Customer Reviews

Instinct for Freedom: Finding Liberation through Living

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In reading most spiritual books, I've noticed that there's a subtle gap between the well-meaning view portrayed, and what I actually feel and experience in reading. You know when you get a used book, and the prior reader has underlined and written, "How true!" Well, it's like other spiritual books have an undertone of "I wish it were true."

In contrast, Clements' words are alive with authentic conviction, and the unmistakeable clarion ring of truth. There's not a trace of pontification. This man has lived an incredible life. He's able to capture the essence of real spirituality and deliver it live and wriggling to the reader. I don't know how he does it. But, as a writer myself, I know that there's only one way he could do it. By really living it. And clearly he does.

He came back down from the mountaintop, so listen up, folks, cause he's really got something worth hearing.

As a Pastor,I've heard many a good sermon and read many spiritual books. But nothing compares to Alan Clement's ability to spellbind the reader with his magnificently written true life stories. He weaves together into a beautiful tapestry his own brand of Buddhist philosophy, political knowledge, science, wisdom and chutzpah that also seems mysteriously to encapsulate the reader as well. What I found even more intriguing in "Instinct For Freedom" are Alan's honestly-written and courageous choices and sacrifices he has made in life in pursuit of spirituality, freedom, truth and enlightenment. Any and all spiritual seekers from any belief system (or none) should definitely read this book.

Not just a great Dharma book, Instinct For Freedom is a love letter, an amazing love letter. Read it with your heart and be inspired.

Reading Instinct for Freedom reconnected me to a place deep inside...a place of my own counsel and of my own commitment. I was moved to tears by Alan's account of his unique and inspiring journey. I am somehow reminded that I, too, can make a difference. His writing is rich and eloquent, his story is compelling and profound, his insights are both challenging and exciting. I find myself very grateful for this piece of work.

"An Instinct for Freedom" is an eloquently expressed and masterfully woven account of one man's personal and spiritual journey, that travels directly through the heart of humanity. While navigating this tender landscape, Alan Clements leads us on an exploration of the essence of consciousness, the surrender of trust, the truth of our fragility, the horror of our darkness, the intimacy of compassion, the power of our choices, and ultimately, the paradigm of grace that shifts when we make the leap from seeing ourselves as separate to honoring our shared humanity. By simply witnessing ourselves in each other, we come to understand what Clements calls "the inseparability of liberation."

Often summarizing in a few short sentences what takes other authors seemingly entire books to express, Mr. Clements encourages the reader to "examine the role of perception as the architect of reality." Lead by his example of courage, ruthless self-inquiry, and unabashed candor, we are left with no other meaningful choice but to do so.

I was so deeply challenged and inspired by this book that any words of praise I seek to offer feel almost trite and wanting. Within its pages there contains every element that one would hope for in a great work of fiction. But fiction this is not. This is the recounting of an extraordinary life. Forged with insight, Clements challenges our invested beliefs, shatters the lies that cage our freedom, and then loving reconstructs the truth of our sameness within a unified heart. This heart, pieced back together in seemingly perfect union, may continue to beat as it once did, but will never again be the same.

Rarely have I come across a book that was as compelling as "Instinct for Freedom". Alan Clements is articulate, courageously honest and expresses his truth in ways that touch the soul and inspire one to take action. His life IS material for a legend, as quoted by Catherine Ingram. His honesty is refreshing, his eloquence is impeccable and his ability to deeply touch his audience is brilliant. This is a book to read and re-read as his words sear into one's consciousness, expressing the profound beauty and the mystery of every moment.

Through courageously sharing his own life experiences, Alan Clement's book "Instinct for freedom: Finding Liberation Through Living" adds a wonderful perspective on how we can affect our destiny. In reading Instinct for freedom, I am reminded that the "acts of compassion" through our daily acts of courage and love, truly define our humanity, our strength, our oneness.

In our own Quest for freedom the awakening to our true self, it is ever more apparent how important that the freedom of all people comes into play. Instinct for freedom is a beautiful contribution in a time when the need for hope, courage and compassion is so purposeful......Highly recommended!

As a long-time friend and colleague of Alan Clements, it's wonderful to see that he is, yet again, in print, and this time with a Dharma book. In my previous experience Dharma books have been, at their best, "wake up calls." Alan surpasses these previous bests with a work which reminds us, with each page turned, that we need no "wake up call." Consciousness IS awake, and we are never more free than in our lives at this very moment. No point in waiting to rejoice in this freedom - the essence of our humanness. No point in postponing the choice to lift of our hands and hearts to those who live in conditions of oppression and imprisonment. While reading Instinct for Freedom, I thought often of the words of a Talmudic scholar who lived 100 years before Christ,".......if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"

Instinct for Freedom is deeply inspiring and liberating. With his insightful and passionate voice, Clements compellingly urges each and every one of us to uniquely become ALL that we are, and in doing so expand the experience of freedom for ourselves, and for each other.

To successfully invoke the 'experience' of dharma is as rare, as it is profound. Clearly Alan Clements, an unusual new breed of artist, activist, performer, and spiritual teacher,is uncommon. His capacity to shape wisdom into artistry is made evident through his deliberate synthesis of the illusiveness of freedom, into a highly relevant, contextually human, world setting. This gives the reader a direct taste of the inherent complexity and simplicity of freedom, that is, that it is both transconceptual and non-transcendent. Clements activates this "multi-dimensional awareness" in ways that are original, heartfelt and unexpected, allowing the essence of his work to be made visible through the air of liberation.
"Instinct for Freedom" is beautiful, provocative, and highly catalytic.

I absolutely recommend it.