Customer Reviews

I Am

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I discovered this book by chance while browsing through the spirituality section of my local bookstore and a quick leafing through the pages was enough to convince me to buy it. It has been one of my best impulse purchases ever. The author elucidates on the nature of the universal consciousness that represents our true self (the "I Am") using a Q&A format. Instead of reading cover to cover, I would randomly flip to a certain page and invariably I would find a precious insight waiting for me. The material discussed is certainly not light and deep contemplation and re-readings may be required to grasp at their true meanings. I found the style of the book similar to the dialogues and teachings of the great master Sri Ramana Maharishi. If you are not familiar with Advaita (non-duality) teachings, I recommend waiting before beginning this book. Starting with a study of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads may be a good idea before graduating to Ramana Maharshi and this book. However that is my personal opinion. Ultimately, books like these can only point the way and we all have to walk our own path.

The more I read from Jean Klein the more I realize that there is nobody that can spell out non-duality in words better that he can. Some like Nisargadatta and Ramana would be as equals. Makes sense that someone rooted in the absolute would give roughly the same profound information as someone else coming from the same place with variations accounting for personality and such as filtered through the ego.

Out of all the books that this extraordinary sage has offered the world, this book is a gem. I was so grateful when I discovered that the book was going to be republished to make it available to everyone. "I am" is a must read for all those who are interested in spiritual awakening, enlightenment, the essence of the Advaita scriptures and the realization of Non-duality. Jean pragmatically speaks with great clarity, so that reader is able to discern the truth.

Jean Klein is a recognized master of Advaita throughout the world and is in the tradition of one of the world's most revered sages, Ramana Maharshi, and Atmananda Krishna Menon.

Katie Davis, Author, "Awake Joy"

I WAS wondering if Jean would be inspiring and insightful since this was first published in '89. Would his words speak to today's world? They do and with a keenness sometimes missing elsewhere. For example, how he delineates between active and passive letting go, or states, "Leave the mind and body free to be themselves and you will no longer be their slave". For me, as a former Zen monk, then long time ashramee, this is very freeing. No longer lamenting the inner work done in the past, the present moment without structure is the perfect temple for awakening. Living moment to moment with alert awareness in complete acceptance is the challenge and all the structure needed. This book can trigger one's awareness, providing gems that shine brilliantly and illuminate everyday living. I AM fortunate for having met a friend in Jean Klein.

this book instantly brought peace to my body. Again the message of non identity was identified and we are just not bodies . Love

is all and there is nowwhere to go .Where we are now presently is it. So stop searching be at peace and know that you are the MIRACLE.

Jean Klein is very eloquent in his description of nonduality. Reading this book and rereading it has been very enjoyable. His message is identical to that of Nisargadatta and Ramana, since they are all speaking from the very same nondual realization. Since Jean is more erudite than the others, his writing appears more sophisticated while equally effective in elucidating the Truth as well as the false nature of the ego. If you find the message of the others to be too simple or apparently "simple-minded," as some who miss the entire point of nonduality suggest, try reading this to obtain firm intellectual grounding in as well as practical advice related to Advaita. I highly recommend this book!

This is an exceptional book on advaita, well written, profound, with great practical applications. Highly recommended.

This is a book on nonduality that consists of dialogues between Jean Klein and seekers. It was my first encounter with Klein. The style is similar to Jiddu Krishnamurti. The message is of utmost important, no doubt. Nonduality can not be expressed in logic via words and all verbal accounts of it should be taken as mere pointers: The map is not and can never be the territory. So, I expect and tolerate seeming logical inconsistencies in advance in these kinds of books. Given this, Jean Klein's statements seemed less tight than some other nonduality masters I have read. He often offers very brief and speculative answers, and I have to say he doesn't get the best of questions either. I wouldn't recommend it as a first encounter with nonduality. However, I would recommend it as yet another voice who speaks this same profound message. Each teacher has their own style and it is fun and interesting to experience them each.