A Simple Path

Rating:
Summary: To understand, rather than be understood.
Review: The book is perfectly titled. Mother Teresa's biographical information is minimal and the book does not canonize her. Apart from introducing the thoughts of volunteers who work with the Missionaries of Charity, her own words are few. What we find are simple views of a simple path, and beauty in simplicity. This is the not the story of a famous nun, it is the story of a way of seeing ones world and of living without self-focus. Mother Teresa, and those who work in the missions that she and others have established and conducted, convey an attractive invitation to service to others. The path has been set before us in the Gospels of Matthew (25:34-40) and Luke (10:30-37). This small volume contains no rancorous sectarian, philosophical, or theological arguments. The themes are peace, love, joy, and fearless devotion to the welfare of others. The simple path is well summarized in the words of St Francis of Assisi:
"Lord grant that I seek rather to comfort than to be comforted,
To understand than to be understood;
To love than to be loved . . ."
The book makes little mention of the opposing worldview, but I briefly will. The opposite worldview is the ever-popular celebration of slavery to self. There are, of course, many variations on this theme. One notices how offended, even angered, the culture of self can be when it is rejected, in this case by Mother Teresa. Articles and books have been published which denigrate her, and she has been called a hypocrite. I doubt she terribly cared. A sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan children's home in Calcutta reads in part:
"People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered,
Love them anyway
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,
Do good anyway . . .
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,
Do good anyway . . ."

Rating:
Summary: Makes you think?
Review: This book is about Mother Teresa and all the work she has done in her life. He states all the foundations that she has created and all the volunteers she has encouraged to help. I have never read a book like this before. It makes you feel like nothing in your life has ever been wrong, nor will anything ever compare to the turmoil that these poor people go through and will always go through. "...As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus." (Page xxvii) This was something that she said at the beginning of the book. That statement amazes me because I don't see how it's possible for someone to devote so much of themselves to just one thing. She showed great dedication to everyone she helped and she probably helped millions of people or at least effected some that she didn't even know. To be known as such a great person must be the best feeling in the world and I could never imagine being that way, but I do admire her. Even thought this book was really great, there were a few things that I would have gone without putting in. There were a few prayers and things that they did daily at each volunteer place that was talked about but could have been avoided. I didn't go away with anything more then I had to beginning with after reading it. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone, especially if you are a religious person you'll understand some of the things that go along with prayers and that, that were talked about.

Rating:
Summary: Makes you think
Review: This book is about Mother Teresa and all the work she has done in her life. It states all the foundations that she has created and all the volunteers she has encouraged to help. I have never read a book like this before. It makes you feel like nothing in your life has ever been wrong, nor will anything ever compare to the turmoil that these poor people go through and will always go through. Most of these people have nothing to live for but Mother Teresa encourages them to go and fight for their lives. "...As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus." (Page xxvii) This was something that she said at the beginning of the book. That statement amazes me because I don't see how it's possible for someone to devote so much of themselves to just one thing. She showed great dedication to everyone she helped and she probably helped millions of people or at least effected some that she didn't even know. To be known as such a great person must be the best feeling in the world and I could never imagine being that way, but I do admire her. She did so much for so many and all they could do in return is say thank you, and that was more then enough for her. This woman was a wonderful, loving and caring person to do such things for strangers. In the book it mentioned how she some how in a way trained the volunteers to see past the turmoil and try and make these people realize that everything would be ok and whatever problems that they had going on in their lives would have to be put aside. Even thought this book was really great, there were a few things that I would have gone without putting in. There were a few prayers and things that they did daily at each volunteer place that was talked about but could have been avoided. I didn't go away with anything more then I had to beginning with after reading it. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone, especially if you are a religious person you'll understand some of the things that go along with prayers and that, that were talked about. At the same time even though I am Catholic I still didn't understand a lot of the things that were being said. Another thing that I didn't like was that they had pages of prayers and all these different people talking about Mother Teresa rather then Mother Teresa herself. One thing that I thought was weird but didn't really bother me was that after about two or three pages it went into talking about something else.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration from the saint of this century
Review: This book is inspirational. Offers a wonderful insight into Mother Teresa's devotion to Christ, and the love she felt for every individual. In putting this tremendous love into action, she marked herself as a true saint of this century.

Rating:
Summary: What a humble, beautiful soul she was!
Review: This book truly touched my heart and transcends the materialistic view that I previously exalted.

Rating:
Summary: Reading this book is a chore and awfully boring.
Review: This book was not well written and was boring. It did give you a greater appreciation for what her sisters do, but after a long while of senseless reading. The book is mostly other people's thoughts on her subjects and not her own. This book became very very dull, very very fast.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration for Daily Living
Review: This book will open your heart and literally enlighten your life. Mother Teresa, with her simple path of loving Christ in all ways, everday of her life, will soften your heart and make you want to open yourself more to loving others, to prayer, and to service. A beautiful book for daily reading.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This little book is an excellent tribute to one of the greatest little women to ever walk the Earth. By reading A Simple Path I was enlightened immensely: I learned of what it really means to give a life of service; and I learned what it means to have a true heart of charity. Her anecdotal style makes her words ideal for little night time and midday devotions. Buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: This book is a blessing!!
Review: This small window, in type, helps us to see how connected Mother Teresa was to God. Her thoughts on prayer,and a life of service, were life changing for me. She uses simple examples of how people can act on their faith.