Helpful for those starting on a journey into spirituality
346934
The author pulls from various regions like Christianity and Buddhism to help explain concepts to the reader. I can imagine this book will be helpful to those just starting out on their journey into spirituality. I enjoyed the breathing exercises and found the dream interpretation info interesting. I firmly believe that we all create exactly what we need in our lives in order to grow, so we are all precisely where we need to be at this moment. Because of that I disagree with some of the things in this book. I think some of the bad choices for things like presidents were what we needed as a whole to jump forward in consciousness. Overall, didn't love it, but I can see it helping some people.
2822107
This book was encouraging and a great guide to begin a journey on the right path in terms of building a strong relationship with God and the spouse that has been prepared for us.
3753668
"Spirituality has mixed with capitalist culture to such a degree that there now exist a literal `economy of spirit' which is surprisingly easy to mistake for genuine spirituality."  The introduction lets you know that this is a very serious study about spirituality and the journey on the path.

Our fast food mindset has carried over to our search for spirituality.  There are many New Age gurus that offer instant or near instant transformation.  There are many superficial practices that promise enlightenment with little effort.  You will not find transformation quick or easy.

Eyes Wide Open is all about going very deep into the spiritual path.  The book explores the roadblocks and difficulties that one will encounter in seeking a truly enlightened life. There are many different paths and different practices that one can pursue.  It is important to understand how to investigate the different ones and to learn to judge which ones will actually take you where you want to go.

The book is really about the experiences of Mariana Caplan in her search for enlightenment.  She discusses many of her personal experiences - with a great deal of candor - and gives a very in-depth analysis and discussion of her journey.

You do not get very far into the book before you realize that seeking enlightenment is a life long process.  It is not to be undertaken lightly.

Ms. Caplan shares her vast knowledge and experience from her own journey.  This includes lessons from many teachers and gurus she met and studied with.

The book first explores the meaning of spirituality.  Next she tackles common traps the contemporary spiritual seeker will likely encounter.  Then the book delves into the proper attitude necessary to travel the spiritual path.  There is a through discussion of the ego and how problems which arise with respect to the ego.

This book is not light reading.  If you are going to gain the maximum benefit, it needs to be studied.  It is for the serious student who really wants to know what traveling the spiritual path is about.  The final chapter talks about the goal of spiritual enlightenment - to Grow Up.

Ms. Caplan gives a very detailed picture of what is involved in following a spiritual path of enlightenment.  If you read Eyes Wide Open, you will have a full appreciation of what it takes.
682485
I really enjoyed this book.  The author did a good job presenting how spirituality works in a 12 step program. I would recommend this book.
4624720
An enjoyable read that has provided guidance and answers. Detailed explanation of a proven methodology with results.  Good for those interested in initiating a devout and spiritual path -without being religious
2835470
This is a quick read, but this does a nice job looking at the common denominators of how spirituality fuels a person.
3991508
This book is truly one of the first texts I have read that enlightened me more so than the knowledge I gained when I had a strong spiritual experience with the creator. It really helped me to put things in a better perspective. Even if you have never felt the presence of God, this book has a vast amount helpful information for you to begin your journey towards knowing our Lord better. God Bless and I would just like to thank the author for feeling compelled to write this book!
1702432
This book helped to motivate me into seeking God more and focus into seeing into the spiritual realm. I hope to read more of his books.
3627274
I've found this book good at helping me get started seeking God when I'm overwhelmed. I still have to read the book all the way through, but others really like it.
4182759
This book is pretty basic and helpful to given you a better understanding of spiritual warfare. It has several examples and self reflecting questions to help you see what spiritual warfare may look like your own life. Also to open your eyes to more of what's going on around you if you are skeptical of it's existence.
367049
When this book fell into my lap, it automatically resonated inside me with what I had been learning/feeling (as an Initiate in a spiritual school) and helped me to understand MY feelings/beliefs of what I believe to be true Christianity; this is just my opinion.  This book is a great, "starter" although, you should have an open mind when reading it.
If you enjoyed this book, I would progress to "Gnosis of the Cosmic Christ (?)".  As a beginner, reading the Cosmic Christ first might be a little overwhelming.

Also, if you enjoyed these books, I would suggest researching a Spiritual/Initiate School in your area.  Use discretion when determining your school - find the best one for you.

I would not suggest this book for those looking for a traditional look at Jesus and Christianity.
2235357
The focus of this book is one's relationship with God. The author specifically suggests that he is not trying to "teach" anything but only encourage your own exploration into your personal relationship with the Lord.

If you are not of a religious mindset, you might find this book somewhat preachy. For those who are looking for a religiously spiritual read that focuses on what God means to you, then give this a try. I found the personal exercises to be enlightening.
2501392
There is an ancient practice in Celtic Christianity called the soul friend.  Essentially, it was the earliest systematized form of the contemporary practice of mentoring where one Christian seeks guidance, instruction or discipline from another Christian.  In many ways, Tammie Heads book More functions like a soul friend.  Head, a Christian woman who has overcome a great deal of adversity in her life, including a teenage shotgun marriage and escaping the sex trade industry, does not offer a treatise on Christian theology nor does she offer an organized plan for spiritual growth.  What she does offer is a conversation, a conversation about faith.  She is honest about her faults and struggles, especially those about her marriage and pride in ministry.  She does offer some thoughts and reflections on some spiritual disciplines that have been helpful to her, like intercessory prayer and reading scripture.  However the bulk of the content comes in the form of stories collected over a lifetime of spiritual peaks and valleys.  The ultimate goal of her book is simple: God can redeem any messy person and turn him or her into a glorious spiritual miracle.  The chapters do not necessarily follow any particular progression but function more like informal conversations around a dinner table or in a coffee shop.  There is a lot of good stuff here, a buffet of stories and insights that can benefit readers in only one chapter doses or in reading the entire book at once.

As basic and conversational as this book is, there are a few faults that I had with it.  For the most part, these are fairly small details, however I think they are worth noting.  First, there are a few places where the author refers to her readers as daughters of God.  Now, I get itvery few men are going to read this book; it is written more for women.  However, as a male reader and as one who gets aggravated when male writers assume only men will read their books, I think Head does herself a disservice by assuming that only women will read her book.  As I mentioned above, there is a lot of good stuff here that can benefit any reader, regardless of gender.  Second, the author gets a little repetitious in some of her comments and stories.  This was not so much of a returning to stories in order to continue telling them as much as it was repeating stories as if that particular story had not been told previously.  Thirdand this one is a little theologicalthe author mixes or equates the roles of God and Jesus in a way that made me scratch my head a time or two.  From an evangelical perspective, I can understand the blurring of Trinitarian personalities because we teach them as one in the same.  However, from an academic perspective, this reflects a lacking in biblical and theological competency that is problematic, especially for skeptical, unchurched readers.

Overall, I think this is a good book that will a helpful read for those who are looking for some encouragement on how God can turn our messes into miracles.
2079876
Obtained this book few years ago :D
Recommended to those who have above basic knowledge in spirituality.
Teaches how to materialize the things that you desire in your life <3
Good luck and be blessed :)
2718466
If you feel a sense of 'what now' in your life, a yearning for some new meaning, this is a great place to start. The book is, as it says, a practical guide, and covers all the traditional and some of the more mysterious aspects to spirituality, helping to make sense of it all. A very interesting read.
2273269
I am not a religious person but I'm on a pathway to become more spiritual.  I needed some sort of guidance and sort of a step-by-step manual and I found "Thirty-One Reasons to Praise" my perfect guide.  The book helped me day by day work towards my goal and helped me connect with how I was feeling and how it related to my spiritual path.  For the first time around, I did not fill out the journal exercise because I wanted to take my time to let everything set in since I'm new to this.  I am going to re-start the journal this month and actually write in it and I can use my thoughts to reflect back in in the future.  I recommend this book to anyone, no matter where they are on their path of life.
2264280
My yoga teacher recommended this book as a possible helpful resource for my lack of understanding about my kundalini experience. Mine was one of the unpleasant, even terrifying varieties, mentioned in this book. I have only just begun reading the early chapters, and sense already a positive exploration into the deeper aspects of kundalini will be possible through the reading.
The writing style is easier and more user-friendly than I had expected. For this I am grateful. As intuitive as I have become, I know this book contains valuable information, even wisdom for me, and likely others who have struggled in their spiritual stumbling, unsure, and unsteady in their practice. May the stories contained within guide us wanderers onto a more sure-footed path of awakened aliveness.