Customer Reviews

If You Could See What I See: The Tenets of Novus Spiritus

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Here I'm going to do something I've never done before: I'll go through the tenets one by one and show you how they relate to me and my journey. Some of you may respond to what I discuss, while others may feel that it's too far out for you." - From the book

If You Could See What I See is mostly an autobiographical account of the life of Sylvia Browne and how she has incorporated 21 spiritual principles in her personal and public life. According to Browne-a well known psychic and medium-these tenets came directly to her approximately 30 years ago via her spirit guide, Francine. When Browne started the Society of Novus Spiritus, these principles became the cornerstone of her church's beliefs.

Using personal anecdotes, as well as stories from relatives and church members, Browne explains how the 21 tenets apply to everyday living. For her, they are both a spiritual roadmap and an explanation why things happen as they do here on Earth. Several of the Gnostic tenets of Novus Spiritus include:

* Do not give unto God any human pettiness such as vengeance, wrath, or hate. Negativity is man's alone.

* Create your own heaven, not a hell. You are a creator made from God.

* Turn thy power outward, not inward, for therein shines the light and the way.

* Be simple. Allow no man to judge you, not even yourself, for you cannot judge God.

* You are a light in a lonely, dark desert who enlightens many.

* Let no one convince you that you are less than a God. Do not let fear imprison your spiritual growth.

* God allows each person the opportunity for perfection, whether you need one life or a hundred lives to reach your level of perfection.

* We believe in a Mother God, who is co-Creator with our all-loving Father God.

* We believe that our Lord was crucified, but did not die on the cross. Instead, he went on to live his life in France with his mother and Mary Magdalene, his wife.

While Browne tries to be hopeful in If You Could See What I See, a weary, jaded tone permeates the book. Referring to this Earth as a "hellhole" more than once, Browne focuses on the trials she has experienced through life. There's nothing wrong with this, of course, especially of it were only an autobiography. However, she's offering the 21 tenets as a prescription for life and as a spiritual guidebook. Also, she repeatedly mentions the abuse and neglect suffered at the hands of her Mom while idealizing her father, grandmother, and uncle. Browne even goes as far as to call her Mom a "dark entity"-a soul that is not of the Light.

Another unusual perspective in If You Could See What I See is that of forgiveness. The author relays a story about a man who was bilked out of his father's belongings. Apparently, his brother convinced the father to change his will and the man was left with nothing-not even a memento. Browne advises that the man doesn't "have" to forgive-"just don't let it get in the way of your life."

Every spiritual tradition that I know of-not to mention psychological truth-shows that unforgiveness is toxic. We forgive for our benefit and health, not that of the transgressor. I find this advice extremely odd, especially considering that Browne considers Jesus her "Lord" and admits she believes he was crucified on the cross. If Christ is her supposed model, saying, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do" in the face of such treatment, how can she justify withholding forgiveness for something as petty as the betrayal of a brother? Since when are we guaranteed *anything*, let alone something as fleeting as an inheritance? I'm reminded of a quote by Gary Renard: "Without forgiveness, metaphysics is useless."

It's obvious that Browne has been through a lot, including public ridicule and outright mean-spiritedness. This is unfortunate and sad. As a result, there is an underlying vibe that she's not over some of the hardships she has experienced in life and that she really doesn't want to be here on Earth. In fact, she goes so far to say, "life isn't too short-it's too long." Granted, this world is the toughest "school" in the cosmos, so I can see her point.

Browne does offer some solid, sage advice at times, but If You Could See What I See is best read as an autobiography of one woman's spiritual journey, in my opinion. She's a courageous woman who's not afraid to show "warts and all", which is more than I can say for many New Age authors.

In this book, Sylvia Browne shows through her own
experiences how she lives her life and as
a result, how I might be as brave as she has been
in living my own life.

Some parts of this book are painful to read
because of all the things Ms Browne has had
to go through. But she did and is doing it.
She is an example of bravery in the spiritual
life.

Words cannot describe how good this book is!
I could not put it down. I read it in 4 days and usually, it takes me 2 weeks to a month to read a book.
I felt spiritual uplifted and MANY of my questions that I have had were answered. After reading this, God has blessed me. I feel closer to Him even more. I have even passed it onto my girlfriend and told her that she's GOT to read this! It also answers her questions that she has asked me before I bought the book. When she is finished with it, I WILL be passing it along to my other friends to read. I bought one for one of my other girlfriend's birthday. This is what you call, A MUST READ!

Gradually, over the past 20-some years, Sylvia Browne has shared more and more of her gnostic understandings with us. She has shared her Spirit Guides and their perspectives. She's shared her psychic gifts and ministerial teachings. Now, with courage and a courageous heart, she has shared how the 21 Tenets of her personal faith (Novus Spiritus) have engaged with her personal life and how they can change the way we respond to the experiences of our evolving lives.

This is beautifully written and extremely candid. There are new details that earlier we were reading between the lines to understand.

For me, the new information about Grandmother Ada is the most inspiring and touching of all. Sylvia has said she will publish her grandmother's letters ... and I hope that might be very soon.

For Grandmother Ada's visionary courage inspired (and sometimes protected and sheltered) Sylvia and taught love. Or, as Sylvia puts it, Grandmother Ada could make a heaven of any hell ... and make it look easy.

The three-part "Soul's Perfection" is a read I think could almost be a prerequisite to this book. Not because any of them are difficult to read, but because Sylvia's Spirit Guides tell us the encouraging truth that guides her work. In Soul's Perfection we find the (is it 45?) life themes that we choose for our learning purposes in our lifetimes on earth. By reading them, we can understand how many of us are working on different lessons at different times and there's hardly any need to compare notes or judge one another. It's all God's (Father and Mother God's) work and gift.

I thank this Great Lady again and again for her work!!

- an astonishing work that is easy to read but as profound as the mystics of every sacred tradition.

First, I read this book, have it in my hands now to quote from the book, and all I really feel from the words I have read in IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT I SEE is a motive of love and to genuinely help humanity coming from Sylvia. No, I do not know her personally, nor do I have anything to gain from writing this review, other than sharing what this book is all about.

There is a wonderful quote from tenet VIII which states: "I'd like you to remember one very important thing: Don't leave yourself in a desert or forget to light your own candle, because if you don't have a light, you can't spark anyone else's. Our Lord even makes it very clear that you should never hide your light under a bushel. In other words, bring it out into the open! Each time you love and give to others, you give water to the desert of your own soul, which may need compassion, love, advice, or sympathy just as much as - or more than - the people you're helping."

There is a lot in this book regarding a mission to help others. The following quote is from the Conclusion of this book: "Prayer/Crisis Line: The Society of Spirit Novus Spiritus also has a prayer/crisis line. This is utilized for those who call in with an illness or a problem (mental, physical, legal, economic and so on), either for themselves or someone else...You can contact our office to put yourself or someone else on our prayer line, and there's no cost for this service..." The telephone number and e-mail address are in the book.

I'll end this review with one of my favorite quotes from this book: "To be the torchbearer that sparks other people's lights is really the bottom line of what life is all about. We all contribute to making this world what it is, so let's all make a concerted effort to be a light and make the world a brighter and more loving one."

Barbara Rose, Ph.D. author of Know Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Wholeness, Radiance & Supreme Confidence and Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE

I read a lot of books.
IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT I SEE is not just another book by Sylvia Browne. It is one of her finest books to date.
Sylvia is an authority on everything she writes. Every chapter of this book is a gem. Sylvia writes in a very clear and understandable way. She touches your heart on every page.
If you're not sure whether you should get this book, perish the thought. Trust me, this book will open doors in your mind.

Armand Auger, M.D., retired

I was debating on if I should buy this one or not, and I am totally glad that I did. The whole book is so uplifting & insightful. I love it! Give it a chance!

This book explains the tenets of Sylvia Browne's church "Novus Spiritus" and how she came to the conclusions about God, our purpose on earth, prayer, etc. Sylvia is definitely qualified to write such a book. She is a well educated, accomplished, life long student of world theology and history. You can't go wrong with this book, as it will teach you many things you never knew. Great reading if you want to expand your horizons and know more of the practical truth about spitiuality.

I've read just about every Sylvia Browne book, but this one seems to go deeper into the spiritual side of Sylvia then the factual subjects such as ghosts, heaven, etc. She uses examples of her experience to explain great general lessons that most will eventually learn. She is so funny, and truthful at the same time, that it makes this book a joy to read. Everyone I know who read this book finished it in a couple of days, because it was just that good!

I would recommend this book any veteran Sylvia Browne fan. If you're new, I doubt she'll be a disappointment; unless you keep a closed mind.

This is Sylvia's best book yet! Syliva's inclusion of her personal experiences and her conversational style of writing makes this a refreshing read. Sylvia presents a new way of thinking, of looking at "the whole life"; physical and spiritual. Highly recommend this book. You'll be glad you read it, too!