Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment [Paperback]

Robert Ullman (Author), Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2001

Organized chronologically, starting with Buddha and ending with contemporary seekers, this book focuses on the moment of enlightenment in the lives of saints and masters that led to their witnessing divine reality.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

All the figures profiled in Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages have one experience in common: they achieved enlightenment, the elusive promise of "profound peace, extreme happiness, and a deep understanding of the truth," as editors Robert Ullman and Judith Reichenberg-Ullman describe it. In gathering the autobiographical stories, essays, and poems written by these various seekers, the editors explore diverse pathways to transcendence. Some, such as the Buddha, suffered. Others found the right guide, such as the Sufi poet Rumi, who met his beloved teacher in a bustling Turkish marketplace. Some went to the brink of suicide, such as the Canadian Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now. The editors offer a brief biographical sketch before each essay, giving readers context for digesting these inspiring experience, which span thousands of years and many regions of the world. The editors claim to be nondenominational, but there are significantly more contributions from Eastern traditions than any other. -- Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

In Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment, Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman comb the world's religions for examples of human beings who have apparently transcended earthly limitations and achieved a state of higher consciousness. These enlightened masters, say the authors, have experienced a sense of interconnectedness with all life. Casting a wide net, the authors include writings from Krishnamurti, Saint Catherine of Siena, the Baal Shem Tov, Paramahansa Yogananda, Peace Pilgrim and the poet Rumi, among others. Each primary source is introduced by a brief (and somewhat superficial) biography of the mystic who wrote it.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: RedWheel / Weiser (October 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573245070
• ISBN-13: 978-1573245074
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages, May 4, 2003

By 

Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment (Paperback)

Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman are naturopathic and homeopathic physicians who have also studied with numerous spiritual teachers. Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment is their seventh book, in which their "intent is to capture the experience of enlightenment as clearly and succinctly as possible."

While recognizing that each individual's experience will be unique, the Ullmans believe that the stories of others will serve as models or signposts for those who are still seeking. They emphasize that "no one religion, country, socioeconomic class, or gender has laid special claim to enlightenment." They've chosen a diverse collection of stories, ranging from Buddha to St. Catherine of Siena to Suzanne Segal. A total of thirty-three stories are told.

Each story focuses on the moment of transformation in each individual's life. The Ullmans include a brief informational essay, describing the culture and times the individual lived in and his or her teachings. The enlightenment stories themselves are in the words of the masters themselves whenever possible; or from those closest to them.

An extensive bibliography provides a variety of sources for readers wishing to delve further into the lives and times of the individuals.

Although every enlightenment experience is different, the authors describe the common elements they discovered. These include interconnectedness and ego transcendence, timelessness and spaciousness, acceptance, beyond pleasure and pain, clarity, and shattering of preconceived notions.

In his foreword, His Holiness The Dalai Lama says "each human being has an equal opportunity to attain wisdom, happiness, and enlightenment by cultivating a correct motivation-a sincere aspiration to benefit all sentient beings-and engaging in diligent practice." He adds that Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages "is a valuable, inspiring book." It belongs in the library of all readers seeking spiritual insight.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy experiences of saints and master teachers, November 9, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment (Paperback)

Mystics, Masters, Saints & Sages gathers stories of enlightenment and includes them under one cover, traversing spiritual traditions to include accounts from Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, Jewish and other disciplines. The holy experiences of saints and master teachers which led to their awakening make for inspirational reading packed with quotes and biographical as well as spiritual insight.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and disturbing, July 16, 2002

By 

Evelyn Uyemura (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment (Paperback)

33 stories of enlightenment, straight from the horse's mouth. Thirteen of the enlightened persons in the book were born in the 20th century, and photographs are included of many of them. This in itself helps me overcome the sense that these folks are completely "other."

The stories of enlightenment cover as wide a spectrum as you could imagine, from 16 year old boys in India who suddenly attained enlightenment, to middle age businessmen, to the very troubling story of Suzanne Segal, a young pregnant women whose mind suddenly disengaged from her body one day as she stepped onto a bus. For some, their experience was the culmination of a long-sought spiritual release. For others, it was spontaneous and not entirely pleasant.

The absence of Jesus in this book is regretable, but perhaps the lack of any first-hand account of His experience excuses that (though I think John 14-17 would have made a nice addition). Several Christian mystics are included however.

Apart from the absence of Jesus, the editorial choices are excellent. The editorial comments, however, leave something to be desired. Often the little introductory blurb simply pre-tells the story that is told quite clearly in the excerpt to follow. There's no point in quoting what someone is about to say! In general, however, enough biographical information is provided to place the writings of each enlightened person in context.

If you have read (or experienced) some mysticism and wonder where this is all going or how enlightenment actually comes about, this book is for you. If you want a theoretical or philosophic introduction to mysticism, look elsewhere. For me, this book was very-- well pardon the pun, but very enlightening! The variety or paths and yet the commonality of experience does lead to some conclusions. The honesty in including some experiences that were not all sweetness and light is also important.

The authors deliver exactly what they promise: descriptions of enlightenment itself, told by those who have lived it.