The Unmistakable Touch of Grace

Rating:
Summary: Personal and transformative experience
Review: *****
Cheryl Richardson's latest book, "The Unmistakable Touch of Grace" is different from her other books in many ways. It is extremely personal; she says that she has shared personal stories from her life more in workshops than in her books in the past. This one is very honest and transparent---and all about grace.

I think that she wrote this book to wake the reader up to the presence of grace in all of our lives---grace from a Higher Power. She manages to write the book outside of religious traditions, so that whatever your religious beliefs, I think you will find that the concepts can be easily applied without offending. Cheryl's own spiritual path as an adult began with Al-Anon, and continued through different spiritual groups and orientations, some of them Eastern. I found that her experiences in Al-Anon were representative of spiritual awakening in general, no matter where it happens. She found much richness in various Eastern groups, but again, the concepts are universal. It seems that she takes great pains to make the book open and accepting for people of all or even no faith.

I think that a person who believed in any Higher Power would find much about grace, mindfulness, silence, forgiveness, etc. to apply to their life. If you are a strong believer of any faith at all it will strengthen your faith. Also, though, if you are a reader who has no faith in any Higher Power whatsoever, I can imagine that you would still appreciate the author's journey as good food for thought.

Throughout the book there are very short and simple exercises (mostly ponderings on thoughts and questions) to enable the reader to have an encounter on some level with grace. I think that's the best part of the book---that it delivers to the reader a profound experience of a sometimes illusive spiritual concept. This is not just a book ABOUT grace. When you finish the book, you will have EXPERIENCED grace. For this reason, I think the book really delivers.

When I first ordered it from Amazon, I was a little disappointed in the price for the much lower quality paper and printing (although it is a hardback book, the paper inside is mass market paper). However, after I read it, I know I got my money's worth. I loved the book, loved feeling like I am safe and cherished in the Universe no matter what things might happen to me (even painful things and suffering), and am very glad I read it. I can't imagine anyone else not feeling the same way...

*****

Rating:
Summary: I Am So Jealous
Review: I'm sorry, I just finished this excellent book and I know, I know, jealousy takes me off my path. But I too, am a relatively successful author who has oft wrestled with this same subject. However, Cheryl has expressed it in a far superior and appealing form as it makes that essential point: Embrace the changes, twists and unplanned turns in your life and see the grace and flow in them. Wonderfully thought through, beautifully written. This book will float to Heaven. Darn!

Rating:
Summary: Touch of Grace . . . this book is full of Amazing Grace!
Review: I've read all of Cheryl's books and have subscribed to her free newsletter for ages, and was totally blown away by her new book. I totally enjoyed this book and think it's her best book yet - it brings Cheryl's messages to a new level - higher and deeper, and I thought it was totally amazing. I loved it and would definitely recommend it as a must read!

Rating:
Summary: a great book!
Review: This is a great book, truly amazing, I would recommend this book to about anyone, but also let me recommend a book that I though was a must read for anyone and everyone titled POETRY THAT HOLDS, STORIES UNTOLD. Now this is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Richardson's Best Book Yet!
Review: What struck me the most about Cheryl Richardson's new book, "The Unmistakable Touch of Grace" was Cheryl's willingness to courageously invite the reader inside her own challenges, questions, struggles and triumphs. Never before have I seen an author of her stature open up so completely about the significant moments in her life, and the people/events that ignited them. In her signature down-to-earth style, and through a series of experiments, Cheryl helps us heighten our own sense of awareness and expand our consciousness so that we can be sensitive to the moments of grace and spiritual change agents in our own lives.