information towards the Gnostic view of the 7 Cosmo creators, inclusive of correlation with the Bhagavad-Gita.

Firstly according to Gnostic understanding there are levels in the way scripture can be read I.e. Exoteric, mesoteric and esoteric. I've even heard it said that there were 3 bibles written in correlation to this. With this in mind, even with the acceptance of corruption, it is advised to not chuck the baby out with the bath water. Example: firstly the genesis story is not particular to the Jews. Second there is an esoteric side to the rendering of Genesis, inclusive of `spiritual death'. The author maligns the genesis story in sink with literalism, yet on page 173 slams Christians and Jews for using the "grammatical historical method" in interpreting scripture. The author does end the book admonishing to see beyond literalism (Archetypes etc) but this is a little too late when it comes to his maligning of the Genesis account.

Sin and sinners: even Gnostics acknowledge sin and the need for repentance and right moral conduct. It should be noted that there is an esoteric perspective on sin which is beyond the scope of this review.

Gnostic > knower. (Mythomania & the Gnostic egoic also require either the blade or fire). This goes beyond intellect. For those of understanding and insight, it is apparent when an author has Gnosis and when an author has merely an intellectual understanding of Gnosis; to the following next two points does this also apply (To transcend the physical body is to know of the reality of which I speak).

Hell: The author does not accept the reality of this realm. A study of most religions will reveal that this is widely accepted. See also the Divine Comedy and journeys of Emanuel Swedenborg etc.

Acceptance of Homo_exuality: The deeper work of Gnosis usually reveals a divergence at this point. See recommend book review inclusive of work with Divine Mother Kundalini, + - polarities.

Buddhism: The author states that he is disillusioned by his experiences; personally I have found that there is a good deal of correlation with the Gnostic work. I am aware that there are different schools, but once again filtering for that which is needful is always a good method.

Easy street, now that Jehovah is out of the picture: No such luck, the work just got harder since this Pandora's Box got opened. Take up thy cross and follow me is the admonishment. Readers are now required to ask "So what do I do now" especially in light of the revelation of the Gnostic work. Unfortunately the author only alludes to the NT Christ and book recommendations found in the last pages. This admittedly is a good start, especially Stephan A Hoeller's website and products. Still this only gives an intellectual understanding of Gnosis and sides with stagnant results similar to most in the 4th way school. The present author states in his book that the Gnostic can function on his own, citing the biblical reference of 'not needing any to teach you'; Good luck! Most adepts are of an order/school, empowered and helped; a sincere heart, willing to sacrifice all to obtain the great pearl, will always find a way.

Recommend Reading as a next step to go beyond the mind and exoteric gnosis:
Gnosis I, II, & III by Boris Mouravieff

Discover the truth about Judeo-Christianity and learn what true Christianity both was and is. The book is hard-hitting, pulls no punches. Answers the age-old riddle of how a flawed and suffering universe can be the creation of an all-good and perfect God.

I have read this book from cover to cover twice. I have shared it with my family and friends. They have been amazed. The truths contained in this book are mind altering, reality shaking and will absolutely turn your world upside down and inside out; in a very good and positive way.

Of course it will be scary at first to learn that everything you ever thought about the Old Testament God Jehovah was completely wrong, but once you embrace the truth about the loving Heavenly Father of Jesus and the you realize the Jehovah is a benefaker of jibes...

The amazing thing is that all this truth comes directly out of the bible. It becomes crystal clear once you can allow your mind to accept that even perhaps the God of the OT is not the TRUE GOD MOST HIGH.

Isaiah 14:1-28 tell it all so clear who is the creator of the world and the cause of all the suffering. Read the book and you will see for yourself.

Nathaniel Merritt has tackled The Problem of Jehovah, and has done an excellent job in uncovering the true nature of the Judeo-Christian "God". I found it very interesting to read the other reviews of this book. The reviews were quite revealing, in regard to the particular mind-set and prejudices of each reviewer.

I was brought up to believe that Jehovah was the One and Only True God, and, that he was also The Father, the God of Love, that Jesus proclaimed. Even as a child, I found it hard to reconcile the harsh, jealous God of the Old Testament with the loving Father of Jesus, as described in the New Testament. I found it hard to love this bloody, demanding God. Fear him - Yes. Love him - No. As I grew older, I noticed, as Merritt pointed out, that the majority of Christians that I knew acted more like Jehovah than Jesus.

The most insidious thing about religious programming is that it casts a veil over the mind, and it is extremely difficult to overcome. Reading about the terrible and destructive exploits of Jehovah should set off an alarm in any "normal" person's head. This is our loving Father?

Over the last 25 years, I have spent an inordinate amount of time in Biblical research. What I discovered shocked and disturbed me, but, it - definitely - lifted the veil. Along the way, I found out that the majority of educated Jews that I came in contact with don't believe that major portions of the Old Testament are Literal. They look at them as Allegory. I look at them as Horror, and unfit for children, as well as for adults.

Merritt's efforts in this book are reminiscent of the child in the children's story, "The Emperor's New Clothes". The child in the story loudly proclaimed that the Emperor was, in fact, naked ... It was all a con job, and the people were too intimidated to speak up. Like the child, Merritt is not deterred from speaking out the truth.

Nathaniel Merritt deserves a place of honor among his peers, the Honest biblical scholars who have risked it all in the name of truth. Do yourself a favor. Read this book.

P.D. Ospensky as a teenager decided to forgo an academic education and instead to search for or hidden knowledge. His search lead him to study Theosophy, to travels in the East, to India, and such. Yet, he remained dissatisfied with what he found. Little did he know that he would find what he was looking for (The Miraculous) in a teacher who showed up from the East in his very own Moscow!

This book is about Ouspensky's experiences learning from this teacher, a mystic and very strange one at that, G.I. Gurjieff.

Gurjieff teaches Ospenskys things he never knew, gives him experiences he never thought possible. This book is Ouspesnky's gift to us from of what he learned and experienced.

Certainly, this book works mostly on the intellectual mind, and yet, Ouspensky frequently tells us that we must find an 'emotional state' and that, my friends, is 'The Work'.

This is easily the most important book I have ever read, and afterwards, I could lo longer see the world the same, or live my life in the same way.

If I was forced to have only one book, this would be it. Not for the Herd or Lazy. No fluff around the edges, tells it like it really is.

Written during the outbreak of the First World War in Russia, this book presents an interesting view of humanity in the context of the European war. One should take into account the propositions of Ouspensky's school of thought and see how relative they are in the context of our global 'war on terror'. Thus, the book stands the test of time and will continue to be discovered and re-discovered.

This work is powerful not just for the growth of one's own being, but also for how we see that the programs that control the population in turn create an unhealthy, unbalanced society. Overall, a treasure containing a wealth of knowledge.

P.D. Ouspensky's "In Search of the Miraculous" is one of the most profound and one of most memorable books that I have ever read, and it is most certainly the must-read. Not only that, it also forces one to question one's reality, self-identity, actions, and surroundings. With each time that I read this book, I began to notice the number of little false "i's" that popped up in my being. Every little lies that I ever believed were being exposed. And, my understanding of the world that we are living in has changed in such an enormous way and with such a powerful impact. This book certainly changed my perspectives of life and the understanding of who I am.

I would highly recommend "In Search of the Miraculous" as it is most insightful book of Gurdjieff's unique teachings ever written. It is clear written yet certainly tough to take in. It is also comprehensive on the profound theories as well methods of the mentioned teachings.

Reading this book is most certainly the first step towards being awake and becoming aware of oneself and one's surroundings. Before reading Gurdjieff's three books and any Fourth Way literature, "In Search of the Miraculous" is a great introduction to the unique concepts and the esoteric Work.

This devotional is wonderful. It is a great way to get some in-depth study for a devotional time. It will enlighten and deepen your walk with God in a very real way. It is a great book to give you more in-depth study, but to apply it to your every day life.

This book is a powerful learning tool that enhances the reader's experience into God's word. The book is a 365 day devotional that takes readers into a deeper look of our English words through the Greek language. This is an exceptional read that truly touches and moves the believer to stir up the fire for Jesus inside of themselves. I recommend this "gemstone".

This daily devotional is excellent. It has The Word, it has the definition of The Word, it has a daily prayer to pray, a daily declaration to declare, and a list of questions to ask yourself.

It is a comprehensive, truth revealing, life changing study/gem.

I have bought 8 to give to others. It is the only daily devotional/study book that I have actually greatly anticipated reading and done so on an ongoing basis.

It is an excellent tool and investment for your life.

This book is the best devotional I have ever read.It has really been a blessing in my life.I received this book as a gift it was such a blessing to me a purchased one for my Pastor and I also recommended it to several friends.This book is a must for any Christian Library.

After my daily Bible reading or study, Sparkling Gems is an added delight. From it, I can also prepare Teachings for small or large groups; I have also found that I hear from God in a very personal way at times..... Sparkling Gems is like no other daily devotionals I have ever experienced. It is a real Gem in one's life!
Marcia Guillen, Curacao, NA

I spent most of the 80s and 90s reading every spiritual text, Bible, Gita, Koran, etc etc I could find. This one says more with fewer words than any other holy book I know of. Golas proves that there are many routes to enlightenment and peace of mind, and his pithy ability to condense history's wisdom into less than 100 pages is truly legendary.
The end page, Even Lazier, has a few sentences that will remind you what really matters when you need it most. For instance, "What do you think it is that needs to be loved?", a perfect answer to every time you struggle with negativity in any form. The ultimate reminder is "No resistance". Once you read this book--takes an hour or two max, and is a lot of fun--you'll know how deep those two words really are.
No new age book yet has come close to the concision and relaxed optimism of the Lazy Man's Guide.
Not bad for a broke head writing in a Berkeley hotel in the late 60s.
But then, old JC was a nutty freak too, wasn't he?
Blessings and much love, Mr. Golas.
May you expand forever.

I was terribly disappointed to come across this preface-laden edition - complete with family photographs - of a little book that I had kept at my side constantly for many years. Blew a lot of my illusions. This guy really did seem to think he's someone special for writing it, whereas in fact it's so obviously channeled, and in channelled works you'd usually rather the writer remained as anonymous as possible. Thaddues Golas, the author, proceeds to treat the book almost as a kind of holy text (which it isn't) and rambles on, by way of introduction, for a number of extra redundant pages in the slightly pompous and loopy epigramic prose style which we accept as an integral part of the Guide itself, but don't therefore necessarily condone as a good or even consistent example of mainstream thinking. Golas seems to harbor that illusion, and appears really to have a guru-complex of sorts. The book itself, though, remains perfect in its way. Pity he couldn't have just left it in it's perfection, and stayed back in the wings paring his fingernails,and cashing in his royalty checks.

The recent reprint of this book has an addition of a short biography with photographs of the author. Included is a letter for readers that he wrote in his last years about how the book came to be and a few added thoughts he had towards the end of his life.

What I have learned from this book is that no resistence is the way to love people with charity; with full unconditional love. If you can look at someone for what they are, with all of their strengths and weaknesses and love them regardless of what is right or wrong, in fact, love them for what they are, for what you see wrong in them too then you have discovered what many call the Christ love and are no longer drawn to and imprisoned by what you might deny.

From reading this book it has become very clear to me that we become what we hate. The very thing that we fight against is what we become. The same with our government fighting against terrorism, it has become a federal terrorist. The terrorist fighting against unjust governments have become unjust. Self appointed protectors fighting against what they perceive as protecting the innocent have become the guilty.

It always works that way.... no resistence is the only answer, love that which you would hate and you will not become that. It appears that the universe is built to teach us compassion. Hate something enough and you are drawn to it like iron to a magnet, offering your soul to the very thing which you sought to deny and in the end becoming a perfect image of that which you tried to destroy.

The big joke is that because none of us see everything the same way many of the pretty or ugly colors that you might see upon others uniquely exist in your own mind alone because you have colored them that way. When you see injustice, cruelty, ignorance and stupidity most of what you see does not exist exactly the way you see it, sometimes far from the truth. When you fight the image upon the mirror of your mind it's the most dangerous enemy you can possibly have because the internal oscillations of hate and dislike reflecting off of the surfaces of your own judgments take on a life as your own personal phantoms capable of haunting you to the ends of your days, never vanishing until accepted and loved for what they are, for what you have created.

Fighting against another with hate is like offering your soul to the devil. You will be consumed by and become the very thing you sought to perish. In the end trading one for the other, you stand in its place. Do as you wish to diminish the problems in this world, but do it without the resistence of hate, replace it with accepting love or you will become that which you fight against.

The new edition is fantastic! I enjoyed reading how Thaddeus finally published Lazyman after many trials and tribulations. I'm not quite sure about the "love and pain" part which he wrote with his "earthly" mind...I'd like to see what others think about it.

The recent reprint of this book has an addition of a short biography with photographs of the author. Included is a letter for readers that he wrote in his last years about how the book came to be and a few added thoughts that he came to in latter years.

What I have learned from this book is that no resistence is the way to love people with charity, with full unconditional love. If you can look at someone for what they are, with all of their strengths and weaknesses and love them regardless of what is right or wrong, in fact, love them for what is wrong as well as right, then you have discovered what many call the Christ love and are no longer imprisoned by what you might deny.

From reading this book it has become very clear to me that we become what we hate. The very thing that we fight against is what we become. The same with our government fighting against terrorism, it has become a federal terrorist. The terrorist fighting against unjust governments have become unjust. Self appointed Bodhisattiva's fighting against what they perceive as protecting the innocent have become the guilty.

It always works that way.... no resistence is the only answer, love that which you would hate and you will not become that. It appears that the universe is built to teach us compassion. Hate something enough and you are drawn to it like iron to a magnet, offering your soul to the very thing which you sought to deny and in the end becoming a perfect image of that which you tried to destroy.

The big joke is that because none of us see everything the same way many of the pretty or ugly colors that you might see upon others in the world uniquely exist in your own mind alone because you have colored them that way. When you see injustice, cruelty, ignorance and stupidity most of what you see does not exist exactly the way you see it, sometimes far from the truth. When you fight the image upon the mirror of your mind it's the most dangerous enemy you can possibly have because the internal oscillations of hate and dislike reflecting off of the surfaces of your own judgments take on a life as your own personal phantoms capable of haunting you to the ends of your days, never vanishing until accepted and loved for what they are, for what you have created.

Fighting against another is like offering your soul to the devil. You will be consumed by and become the very thing you sought to perish. In the end trading one for the other, you stand in its place.