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Summary: A clear and simple message
Review: "Catherine Ingram's poetic yet clear style draws the reader in, and illuminates the qualities of awakened awareness that can help in one's everyday life."
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Summary: Profound and Original
Review: After I read this book it was a pleasant surprise to notice that the memory of it was like a pleasant tune lingering trough my braincells.
Although I didn't expect it, the book was recomended to me, and being not particularly interested in these matters, I must admit, it really tasted well!
I'm not religious and I will never be and thank god this book isn't either!
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Summary: Passionate Presence
Review: Catherine Ingram reminds me of the best of the Tibetan Lamas & Rinpoches that I have met wherever I met them, could have been Kopan Monastery near Kathmandu, or at the Body/Mind/Spirit Conference last year when a group of them created that beautifully colorful sand mandala. These are people who walk their spiritual path wherever they are at all times. Their presence is like a potent zone of reality. Doesn't matter what else is going on around such people--invasion in Iraq or a walk down mainstreet--they live and perceive life in accordance with their spiritual principles. It's refreshing to be in such presence . . . such passionate presence.Which leads me to Catherine Ingram's book. "Passionate Presence" works at the subtle level. Each of the many short vignettes treats a different nuance of life and, at the end of the read, a gem of insight or new awareness shines in the mind. This book feels almost collaborative, in that it is an affirmation of all the work that so many of us have already done in our lives to be free. Such acknowledgement from one so practiced is an indispensible boon on the spiritual path.
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Summary: Beautiful, poetic and transformative!
Review: I have read and re-read Catherine Ingram's beautiful book. There is a tangible "passionate presence" on every page as Catherine describes the qualities of awakened awarness with grace and wit utilizing stories that illustrate those attributes we all share at our deepest core. This is a very readable book with a depth between the lines that leads the reader to an insight into the beauty of the SELF. I hightly recommend this book to anyone who wants to believe in that goodness that is at the heart of all.
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Summary: Beautiful, poetic and transformative!
Review: I have read and re-read Catherine Ingram's beautiful book. There is a tangible "passionate presence" on every page as Catherine describes the qualities of awakened awarness with grace and wit utilizing stories that illustrate those attributes we all share at our deepest core. This is a very readable book with a depth between the lines that leads the reader to an insight into the beauty of the SELF. I hightly recommend this book to anyone who wants to believe in that goodness that is at the heart of all.
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Summary: passionate presence speaks
Review: I really enjoyed reading catherine ingram's new book. Her sincerity, honesty, and love shine through. It is such a relief to just to have a report from 'awakened awareness' rather than something trying to fix you or teach you something. She simply reports from her life and the teaching somehow soaks in from example. It is a refreshing view of the awakening process and she clearly debunks some of the old belief structures that have sprung up in my years of being interested in this topic. So I am thankful for that.
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Summary: Inspiring and straight from the heart!
Review: I really love Catherine Ingram's lovely book and I have read it over and over, sometimes just opening to a page here and there. Through Catherine has come a subtle and gentle but powerfully illuminating work of art! She describes the qualities of awakened awarness with clarity and gentle wit. With each reading has come new openings and a growing appreciation of the love and grace which is what lives us at the heart of our very being. Thank you, Catherine, for such a lovely gift for all of us. I highly recommend this book to everyone, everyone!
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Summary: Essential Wisdom for an Awake Life in Sleepy Times
Review: Remember the song, "All you need is love"? Well, perhaps it's time to step it up a notch. All you need is Passionate Presence, which also happens to be the title of Catherine Ingram's new book. Frankly, I think the world would sleep a little easier if a copy of Passionate Presence found its way into the hotel and motel drawers across the country. In fifty sections of well-written prose, Ingram writes poetry (contradictory I know, but true - you'll see) about "experiencing the seven qualities of awakened awareness". What you get is surprisingly simple, yet penetrating wisdom and a bushel basket of anecdotes that remind you that you just might be a lot wiser and more compassionate than you've been telling yourself, if you'd just read between the lines. In short, pay attention to the "Sounds of Silence". ... So maybe "All we need is love" after all. You'll get a dose from Passionate Presence. Read it. Live it. And pass it on. Oh, and I'm thinking about trying one of those Dharma Dialogue Retreats. Sometimes a good retreat is the best way to advance and besides it would give me a chance to ask all my burning questions, like why don't my teenagers read this stuff?!
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Summary: Food for the soul
Review: This lovely book shares the wisdom of a teacher of silent meditation and Dharma Dialogues on awakened awareness. It is truly food for the soul.
Catherine Ingram describes her personal experiences in seeking and finding peace in the Now. While mindfulness meditation was a major path, a spiritual teacher catalyzed major shifts in her consciousness. Ingram now teaches mindfulness, through silence, through shared lessons, and (even through the pages of this book) through her personal centeredness.
Seven topics are highlighted: Silence, Tenderness, Embodiment, Genuineness, Discernment, Delight and Wonder. Each is illustrated with lovely stories of Ingram and other seekers on the Path.
Particularly helpful for healing are suggestions for acknowledging the presence of an inner observer who is detached even in the midst of crisis and suffering; for treasuring each present moment rather than living in the past or future; and for accepting that we need not torture ourselves with guilt and remorse because each of us has a lifetime of lessons to learn - and each experience offers us opportunities to develop deeper compassion for others who have their own lessons and make mistakes that may impact negatively on us. We can fester in negative reactions to life that is past or in our anxieties about our future life - or we might just let go of the negativity and move on to the ever-present Now.
I was surprised to discover this book was immediately helpful in finding a stronger connection with my own center of quiet awareness.
There is also a pleasant current of practical advice.
I warmly recommend this book for a good read and re-read.
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Summary: A Sigh of Relief
Review: When I think about the teachings in Passionate Presence, the word that comes to me is RELIEF: Relief from the burdening belief that one must make a prodigious effort in order to live an awakened life; relief from the burden of ideas of what an "enlightened" person should be like; and relief from the burden of believing one's "I" stories. Once the reader understands the concept of letting go of beliefs, explained so artfully in early chapters, the qualities and experiences that are described in the rest of Passionate Presence are immediately available.
Catherine Ingram's lovely images and stories entice the reader back to the awareness of the moment. She has crafted an artful companion for one who desires to live in the mystery and beauty of an awakened life.
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