Awake in the Heartland: The Ecstasy of What Is

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Honest
Review: In reading the other reviews I think all has been said about this book. Joan Tollifson's honesty is a help to those of us who need concrete examples instead of abstract theory. A book to be read and reread. A keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Honest
Review: In reading the other reviews I think all has been said about this book. Joan Tollifson's honesty is a help to those of us who need concrete examples instead of abstract theory. A book to be read and reread. A keeper.

Rating:
Summary: In a nutshell.....
Review: Some years ago I also stopped reading spiritual books, as the author of this book says she has done. I got tired of reading about the finger pointing and wanted to step back and live it, not read it. Or as Jack Kornfield says someplace -- if you get the message, hang-up the phone. Well, I am happy that I read this book. It describes nothing other than what IS, what is available to everyone, right here, right now. Nothing special. Quite exceptional to read about enlightment written with such clarity, honesty, and humor. "You are it. Everything is it. There is nothing else. Wake up to the Holy Reality. Pull back the curtain and see your own face everywhere. Dance until you dissolve. This awakening is absolutely simple. There is literally nothing to it. It is what is, just as it is" to quote from the book.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: The author's honesty and candid exposure of her life demystified the teachings of Advaita for me and brought it all home in a way that was very liberating and helpful. I especially appreciated the long section on addiction and free will. I have never seen these issues gone into in quite this way before--the author invites (and demonstrates by her own example) a process of open inquiry and a willingness to change your mind and be surprised. Anyone who struggles with addiction or compulsion, or anyone who wonders about free will, will find this material very provocative. I'm very glad I found this book, and I recommend it highly.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful and honest
Review: This gutsy and moving book has the power to alter one's whole attitude toward life problems such as addiction. Tollifson candidly tells of her successes and failures in a way that helps the reader draw immediate practical conclusions for her own life. Tollifson also calls into question the whole spiritual quest industry -- in which she has been a dedicated consumer and producer -- and invites the reader to become aware of the fundamental reality of simply being, "in the ordinariness and imperfection of ... daily life."

Rating:
Summary: Rave Review
Review: This is one of the best spiritual books I have ever read, and Ihave been reading spiritual books for over 45 years.
Joan Tollifson's insight, honesty, humor and humaness jump off of the page and into your heart.
This is a book to be read and reread, and that is what I am going to do.