Customer Reviews

The Eye of the I: From Which Nothing Is Hidden

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I have been a serious spiritual seeker for 12 years and have not come across a work as clearly written as 'The Eye of the I' (except 'Power vs. Force'). I come from an orthodox background, but have had some highly unorthodox experiences without a context to place them in my mind and spirit. This book has opened entire realms of experience that I never knew existed, allowing the paranormal to exist right along side the normal, the orthodox next to the unorthodox.

If you also come from an orthodox religious background and have been raised with blinders on your eyes, be prepared for full vision! Many of the laws, tenents, dogmas, and prejudices that we take for granted are examined with microscopic precision. Many of the 'granteds' I took were only out of necessity because I could not reconcile their incongruencies in my own mind and heart. Dr. Hawkins shows clearly the true nature of God, while at the same time, he does not favor one religious view, denomination, cult, or sect over another; nor does he preclude them.

My only reservation comes from the use of Kinesiology as a tool to test intention. Many factors affect the yes/no test result that have nothing to do with Consciousness. These include, but are not limited to, apolaria (the body not being electrical), general adaptive syndrome (by Hans Selye which we call stress or burnout, from prolonged adrenal gland overuse), dehydration (water is the #1 nutrient Americans do not get enough of), and even the thoughts of the people participating in the test. He claims to have overcome these problems which may be evident in the sheer numbers of trials he has run, and that he has done this research cross-culturally.

Technical points of Kinesiology aside, the spiritual insights are profound. In his first book, Dr. Hawkins stated that just by reading it consciousness could be raised 35 points on his scale. Seekers' consciousnesses will be affected by at least that much again upon completion of this second work. I eagerly anticipate the final volume of the trilogy in November 2002: 'I'.

Every book I've read up til now on spiritual growth seemed well within reach if one simply practiced some proven principles. David Hawkins material is different. This guy underwent some spiritual shockwave that left him with an entirely different view of reality. That's why I caution the potential buyer. This is not an easy read nor is it meant for people who simply want a more successful life. This is about Hawkins realization that the "self" that we all think we are, is really just an illusion, an abstact cluster of disjointed thoughts, memories, emotions, reactions, etc. and that the belief that our bodies and minds are us, is the root cause of all our pain. Again and again, he reiterates that our real "self" is actually a universal "Self" that is connected to everyone and everything. He argues that the small individual self, the ego, fights like crazy to protect this illusion that it's the real thing. It's really just an abstact. Our true nature, according to Hawkins, it based in a benevolent unifying God force that is all encompassing. It's everything and everywhere and only our ego based fears block our awareness of it. Once we let go of the beliefs that we are our thoughts and opinions, or that we are bodies, then we begin to experience a deeper, truer sense of who we are. This is accompanied by a profound sense of peace and a feeling of "coming home", as if this truth had been there the whole time and we are just remembering it. He makes the analogy that the universal Self/God/Source is much like the sun, in that it continually shines and the only reason we don't feel it and see it, is because it gets blocked by something.

In addition to his own radical reawakening, the premise to much of Hawkins work is based on kinesiology, the body's physical response to posed statements. In testing, when a statement is true, the body (usually an outstretched arm) stays strong. If not true, it dips and goes weak. The amazing part is that it works even if the person being tested does not know the answer. A toxic substance in a sealed envelop will make the person go "weak" even if they believe it to be something good inside. That implies a "universal mind" or cosmic consciousness that supercedes the individuals own predispositons and opinions. It's like we are being governed by a higher force but we are completely unaware of it. By becoming more aware, we can become more conciously aligned with it and live in a more intuitive and less "mental" way. Concisousness becomes our innate guide rather than mental logic.

Again, this is heavy lifting compared to other books I've read and it's not for everyone. Hawkins is big on spirituality and not so hot on religion, which he believes has watered down a lot of the truth. This read requires an open mind and the ability to suspend your entire belief system while you absorb the material. I would recommend it to those who are looking to push the limits and go beyond the traditional confines of successful living.

David R. Hawkins is often associated with his use of applied kinesiology, which is a form of kinesiology that is often criticized by modern intellectuals and scientists. This is unfortunate, because the fundamental nature of his work is that of research on the true nature of Consciousness, along with how Consciousness expresses itself in all aspects of life and reality.

It is even more unfortunate because aside from his research, Hawkins is one of the first American Sages, which is to say he is a human being that is the embodiment of Truth and has realized his Oneness with All That Is, or has become Self-Realized. Thus his understanding of the nature of reality and truth is profound to a degree that is rare among all modern mystics, gurus or sages.

His first mainstream book, Power Vs. Force, lays the groundwork for this book by presenting many aspects of modern nonlinear science such as: quantum mechanics, Chaos Theory, Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, critical point analysis, nonlinear dynamics and more.

In Power Vs. Force, he then takes these concepts that center around the nature and behavior of energy, and presents his Map of Consciousness, where collective consciousness is described as being a series of fields of energy, each field of which behaves in very similar waves. An easy comparison would be that of comparing the full spectrum of light to a rainbow, where each individual spectrum of light behaves in a way that creates a specific color of light among the whole of the rainbow.

Understanding this Map of Consciousness is foundational to the full appreciation of Eye of The I. And yet, while Power Vs. Force is an amazing book, for the average or beginning reader it can seem to be laden with a lot of scientific jargon based around this science of kinesiology that can make it a challenge to digest.

Well, for those interested and determined readers who get through Power Vs. Force, this book, Eye of The I, is definitely the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. While some of the verbiage may not be discernible if one hasn't studied Hawkin's Map of Consciousness in Power Vs. Force, I believe this book stands alone as one of the greatest expressions of the Enlightened experience of Reality.

Eye of The I begins with a seven page prologue that is a firsthand, subjective description of reality as it is experienced by a Self-Realized Sage, such as Buddha (The Awakened One), Krishna, or Jesus the Christ. This description is immediately engaging, provocative and astonishing! The second chapter of the book describes his process of re-acclimating into normal society after having experienced this awakening experience that rendered him, for a time, non-functional in normal society.

These first 19 pages of the book are so stunning and profound that for the reader seeking enlightenment or the evolution of their awareness, you will not see the world the same after having been exposed to these pages. These pages, by themselves, are worth the price of the book.

As if this wasn't enough, the book continues forward with 317 pages of profound observations about the nature of truth, reality, life, subjectivity, perception, the mind, and even the very nature of God itself! (The 11-page chapter on the nature of God is another masterpiece of this book, and presents observations about the nature of Divinity--or God--in a way that immediately refutes the one issue that seems to divide humanity moreso than any other issue.)

I cannot speak highly enough of the importance and precious nature of this book. It is clearly ahead of its time... or is it? Perhaps it has arisen at precisely the right time, when humanity is on the verge of an explosive revolution in human consciousness.

Regardless, as the book states in its introductory caveat:
The traditional religionist or the spiritually timid are forewarned that the material herein presented may be disturbing and therefore better bypassed.

The teachings are presented for the seriously committed spiritual student who is seeking God as Enlightenment.

The pathway to Enlightenment via radical truth is demanding and requires surrender of belief system. Only then does the ultimate reality reveal itself as the sought after I of the Supreme.

The material presented herefore is from the perspective of the Eye of the I.
If you are ready to take a quantum leap forward in your progress toward the realization of the ultimate spiritual awareness of Truth as the very essence of your being, I very seriously doubt you will find another book as useful and helpful along your path as this book is.

I'm convinced this work will stand the test of time, and will stand next to the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Tao Te Ching, The Sermon On The Mount and the Bodhidharma as being one of the most important spiritual writings ever written.

Upon completion of Power vs. Force, his first book, it was evident that Dr. David R. Hawkins was onto something big. Now comes The Eye of the I, the second in a trilogy that will, no doubt, become classics in Spiritual literature, if not in Physics, Medicine, Psychology, and heaven knows what other areas. A noted doctor and healer with many credentials, Hawkins experienced enlightenment in all its glory, and gently points the way for us. He is a loving presence, a kind teacher, a benevolent energy that transcends time and space. The words on these pages awaken something great in the reader. It is recommended, though, that the books be read in order. Though the first one is a bit technical, the second book speaks to the spiritual seeker in all of us. The world morphs into a paradise as these books are passed from hand to hand, from mind to mind, and from heart to heart.

I've searched for a long time trying to find a spiritual book that is truly unique. I read Power vs. Force based on a recommendation from one of the Amazon.com book lists. That book laid the foundation for proper appreciation of the Eye of the "I" which is the second book in a yet to be completed trilogy by David Hawkins. I've read the Eye at least five times and I'm for from done yet. I carry it wherever I go. Single sentences and paragraphs can have a life changing effect - much like the Gita. This is a book of immense spiritual power that needs to be savored, absorbed, cherished.

Provided you are ready to recive it, and ideally have read "Power vs. Force" beforehad, this book will radically transform you. It changed my life forever. It blows my mind every time I pick it up and read it, which is basically daily. My copy is bent, tattered, underlined, written upon, due to constant referral and reflection.
This book is best taken daily; read a paragraph or a sentence, then reflect upon it. Being that it is like "mainlining" spirituality it is practically impossible to take in more that a bit at a time without going into overload.
The benifits of carefully reading and reflecting on this book over time *cannot*, i repeat *cannot* be overestimated, cannot even adequately be put into words.
This book is a perfect complement to "The Power of Now" as well; I found that working with both books simultaneously has a powerful synergistic effect. Tolle is a bit more gentle and hands-on, while Hawkins hits you (lovingly) with a 60ton anvil-over-the-head of direct spiritual truth.

I hesitate to review this book becuase I don't know if I am able to adaquately describe it's impact. I will say that you have to give it about 100 pages before you start to really comprehend a lot of what Hawkins is saying. The first half of the book is challanging in parts.

I have an undergraduate degree in religion, and half of a masters degree in psychology. I've had the priviledge of studying numerous mystical, philosophical and religious texts over the past few years. I also studied in a monastary for a month. www.mro.org has more info if you have some time on your hands.

This book was, for me, a begining and an end. It was the end of my search for a comprehensible, non-sectarian description of the mystic experience that I've read pieces of elsewhere but never been able to fully wrap my mind around. It was the begining of something entirely different. Where before I have sought to know about god, after reading the book I seek to know God.

I write this review with the sincere hope that others will see it and choose to purchase the book. I cannot adaquetly describe how rewarding the experience of reading it can be.

Being a sincere student of Advaita Vedanta (Non-duality) for many years and inspired by the works of Gangaji, Ramana Maharshi, Satyam Nadeen and others, I find David Hawkins's book a major contribution to this body of spiritual Truth and Knowledge. Speaking from the unique perspective of a medical scientist and Self Realized Soul, Hawkins is able to language his experience in a uniquely linear and nonlinear fashion that speaks eloquently to the Western mind. Being a psychiatrist, he can couch his experience and explain the Self Realization process in both a psychological and spiritual context that penetrates the right brain as well as the left. The Truth quotient, based on his callibration system, scores very high and I found simply reading this book raised my consciousness and revealed inner Truth and Revelation beyond the printed word. Truly, this book is blessed as any great spiritual volume, and thus it has the ability to dramatically shift awareness from the self to the Self. This is profound! I can not rate this book high enough! It is a priceless Jewel.

I thought Power vs. Force was terrific, but Eye of the I is even better! A down-to-earth, understandable map of the path to Enlightenment -- no small feat! And, having just attended one of his seminars, I must say he's even more impressive (and funny!) in person than on the printed page. A MUST READ for all spiritual seekers.

I have been a spiritual seeker for some time, reading very widely, attending workshops, praying, meditating, yearning for 'truth.' More than any other book I have ever read, this book speaks to me. It confirms what has always been in my heart. It is accelerating my spiritual progress. If you are a serious spiritual seeker, this book will transform you. Your life will be permanently changed. I am not sure how someone who is confined/bounded by dogma, anxieties and fears will respond to it. Hopefully, it will be freeing to him or her. This book has the power to profoundly alter people's perceptions of reality in extraordinarily positive ways.