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Summary: Change you beliefs
Review: If you would like to change your belief in an angry, punishing god, to a belief in a living God of unconditional love, I recommend three books: 1. An Encounter With A Prophet by C. A. Lewis 2. Life on the Other Side : A Psychic's Tour of the Afterlife by Sylvia Browne, Lindsay Harrison 3. Conversations With God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 1) by Neale Donald Walsch
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Summary: Great Book
Review: I loved this book. I just knew somewhere deep down inside that God would not even considered roasting or barbequing his children for making mistakes. As C. A. Lewis points out in An Encounter With A Prophet "why would God make us imperfect and then punish us for being imperfect." Let the fundamentalists rave on I have found a God of unconditional love. Thanks to both authors.
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Summary: Walsch books offer hope for our planet.
Review: As I write this, I am eagerly awaiting the release of Neale Donald Walsch's next book...Communion With God on October 4. After reading the CWG trilogy and Friendship With God, I "know" this next volume will be just as exciting and wonderful!!! I don't quite know how to put into words what these books have meant to me in my life. Their message is so positive, uplifting, compassionate, courageous, and truthful that I am simply left shaking my head in amazement...:) I think if we ever needed to hear these words, this is the time. For so many years has the human race done all it can to destroy all that is truly sacred and beautiful about life. Perhaps now we can wake up and possibly rebuild some of this precious place we have always loved and called our home.
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Summary: Be Careful
Review: This book is amazing, I'll let the 500 other reviews tell you that, but there are two things that readers of this incredible writing should bear in mind. Firstly, I detect a sense of dishonesty in Walsch's claim that this material 'just came to him'. The book feels planned and prepared. The 'God' dialogue seems to be Walsch expressing his ideas and the 'Neale' character is like a host for questions that readers are likely to ask. The book is incredible, let there be no doubt about it, but I feel this dishonesty colours the purity of it's content. Also, note that in one of Walsch's new books he narrates with the 'God' voice only. Secondly, look at the institution that is forming around this book. Perhaps I should not complain, perhaps it is the natural progression for such powerful material to grow beyond it's literary roots. But it leaves a nasty 'money-hoarding' taste to it. Add to this that Walsch is now churning out a whole new batch of books and tapes and setting up organisations around the globe - it just feels slimy. This book has done wonders for me and it will for you, too. But I think it is healthy to question this emerging religion. It must be stressed, however, that the purpose of the message is to direct your mind to your OWN heart. An honest, noble message but with a shaky back-drop, a couple of little dents in the beauty. Speaking more personally, I am at a stage where, when I'm feeling down, I use the books to brighten me up. I am not pleased with this situation of needing SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS to make me happy, I don't want to become dependant on anything outside of myself but I find that it is the case. In honesty, I think that I am on just one rung of the ladder that leads to self-empowerment, so don't let my situation sway your decision to buy this book.
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Summary: Release Anxiety About What You "Should" Be Doing
Review: After reading this book (carefully, with a highlighter, really taking it in), I let go of a lifetime's worth of anxiety. I am a successful, attractive, church-attending woman who seems to have it all together. However, I am often consumed with anxiety about what I "should have" said and done in relationships (at work, with friends, romantic). Neale Donald Walsh (or God--I don't really know whose words they are, nor do I care) explains in a very simple, logical way why I should worry about me and you should worry about you. It's the same message I found in "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck, but it uses less 50-cent words, so it's easier to absorb. And it works! Think about it: I will be the best I can be, including working hard, enjoying my hobbies, eating right, exercising, calling my mother, having quiet time, whatever--and I will be a happier person with more--not less--to give to others. The chapter on romantic relationships is a must-read for singles--combine its message with more mainstream dating books like "Mars/Venus" and I think you've got a winning formula.
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Summary: Yeah Right!!
Review: When I first heard about this book and glanced over it, I thought "yeah, right, he's talking with God.!" But as I began to read, I realized that the words were too profound, too insightful to be coming from just anybody. These books have changed my life. Do you need proof that Neil's conversation is legitimate? Read THE MANY WATERS by Lauretta Lueck. It outlines, among other things, how a conversation of this manner is not only credible, but revolutionary in our understanding of heaven and heavenly entities. A must read if you want to really understand the big picture and substantiate what Neil is saying.
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Summary: Lights the Path!
Review: This book gives you guidance and wisdom that speaks to your heart. Instead of a lot of rules or 'shoulds', this book inspires you to discover your uniqueness and your power as a human being. I turn to it every time I feel lost and uncertain about which way to go. A beautiful book! If you enjoyed this book, another great title is WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK by Ariel & Shya Kane.
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Summary: This is some dialogue!
Review: Have you ever wanted to sit down and have a no holds barred conversation with God or whatever you might consider the ultimate power? You know, ask anything, even those questions you think are embarrassing or wrong to ask like: if God put us here to discover love, why is there so much suffering in the world? Well, "CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD" by Neale Donald Walsch is your answer. Walsch describes the book as an ongoing conversations he had with God over a few years that he is merely transcribing. It's hard to think of anything that got left out. As Walsch puts it, "This book addresses most, if not all, of the questions we have ever asked about life and love, purpose and function, people and relationships, good and evil, guilt and sin, forgiveness and redemption, the path to god and the road to hell...everything." The general tone of the book is sincere, grateful, and enthusiastic. One of the points that really touched me was "The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation." I've found for myself that what gets me in touch with my own aliveness is letting go of who I've been and who I think I might become, and just being here in this moment to see who I am now. If you're interested in the daily practice of living a magical life, then let me recommend Ariel and Shya Kane, the best-selling authors of "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" in addition to an excellent series of audiotapes. All of the above can steer you toward unforeseen joy and satisfaction in your life. You don't have to miss out.
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Summary: How Does God Communicate to Us?
Review: Let me begin by saying that Amazon.com requires me to rate the book in order to write a review. Actually, I have no idea how to rate it because I'm not sure what the book represents. So my three star rating simply means "not rated." If compelled to, I could make an argument for anything from one star to five. I read this book on the advice of a friend. He told me the book was "fascinating." I certainly agree. The main thing I would like to say in the beginning is that this book shares some elements with Christianity, but is certainly not Christianity of the sort that most people will recognize. So if you do not like to read books that are at odds with your version of Christianity, avoid this one. It will be a one star book for you. The author tells us that he had been writing down his religious and philosophical questions on a yellow legal pad for years. One day, he began to hear answers. He then wrote those answers down. What was "dictated" to him becomes the backbone of this book. I have no way of knowing what the real source of these responses to the questions in the conversations is. It could be Divine communications. It could be Satanic ones. It could be a manifestation of the author's psychology. There are a lot of other things it could be. You'll have to decide for yourself. If you have a spiritual advisor or counselor whom you respect, that would be a good subject to discuss with her or him. I found myself empathizing with the author's perspective of the conversations. "I am . . . deeply embarrassed by my own life . . . ." "Yet I am encouraged by God to grant myself forgiveness for my failings and not to live in fear and guilt but to always keep trying -- to live a grand vision. I know that's what God wants for all of us." There were several concepts in the book that I found to be new, and which added to my spiritual perspective. One was: "The truth is, God talks to everybody." That made me think about ways that I could pay more attention to what was going on to me and inside me as ways to know God. A second one was the notion that the Ten Commandments are there not to be obeyed merely, but as ways for us to test ourselves on how well attuned we are to God's way. As someone who loves to work on creative activities, I liked the many affirmations about God wanting us to create the goodness we desire through our thoughts and deeds. "There is only one reason to do anything: as a statement to the universe of Who You Are." About two-thirds of the way into the book, the conversation lost me. There were extensive discussions of reincarnation, infinite universes, gods beyond gods, and moving from being a killer to being someone imbued in love. That material did not resonate with me in either a religious or a spiritual sense. The most unexpected part of the book for me was that the voice of God (as described in the book) is a very colloquial and humorous one. It is hard for me to equate this God with the God of Moses and Jesus Christ. But that may just be my limitation. To give you a flavor, the language is much like that in the George Burns movie of many years ago, Oh God. If you are curious about other perspectives on spirituality, you will enjoy this book. If you are looking for a different perspective than the one you have today, especially one that is less threatening, you may find this to be enlightening. Let me share with you the three laws in the book: "The First Law is that you can be, do, and have whatever you can imagine. The Second Law is that you attract what you fear. Love is all there is." God describes Himself as having no needs, but three desires: (1) that people know and experience Him (2) that people know and experience who they are and (3) that the whole process of life is a constant joy, continuous creativity, and never-ending experiences of total fulfillment. May your life be filled with valuable spiritual experiences and guidance!
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Summary: Timeless Wisdom!
Review: I have read all of the CWG books in the original trilogy. In fact, I have read them 3 times each in a 4 month period of time. My religious background is not extraordinary nor has it been lacking tremendously throughout my life (I am 33 years of age). Perhaps this is a good combination in which to approach the very first book....... Not too entrenched in my religion, yet greatly exposed to form very traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs about God, creation, our purpose, and heaven & hell. However, I found myself pulled into these books of my own choosing. The logic is so compelling and so spiritual at the same time that it has been difficult to refute what is written in the pages (speaking for myself only). And that is indeed what I got MOST from reading these books. EVERYTHING in this life is based on perspective. God is not judgmental, only humans are. This concept will most likely be the most difficult for many who are deeply religious to grasp...... that God does not form a judgmental opinion (good or bad) on anything we think, say or do. God only observes and loves unconditionally. Yet the reason humans can't fathom this (just like the humans of yesteryear who spoke of God and their words were put in the Bible) is because WE don't love unconditionally. But most importantly, these books made me more interested in my own Bible. They brought the Bible to "life" for me. I can discern many of these concepts (truths) that I read in CWG and find them within the Bible. Of course, I take many things into consideration when reading the Bible after reading CWG: The time period, the gender, the social status, the family background, the religious influences, etc. of the person who wrote that particular chapter. I came to realize that although I believe the Bible is indeed Divinely inspired, the inspiration is still filtered through the mindset of the person who wrote it. The same with Neal Donald Walsch. I can observe that much of what Neal wrote was applicable to certain factors influencing his life (ie. many comparisons were used that involved the Christian (specifically Catholic religion), and personal issues such as divorce and relationships as they related to Neal among many others). Therefore a Universal Truth that is a "constant" (even if Divine Inspiration appears not to be), is that God is ALWAYS changing because our human perception of Who God Is changes throughout history. BUT the one element that NEVER will change throughout our lives and beyond and forevermore is that God will always love each and every created soul unconditionally. In short, the wisdom in these books is profound. My FAITH in God has each day been strengthened as I apply this wisdom to my daily thoughts about Him (or Her!). My suggestion if you choose to read any of these books........... "Think outside 'the box.' "
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