Embracing the Beloved: Relationship as a Path of Awakening [Paperback]

Stephen Levine (Author), Ondrea Levine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 1996

   Stephen and Ondrea Levine have devoted more than eighteen years to investigating the mind/body relationship, particularly as it relates to the states healing, dying, and grieving.  Their work has affected healing and medical practices worldwide.  Now, in Embracing the Beloved, the Levines turn their attention to what has been "our most significant spiritual commitment—our own relationship."
   In this groundbreaking book, they demonstrate how to use a relationship as a means for profound inner growth and healing.  Their insights and anecdotes will benefit all who are drawn to looking inward, and all who seek a relationship as a path for spiritual renewal and merciful awareness of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In today's climate of individual achievement and independence, it is refreshing that the Levines (Who Dies?) have parlayed their 17 years of spiritual work with the dying into a poetic and compassionate book about the healing potential of love and familial relationships. Deeply personal anecdotes and experiences with spiritual leaders, such as Ram Dass, are interwoven with free-form poetry and practical meditation techniques-to be done with one's partner-to help readers "go beyond safe territory... to let go into the vastness" of relationships. The authors comprehensively cover the healing power of relationships, including those with aging parents. Not just another pop-psychology book, this should find its way onto the bookshelves of all who strive for greater insight into their own-and their partners'-deeper natures. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Drawing on spiritual insights from Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and C.G. Jung, the Levines, meditation teachers and counselors, suggest that the path to spiritual awakening is one with the journey to the Beloved in relationship. Mindfulness, forgiveness, and loving kindness characterize the relationship with the Beloved as it moves from the mere convergence of bodies to the mystical union of souls and beyond. Such fluffy pop spirituality as the Levines here practice is already readily available in the works of Matthew Fox and Joseph Campbell. Not recommended.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1st Anchor Paperback Ed edition (January 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385425279
• ISBN-13: 978-0385425278
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimacy's Joys and Challenges, November 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Embracing the Beloved: Relationship as a Path of Awakening (Paperback)

This book is a treasure, one that I will return to over time as Life's different lessons surface to challenge me. The authors present the many questions that arise from relationships beautifully, grounding them in the necessary but often-belittled work we must do on ourselves, alone as well as with another. Viewing the relationship entity itself as a third partner, the Beloved, helps in recognizing that we each interact not only with our partner, but also with the energy of partnership as though it were an individual. The chapters can be read either sequentially or separately as their specific energies are needed. In fact, I think the stand-alone nature of the chapters makes the book particularly useful. The meditations also work well whether you do them progressively or return to them as you feel the need for a specific meditation's strengths.

Most importantly, the book focuses on the importance of consciousness at all levels of relationship. The authors manage to make the book germane whether or not the reader is engaged in a relationship at the moment. Those who are in a relationship can use the book to deepen their bond and understand one another. Those leaving a relationship can use it to learn and heal. Anyone can benefit from the familiarity that comes from consciously examining their relationship persona and its impact on interactions with others.

Especially poignant is the chapter on conscious closure of relationship, providing insight and great support when saying goodbye to loved ones, whether the parting occurs through death or a decision to go separate ways. Understanding the importance of forgiveness and the role of ritual in taking affirmative steps towards making peace with partings is empowering. The authors gently address the pain of closure, and provide concrete examples that can help to ease the hurt while opening yourself up to the new beginning birthed by every goodbye.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highlights the 'inner we'; me, myself and I., January 10, 1998

By 

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This review is from: Embracing the Beloved (Hardcover)

What can one say about a study so profound, so in-depth and so passionately presented? This book of knowledge goes well beyond the relationship between two individuals. It guides the vision of oneself inward to the place where the whole personality can be found. If one so desires, the guiding hand of this study will walk with them through the twisting, churning pathways of cluttered, patterned thoughts to the freedom of the 'inner we.' It is in the answer of the discovery of me, myself and I that the inner sharing of oneself can truly be realized. The 'workings' of the Levine's is the unadulterated truth of postive energy at its highest level.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book has managed to communicate language defying concepts, January 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Embracing the Beloved: Relationship as a Path of Awakening (Paperback)

The book is for people who wish to attain the highest spiritual goals. What is most amazing about the book is that the authors actually manage to communicate quite well, concepts that normally defy elucidation through words. It is a must for all couples, even those who think that they are a very "loving" couple. This book will show you the extent to which you are conditioned. This book is not an "intellectual" work- it is a handbook for spiritual practice.