Against the Pollution of the I: Selected Writings of Jacques Lusseyran [Hardcover]

Jacques Lusseyran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Six little-known essays by the blind French author and Resistance leader Jacques Lusseyran, gathered together for the first time in English. Four of the six essays are based on Lusseyran’s experiences both during and after university life as a professor of literature and philosophy in Europe and in the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From Homer to Borges, the Western canon is replete with blind poet-seers. In this luminous book, Lusseyran (1924-1971; And There Was Light) demonstrates once again his place among the illustrious sightless sages. Here, six biographical essays explore the mystical conjunction among the realms of literature, epistemology and phenomenology. Clear and insightful prose inspires the reader to look beyond the limitations of the senses, as Lusseyran speaks of an inner seeing, reminiscent of the finer works of Martin Buber and Viktor Frankl. Totally blind from the age of eight, Lusseyran went on to become a distinguished student, a leader of the French Resistance, a prisoner at Buchenwald and a distinguished academic. The related but free-standing essays here, appearing for the first time in book form, explore the nature of blindness and our attitude toward the blind; the liberating quality of poetry in the hell of the concentration camp; how, by personal example, a secular saint helped fellow inmates transcend the barbed wire of Buchenwald; the importance of the individual soul rising above the illusory limitations of time and place to unite with the ultimate source of purpose and meaning in the universe. The clarity of the writing, and the force of both grim and exalted experience behind the words, carry an extraordinary authority and wisdom. (Aug.)

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This is one of those beautiful and profound works that arise effortlessly from a soul's journey of self-discovery." -- Napra Review

"exalts the soul in ways that are universal, breathtaking, and marvelous." -- Spirituality and Health

"knitting together the transformative experiences of suffering and enlightenment." -- ForeWord

"light and bright with possibility" -- The Phoenix

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Parabola Books (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930407466
• ISBN-13: 978-0930407469
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond words. This book threw me into ecstasy!, September 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Against the Pollution of the I: Selected Writings of Jacques Lusseyran (Hardcover)

Jacques Lusseyran writes with a love that you can feel permeating you as you read his words. My favorite essay in this collection of 6 was "Jeremy," the story of a blue collar saint in Buchenwald. I found myself crying and feeling wonderful at the same time. This writing defies description.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Direct experience is the best!, August 22, 2010

By 

Keep It Real - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Against the Pollution of the I: Selected Writings of Jacques Lusseyran (Hardcover)

This book is simply wonderful. To me, it shows that spirituality does not need the clothing of religion or a spiritual tradition. All spiritual teachings are based on a direct perception and relationship to life. To me, the beauty of this book is the sincere communication of his inner life and direct experience. The book is not trying to convert us to anything or trying to sell us anything. Lusseyran simply invites us to explore directly the ongoing unity of reality. It also shows that virtues are the foundation of a spiritual life, not because we want to be puritans or good children, but because the cosmos is intrinsically ethical. When we don't actively embody love or virtue, our awareness contracts and the sense of alienation ensues. When we actively embody the virtues, the inner life unfolds beautifully and naturally. Being virtuous is the most natural expression of our being, it is not important to call it Buddha nature or Christ mind or whatever label we wish to put on it. Lusseyran is refreshingly honest and straightforward; and because of it, his message touches me and invites me experience things as they are.