110 of 120 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Tour De Force, March 23, 2006
This review is from: The End of Suffering: Fearless Living in Troubled Times . . or, How to Get Out of Hell Free (Paperback)
Russell Targ, states in the preface of this book that his grief over the untimely death of his daughter Elisabeth prompted him to examine more deeply the nature of his own suffering. The result is a tour de force. I don't say this lightly. Nor do I say this simply because Russell is my friend. The truth is that Russell Targ is a man of enormous gravity. Long before we developed a friendship, I admired him from a distance.
I should explain that Russell Targ is one of the most successful parapsychology researchers in the history of the field. He has an extraordinary gift of allowing the psychic talents of other people to flourish in his presence. And, he has had the wherewithal to conduct well-controlled studies published in mainstream scientific journals. He is one of the acknowledged founders of the flourishing field that is now known as "remote viewing." He conducted the first published, scientific research with the famous Israeli psychic Uri Geller. He persuaded the U.S. government to invest millions of dollars in parapsychological research.
These are awesome scientific accomplishments in the field of parapsychology. I would predict that hundreds of years from now students will be studying Russell Targ's scientific papers.
But, the point of The End of Suffering, is far more profound than Targ's scientific achievements. In fact, Targ makes clear that -- to the extent he identifies himself with the famous, pioneer parapsychologist -- he is dooming himself to a life of ego-attachment. This, he claims is the basis of all unnecessary suffering.
A large part of this book is a cogent presentation of some esoteric aspects of Buddhism that few westerners ever approach. Especially important is the non-dualistic, madhyamika philosophy of the second century philosopher Nagarjuna. Targ (and his co-author J. J. Hurtak) elucidate with great clarity the distinctions between the dualistic Aristotelian thinking that has permeated western culture and the four-valued logic of Nagarjuna. But, this is not merely an exercise in the history of philosophy. It is a exploration of the psychological implications of these philosophies in modern life.
A major highlight of the book, for me, was then how the venerable teachings of Nagarjuna are shown to be consistent with the empirical findings in a variety of contemporary sciences: particularly parapsychology and physics -- but also modern medicine. And, another highlight, are the many well-known examples from popular culture (miserable lifestyles of the rich and famous) that reinforce further the pitfalls of ego-attachment to one's "story."
Yet, another highlight, for me, was the discussion of Vajrayana or Dzogchen Buddhism. Like many others, I have thought of Buddhism as composed of two major schools -- the Hinayana (or "small vehicle" based on the original Buddhist teachings) and the Mahayana (or "large vehicle" based on the notion of the compassionate Boddhisatva). Vajrayana, the third school, involves letting go of all conditioning -- including the conditioning of one's earlier training.
This book exemplifies the integration of spiritual truths with scientific facts culminating in a pragmatic, psychological approach to a life that works. I highly recommend it.
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58 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Judith Orloff MD, March 28, 2006
This review is from: The End of Suffering: Fearless Living in Troubled Times . . or, How to Get Out of Hell Free (Paperback)
This is a beautiful, profound book written by one of the greatest teachers of non local reality of our time. Russell is not afraid of suffering, and, notably, he teaches us how to give up our fear too. This book and Russell embody a precious humanity and purpose that is so scarce in our culture which is so wrought with psychobabble. I recommend this book to everyone who is brave enough to delve into their lives and hearts to experience freedom.
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41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
***** Get the Message: "Stop Suffering and Start Living!" *****, October 3, 2006
This review is from: The End of Suffering: Fearless Living in Troubled Times . . or, How to Get Out of Hell Free (Paperback)
Russell Targ, a physicist as well as paranormal researcher, and J. J. Hurtak, a Judeo-Christian and Buddhist spiritual teacher have written a book of great importance for the rest of us. As they suggest, it is today because we have leaders that are ignorant about our oneness with not only each other but the Creator, they make absurd statements that actually lead to war and untold suffering such as, "Those who are not with us are with the terrorists." The modern physics of nonlocality and remote viewing research all show our potential for experiencing expanded awareness that yield to a deeper understanding of why avatars like Jesus uttered: "If you see me, you have seen God." More so, these authors speak to why the Dalai Lama described Nagarjuna as one of the truly enlightened people of all times and places. Thus, Targ and Hurtak describe a peaceful and joyful path based on these teachings and graciously share them with all who have ears to hear and eyes to see this ultimate truth: "We are one global human being" as the shamans themselves declare worldwide. The Maya priest-shaman use the word "In La'kech," that translates as this profound realization in English, "I am another yourself." Read this book and stop suffering, then start living a self-empowered life now!
Dr. John Jay Harper is a clinical hypnotherapist and author of Tranceformers: Shamans of the 21st Century.
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