Customer Reviews

Coming Home: The Experience of Enlightenment in Sacred Traditions (The Library of Spiritual Classics)

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I enjoyed this book so much that I wrote to Lex Hixon. To my suprise, he telephoned me and we talked for an hour! His PhD in comparative religion from Columbia University should not make you think that his approach to the world's mystic traditions was the least bit dry or academic. He was an ecstatic lover of God, like Rumi, while remaining an encyclopedic scholar and a wonderful writer, like---well, like Rumi. I've read all of his books. This is one of his best. Lex Hixon died of cancer at age 55, but like a 20th Century version of Ramakrishna (a great mentor of his) he had lived the lives of several devotees rolled into one.

An excellent book - well written and insightful.

At one level the book is a survey of "enlightenment" or the mystic experience/way of life (direct experience of the Divine) in several religious traditions.

At another level - and the more important one from my perspective - the book uses its discussion of the particular nuances of each of these mystic traditions to draw a common definition/description of enlightenment. The clear message here is that the apparent differences among religions are more a matter of the nature of human perception/ways of communicating than any fundamental difference at the real level.

The last chapter of the book contains a valuable set of guided exercises in prayer and meditative practice to equip the reader with the tools to embark on the path of mystic experience.

Hixon was both a scholar (Ph.D. in Comparative Religions from Columbia) and a practicing mystic (Sheikh in the Havleti-Jerrahi Sufi Order) so this book combines the best of scholarship and direct experience. He is the author of several other very valuable books.

Contrary to what the heading says, the book is by Lex Hixon alone, with a brief forward by Ken Wilber. That aside, the book is a welcome addition to the literature on the world's religions. Focusing as it does on the territory of enlightenment in various traditions, it is a breath of fresh air from narrow minded, my-way -is -best religious wrangling. He cover some of the greats: Maharshi, Ramakrishna, the Baal Shem Tov, Plotinus...and his ending with a consultation of the i ching is intriguing.

As Ken Wilber says, this is the "single best introductory book ever written on the world's great mystical traditions." It is soulfully, masterfully written--seeking not merely to educate but to awaken its reader to the all-encompassing reality of his or her own Consciousness. I recommend it highly.

I was very enchanted by this book. Lex Hixon had opened my eyes to the different worlds of faith. It guided me through a vast arrys of Eastern and Western walks of religions. The works in this book had brought a whole new prospective from teahers of different walks of life. I, myself, being the son of a preacher was searching for answers from the loopholes of christianity that was taught to me. Lex Hixon had enlightened my world into a spiritually journey I thought I can never find the answers to. This book had helped me on my search. Even though, I still searching this book had helped me on my quest. Coming Home is well craft and very inspirational. This book will always be a keeper!!

Contrary to what the heading says, the book is by Lex Hixon alone, with a brief forward by Ken Wilber. That aside, the book is a welcome addition to the literature on the world's religions. Focusing as it does on the territory of enlightenment in various traditions, it is a breath of fresh air from narrow minded, my-way -is -best religious wrangling. He cover some of the greats: Maharshi, Ramakrishna, the Baal Shem Tov, Plotinus...and his ending with a consultation of the i ching is intriguing.

This is the best book I have read both as guide to comparative religion in general and as an explanation of and guide to the goal of all genuine religious activity; enlightenment. It has great breadth, but also great depth. These traits complement one another, the breadth refining the reader's understanding of enlightenment beyond cultural specificities, and the purity that is revealed by this process coming back to reveal the unique virtue of each tradition that is examined. I am currently enrolled as a double major in philosophy and psychology, and reccomend this book as the best all-in-one guide to the experience of enlightenment that I have encountered.

Wow, there is so much Truth shared in this book. I really enjoyed it and found it to be a nice road map, of sorts, of the path to awakening. All paths are welcome! "Coming Home" is written in such a beautiful style and it's very easy to grasp formerly abstract thoughts and ideas.

The last chapter, "Designing an Experiment in Contemplation," was worth the price of the book. The author explains in very simple terms the four dimensions of contemplation and how they are like the Advaita Vedanta analysis of consciousness...waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep, and Turiya. Turiya = primal radiant Awareness, Oneness.

My heart sang reading of Mr. Hixon's experience (pgs. 207-209) with the "golden radiance .... bright as snow in sunlight....a sense of union....crossing the threshold into nothing but pure transparency and universal awareness..." If those words speak to you and stir your soul, then you'll find this a fabulous read.

"Coming Home" is The Owners Manual of Life; an easily digested primer of the Ultimate Truth; an informal introduction to Spiritual Imperatives. Every mother should lovingly include a gift copy to her babe, as part of the birthing process, to ensure its joyous journey home. If you missed getting yours, it's not too late.