Customer Reviews

The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life

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Seldom have I been so excited about sharing a book with you. For so many reasons!

First, the subject matter totally enthralls me. I have been a Metaphysical `seeker' for 25 years now, & I still get so jazzed when I read material that hits the mark and nails the message. This one does that for me.

Secondly, the 101 chapters are concise little vignettes or tomes of wisdom, each less than 2 pages long. (Think James Patterson here). Which, to today's busy reader, means that you can grab a chapter at any convenient moment and meditate on that message throughout your day. That is exactly how I have enjoyed the book this week. Normally, I attempt to sit & complete a book for review in one fell swoop. However, reading Dr. Jones' book was like having dessert at all hours of the day. So of course I wanted to stretch out that experience.

After each chapter is a section called `Mindfulness Practice' which challenges you to put the lesson into everyday life practicum. And I found those gems to be the icing on the cake. Some were easier to do than others, but always they caused me to reflect and dig within just a little deeper.

Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones is the leader of a New Thought community called One Spirit, in Simi Valley, CA. He is a teacher, leader and facilitator of this growing community. More can be learned about him on his website [...]

You will be excited to know that soon `The Art of Being; More Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life' will be released.

I always share my favorite parts of a book with you, and more than a few of the 101 `ways' jumped out at me. I particularly was impressed with Chapter 20; `Just Give It All Up'. The idea that surrendering ourselves to the Higher Power, is literally `giving it UP'. Letting go and letting God. How often we think of surrender as a sign of weakness, when it is the gift of self to Self. Releasing & letting go... sweet surrender.

Chapter 40 is `The Power of Gratitude'. This impacted me anew after watching the movie, `The Secret' this month. ( I even started up a gratitude journal again).

Dr Jones expounds on the self-empowerment that gratitude brings about. I loved his quote, `In truth, there are actually two kinds of gratitude: the kind we feel for the good we receive and the more subtle kind we feel for the good we give.'

And as Melody Beattie said, `Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow'.

I know you'll want to read this one for yourself, and for sharing with others.

I have been a fan of Dennis Merritt Jones for many years and I have found this book to be inspiring and offers people practical ways in which to redirect their thinking. As a universal community we can all use Mr. Jones teachings as a guide in which to look at things in a "different", more helpful light without feeling like the task is impossible. One is given the tools in which to open their minds and hearts with his mindfulness practices without feeling overwhelmed. Fantastic for people who are "searching" as well as others who have already "found".

The Art of Being is a practical guide to meaningful spiritual practices that help us recognize the divinity that has always existed within each of our beings. Dr. Jones provides "Mindfulness" practices in the back of each chapter that help bring this recognition into our consciousness. My wife, daughter and I are now reading it together for the third time. Each time we read a chapter, we find something new and inspiring. I highly recommend it, it can be life transforming.
Stuart Azarchi
Hamilton, NJ

I have never before been motivated to post a review on Amazon. However, as the facilitator of a series of 6 week book studies on the topic of spirituality, with The Art of Being having been our latest study, I felt motivated to write due to the overwhelming and unified positive response of participants. Previous to this study, we engaged in a 6 week discussion of Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth. Since The Art of Being is a collection of essays centered around the topic of being present and living on purpose, it seemed like a natural next title, for Jones's book takes the principles identified so well by Tolle, and applies them, through essays followed by mindfulness practices, to real life. With the language given to us from A New Earth, we joyfully were able to use the essays in The Art of Being to springboard into marvelously rich discussions concerning relevant applications to every day life. The Art of Being allowed A New Earth to come alive for this group. It took principles of being and turned them into practice, and turned our group from being a class, to being a "sangha" (As Jones describes), or a spiritual community. It is a book whose value grew with each visit. In the words of one of the participants, comparing our last two studies, "Reading A New Earth was like enjoying a fine meal. Reading The Art of Being was like finishing with a delectable dessert."

I have not heard one word out of Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones that is not only brilliant, but very relevant to living a life today on purpose. This book is a must read if you want to get more out of your existance each and every day!

This is quite a nice collection in one book. It is well written and has applicable items for anyone working on their spiritual development.

I have been reading a chapter a day, reflecting on it, and putting the ideas into practice as best I can.

I am looking for other works by the author at this time...

I read this wonderfully, inspiring book every day! I simply flip open to any page and allow all the wisdom from the pages to envelope me in PURE, Peaceful Energy!! I was given the miracle of listening to Dennis in person at one of his many lectures and the same Energy comes through in his written word. This book will change your life forever when you practice with Intention and Embrace this spiritual guide to feeling God's Presence within and understanding your Truth which summons Peace, Hope, Wisdom and Love!
Namaste,
Judie Mitchell, CLC
Certified Spiritual Life Coach

This is a wonderful book, pure and simple! I had the distinct pleasure of studying its text in a small group format that, for me, enhanced the message of striving to master the art of mindfulness! As Gary Zukav writes in his endorsement on the cover of this lovely book, acquiring the "art" of mindfullness requires a great deal of practice. Dr Dennis' book provides oodles of wonderful mindful practices that help to discipline and shape our unconscious thinking into conscious thought that is ready, willing and able to bring into manifestation all of our heart's desires. From this terrific little book, I learned that my life's purpose is always manifesting, because Life is always manifesting purpose. Purpose is dynamic, not static. It comes from mindful practices intentionally set in motion, moment by moment, day by day. (Easy to write, hard to do, but oh so worth it----just like this book!) Thank you, Dr Dennis Merritt Jones

This book is a wonderful mixture of wisdom stories, common sense, and very practical spiritual teachings/exercises. I work with college age students and I have found a number of things in this book that I can adapt to use with a diverse population - spiritually as well as culturally. The author was ever gracious enough to allow me to adapt one of his stories to use when talking about academic dishonesty. The fact that Dr. Jones responded to me in a very short period of time and is allowing me to adapt one of his stories speaks volumes as to the true goal he had in writing this book. Helping people achieve their highest potential and to be truly happy in life. I believe that anyone, from any religion (or non-religion) or culture can get something very beneficial from this book. I understand from Dr. Jones that there is a a six-week study guide for the book and it is available for free download at his website. [...]. This would be an excellent way to incorporate this book into your book club, or a great way to start a club in your church or work place.

...namely every single vignette.

In a world filled with distractions (or at least potential distractions), author Dennis Jones has assembled 101 peaceful reflections that he uses to help us focus on just being. This delightful book just oozes with a sense of peace and encouragement to be reflective about all that we have been blessed with.

I especially liked the way each vignette was punctuated with a couple of practices for integrating the message of the vignette into our lives.

For me, this is a book to be savored...to absorb one vignette at a time and really reflect on Jones' wisdom. Doing so, as I have been doing over recent weeks, creates a book with the potential to really make a difference in one's life.

I love this book. Triple kudos Dennis Jones.