Customer Reviews

A Field Guide to the Soul: A Down-to-Earth Handbook of Spiritual Practice

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an unsentimental book that takes you into James Thornton's sacred world and allows one to form or deepen one's one world. He does this with short, easy-to-digest chapters, and in fact I love reading one or two before bedtime. The depth and breadth of wisdom is unique and joyous. He writes, "There is always the terror of stepping out of our old protective skin. But a new one will reliably extrude itself . . . Our heart is broken open, again and again, until it is big enough to hold the world." So, you see, beautiful writing and beautiful wisdom. If you are a person who hesitates to buy books about the soul, fearing new-age trends (I am one of those people who does not go in for cliched new-age topics), please be assurred that this book is not trendy or maudlin. It is a profoundly joyful book, and Thornton's natural vignettes are thought-provoking and calming and illuminating.

Not long ago, after having read many books on Buddism and meditation, I began to think that maybe the whole idea of a personal, loving God or Father was a myth of my own making... Our making... A fabrication we needed to survive... An opium of the masses. Although I gained much from reading on Buddism and meditation, I found I just didn't want to let go of the idea of a personal, loving Father with a plan for my life. If this is your hope too, read this book. His encounter with God is honest, unpretentious, and truly mystical. I no longer have any doubt.

I read this book because I strongly believe in reading opinions I disagree with. And in the end, I do disagree with some of Thornton's conclusions. However, I have to admit that this is one of the most insightful New Age texts I have ever read. It was very challenging on a personal level, and I learned a lot about myself while reading it. Thornton is certainly thought-provoking, intelligent, and a capable writer. If you enjoy New Age books, you should definitely read this one. If you do not, you should give this one a try. Few books about spirituality get better than this.

There is nothing else out there like this book. It is the Bible for the new millennium. It brings together the deep truths from the world's religions, makes them up to date, adds the only Genesis story that I've ever heard that makes sense to me, and leaves me feeling very very positive. This is a truly important book.

This HAS to be my favorite book. I read it once, straight through (boy this guy's no-nonsense lyrical, the words seemed to flow straight to my soul), I'll read it again many times I think, but for now it's great to feel this book working inside me. You know what I do? I turn to it at odd moments, open it at random, and find me a sentence that just strikes home. It feels so right, I stop and give it some thought and it takes me deep. I'll have a go now - straight up, no messing - and see if it's got a message for us all.... Here goes: OK ... I did it twice: "A walk is a chance to imbibe Nature's wisdom...." ... OK again, that's fine ... and this guy doesn't stop there, he takes us through it, shows me how to walk in a way I've never done before. AND he shows me nature ... he's a naturalist, and keeps waking me up to the natural world. He's obviously been the other places too (Zen, Christian, even Hindu and Sufi I'd guess) but he seems to really get his rocks off on nature. shows a real path to illumination just through getting outdoors and NOTICING ... something I can trust, even if I hadn't seen it before. Next opening: "When we ask for love, we are given love.".... Again, believe me, he goes on to back this up,. show us how to do it (there's a great section in the book called HOW TO GET UP AND GET THROUGH THE DAY that just hums with practical advice on how to live wondrously against the odds). I love this book, it's about love and how to open to it, and I honestly think it's going to change my life.

I`ve already turned to this book for wise counsel in stressful times and it has really helped. I have friends who want to borrow it but I seem to refer to it every few days so I plan on making birthday gifts to those who really need the natural and positive messages. We really need this book these days!

I've started opening the book every day, so I can find out what I need to know......it always seems to give me the advice I need for the day...I don't remember another book which has affected me like this. It keeps giving me the feeling that I--me!--can get there too, that a real spiritual experience is open to me.......I really like the part about "it's not important how often your mind wanders, what's important is how many times you call it back." It's like it gives me permission to be myself, and at the same time encourages me to go deeper. It's like it is cozy, so I keep it on my bedside table, and try to read a little bit every night.

This book is tremendous. There is nothing like it. A true "guiding light". Should be required reading everywhere. Not only is it lucid, persuasive and profound, it is also splendidly written. Besides it is wise, seductive, brave, and holy.