The Enlightened Mind [Paperback]

Stephen Mitchell (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 1993

A magnificent compilation of sacred writings from all traditions and the perfect companion to Stephen Mitchell's poetry collection, The Enlightened Heart, and the bestselling Tao Te Ching.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Mitchell's many books include the bestselling Tao Te Ching, Gilgamesh, and The Second Book of the Tao, as well as The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, The Gospel According to Jesus, Bhagavad Gita, The Book of Job, and Meetings with the Archangel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (April 16, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060923202
• ISBN-13: 978-0060923204
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Mitchell was born in Brooklyn in 1943, educated at Amherst, the Sorbonne, and Yale, and de-educated through intensive Zen practice. His many books include the bestselling Tao Te Ching, The Gospel According to Jesus, Bhagavad Gita, The Book of Job, Meetings with the Archangel, Gilgamesh, and the forthcoming The Second Book of the Tao. When he is not writing, he likes to ' in no particular order ' think about writing, think about not writing, not think about writing, and not think about not writing. His favorite color is blue, which happens to be the color of his wife's eyes. You can read extensive excerpts from all his books on his website, www.stephenmitchellbooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So many stars, one sky., January 31, 2005

By 

Butch (From the American Heartland.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Enlightened Mind (Paperback)

In my opinion this is an excellent anthology of sacred prose. Stephen Mitchell has been very ecumenical in his selection process. Such a lack of bias is clear evidence of his own enlightened understanding where the universality of truth is concerned. I am reminded of the parable of the blind men and the elephant. No one, no cult, no philosophy, no religion, has a patent on the ultimate source of being, on God for lack of a better word. Or to paraphrase Lao Tzu, "The god that can be named is not the eternal God." It is hubris to think otherwise. All anyone can say where the ineffable Source of existence is concerned is what it is like, not what it is. Though arguably the greatest Advaita sage of the 20th Century Ramana Marharshi's favorite way of expressing the existential nature of the ineffable was "I AM THAT I AM", the self-existent one. Exodus 3:14. Many stars, one sky.

The bits and pieces of the Whole that are contained in this book are a tasty feast for the hungry mind. A veritable smorgasbord of heavenly and earthly delights. A little Heraclitus, Plato, Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, Rumi, Eckhart, Dame Julian, Blake, Chief Seattle, Emerson, Einstein, and others. A portion of the Upanishads, the Judeo-Christian Bible, the Hermetic Writings, the Diamond Sutra, and what we have here is truth, truth, and more truth. If you want an excellent sampling of universal truth as expressed by some of our world's greatest heart-minds then this is a good book for you. And for me.

Sampler:

Ramana Maharshi:

"If the mind is happy, not only the body but the whole world will be happy. So one must find out how to become happy oneself. Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the whole world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes".

Dogen:

"Gaining enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon doesn't get wet; the water isn't broken... The whole moon and the sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass".

Einstein:

"A human being is a part of the whole that we call the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical illusion of his consciousness. This illusion is a prison to us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for only the few people nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature".

Rumi:

"The Love-Religion has no code or doctrine. Only Love".

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remove the log from thine own eye first......., September 10, 2004

By 

Mithrandir (Denver,Co USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enlightened Mind (Paperback)

I found this book on accident several years into my journey, and found it to be a most intriguing work. If you already claim to know the truth, the whole truth, and everyone else falls short, this book will no doubt offend your sensibilities. However if every day is a learning experience for you, and you listen to the " still, small voice within", you will no doubt recognize the transparent thread which connects all the passages in Gods love. No matter how many times I read and reread it, as my perspective grows, so do I find new teachings to inspire and motivate me.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best collection of understandable literature., July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Enlightened Mind (Paperback)

Compiled to appeal to the masses it is a very impressive effort . The introduction given to each section seems to restrict the understanding and guide ones thought in a particular area, it is my humble feeling that this kind of literature needs no introduction. The way it has been combined have an out of the world effect.Best work.I love it