Interesting Read but not a Spiritual Guidebook by any means!
926878
It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. Months ago I ordered this book with excitement thinking it would be a good read in addition to the inspiration I usually feel upon reading biographies of buddhist leaders/practicioners.  What ensued was dissapointment. The book is well written and the author is not at fault however, I could not help but feel dissapointed with the story that unravelled within each page. I also hope that anyone who is interested in learning more about buddhism will not read this book and become discouraged. I should also note that if someone reads this book and finds great enjoyment from it, good for them! but I was left shuddering. Throughout the book it is noted how "Jetsunma" is no ordinary leader. Tales of manicures, hair salons, designer clothes and her selective phone calls/visits left me feeling sad. I do not wish to condemn anyone who takes part in the above listed activities/things, but in reading a book on a spiritual leader I don't approach it hoping to hear of someone who matches the shade of her lipstick to her manicured nails. I find that a lot of this book reinforces Western Principles that people seeking buddhism  hope to change in their life. Yes, buddhism in the west will develop quite differently  than in the East. This does not mean that we can throw all Eastern teachings out the window. There is something to be said for a spiritual teacher who empasizes a life of simplicity and non-adorment so for "Jetsunma" to be a walking model of the complete opposite just does not work well for me. Instead of "Buddha from Brooklyn", I highly recommend "Cave in the Snow", a much more inspiring, less questionable story; one that is full of true practice, hard work and meritorious activity.
525426
Priest of Nature is not an easy read. I learned less about Newton than I expected. Instead, I learned a great deal about how towering genius could spend endless hours delving into the Old Testament for clues about the meaning of various obscure prophesies and trying to pinpoint the second coming. Of course, all the interpretations of biblical language are speculative. Some are to be taken literally, some allegorically. In any case, they all come to nothing and seem to be a complete waste of Newton's time...and ours.

We do learn that the Catholic Pope is the anti-Christ, that Catholics are idol worshipers and that Roman Catholicism is the great apostasy. It is a wonder that the Catholic Church still exists!
2294016
Although all the other reviewers seem enchanted with this book, it was not what I was expecting. It's primarily descriptions of Dr. Ellerby's many episodes of enlightenment. Not only has he practiced each of the spiritual paths, he has also mastered most of them and experienced enlightenment too many times to count. Yoga, meditation, death practice, sacred service--you name it, and he's done it and experienced amazing spiritual insights while doing so. I was looking for more specific instruction, weighing of pros and cons, advice on which paths are more suited to which personality types, etc. As far as thoughts on how to live, I'd recommend something like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Peace Is Every Step" before this book. It did virtually nothing to enlighten me.
1221958
Now, I really enjoyed this book and all, but if you are the type of person that does not like to read books that are spiritual (I don't really read spiritual books too often myself) then I don't think that I would recommend this book to you.

This book describes the experiences of a psychiatrist with a patient, Catherine. It delves into the psychiatrists use of hypnosis to get Catherine to experience these regressions into past lives, where the psychiatrist races her through each timeline, trying to find out the important lessons she learns within each,

*SPOILER*

and after her death gets to speak with her superconscious which is described as being a part  of her unconscious being that has a higher level of understanding of life and death than the conscious Catherine, and the Master Spirits who use Catherine as a channel to reveal truths about life and death to her psychiatrist.

*SPOILER OVER*

Catherine even is described as gaining some psychic abilities, as her psychiatrist says that she reveals truths about his father and son that no one else could know about, so he decides to believe in this parapsychology that she spits out while in a trance.

This book was definitely interesting and not a difficult read, except for when the Master Spirits were speaking, but it was a little unbelievable that Catherine could have 86 past lives, even with some references that Brian Weiss included to reincarnation being rooted in Hinduism and Jewish mystical writings.

But if you would enjoy reading about reincarnation and spirituality as experienced by a psychiatrist and one of his patients, then by all means, read this book.
2817286
I have to echo the sentiments of another reviewer. I thought I was going to read a totally different book. Surfing can be a spiritual experience for sure, one that doesn't have to be tied to a specific religious dogma, but this book is all about selling one belief, Christianity, not the spiritual exercise that surfing has the potential to be for everyone.

I was expecting to read about the inherent spirituality in surfing itself when it's just you and the water or to read the stories of surfers from many different religious backgrounds and how the spiritual aspect of surfing enhanced their personal religious experience, but instead I got a book about Christianity that just happened to be by surfers. It's like when you roll up to a new local skate spot and after you get there and you just want to skate, you see it's being run by some youth ministry who doesn't care about skating just about trying to sell you a bill of goods. Bummer.

I have no problem at all with anyone's beliefs including those of the people who did this book and if I had know what it was going to be about in the beginning I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. They just need to be a bit more up front about what the book is because it feels purposefully deceitful to me, that's all. I've seen a bunch of surfing books by Buddhists, but those are all pretty explicit about what you're getting, either in the title or the product description. This one didn't get to the truth of it until the reviews, but when I got this I didn't have the benefit of the reviews first.
2193315
I was excited to receive Miss Gaines's book, "The Four Spiritual Laws Of Prosperity" because I am
always in search of greater awareness around Universal Laws, Consciousness and Spiritual Principles that
help people lead fuller and more enriched lives.

I must say that I was very disappointed with so much emphasis on 'tithing' and especially the idea of it
being a Spiritual Law.

Tithing, is not a Spiritual Law; it's a man made concept based on loosely interpreted Biblical scripture having
to do with the universal law of "Giving and Receiving"--which speaks to the movement of energy and the
necessity of keeping it in continual circulation...yes, it can apply to money, but it also pertains to the
gifts of giving one's love, attention, prayers, appreciation to and for others...and receiving in return.

I don't mean any disrespect, but I can't help but be slightly amused by some of the stories relayed in
the book--some of which come across as completely incredulous.

For example: There's the story about Jill (Page 41), the woman who, as Ms. Gaines decribes, was
virturally penniless, evicted from her apartment, forced to move into a trailer with no running water,
heat or electricity. All of that changed miracuously when Jill attended Ms. Gaines's prosperity
seminar. Wow...talk about quantum results!

Here's a woman who didn't know where her next meal was coming from...stumbling around in a dark trailer,
with no money and suddenly decides to attend Ms. Gaines's seminar and shortly thereafter begins tithing...
and voila! The sun comes out, birds begin chirping on her window sill and her life becomes magical...but wait,
Jill decides to stop tithing and once again she hits the skids.

Come on people...what do you suppose the moral of this story is?  When you stop tithing to God you'll
probably be punished and wind up back in the proverbial gutter--disgracefully returning to that dark,
cold trailer and getting your water from your neighbor's outdoor spigot?

I won't even insult your intelligence by asking where Jill could have possibly gotten money to tithe when
she wasn't able to have her water or lights turned on at the time.

No matter how many Biblical quotes are tossed about to justify tithing or one's belief in tithing..
it makes no sense whatsoever to start a practice of giving 10% of your money away when you are barely
able to take care of your basic needs or that of your family.

It's rather off putting for the author to imply that unless you are tithing you will not receive the
bounty of God's abundance and blessings.  Ridiculous!

Out of curiosity, I visited Ms. Gaines's website simply to check out what people who are practicing
her "Four Spiritural Laws of Prosperity" were saying...what results were they achieving?...in their
own words.

How has tithing, in particular, changed their lives; accelerrated personal incomes; brought about
blessings and good fortune?

Well, sorry to report that there isn't a single "testimonial" featured.  What better way to showcase how
these 'Laws' are helping others lead prosperous lives than to do so by way of testimonials? Seems odd.

This review is not meant to put down Ms. Gaines or anyone else for that matter who believes
that tithing is beneficial for them; however, I think it's important to stress that the mere suggestion
that one should tithe in order for the flood gates of Heaven to open up and unleash houses, cars,
money, gold watches, vacations, diamond rings, etc., etc., is not only irresponsible...it's outlandish.

Thomas Troward , Wallace Wattles and James Allen are far better choices for understanding and uitlizing
true spiritual/prosperity principles.

In conclusion, Ms. Gaines made some useful points on forgiveness and goal-setting, but otherwise the
book for me was a complete waste of time and money.
4576226
I read the road less travel and people of the lie. I guess I forgot a lot of what the Road less Travel was about. I don't really care for this book. It should read in part for all the Christians who have lost hope or faith should read this book. I found myself forcing the reading of this book. Its not what I expected. This book is great for those who follow religions but as a person who follows a philosophy and who is spiritual this is not the book for you. Unless you love God and Jesus then please read it.  Every other paragraph is about God or Christianity not Spiritual Growth.
3216187
Have you ever read a book recommended by someone only to be crushingly disappointed?
That's what happened to me! I was expecting the philosophy to be closely tied to exactly how the Bible is to be on its own terms understood. But this turned out to be a different, hetero-philosophy than the Bible could allow: God being ignorant about any subject.
The subject the author picks is: future free choices. This is a mystery to God's omniscient mind. He cannot know it except as "maybe this and maybe that or maybe not after all". Most of what God supposedly knows about our free futures is a big divine Maybe?
After all the casemaking and all the arguments and intellect and Bible quoting, I came away with "Maybe?" in the mind of God. In all my years as a Christian, I never imagined a deity who is limited in awareness of anything at all.
If you were to ask me before reading this, "Does anyone claiming to be Christian sincerely believe that anything is a Mystery, an Unknown or Unknowable to God?",I would have said no. I admit I was wrong. Looks like this writer is leading a small minority of renegade, fugitive, wayward seekers into just this system of philosophy.
I can only pray for the Holy Spirit's loving intervention to reach these brothers & sisters with what God Himself thinks about free futures, including theirs! Kyrie Eleison!
3759645
** This review refers to the audiobook **

I had high hopes for this audiobook but was so disappointed that I gave up after the 2nd CD (I think there are 5 in total). While I admire and applaud Ms. Armstrong's intent and her work in this area, I think the book's title is very misleading. I was expecting practical steps and exercises on leading a compassionate life and instead got an overly detailed religious history lesson. Yes, Ms. Armstrong is incredibly well versed in religious history, as she should be, but her ability to provide concrete steps on living more compassionately is really lacking here. I personally don't feel that an entire chapter/CD devoted to the history of teachings on compassion in the major religions is necessary in any way to becoming a more compassionate person. Leading a compassionate life is anything but an intellectual or scholarly pursuit. As Ms. Armstrong herself says 'you cannot learn to drive a car by reading about it' and in the same way, you cannot learn to be more compassionate by reading about how important religious thinkers viewed compassion. While it was somewhat interesting, it wasn't helpful or relate-able to my own life in any way. It was akin to buying a car manual and instead of steps on how to run your car, there is a history of the automobile. I kept thinking 'ok great, when is she going to get to the point??' And while it is a personal preference, I found something about her voice grating -- I suppose I was expecting a warm, encouraging voice and instead I found her distant and scholarly. Sorry to say but her writing style and tone also come across sounding very pretentious and pedantic.  I found the repeated etymology references particularly show-offy and unnecessary ("Look! I know the Greek root of educative, mythology, and compassion!") I felt as though I were listening to a religious history lecture rather than a useful guidebook. And after listening to almost 2 full CDs with no concrete steps other than 'learn more about compassion', I gave up. It seems that there are many others that rated this book highly so I can only hope that it did eventually improve.
2974929
This book was well written and I enjoyed the personality of the author but I had a hard time with the spiritual aspect. I was hoping for more tangible advice.
2479821
Well, i have to admit that as a student of spirituality from a universal perspective the name of this book was already tempting, and so i bought it without hesitation, but once ive began reading it i was clearly turned off by it and i thought about returning it, the reason for this is that the author is first of all misguiding us by calling this work "the universal laws of god" while in essence theres non of gods laws within it, those are only guideline given by this author as to how one should be initiated, as well as how one would be required to ascend, giving an example, He uses the terms initiation and ascension quite loosely however little does he really explain what do these terms mean, while it is ok if read by a person who is currently taking an initiation or an ascenion it is not so ok for the reader who is ignorant of the terms and came looking at this book simply because the name suggests divine lawfulness, which, again, are non to be found.
Still, I changed my mind and i decided to investigate deeper the terms he outlined in his book and it would seem he collected his information from a wide collection of works, and in essence he is speaking truth BUT , to recognize or understand this you would need to have a fair understanding of the terminology he will be using, which the author barely takes time to explain at all, he says that initiation or ascension are basically levels of light quotient reached in your spiritual body, and heck, how would a novice know even what exactly is this body he's talking about in the first place? he didn't explain at all, a person would have to research theosophy or from other works to understand anything about the bodies, the information is most likely TRUE but assumes that the reader knows or has already investigated much into the nature of his spiritual essence or being, IF you are educated ( which i assume can also be said as "Initiated " ) to a certain level where you are famillier with the different bodies, chakras, archetypes, sephiroth, zodiac signs and many many more things he's speaking about then this book can enlighten you, otherwise it will remain hard to understand because LIKE i said, you need to be famillier with the terms, he doesnt explain them or get into the different bodies and terms deeply at all.

Take an example... how would anyone know what does he mean by the word initiation??? Is it a level of education? A level of development? An affiliation or association with a certain group / sect / cult  or what?? Im into like page 50 but he didn't explain it and yet he threw the words initiation all over
Still, i give it 5 star because this book is very illuminating and despite that it seems the author made alot of research.

and, if you can get around his way of terminology then i guess you will be well served to read this book, otherwise its a jumble of terms that mean nothing to the uninitiated or unfamilliar.
2439966
There is no revelatory wisdom within the pages of this book, that you won't get just from studying scripture!  Bill Gillham does well on pointing out the believers status in Christ Jesus, however, he fails epically (my opinion) when it comes to the accountability of abuse within a marriage, he glosses over it with fluffy statements of putting on Jesus. The one nugget I thought he did well with was the concept of knowledge, the object of your faith page 227. In the end, I believe the result of this book is that the Title should read What Bill Gillham wishes Christians knew about Christianity.
3782963
Still informative if a bit more "spiritual" than I had thought
4539481
I am very disappointed with this book. In the description it says it is a spiritual book but in fact it is a hardcore, Christian, religious science-fiction. I was trying to be open-minded and really pushed myself to continue reading but after continuous mumbo jumbo nonsense, I stopped in the middle.
I think I am more angry with the description rather the book itself. If it's said that it is not a book for everyone, that's it's only for blindfolded, religious Christians, then I wouldn't have problem with it. I would have expected it's rubbish and then just didn't even consider reading it. This has nothing to do with spirituality! If you are looking for that, please consider Anthony de Mello. Even he was a Christian as well, everyone can actually learn a lot from his life lessons.
742939
I've read other books by Ferrell and this one is not her best for either organizational cohesiveness nor content.  She uses a lot of very old material, including resources that were published hundreds of years ago to make her points.  For a modern reader, it's difficult to assess such  materials and to evaluate if those facts are valid for today in understanding Freemasonry.  Far more coherent and interesting was her inclusion of first-hand information from someone who had completed the first three Masonic degrees.

WIth the above disclaimer noted, I need to change perspectives.  The most likely reader of this book is someone who has been told or believes that their family's past connections to Freemasonry can have spiritual impact on their lives today.  Can the Masonic oaths, the vows and the rituals that a previous ancestor made generations ago explain certain problems that you and your family are dealing with today?  Ferrell demonstrates that this  may indeed be the case, as the 1st Commandment promises that the iniquities of the parents may be visited upon the children for those who disobeyed God's laws and engaged with opposing spiritual forces.

So, while Ferrell's background presentations on the subject are a bit uneven her spiritual analyses and her instructions on dealing with Freemason legacies and curses are extremely powerful.  She includes several prayers to renounce and break their power to continue to inflict harm on unwitting descendants.  The content of these prayers respond directly to oaths made in Masonic initiations.  Additionally, she explains the power of Jesus' blood in overcoming such curses.
4067978
I was told by my friend's husband that this was a book about missionary experiences but it's really not--and it's very pithy, hard to read and it's not about that at all.  It reads like a theology book for seminary.  If that's what you're looking for--then go for it!  It was hard for me and decided not to continue after a couple chapters!  I told him I had read the book "Imagine Heaven" and I read him a part out of the book about a Hindu boy who was searching for the God of Light-that he read about in his father's Hindu holy book.  He had followed all the holy men's instructions to be able to find this God of Light but never was able to.  He was so despondent over this at the age of 16 that he was ready to kill himself because he had done everything in his religion to find the God of Light. As he was on the train tracks about to die, a voice came to him and said, "I am the God of Light you are searching for.  My name is Jesus"!  He had never met a Christian or read a Bible in his entire life!  Wow!  After I read this portion of the book to my friend's husband he told me I needed to read, Eternity in Their Hearts.  But it's really more of a theology book.  I was very disappointed.  Read "Imagine Heaven" by John Burke!  It's awesome!  It changed my worship of God in a very profound way!!
4153480
This text contains NO methodology, strategy, enumerated steps, or ideology of the systems listed in its (sub)title.

It DOES have good descriptions of various psychic/ esoteric phenomena and the practices of those so gifted or dedicated.

READ THIS BOOK IF: 1) you want a description of the powers of mind that were had by pre-Colonial Hawaiians, and the connection the author makes between some Hawaiian words and Spiritualism's base of concepts. These are interesting.

2) If you are like I was, searching for a skeptic's bridge to spiritual concepts. That's what I found. When I read this book, I was a newbie to this whole "taboo" genre. I read it, and thought it good, because I was not ready to take additional steps with my journey.

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF: all you're looking for is a practice-able, step-by-step Ho'oponopono. This book does NOT have that information! I wish I could tell you who has it!

Thinking back, I realize this book was a flower-bed in the median of the highway of personal transformation: nice to look at, but not necessarily worth spending all your time on it. Like I said in my review's title, it was written for a general American mid-1900s audience: one that needed "wow-factors", yet not comfortable with contemplating steps that may have led them away from their traditional Judeo-Christian heritages.