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Summary: Everyone should have this book
Review: When I was in college in the 70's this book had a revival and I did not read it then. Recently a friend (who is 90) and I were talking about work and she said: "work is love made visible," and told me it was from the Prophet. I though that was so beautiful I got the book and was not disappointed.You see, if you have ideas and you do not realize them, then they are nothing, and if your ideas do not come from love and joy, then they are bitter and what they produce will be bitter, but if they flow from love and joy, then their realization will be love and joy, thus work is love made visible. He says it WAY better that I do and says much more in just a few paragraphs. But as you can see from the example, what he says is not religious, but positive ways of looking at things. Since I rediscoverd the book I have given away many copies and everyone I have given it to sincerly thanked me.
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Summary: Touches my heart.. again and.. again...
Review: I would have to say that this is the best book I've ever read.. I could feel every word deep in my heart everytime, of the many times I've read it! I would never get enough of it! its a treasure..
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Summary: Add to your collection
Review: Please note the sales rank of this book. At the time of my review the sales rank was 365 !! What I love about this book is that you encounter this Prophet first-person. This book is brilliant. For those of you who have never read this book, you are in for a healthy dose of genius. Wisdom, grace, character, charm, virtue, and peace are imbedded in the print. You will not be dissappointed. This book continues to stay in print, it is profound.
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Summary: THE TRUTH ON PAPER
Review: Kahlil Gibran does an excellent job in this book. He writes down the emotions and the truths; things you do, but couldn't say on paper. My favorite line is, "The Depth of love, is not known until the hour of seperation."
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Summary: Transcend Human Subjectivity to Find Godlike Objectivity
Review: The Prophet is about a mysterious religious thinker who is about to leave for his native land. Before he goes, many people have just one question to ask him. In a very few words, he tells them his accumulated wisdom primarily in a nondenominational way. The only exceptions come in the references to rebirth. The essence of each brief lesson is that we have to step outside of our own perspective to see things in the way that God does and wants us to. Let me give you an example. When someone transgresses either man's laws or God's laws, we tend to condemn the person harshly and focus on punishment. This is like treating the person as though they have fallen below some level of what it is still to be human. Yet no one does anything worse than what some person has done wrong before and will do wrong again. Surely, our reaction should still focus, like a Mother's, on the fundamental humanness of the person and our desire to have the person be a contributing, loving, and helpful part of our community. Another way to think about the lessons of The Prophet is to notice that nature loves a balance. If we interfere with nature, nature overreacts in some new way that counters our interference. This happens when we put too much phosphate into lakes. Algae blooms expand exponentially to eat the phosphate. These lessons help us to see the balance that is missing in our initial reaction. A good parallel can be found in the study of the brain. Our initial reactions when frightened or threatened are focused in the oldest parts of the brain. This part of the brain triggers strong chemicals to be released that engage us in "fight or flight" reactions that can save our lives in the near-term. In the "civilized" world, we often have these reactions just to stress. Gibran is helping us move to our highest level of consciousness by choosing our reactions, and selecting reactions that integrate all parts of our brains plus our near- and long-term best interests as individuals and as a community. Many Eastern religions encourage one to become free of the conscious mind, and that sense of objectivity is captured nicely here. I have a feeling much like when meditating while I read The Prophet, because of its calming influence on my overreactive senses. I also think of this perspective like being on the Moon and observing the circumstances on Earth through a telescope. With such extreme distance should come detachment from the ego, to permit good thinking. But none of these perspectives are directly suggested or alluded to. The moral lessons are simply there, with the briefest possible examples to make them clear. As such, they are masterpieces of good thinking, moral ethics, and fine communication. The answers are so brief and so profound that you will want to discuss them. I suggest you select another member of your family, or a group of people from your house of worship. The lessons are best explored by discussing tangible situations that you face every day. Certainly, it is desirable and appropriate to consider the direct teachings of your religious heritage and beliefs in this connection. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, turn to the page in The Prophet that addresses your issue. Like taking a warm bath, you will be soothed by the love for humanity in the answers Gibran provides. Before you speak, ask yourself who is about to speak for you and what do they want.
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Summary: A beautiful work
Review: When Gibran was first introduced to me, I had definite doubts that his work would be the ordinary, grab a dictionary sort of read. But when you first open to those sections that apply to you, and listen to the words as they roll off of your tongue and dance in your ears, well, shock is the only word for it. Yes, the ideals and beliefs that he expresses in 'The Prophet' may not be anything new as far as philosophy is concerned, but the perfect blend of brilliant poetry and this simple philosophy come together to make something that is indeed, unique. I've purchased countless copies to the ones that I know will love and understand his words. And if for nothing else, Kahlil's work can be labeled as truly, a literary work of art.
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Summary: A book to read over and over again
Review: A wonderfully spiritual book containing tremendous insights and words to live by. I first read the book as a junior high school student, and immediately went out and bought the book for my dearest friend, with a book mark at the page about friendship. Over the years I have purchased many copies of this book to give to special people in my life. This year I ordered four copies as holiday gifts. No doubt I will purchase many more copies in my lifetime for the special people who will cross my path in the future.
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Summary: Something for Those Persons I Love
Review: I have read and reread The Prophet repeatedly since it was given to me circa 1976. The words go together beautifully and express fundamental truths of life in a way that drives the core belief home to me regardless of how I feel when I read them. Gibran's statement that "...your children are not your children..." has helped me many times as my four children (two still in college) were aimed by the Archer on the infinite target with a reluctant bow. The wisdom of Gibran's prophet is practical. The practicality of The Prophet lies in the refinements of Gibran's words to express the prophet's instructions in as few words as possible. He has done this through careful use of similitude. I think that those persons familiar with the teachings of the Bible and Jesus will quickly recognize the rightness of the prophet's sayings.
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Summary: Pure Wisdom
Review: Gibran gets right down to the bedrock of what it is all about. He was obviously a very enlightened man, and The Prophet is so completely, psychologically and spiritually healthy. Anyone who would not consider this work a standard for healthy living, is simply simple-minded. This book should be offered to all high school students as a guide in gaining perspective on what is really important in life. I first read The Prophet about 10 years ago, and I typically read it about once a year, just to remind myself. However, I gave my copy to my son who showed signs of being "at risk" at age 17. I believe the book had a significant, positive impact on him, and he is now 20 and living a very responsible and balanced life. After my son had read this book, I found him on the telephone one evening reading passages to a friend. It made him think, and any time you can get a teenager to think, it's a very good thing.
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Summary: WHAT CAN I SAY...
Review: When i ordered this book i knew it was worth it.The Prophet teaches us about the way of life such as pains,sorrows,joy and love and much more.This book deserves more than five stars,i highly recommend it.
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