Celestine Prophecy, The: An Abridged Experiential Guide

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Summary: The most inspiring book i have ever read
Review: I was introduced to this book by my friend and i couldn't put it down for 2 days until i had finished it. It was so good that when i finished reading it i went out and bought "The Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential guide" and "The Tenth Insight". Which i also thought were extremely interesting. Even though it has been a couple of years since i read it i still find it amzing hen i meet someone else who has read it and how it has changed their life.

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Summary: A great companion to the Celestine Prophecy.
Review: If you read and connected with the Celestine Prophecy then GET THIS BOOK! It explores the insights in even more detail and can teach you how to apply them to your life.

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Summary: though a lousy writer, one must appreciate his optimism...
Review: Nobody can deny that Redfield is a lousy writer. his "adventure scenes" lack any form of detail or realism. A sixth grader could have written a better plot and flesh it out more. However, this is not the reason that Redfield's books sold so well. He is a philosopher at heart, not a writer. Some of Redfield's insights are far fetched (the ninth, for example, is far too idealistic, and even a civilization full of lifelong disciples of the insights could never follow through with it). However, others could certainly hold relevance to people, depending on their situation. Although often unapplicable in many peoples' cases, denying that Redfield has good ideas would be completely racist, or, actually, "religionist". His theories comprise a religion in and of their selves. Anyone who says that this religion is impossible is actually, indirectly, saying that their religion is completely correct above the possibility of any other religions. Anyway, some of his insights are useful to keep in mind as one goes through the world, as they give insight (excuse the double meaning) into how to treat people and to get above the rat race of life in which people take their happiness at others' expense. Although nobody can agree with everything he says, everybody can find some thread of his to keep in mind for life, and so, therefore, should be required reading for all.

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Summary: Powerfully Superficial
Review: Riding on the back of his New York Times Bestseller "The Celestine Prophecy", James Redfield's continued voyage into the "New Age" has spark, but little sparkle. His attempt at portraying a fresh look on self-help life leads us, by a number of pointed examples, to question who, why and what we are: to question our destiny, and how we would like to change it. The reader is asked these questions, while subtely being nudged along the track of Redfield's pseudo-definitive anti-establishment, anti-religion philosophy. Why are we the way we are? How do struggles for energy affect us in the day to day? Analysing our personal makeup against one of four different traits to become a 'better' person. These questions are bolstered by quotes from philosophers, religious leaders, and a variety of scripture to gain buy-in for his views. Together with his advice on how we should deal with the undesirable entities in our lives, he also gives us his prediction for the future. The author finally creates his own paradox, when we realise that this book is his own religion, having used religious texts to support his views on why religion is a thing to be avoided. Brittle logic or building on quicksand? You decide. Verdict: Best avoided. Powerfully Superficial. RJP

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Summary: The available re-sales speak for themselves
Review: Take a look at the number of copies up for resale - seems this is not a book that is worth keeping - and I would agree with that (clearly widely held) view. This is 'pop' fiction at it's most cover-enticing best but that's all it is. You can do a lot better than this - even for entertainment. Listen to the nearest politician for an hour or so! You'll get about the same rate of rhetoric per ear.

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Summary: Beware the Religion Mongers
Review: The best of spirituality unites humans, the worst of religion divides them. Although I would agree that, sometimes, the writing and ideas in CP are somewhat simplistic, Mr. Redfield is, admirably, part of the former, while the two negative reviewers are obviously part of the later and that's too bad for everyone.

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Summary: Beware!
Review: The Celestine Prophesy, James Redfield. A manuscript (Redfield uses a capital 'm') written in Aramaic 900 years ago and newly-discovered at a Peruvian archaeological dig, is suppressed by the Catholic Church via its control of the government. The tablet's nine "insights" are slowly revealed to the reader. This fiction was and is promoted with the subtle implication that the psycho-mystical occurrences in the story can be fact in our lives. Its words claim a godliness of purpose. Yet its inference is clearly focused on the self and is very denigrating of Christianity in general, and the Catholic Church in particular. It presents to those who have abandoned the major religions, that a "New Way" has come to put meaning & insight back into life: Visualization of nice material things gets them for you, meditation on human one-ness with the universe brings peace, and acceptance of any non-violent practice of life nurtures both the soul (a physical energy field) and a slowly self-perfecting society. On the last page, Mr. Redfield offers to interpret one's sun & moon sign for thirty bucks and solicits subscription to a New Age newsletter for another thirty. Most other reviews of this novel are quite negative. The reader loses the adventure fantasy because the author intrudes into the story with forced, instructive dialog and pedantic narration. This book is a historically-significant example of New Age literature and everyone should identify it first-hand for what it is. Mr. Redfield, realizing that P.T. Barnum was correct, hopes you'll buy his "enlightening" sequel, entitled The Tenth Insight (hardcover or paperback available). All CP believers who feel I've mean-spiritedly characterized them as gullible & misguided should recall the ancient insight: If the shoe fits... And yet, in compassion, it must be recognized that the search for insight is like the search for water in a vast green forest: You know water is there somewhere but could die of thirst searching on the wrong paths. Almost two thousand years ago a man, Who stands now always at your side, offered a path to water which quenches eternally. Drink and live

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Summary: Even better than the book!
Review: The Experimental Guide book is a must have companion book for anyone who has read the Celestine Prophecy.

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Summary: Celestine Prophecy is wonderful!!
Review: These 2 books have helped me achieve more in my life. I understand much more. Being young (15) trying to get my friends to read is difficult. They don't understand and don't want to learn. The CP is a challenge for us all. Even when you can't really find what you're looking for.

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Summary: a help to rethink your life
Review: This book helps you to view your life from different angles. If you feel stuck read the book and you will find new approaches to get to know you better. There are also referals to excellent books (dealing with psychology, sociology, religion).