Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating, but not 100% satisfying.
Review: Having now read all three books in the series, I feel both fascinated and enlightened by these books. No one can say for certain whether or not these books were truly divinely inspired, but I came away feeling that much of it was, but not all of it.Book 3 briefly reviews many of the principles in Books 1 and 2, which enables the reader to catch up, or to begin here from scratch without missing too much. I found many of the ideas about "why we are here" in book 1 to be somewhat at odds with my own spiritual knowledge, but not entirely unconvincing, for it "solves" some puzzling theological problems. Book 2 was a disappointment, for it seemd to contain more human wisdom about world affairs than divine inspiration. I was thus reluctant to get Book 3, but one day in the bookstore I felt compelled to make the purchase. But book 3 has proven to be most fascinating. It tackles the nature of life and death, time and space, and how these relate to spiritual development. Missing, however, was one topic that I feel is central to most spiritual teaching, and that is spiritual healing. The book makes some implications in that regard, pointing out that we create our own reality. This is not too far afield from many metaphysical teachings that disease is an illusion from which we need to see past by gaining spiritual understanding. Unfortunately, Conversations With God limits its discussions on health to the popular human theories about eating right and keeping the environment clean. I would hardly call that divine inspiration. But, ironically, in the larger questions regarding the nature of life and death the book is much more convincing. It is an intellectual, mind-bending spiritual stimulation that will have you looking at life in a whole new way. It lays out why we are here, and explains life and death as it relates to time. In the spiritual realm, according to this book and many other teachings, time does not exist. Everything is literally happening at once. Life, such as this one wherein we experience the passage of time, is simply the way we experience eternity in little bite sized chunks to examine and experience in minute detail. When we die, we simply return to the realm where time does not exist, and we can start over again if we choose. Upon reading this explanation I seem to have lost my fear of death, for it was so completely convincing when added to my current level of spiritual knowledge. Even the voice of "God" admits that this book is being filtered through the author, so it is best viewed as a divine message interpreted through a human messenger, and subject to some degree to his own limited insight. But we need not concern ourselves over whether this is the literal word of God or not, for it tells us that we are all one with God and therefore have the message within ourselves already. That accords with many spiritual teachings, and that is how God is best revealed to us. Spiritual books such as this cannot find God for us, but they can open our minds and point out the way.
Rating: 
Summary: A New Point Of View
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It's an easy read, but it tackles some very important subjects. It really doesn't matter what religion you are - at best, you'll be inspired, and at worst, you'll get to learn someone else's way of seeing things. This book intrigued me and made me more conscious of the way I'm living my life. And it made for some great conversations with my friends and family.
Rating:
Summary: An uncommon book
Review: I avoided reading this book for a long time thinking that it would be just another pile of religious gibberish. But one day I picked it up in a bookshop and thought I'd sit down and leaf through a few pages to see why it was eliciting such rave reviews. A couple of hours later I was still stiting in the bookshop, mesmerised when closing time was announced. Before leaving I bought the entire series. I had found religion, especially western religions full of contradictions, dogma, and based on a disturbingly vengeful God. This book dispelled all those notions and made me realise that there was a place for an impersonal creative 'spirit' that will respond to our consciousness. It's an amazing book about unconditional love and forgiveness and tolerance and happiness and optimism. This book has the power to change lives. It certainly had a very profound impact on the way I view the world. Now I believe that religions aren't completely wrong... they are just distorted representations of the ultimate truth. And that has allowed me to examine their teachings with a more open mind and gain so much more from them. For a short while this book became my 'bible'. If you suspend intellectual judgement and only note the things you agree with rather than get distracted looking for loopholes this may well be the most transformative book you will ever read. If you want to look for contradictions go back and read it again a second time with a more critical eye. You will find some no doubt... but by that time your world view may well have already changed.
Rating:
Summary: The best investment and the best gift
Review: This is THE book that helped me finally achieve enlightenment. I've recommended this to many of my friends. The wisdom contained in this book cannot possibly come from just one educated human mind. Like any other book including the Bible, the Koran, the Buddhist sutras etc., it should be read in its whole context. I also remind myself that the words, even if they are all from God, are written, and therefore filtered, through the hands of an ordinary person. Nevertheless, it has given me the answers to ALL of the most important questions I have asked and searched for throughout my life. I have no more doubts nor fear. Read it. I am certain you will gain a lot. In terms of time and money invested, this would be the greatest investment you are ever likely to make.
Rating: 
Summary: Who would want to believe in such a God?
Review: After reading many reviews of this book and taking some time to explore them, I'm actually pretty shocked with regard to the lack of critical thinking done by those who champion this book. Let's say Neale DID received these ideas from God (which, for the record I do not believe): who would want to believe in such a god? A god for whom no consequences exist? No judgement? No wrath? Now many of us who live in the couched existence of the West find such ideas "silly" and only those that the "hate-filled" Christian fundamentalists believe. But these are concepts that reveal to us that God actually CARES. Take some time to meditate on the horrors that exists within our world-hatred, rape, genocide, torture, incest, etc., etc. Where is the justice for these victims? I do not understand how when all is said and done, Walsch's god offers us any justice at all. I know many in our culture are uncomfortable with ideas around accountability, judgement, and consequences, but it is only uncomfortable for those who see the sole end of life as being self-driven pleasure. For the rest of us, those concerned with issues that affect more than our own ego's, a god who consequences and judges is a good God in so far as He/She gives an actualy DAMN about what happens here in our reality. Ask yourself this question the next time you want to recommend Walsch's book to another: how much genuine hope would it bring an oppressed and impovershed family in India? I've read nothing in it that would. Walsch's god is a western construction of egoism and blind hedonism that is rooted in little more than an idolatry of self.
Rating:
Summary: cwg invites larger vision
Review: Rather than giving us the same sad story about ourselves--that we are powerless victims in the hands of a disaproving and angry God, these books invite us to a larger vision and a grander expression of our Divine natures.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing book!
Review: The words that came through Neale in this and his subsequent books are truly inspiring if the reader allows him/herself to be open. The purpose of this book is to bring the reader to a new level of understanding of his or her own truths. Those who criticize Neale's book choose to focus on specific words and refuse to look at the larger picture - the whole message! This is a characteristic of many people. We often refer to it as being narrow-minded. Read this and all Neale's books with an open mind and you will discover the amazing message that is being relayed to you. In fact, each time you read this book it will undoubtedly uncover new insights for you. When you realize that the message is that we are all one and that our spirits are connected and, in fact, are simply different aspects of the same Spirit, you understand that being selfish and selfless are the same thing. Remember "what you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me"? Anything you choose, when it comes from a perspective of your vision of the grandest version of who you are, will be not only in your best interest, but also in the best interest of all those affected by your choice. The key is to be aware of your vision and aware of your choices and how they affect you and others, then make conscious choices based upon who you are and the energy you wish to give out to the world. This book helps to create a new level of awareness and that will ultimately lead to a new level of consciousness for creating a new experience for you and for all.
Rating:
Summary: So what are we doing?
Review: I am in the believer camp - and I agree with the folks that say if everyone read these books the world would be a better place, and I agree with the folks that say we are responsible for ourselves, and a variety of the other positive comments - but what are we doing? How are we getting the message out, how are we sharing that we are all one? Are we being nicer to people in the grocery store? Are we not cutting people off on the highway? Are we working on the eco-system? I am looking for ideas to help make this a better place to be, to help us be HEB's....suggestions anyone? (I am not through book 3 yet, so if there are suggestions there, I apologize.)
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother caring about anyone else
Review: I guess this book is mostly attractive to Christians who have never questioned what they've been taught all their lives, and lived in fear of a wrathful god, and suddenly they're hit with what must seem at first like a bit of fresh air. (I'm not a Christian, although I was raised as one, so I didn't have the positive reaction that so many people have had to this book.) I think my main gripe is the "do whatever you want, other people don't matter" philosophy Walsch espouses. I do not agree with the author that selfishness is the highest good--I feel that compassion is actually the essence of the best of human attributes. Where have I heard this line before...: "The greatest among you shall be the servant of all," or words to that effect.
Rating:
Summary: warning....not based on the Bible
Review: Only gave it one star b/c you couldn't put 0 star's.
I didn't write this. It is from an email I was sent......... Important Message - Warning - Must read!!!
For those of you with children and Grandchildren:
Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, please pay special attention not
only to the what your kids watch on TV and in movie theaters and the
music they listen to ... but we must also be alert regarding the books
they read.
Two particular books, "Conversations with God" and "Conversations with
God for Teens," written by Neale Donald Walsch sound harmless enough by
their titles alone. These books have been on the New York Times best
seller list for a number of weeks. These publications makes truth of the
statement "Don't judge a book by its cover/title". The author purports
to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God." However
the ANSWERS that he gives are not biblically-based and in fact go
against the very infallible Word of God.
For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "why am I
a lesbian?" his answer is that she was born that way because of genetics
just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc.
Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences.
Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My
parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I
marry him?" His reply is "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because
you have done nothing wrong."
Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply - "I do
not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such
thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell
everyone. I do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another
and this is wrong because the rule is 'Judge not lest ye be judged'."
And the list goes on. Not only are these books the false doctrine of
devils but in some instances even quote (in error) the Word of God.
These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children (The
Scholastic Book Club) and we need to be aware of what is being fed to
our children.
Our children are under attack so I pray that you be sober and vigilant
about teaching your kids the true Word of God and guarding their
exposure to worldly media because our adversary, the devil, "roams about
as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
And how many of us know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest
and YOUNGEST of its prey.
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