Customer Reviews

Handbook to higher consciousness

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I first picked this book up about 20 years ago just to see what kind of a silly book would have a title like that, but after reading just a couple of pages I realized that it actually contained some wisdom. After reading a few more pages I decided to buy it, and I can honestly say that it's been the single most helpful book I've ever read in my life. I've probably read it a dozen times since then and it's the one book that's actually changed my life. For anyone willing to make the effort, these methods truly do work, and you can start feeling the benefits almost immediately. One thing that may put off some readers is that it contains a few leftover 60's words like "groovy," but, if one can overlook that, the underlying message in valuable beyond words. Ken Keyes draws somewhat on Buddhist ideas and other philosophies (as he notes in the introduction), but only a genius could organize them into such a practical and usable system. This book has benefited me so much that I almost feel like it's my duty to write this review to recommend it to others as well.

> Today I received a request from a metaphysics student
named Mike. He asked if I would share my experience
with this book. After I responded to him, it occurred
to me to leave an edited copy of what I sent him,
at Amazon. com. for others who may enjoy hearing from
someone who has loved the book for over 2 decades.

Dear Mike,

> The Handbook To Higher Consciousness by Ken
> Keyes needs to be experienced, to be understood
> and to be learned. As you probably know, what is
> truly learned, is life changing.
>
> What is learned from "The Handbook To Higher
> Conscious" by Ken Keyes stays the same, but
> it will reveal continual
> "Ah-ha's" as it is experienced through the years.
>
> I have found that no matter what pathway explored
> that everything boils down to what Ken defines
> as "Addictions/Demands" and
> Preferences". (Demands bring unhappiness,
> Preferences bring happiness. What is a demand
> for one person, may not be for another.)
>
The key seems to be to become aware of ones own demands (not other people's)and then to go to work on up-leveling them. Not to become a BETTER person, but to be a HAPPIER person.
>
> The book and its methods, makes
> one increasingly aware, that everyday life
> is a school; a school filled with people and circumstances
> that makes you aware of what triggers your own
> demands, and interferes with your happiness,
> and consequently the happiness of others. As Ken says:
1. Everyone and everything, becomes your teacher.

2. Everything is either perfect for your growth or for your
pleasure.

I have found that as the ego driven demands I acquired early in life become uplifted to preferences, I have been able to operate
> more and more consistently from a peaceful and loving
> basis. When I do not, at least I am soon able to identify what demand I was experiencing, and be reminded, that once again
life was checking me out.

Preferences have brought the experience of
> happiness. Demands have created the experience of pain.
>
> Example: A pyschologist might say "Conditioning"
> creates unhappiness"
> A Christian may believe that happiness in the Lord
> depends on "Letting go, and letting God."
>
> A Buddhist may say, "When it rains,
> than rain is my choice." Course In
> Miracles might say, "Nothing real
> can be threatened. Nothing unreal
> exists. Herein lies the peace of
> God." OR
>
> "The world we see merely
> reflects our own internal frame of reference --
> the dominant ideas, wishes and emotions in our
> minds. 'Projection makes perception'.
> (You may wish to explore Jampolsky's
> "Love is Letting Go of Fear."
>
> The methods in Keyes book provides a precise
> way to reprogram whatever it is that one may find
> he or she needs to reprogram. The methods always work
> regardless of ones particular "religious"
> leanings, or the lack of. It is one of
> many paths to the top of the mountain, and a book
that you never outgrow.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> M.S

I found this book in my friend's car. I had a broken leg and he was taking me along on his chores one day. I thought it looked hokey but got hooked fast. I liked his ideas about reprogramming the mind--a bit like reframing and NLP He talks about the different centers of consciousness from which we are coming from at any time. He teaches us how to be aware where we are at any time. This is the awareness I needed when I was sitting there with my broken leg I learned about the centers that produce unhappiness---security, sensation and power--which produces fear of loss In my life i have read over 20,000 books This is in the top 10

I read this book at a difficult time in my life, and in fact when I first opened the book I had to stop crying to read the words. After reading just a page or two, I felt a sense of calm come over me, and more pleasant feelings followed. I finished the book in three days, and enjoyed every minute of it. The book definitely had a powerful impact on my life. One point the book made that I always have dancing in my mind is: you always have everything you need to be happy.

Ken Keyes describes the human mind as a computer, and all human suffering is due to the programs we have in our mind. He then gives advice as to how to "re-program" your computer and always be "in" love. I highly recommend buying this book.

This is a pragmatic book. I first got this book back in the 70s. I didn't realize what a treasure this book is.

This book will simply teach you how to be successful and happy always. Successful as in let go of the emotional junk that keeps you held back, keeps you sleepy, and all that. Sounds hokey? Well, that's why I didn't read it for about 20 to 30 years. I skimmed it, saw one line in there which sounded "hokey" and didn't read it. However, I kept it; a feeling told me to keep it. Now that I have had major things happen in my life, new career, new kid, and new challenges, this book came to the rescue.

Let's be clear. Had I read this book 30 years ago, I would have saved myself a lifetime of different moments of pain and suffering.

I suggest you read it all the way through as fast as possible, reread it and apply what you learn while reading it the second time.

[...].

I read this book shortly after it came out; it was one of those books that just jumps off the shelves at you. It was the first time I really understood that you, and you alone, create your feelings. It has been a wonderful companion in life.

In 1972,a(real)friend casually dropped off the "Handbook" for me. Little did I know how it would cange my life,forever.I had read every self-help book I could get my hands on, but this one was and is like no other.This author not only shows "WHAT" is important in life, he reveals "HOW" to get there.Life is constantly "sending us messages we need for our growth",so here is a step by step procedure of how to,accept and Love unconditionaly,in our precious now moments. The twelve pathways are truly the work of a genius! Very few days go by that I do not fine comfort,joy and benefit in repeating their beautiful content.So If this books sells for anything less than one million dollars,buy it! It's worth a lot more than that. I have (casually) given away several cases...

Originally written in 1975, this is the classic predecessor to more contemporary personal transformation authors such as Wayne Dyer or Neale Donald Walsch, both of whom have acknowledged Handbook To Higher Consciousness as a major influence.

The book is based around unconditional love for oneself and others. One of the main points continually emphasized here is the importance of changing your addictions to preferences. It is okay to have preferred outcomes in life, but once we are no longer attached to results, we are set free to experience life more happily and fully in the here and now. Ken Keyes presents us with numerous ways of achieving this, based around "The Twelve Pathways To The Higher Consciousness Planes Of Unconditional Love And Oneness".

These suggestions are entirely practical, and cover every area of human experience. "You make yourself and others suffer just as much when you take offense as when you give offense" is a powerful truth, as is "to be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have". "The Instant Consciousness Doubler" of experiencing everything that everyone does or says as though you had done or said it is another winner. Every page is packed with insights and suggestions for a more enlightened life.

The nature of life is that we win some and we lose some, so we might as well accept it and enjoy ourselves whenever possible!

Ken Keyes explains things in lucid detail as the reader is engrossed by the book and then by ones own life. This book is a must for anyone over coming depression or problems within their life, or wants to begin their journey to enlightenment. This book can be considered as an aid to find true happiness and should be greatly considered by anyone feeling as if there's more to life... I personally was compulsed to read this book over and over.

I have owned this book for over 15 years and have read it over and over. I can't tell you what a sense of calm it gives me. When I was on vacation in Maui almost 10 years ago, I took this book down to the pool to read and smiled when I noticed two others were reading the exact book. We tend to make life so complicated. Read this book and learn to simplify.