Customer Reviews

A Man of the Field, Volume 1: The Struggle Against Nonduality and Materialism

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Review of "A Man of the Field. Volume 1. The Struggle against Nonduality and Materialism" by Leon James.

By

Abe Venter
(Counseling Psychologist and experienced Swedenborgian student)


"Lead kindly light, amidst encircling gloom."

The words of this beloved hymn encapsulate my experience whilst reading this comprehensive guide to life and spirituality. The "light" that should lead us kindly is the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. And the "encircling gloom" is the spiritual confusion and darkness of this age.

Dr James demonstrates that the spiritual ensnarement of modern life is subtle. Truth and untruth are grouped together, put alongside each other, so that neither is clearly discernible. We are being bombarded with Oriental and Christian forms of nondualistic thinking every day, and in various disguises.

Nondualism refers to the philosophy of not making a clear distinction between:

- Creator and creation
- Good and evil
- Material and spiritual

In the previous century our Western systems-of-thought have become permeated with nondualism. A visit to the mind-body-soul section of any modern book shop will confirm this. Nondualism is essentially a synonym for "anything goes." So we end up with a lukewarm pseudo-spirituality that can effect no real change in our lives.

The false promise of nondualism is that "ye shall be as Gods...". Dr James shows that we need to reaffirm our position as created beings. We are not demigods as the New Age presumes. The New Age movement is notorious for shrouding spiritual things in a cloak of mysticism and irrationality. This is not the way to God. The genuine way to God is through rational truth and charity.

The true spiritual path is one of toiling in the field of daily living, hence the title of the book. This means that true spirituality is hard work. We are always harboring good and evil spiritual company, and we have to choose between them daily. Without the Lord's ceaseless management of this process, we would have no chance.

Dr James shows that every minute of every day has a bearing on our eternal state after death. To yield to temptation is a step backward; to be victorious a step forward. The discipline of true marital love is the quickest steed to salvation.

This guide of almost 400 pages (and its follow-up, Volume 2) will occupy the attention of the serious Swedenborgian student for a lifetime. It is a must-have. Dr James has created an enormous legacy. He is an unrivalled Swedenborgian scholar and true servant of the Lord.

________________________

Leon James is a profound scholar, dedicated husband, and gifted theologian. He has read and understood Swedenborg in a way that few people ever have. As a result, he has penetrated beyond Swedenborg's literal words to the spiritual core of his message. I read A Man of the Field several years ago while recovering from a hip replacement. The truth cointained in Dr. James' book healed my soul much quicker than the cells of my body healed my poor hip!

If you are looking for a guide to spiritual Christianity--something that shows the greatness and power of Jesus' message, while also providing inspiration and guidance for every moment of your life, this is the book for you. Leon will show you how you can become the human being you are intended to become in the simplest, most direct way. You will see that you do not have to travel to India to sit at the feet of a guru. Nor do you have to fast, or pray often, or frequent churches regularly. While these practices may be helpful, all you really need to do (if you are married) is love your wife, fully and completely. Go shopping with her. Don't sit down. Feel her joy. When you get home, it's not time to sit down either. She will want to try everything on again and ask your opinion. Be there for her. Love her--not yourself. And your reward will be great: you will experience heaven on earth.

That's just one small sample of the many treasures stored up in this great work. I recommend it wholeheartedly as a wonderful testimony to the True Christianity revealed in the pages of Emanuel Swedenborg's works.

"True love between one man and one wife is the precious treasure of life, and the repository of the Christian religion." --Emanuel Swedenborg, Conjugial Love, #457.

Ray Silverman, Ph.D.
Chaplain
Bryn Athyn College
Bryn Athyn, PA