Diamond Heart, Book One: Elements of the Real in Man (Bk.1) [Paperback]

A. H. Almaas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Diamond Heart | Publication Date: September 5, 2000

This four-volume series presents a collection of talks given by Almaas on topics such as faith, commitment, nobility and suffering, truth and compassion, allowing, and growing up. Through these talks, Almaas offers valuable guidance and advice for those on a spiritual path, and he explores the challenges and psychological barriers faced by those seeking self-realization.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

First in the four-book Diamond Heart series, this collection of essays--taken from transcripts of seminars A.H. Almaas delivered over a several-year period--is an effective introduction to the Diamond Approach of inner realization. Lamenting that human suffering is due to not living up to one's human potential, Almaas proceeds to lay out in detail a uniquely modern and strictly logical path to enlightenment--its purpose to regain one's palpable human essence. Carefully leading the reader through stages of increasing depth and subtlety, he reveals hidden self-knowledge. Chapters with simple titles such as "Value," "Truth," and "Trust" open doors to realizations that result in relief from existential angst. If you have ever felt you were missing something you couldn't quite name, chapter 2--"The Theory of Holes"--is worth the price of admission. --Randall Cohan

About the Author

A. H. Almaas is the pen name of Hameed Ali, the Kuwaiti-born originator of the Diamond Approach, who has been guiding individuals and groups in Colorado, California, and Europe since 1976. He is the author of Spacecrusier Inquiry, The Pearl Beyond Price, Facets of Unity, and other books. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 229 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936713011
• ISBN-13: 978-0936713014
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transcripts Of A Truly Integral Transpersonal Body Of Work, August 29, 2002

By 

DOC BARHAM "COACH HOLLYWOOD" (LOS ANGELES, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diamond Heart, Book One: Elements of the Real in Man (Bk.1) (Paperback)

Diamond Heart Book 1 is the first in a series that comprises a certain body of knowledge of the teachings of the school created by A.H. Almaas (a pen name). There are two complementary "lines" in the series: Diamond Heart and Diamond Mind. The Diamond Heart series, currently 4 volumes, is a selection of essays and transcripts from the teaching, and is non-clinical in it's language. I found the relatively conversational style to be excellent as a companion to the Diamond Mind series books which are rather technical and clinical in their use of pschoanalytic and psychodynamic language. The books in each line roughly parallel one another in content: the material in Diamond Heart vol 1. deals with much of the same material in Diamond Mind vol 1., The Void (and another Almaas title "Essence"). Reading them together gives one a much deeper understanding of the material. Imagine reading the clinical text and then going to hear the speaker at a seminar workshop or vice versa.

What is unique about this overall body of material is that it is truly integral in its approach. In that regard, it is similar to Ken Wilber's multi-volume uberwork of Integral Psychology drawing from both Eastern spiritual disciplines and Western psychological theories and practices. Almaas' material is very specific and uses examples from his students work in psychological and spiritual development to give you something to relate to in your own life and growth work which I found extremely helpful for anchoring understanding.

If the following ideas are appealing then this material is for you: When we are born we are our true selves as Essence and Being. Over time and through exerience in relation to our parents, family members, peers, and the world at large we develop a protective structure called the Ego. In the developmental process, we not only lose contact with our Essence, but begin to identify with our Ego structure as our real self. This state of affairs contributes to much of our suffering in life. In the East, enlightenment is seen as coming through the dissolution of the Ego, while in the West the integration of the Ego is seen as the final development of the adult individual. Almaas shows that both are right but incomplete in that each has something to contribute to the other. The work is about disidentifying from the Ego through techniques of psychodynamic work in order to dismantle it, while at the same time reconnecting with and developing those aspects of our original Essence in order to become a fully realized adult human being. Wonderful work.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality from a Psychological Perspective, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Diamond Heart, Book One: Elements of the Real in Man (Bk.1) (Paperback)

Almaas provides us with an integration of much traditional spiritual thinking with a more modern psychological understanding accessible to readers who have grown up in a western culture. This accessible and practical book reflects Almaas' understanding about the path towards enlightenment based on his personal experiences, not just theory. I can hardly imagine a reader who won't want to go on to read additional material by Almaas once they've finished this book.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Teaching, July 20, 2005

By 

Mike in the Middle (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diamond Heart, Book One: Elements of the Real in Man (Bk.1) (Paperback)

Years ago, my then Zen teacher, Joko Beck, was recommending that her students read A. H. Almaas's "Diamond Heart" series. She said that his work helped her articulate the connection between the ego and the absolute. Whether or not someone wishes to pursue this particular path, this is an amazing book. Teachers often say that "we are love (or compassion, peace. . .)." Almaas helps us understand what that actually means.