Customer Reviews

I Don't Want to be Your Guru, But I Have Something to Say

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Right from the moment I read the title, "I don't want to be your guru ..." by Joyce Shafer, this book had my attention -- and I was not disappointed. It's a thought provoking read that essentially translates quantum physics into everyday language and then tucks it all inside a heartwarming story about people reaching out to others and making a difference. This story captivated first my attention, then my interest and finally my heart. Thanks Joyce for giving us a wonderful and very likely accurate description of life and evolution on our planet. I'd recommend it to anyone.

How'd you like to learn the most advanced insights into how the universe actually works (a cosmology way beyond the limited concepts of Stephen Hawking)? Learn it from only 54 pages? And enjoy a tear-provoking, human-interest story at the same time?

Joyce Shafer, a knowledgeable metascientist, artist, keen observer of human behavior, and skillful weaver of tales, manages to deliver the messages of a dozen best-selling, self-help books in one small package. Treat yourself to an easy to take dose of perennial wisdom and an hour of "Aha's" that'll last a lifetime. Paul Von Ward, cosmologist, author of Gods, Genes, & Consciousness + Our Solarian Legacy.

Voyage of personal discovery, tour through tangled thickets of behavioral science, excursion to a philosophic laboratory, call it what you will, Shafer's `Guru' is a delightful and thought provoking journey into the inner workings of how attitude and perception shape our daily interactions and resultant behavior. The wisdom is dispensed in the form of `Old Bill' a man unlike any other `A.J.' has ever met. What begins as a polite discussion quickly turns into provocative teaching to an eager and receptive mind. The result is a fundamental reevaluation of `A.J.s' approach to the world, and an unveiling of some simple truths. Complete with an interpretive ending, `Guru' will have you thinking and reflecting on its lessons long after you have finished your first reading. We should all be so lucky to have such a conversation with our own `Old Bill'.

By Wendi Romero

The table only appears to be a place of eating. It's also a place of meeting and mingling with the energy that surrounds it. Written in warm, laid back, Southern conversational style, apple pie and lemonade take on metaphorical significance.

"Are you just traveling, or are you on a journey?" is the poignant question posed to A.J. It seems to come up for her time and again. There are always two things happening at once ... what is seen, and what is not. Don't ever forget it, because what you don't see is where your real power lies. Joyce Shafer masterfully illus-
trates sublime and intangible truths in a simplistic style. Don't be fooled by that. She's pointing the way to a very deep and profound reality...yours and mine.

~Wendi Romero, author of Pilgrimage to Self: Leaving, Walking, Returning

This is an excellent book, well written without pretention in a direct manner. It is thought provoking with interesting characters and quick pacing. Good descriptions and clear writing. A good afternoon read. Well worth checking out....

Reviewed by Narissa Johnson for Reader Views (6/07)


"I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I have Something to Say" is Joyce Shafer's gift to me. This book, short and easy-to-read, makes me realize that other books, sharing wisdom that I have read, were merely building up to this book. The book could be read in one afternoon, but why would you want to? I took my time reading this book and intentionally did not mark in it, highlight or flag any part of it. I want to read it again before I really pull the lessons out of the text.

Through an easy going conversation in a cafe, lessons about how we view ourselves and the world around us are shared between two people. Each lesson is one which I want to savor - like a delectable amuses-bouche. An amuses-bouche is bite-sized morsel served before the first course of a meal. And its intent is to tantalize (or amuse) the mouth and indeed tease the diner with what the chef has prepared for the following courses. "I Don't Want to be Your Guru" serves up an array of amuses-bouche - each lesson teasing me with the possibility of how my life could be altered, bettered, lifted by integrating these lessons into it.

In "I Don't Want to be Your Guru," the loose story which surrounds these lessons is a young woman named AJ (though I suppose it could be a man, but as I am a woman I suspect Ms. Shafer intended me to view AJ as a woman) who is returning to the site where she had this life-changing conversation with Old Bill. She is returning ten years after the conversation - and I suspect that of everything she learned in her conversation with this "guru," it could take ten years to really integrate and reflect on these lessons as part of your everyday life. And I, for one, can't wait to get started!

Received book free of charge.

Dynamite comes in small packages, they say.'I Don't Want to be Your Guru, But I Have Something to Say'
by Joyce Shafer only has 54 pages, but it contains the punch of a parcel of dynamite!

The really catchy title struck a chord immediately I read it, because there are far too many superstar gurus
around today. When I started reading, I kept thinking: "Yes, good point! I'll mark this page." Then I'd say the
same thing on the next page, and the next. I soon realized that there is a gem of wisdom on virtually every
page. Many had more than one!

What I really liked about this story is the easy conversational telling. Here we have a really clever use of
fiction to get really important messages across very effectively, devoid of the dogma often attached to books
teaching important life-lessons.

This conversation combines age-old teachings with quantum physics making it an up-to-date manual for life.
Absorbing Old Bill's philosophy into our own lives is sure to bring greater happiness and joy.

However you use it, you need to read this book. My suggestion: Get it. Read it. Think about it. Blend these
principles into the foundation of your being. Repeat as necessary.

Like Old Bill says in this book, there's a difference between a trip and a journey. This one is definitely a journey worth taking. I took my time reading this because I wanted to savor the wit and wisdom between the pages. Each bit of knowledge was like a bite out of the warm apple pie that weaves its aroma throughout the book. Whether you rush through or sit around a while, this is one story not to be missed. I'm going back for a second helping.

Joyce Shafer's book "I Don't Want to be Your Guru, But I Have Something to Say," integrates the wisdom of sages, scientists and philosophers with clarity and creativity. She identifies complex questions and quandaries that challenge us all in everyday life, and offers aphoristic insights which at once enlighten and inspire. It was a blessing to read and re-read the book which evoked in me a deep desire to live a purposeful life and experience the bliss of growth. Living these insights can make every living moment full of meaning, gratitude and joy. The world is full of self-help books and new books are published every month but Joyce Shafer has the rare gift of distinguishing between the essential and the inessential, when it comes to conveying the precise truth about productive and purposeful life. I am glad to announce that the book is now part of the Brooklyn Public Library collection.

Nomi Naeem
Senior Librarian
Brooklyn Public Library,
Brooklyn, New York

> 'You will find this book to be one of 'the most'
> amazing books you've ever read. What Joyce has done
> in this masterpiece can only be accomplished through
> intuitive, spiritual genius. As you read this
> 'sure-to-be' classic, you will feel, as I did, the
> change that is taking place deep inside. I found
> myself taking deep breaths as I soaked and marinated
> my soul with this profound yet simple story. Joyce
> communicates to you quantum truths in a manner that
> anyone can grasp, understand and be transformed by.
> I sat and thought of all the friends that I wanted
> to call immediately and tell them 'get this book
> now'. If you can experience half of what I
> experienced while devouring this short book, you
> will look at your life, others and the universe in a
> way that not only makes perfect sense but with a
> since of purity, optimism, understanding and great
> love.'
>
> Michael Murphy
>
> Author of 'Powerful Attitudes', professional
> speaker, creator of Instant Success Immersion
> e-course and positive, personal encourager to over
> 150,000 people around the world with his
> 'E-Courager' ezine
> [...]
>