Customer Reviews

The Face of Power

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Finally, a new book on shamanism that is not regurgitation of old ideas! The author's honesty is edgy, heart-felt, controversial and at times quite funny and his experiences helped me recognize/remember my own connection to the Unknown. This book has really changed the way I look at my life and has given me the motivation and clarity to pursue what I've been seeking for so long, a life of freedom, awareness and fullfillment. What a joy to be able to access these things in "real life" and to have a book that resonates the truth of our experiences and deepest desires. I was drawn in from the beginning to the author's style, his ability to paint a scene and convey the feelings of an event, and his passion for the unknown is contagious. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something more out of life. Even if you don't know what that "something" is, this book will shine a light and show you what you've been missing.

The Face of Power is an exciting, autobiographical and highly inspirational account of a fellow spiritual sojourner at the crossroads of the Divine and individual/soul awareness. In a matter-of-fact style, the author conveys an absolutely original sentiment, which seeks to illuminate the light within us, while exposing the hidden realities beneath the surface of contemporary society. By peeling away layers of debris and distortion, (heaped upon us by modern civilization and ourselves), he reaveals the pure essences of humanity, spirituality and mysticism.

A tangible feeling of warmth effectively connects the reader to the author by drawing them in, like a classic novel, yet the work is entirely based on actual, often humorous events. The author also reveals unique acts of compassion and understanding rooted in humility and faith by tapping into experiences (obtainable by us all) which support and define an inexhaustible, natural and compelling force surrounding the self, and the universe.

Prodigious. Unflinching. Timely. The book is filled with dreaming passages and energy theories derived from ancient texts. One feels the need to read and reread certain pages again and again, or drop the book open to any chapter, to find crystalized nuggets of pertinent information, sometimes so uncanny in their necessity -- especially at the moment of perception. The sense that Mr. Guest is onto something cannot be denied. Most of all, he gracefully evokes the strongest reality of them all: the reality of true, lasting, self-life conception.

This is a great book! There's nothing out there quite like it. An amazing story that is written so well I couldn't put it down. I will definitely be giving copies of this book to several friends. Thank you Mr. Guest for writing such an honest and inspiring book. You have rekindled my passion for the Unknown and the Truth that lies within!!

The Face of Power is the moving and gripping account of how an hypersensitive and psychic child became a kind of modern shaman and faith healer.The book is however more than a spiritual autobiography since its core is a series of philosophical dialogues between the author and Court, his male mentor, with whom he has a kind of platonic love relationship. In these long conversations, the question of the ultimate nature of experience is explored in depth. People who have read Krishnamurti's works will struck by the numerous and sometimes baffling similarities.

The rest of the book deals with Matthew's spiritual experiences and encounters with spirits and above all with his tumultuous love affairs, which he increasingly comes to regard as a struggle between the powers of light and the powers of darkness as he laboriously but vainly attempts to "convert" his partners to the life of the Spirit. His candid but unoriginal conclusion is that sex is a waste of time and energy...

Lucid dreaming, though frequently mentioned, is NOT discussed in depth in the book. The Face of Power is primarily a philosophical discourse in the form of an autobiographical narrative, peppered with digressions on mysticism, archeology and of course sex. It is not an umpteenth guide to the astral realms or a how-to book about lucid dreaming. What little advice the reader will find scattered in the pages of the "Face of Power" is of an indirect nature and rather vague. Obviously, the author does not want you to know too much.

I sometimes suspected the book to be, in a subtle but nevertheless unmistakable way, an attempt to proselytize its readership, specially people who are ill, since Matthew is quite frank about his healing powers and frequently talks about them. But the tone of deep sincerity of the whole work has convinced me that petty commercialism is far from his mind.

This a very well-written book, both entertaining and profound. It is sometimes so dense that you may need to read and reread some passages, specially in the dialogues with Court. Clearly, the wisdom that Matthew imparts us is from another world.

The reason why I give it only three stars is because I found the mixture of philosophic dialogues with accounts of marital quarrels somewhat jarring. I also found Matthew's Manichean view of sex in general rather uninspiring. Finally, as I mentioned above, much of the wisdom found in the Face of Power sounds like a regurgitation of Krishnamurti's teachings.

People who are interested in a mystical autobiography of truly great caliber free from disturbing conjugal life digressions should read Krishnamurti's Journal.

Matt Guest was raised as a catholic and it shows. The book is extremely heavy handed in it's critique of human sexuality as a waste of energy. In fact, he never ultimately gives sexuality any redemption. The oh so wise teacher in the book named Cort lives with a woman and doesn't even sleep in the same room with her. Cort also seems to have no clue about how to make the body stronger through diet and exercise. He smokes, drinks coffee and liquor yet esposes all kinds of "wisdom" about people's condition with no medical training whatsoever to back up his claims. Read Conversations with God instead. It speaks of sex as one of the most joyful creative acts ever. And read body for Life instead of the high carb fruit juice drinkig nonsense in this book.

The Face Of Power by Matt Guest comprises a shamanistic narrative and journey that speaks of the world beyond the self, as well as the dreams of common, everyday life. A transcendent and informative guide of sexuality, power, the importance of reflection, expanded awareness, and a great deal more, The Face of Power is an impressively original and quite highly recommended contribution to personal and academic Metaphysical/Occult Studies reference collections and reading lists.

This guy obviously has some valuable personal experience and it is nice that he shares it with us so openly. But that's what this book is mostly all about - his personal experience. There is no structured approach or new theory. The book is definitely not instructional but rather anecdotal. I read both his books but was somewhat disappointed as the titles led me to expect more. Obviously the road to power is a very different personal experience for every one.

It's obvious Matt has been through a lot and his honesty and frankness are refreshing, especially his awareness of the sexual energy. He spoke of many things that I am sure have occurred to those of us on a path toward freedom and put them in a concise,inspiring way.
Overall, I would still recommend that people who are serious about the search for freedom go with Castaneda and the current incarnation Cleargreen. They have a much more practical and pragmatic approach as well as being available to the public. Contrary to what Matt says, Castaneda did not die but rather was transformed and still exists in other realms as offensive as this statement is to reason. His partner and colleagues, Carol Tiggs, Taisha Abelar and Florinda Donner are still around guiding things from behind the scenes. Unfortunately, most people stop at a certain point and are unable to fathom this but alas, I digress.
Matt's book is a good start and despite some disagreements I have about his careless use of syntax (words do have power- it does matter what you define things as) it still has some valuable info. I recommend it as a step in a process of awareness.

Whether you are new to the spiritual path or someone who has walked for many years, this book contains a wealth of insight. It is written by an author who recounts his life stories and who the reader can often relate to in his raw honesty. He is genuine, witty and most important, dedicated to a true path of knowing. I have been studying the deeper truths of life for many years and read more than my share of books. This book I have read 3 times and it is among my very favorites. I have gotten something new out of it each time which is rare. It contains many abstract truths which may not be so obvious to someone not familiar with this type of path but also many great insights for anyone with an open mind. It is impossible to truly describe the unknown with words because it can only be understood through direct experience. Matt Guest has come as close as anyone in putting into words the essence of what it is for a warrior to undertake the most challenging task open to any man or woman, the path within and all the profound mysteries that go with it. What a beautiful, frightening, wonderful and indescribable journey it is! Hats off to you Matt, I do hope you read these reviews.

Peace and light within

Solum Omium Lumen

Finally, a new book on shamanism that is not regurgitation of old ideas! The author's honesty is edgy, heart-felt, controversial and at times quite funny and his experiences helped me recognize/remember my own connection to the Unknown. This book has really changed the way I look at my life and has given me the motivation and clarity to pursue what I've been seeking for so long, a life of freedom, awareness and fullfillment. What a joy to be able to access these things in "real life" and to have a book that resonates the truth of our experiences and deepest desires. I was drawn in from the beginning to the author's style, his ability to paint a scene and convey the feelings of an event, and his passion for the Unknown is contagious. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something more out of life. Even if you don't know what that "something" is, this book will shine a light and show you what you've been missing.