Today more Americans than ever consider themselves to be "spiritual" people, and yet attendance at religious institutions is down, perhaps because many of us are searching for a way to encounter the divine on our own terms. In this groundbreaking, eloquently written work, renowned religious scholar Andrew Harvey builds on his twenty-five-year study of the world’s various mystical traditions, from Buddhism to the Kabbalah, to create an illuminating spiritual map that anyone can use to develop a direct path to the divine without relying on churches, gurus, or other intermediaries. Perfect for anyone who yearns for fresh teachings and wisdom that will bring them closer to their life’s purpose and meaning, The Direct Path is an intelligent, beautifully crafted masterpiece from one of today's most celebrated and respected spiritual luminaries.
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"Typical of Andrew, he has written yet another brilliant book. The Direct Path embraces the truth in the world's mystical traditions while offering a very intimate direction to those on a spiritual path."
--Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit
"Andrew Harvey captures the rigor, creativity, and essence of the mystic path. Join his insight for the spiritual dance of your life. The Direct Path opens the ears, eyes, and heart of the Spirit."
--Don Campbell, author, The Mozart Effect?
"Chock full of spiritual practices from the world's various mystical traditions, The Direct Path offers something for every spiritual seeker whether she's looking to get her feet wet or take the plunge."
--Seattle Weekly
"The Direct Path leads us directly to the heart of the matter, the source and spirit of all life. Andrew Harvey is uniquely qualified to guide us on this journey, and this book of personal insights and spiritual exercises will nourish and nurture us along every step of the perennial way."
--Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within and Awakening to the Sacred
--Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit
"Andrew Harvey captures the rigor, creativity, and essence of the mystic path. Join his insight for the spiritual dance of your life. The Direct Path opens the ears, eyes, and heart of the Spirit."
--Don Campbell, author, The Mozart Effect?
"Chock full of spiritual practices from the world's various mystical traditions, The Direct Path offers something for every spiritual seeker whether she's looking to get her feet wet or take the plunge."
--Seattle Weekly
"The Direct Path leads us directly to the heart of the matter, the source and spirit of all life. Andrew Harvey is uniquely qualified to guide us on this journey, and this book of personal insights and spiritual exercises will nourish and nurture us along every step of the perennial way."
--Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within and Awakening to the Sacred
From the Inside Flap
Today more Americans than ever consider themselves to be "spiritual" people, and yet attendance at religious institutions is down, perhaps because many of us are searching for a way to encounter the divine on our own terms. In this groundbreaking, eloquently written work, renowned religious scholar Andrew Harvey builds on his twenty-five-year study of the world?s various mystical traditions, from Buddhism to the Kabbalah, to create an illuminating spiritual map that anyone can use to develop a direct path to the divine without relying on churches, gurus, or other intermediaries. Perfect for anyone who yearns for fresh teachings and wisdom that will bring them closer to their life?s purpose and meaning, The Direct Path is an intelligent, beautifully crafted masterpiece from one of today's most celebrated and respected spiritual luminaries.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brilliant, Passionate and Insightful Call to Action,
By
This review is from: The Direct Path: Creating a Personal Journey to the Divine Using the World's Spiritual Traditions (Paperback)
This splendid book is written with the brilliance, insight and passion that we have come to expect from Andrew Harvey, whose own path has not been an easy one.
Of Anglo-Indian descent, he first came to notice when at the age of only 21, he became the youngest person ever to become a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Yet he gave up what promised to be a glittering academic career to return to India and follow a spiritual path. In some thirty books he has described an emerging view in which spiritual practice leads to an in increasing "divinization" of earthly life. He believes that this is a solution to prejudice, separation and ecological destruction. In this book he describes the trauma of breaking with his Indian guru, but how this shattering of his faith led him to have a direct relationship with the Divine. This book is a largely successful attempt to provide a map for the Direct Path to God or the Higher Self. Because he has studied many traditions in extraordinary depth, you will find exercises and techniques culled from a variety of religious and philosophical traditions. The principle of the Direct Path is the truth that we all contain sparks of the Divine, and that they also manifest in those around us. This is one of the few books that recognize that not all spiritual teachers live in temples, caves or monasteries. In fact some of the most profound initiates and teachers live largely anonymous lives. In this book Harvey mentions, amongst others, a Tibetan beer seller and a realtor who is also a Kabbalist, apart from some of the more traditional spiritual teachers. I am more and more convinced that Andrew Harvey is quite right in saying that we no longer have the time for religious intermediaries, that the days of contemplative withdrawal from society are over, and that the Direct Path is the only viable method for social transformation. One of his most quotable sentences: "Our coma of denial of the sacredness of the world.... Is destroying the planet." It is becoming ever more doubtful that the future well-being of our descendents can be assured by technological innovation alone. Unless enough people heed his call to re-claim their Divinity and to act from it, we may have a very rocky road ahead of us. This is a rare, reasoned, passionate and enlightened book. Albert Einstein once said that: "You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." On that criterion alone, this book passes with flying colors. I think that anybody interested in improving themselves and the world about them, will be amazed at how well Harvey communicates even quite sophisticated concepts, and takes the time to do so. Sure signs of a true teacher and true master of his subject. Is he himself always a paragon of sprititual virtue? I don't know him, but the answer is "probably not." But that should not detract from his message. Highly recommended.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Goldmine of Wisdom,
By
This review is from: The Direct Path: Creating a Personal Journey to the Divine Using the World's Spiritual Traditions (Paperback)
I don't like to read books with to many words in them, especially long, complicated words. Andrew Harvey tends to push my limits. However, I forgive him, because he has so much to say and I don't expect to believe everything anybody says. Despite his tendency to put a lot of words into a sentence, I read almost all of them. In fact I had difficulty putting the book down until I had. Harvey's passion to see God through the eyes of the many wise teachers from the different spiritual paths gives us nuggets of truth and golden practices that can enrich the path of any person willing to take the time to try them. To try them all on for size would be a serious undertaking, but Harvey himself has has done that. To try one, then another and maybe another has the potential to enrich the life of anybody that could use a lift of body mind and soul. I am reminded of the last words I heard from a master teacher of mine. " If you don't do it, it won't work" I know of no better source for such practical wisdom.
27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of Ideas...,
By
This review is from: The Direct Path: Creating a Personal Journey to the Divine Using the World's Spiritual Traditions (Paperback)
The book introduces itself with the author summarizing his upbringing and professional journey. This section lends itself to the impression that the author is exceptionally well-read, well-traveled, and that he has had the good fortune of many teachers, primarily of non-western influences. It is from this densely-lived life that the author offers the contained spriritual exercises. Eighteen exercises are richly and vividly explained. He's so thorough, it seems like way more than just eighteen! It's in a sense information overload because of the depth and scope of his knowledge. This can serve as a reference book to consult when someone feels that their contemplative practices are starting to feel a little stale. It contains a lot of suggestions to chew on. Actually, too many! The reason I issued the above rating is that I can't see myself engaging in any of them on a committed basis. No question this author should be published, with all that knowledge! No two people are the same when it comes to spiritual practice, you know.
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