Finding Heaven Here [Paperback]

John C. Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 16, 2009

Finding out that this world is Heaven is crucial for human survival. Otherwise in the frenzy of dissociation, our shadow games will annihilate the planet. John Robinson's passionate and finely researched book will inspire seekers to open their enlightened eyes and see the world as it is, and start working in Sacred Activism to preserve it. Andrew Harvey, Author of Son of Man, The Direct Path, and The Essential Mystics.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Robinson, an ordained interfaith minister and retired clinical psychologist, proposes a psychological explanation for happiness and suffering. Reworking the creation story, Robinson (Death of a Hero, Birth of a Soul) claims humans constructed reality out of divine consciousness, thereby losing sight of divinity. By enjoying lifes beauty and by changing thought patterns, we can again experience Heaven on Earth. Robinson suggests the truest way to shift consciousness is through mysticism or focusing intentionally heightened and thoughtless consciousness back on itself. He coaches the reader through Heavens Compass, his meditative method for finding Heaven on Earth. The reader can use the mystical experience to solve worldly dilemmas, and will find an appendix that answers questions about the process. Another appendix includes quotations about the existence of Heaven on Earth from a cross-section of poets, mystics and religious leaders. Similar quotes littered throughout the chapters should have been consigned to that appendix instead of frequently interrupting the main exposition. While the existence of a wise divinity in a world of suffering is encouraging, the authors use of divine encounters as a means to an end diminishes the mystery of the encounter itself. (Jan.)
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Review

"FINDING HEAVEN HERE is a crash-course in spiritual transformation. In clear, compassionate terms, Dr. Robinson reveals the "secret" at the heart of all mystical traditions, and provides simple, practical exercises to bring it home to each and every reader. Required reading for anyone on a serious spiritual path." Rev. John R. Mabry, PhD, Author of The Way of Thomas and Faith StylesA wonderfully focused book and a welcome contribution to the radical but universal spiritual teaching that the sacred marriage of heaven and earth is possible. Welcome too are the rich citations from mystics the world over as well as a spiritual practice that assists one to ground and experience this fundamental realization. Heaven is earth and earth is heaven in spite of ourselves! Mathew Fox, Author of 26 books on Mysticisim and Creation Spirituality

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: John Hunt Publishing (March 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846941563
• ISBN-13: 978-1846941566
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,984,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Robinson holds doctorates in clinical psychology and ministry and is an ordained interfaith minister, author, and mystic. He has taught extensively at men's gatherings, professional conferences, hospitals, churches and retreat centers and is the author of three previous books on the interface of psychology and spirituality. His new book, Finding Heaven Here (O-Books), endorsed by Mathew Fox, Andrew Harvey, Malidoma Some, John Mabry and Jeremy Taylor, is both an integration of psychology and spirituality and a description of the reality and presence of Heaven on Earth. He explains, "I see Heaven on Earth all the time. I've seen it since childhood. I know I'm not crazy because I'm a clinical psychologist and I know I'm not a religious heretic because I can quote teachers and sages from every major religious tradition who describe it. Heaven on Earth is the greatest secret on the spiritual path." Dr. Robinson lives on an island in the Puget Sound of Washington State. Learn more about him at www.johnrobinson.org.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit of heavenly delight, June 14, 2009

By 

Julie Clayton "Julie Clayton ~New Consciousne... (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finding Heaven Here (Paperback)

Finding Heaven Here is a guidebook to the universal teachings of spiritual practice and transformation--achievable in everyday life. This is a passionate book that shines a light on the most inspiring of human qualities: our capacity to perceive and experience "heaven on earth." What the author means by experiencing heaven on earth is our ability to mindfully shift our way of being in the world, so that we continually attune to what is beautiful, sacred, omnipresent, conscious, present, and divine. When we do this consciously and gratefully, we discover the world around us in its goodness, creativity, and love: the infinite possibilities of divine life.

This is a well-researched book, punctuated with quotes from mystics, poets, and religious/ spiritual leaders past and present. The author's personal descent into darkness and resurrection is a compelling anecdote that twinges our own ego-based suffering--or our desire for a more meaningful life. From the author's dark experience emerged "Heaven's Compass:" Robinson's contemplative method for finding heaven on earth. We get generous helpings of this process of transformative self-inquiry throughout the book, guiding us through our own spiritual practice and divine encounters. Succinct while being comprehensive, Finding Heaven Here is a little bit of, well, heavenly delight.

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless., August 7, 2009

By 

A. Akins (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finding Heaven Here (Paperback)

I heard an interview with the author on NPR and decided to buy the book on a whim, as he was coherent and eloquent. The book, however, is a cliched, cheesy, uneducated and half-assed approach to meditation (?) and spirituality (sic) from a christian point of view. It's full of paradoxes and does nothing to bring any sort of clarity or enlightened thought to anyone with half a brain. And conceptually, it's a mess! I started reading it when I was sailing in the Bahamas, and I felt like an idiot for having only brought this one for the week-long trip. I left it at the dock in Bimini. Anyone wants it, it's there. What a waste.