Customer Reviews

The Direct Path: Creating a Personal Journey to the Divine Using the World's Spiritual Traditions

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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.

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.

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.

The spiritual techniques and practices offered in this book are effective, easy to understand and to practice. The author's research into spiritual practices from various sources is extensive. There are so many techniques to choose from, it may seem a little overwhelming at first. My favorite is the Metta technique (which by itself is worth the price of the book). It is VERY effective. It's an easy way to get centered, to relax, release,forgive and extend compassion. You may find that you do not agree with everything the author writes from his viewpoint and experience, but the spiritual practices he outlines are drawn from various spiritual paths and are time-tested and universal. The Direct Path is a beautiful work, a spirituality manual,a treasure trove of information and one of the best books I've read on how to practically apply spiritual techniques to your life. Enjoy! Peace and love!

This is a great book that has been thorougly researched, and the author has talked with many spiritual leaders from all walks of life. He has 18 Practices that he guides you through, and teaches you different methods of relaxation.

The author also has a section on "reducing daily stress" where one excercise is "close your eyes - and take five deep, calm breaths, trying to empty the mind completely." He says that this simple method really works well.

So Andrew Harvey can lead us all to God, can he? I guess that must mean he has reached the goal? Well, doubtful, from what I know of the man. Not that there's anything wrong with being an intellectual, a lecturer, a 'celebrity' in the spiritual marketplace - with it's fancy restaurants, cigarettes and fine wine - but, that's a far cry from the lives of the truly spiritual. Still, an interesting read, and, let's face it, spiritual information is probably more desireable to most of us than spirituality lived. Long live the New Age!