Customer Reviews

A Course in Life: The Twelve Universal Principles for Achieving a Life Beyond Your Dreams

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If your life were a TV channel, which one would it be? ESPN, Disney, Lifetime or the Discovery Channel? Or perhaps the Suffering Channel or the Struggle and Stress Channel? That's the question posed by Joan Gattuso at the beginning of her latest work, "A COURSE IN LIFE."

Like her previous work, "A COURSE IN LOVE," one could rightly assume that Joan Gattuso's newest book is heavily based on the popular New Thought seminar series, "A COURSE IN MIRACLES." Since the author is "A COURSE IN MIRACLES" teacher as well as a Unity minister, "A COURSE IN LIFE" dwells on our spiritual nature and accentuates the positive and the sacred aspects of life. Borrowing liberally from Ernest Holmes as well "...we are Spiritual Beings living in a Spiritual Universe governed by Spiritual Law," Gattuso has written an excellent primer for anyone interested in delving into Holmes' voluminous "SCIENCE OF MIND." And for serious students, "A COURSE IN LIFE" serves as a fascinating summary work to both "A COURSE IN MIRACLES" and "SCIENCE OF MIND."

With that said, this work can certainly stand on its own as a handbook for living a joyful, fulfilling life. In fact, it may well be the only self-improvement book you need. A non-fiction page-turner if ever there was one, "A COURSE IN LIFE" uses wonderful analogies and metaphors such as the Discovery Channel or equating faith with tofu to demystify the mystical. Gattuso weaves interesting real-life stories, personal anecdotes, practical exercises, affirmations, visualizations and quotations from varied spiritual and literary sources into a tapestry of artful living. She begins by introducing us to twelve universal truths that open a vista of life-enhancing possibilities. Then she devotes a chapter to each of these truths. Every chapter is self-contained. A reader can pick and choose which principles to focus on. I would suggest reading through the entire work then going back and choosing those principles which seem most meaningful. Spend a week or even a month working on the exercises and affirmations presented in that chapter. If you follow this step-by-step guide faithfully, you will no doubt experience your life switching from the Suffering Channel to the Self-Discovery Channel.

I will read this book over and over again. I have purchased copies for friends and I am purchasing two more today. This book was an incredible gift to my life. I have that found books that make me work on my innerself take longer to read than others, but what a journey. I recommend this book to anyone who chooses a better life for themselves and is willing to take the time and energy to make it happen.

kamau@mhs.scbbs.com from California, 08/06/98

A great roadmap or reinforcement for the novice or adept. I really enjoyed A Course in Life, and got a lot out of it, even though I know a few things about spirituality myself. The concepts and principles in this book (12 steps in all) are written in such a fashion, that they are easy to understand and apply, even if this is a reader's first exposure to the subject. It was reinforcing for me to see that Joan Gattuso had endured and overcome some of the scariest trials that present themselves to ordinary mortals as myself,i.e, IRS audits, betrayal by friends, life-threatening illness (cancer in her case). She gives many examples of human frailties and how to move beyond them, even healing some of the most deep-rooted pain. The book also contains many easy, useful affirmations to help the readers to re-program their thinking, in order to attain the harmony and prosperity that we all desire in our lives. It is beautifully written, and you can't help but admire the author for her contribution to "A Course In Life."

I have not found a teacher of spiritual principle with a knowledge as clear as JAON GATTUSO. I have read both A COURSE IN LIFE and A COURSE IN LOVE. Both volumes have assisted me on my path to freedom and joy. I highly suggest A COURSE IN LIFE to anyone seeking personal fullfillment.

A COURSE IN LIFE is just what I needed. I have read this book 3 times and I still keep it next to my bed for a quick reference. My life has changed since reading this volume and using the tools that it offers us. JOAN GATTUSO is an excellent writer and teacher of spriritual principle. MS. GATTUSO has the ability to tell stories of her own life in a way that could be my story or anyones. I highly suggest A COURSE IN LIFE to everyone wanting to learn/remember to live life to the fullest. I see life clearer after reading A COURSE IN LIFE. This si the book to read.

This is an incredible book which has changed my life. It's the first book i've ever read by a woman, and i've read over 6000 books in the last 5 years by every spiritual tradition you can think of. I don't know if it was the time in my life when this book entered, or just that it is so well written, but it certainly changed everything about my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to become everything they can be in this life, and i'm sure if you choose to apply the principles to your life as laid out within it's pages, you will most certainly become everthing that it is you were meant to be.

Even if you haven't read A Course in Miracles this book is a wonderful tool to help one discover one's true path in life. It is a book I would take if I were to be stranded on a desert island because each reading gives me deeper insights.

Since reading this book I feel my life has taken a new and wonderful course. I attribute Ms. Gattuso's writing style and "down to earth" presentation for making reading this book a truly spiritual experience.

This is a fantastic book, giving the 12 spiritual principles for "a life beyond your dreams." I was so inspired as I read it, and I've already begun using the principles. Joan writes in a clear style, and she offers simple-yet-profound exercises. This book is great! I'm going to buy copies for my friends.

This book was a major disappointment, as its intended audience should already be part of the New Age readership. She does not appear to have professional qualifications as a counselor or spiritual advisor. This is one only for her fans, not the general reader like me. If you like it, fine, but I didn't.