Customer Reviews

The Secret of Shambhala: In Search of the Eleventh Insight

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Celestine Prophecy was a great idea for a way to get spirituality across to the public: a synthesis of the most popular threads of 'New Age' thought that were circulating in the mid-1990s, packaged as a fast-paced action-adventure novel. The underlying metaphysics claimed to embrace all religions, yet also professed to be based on an empirical approach to life.

Sales show that a lot of the sensationalism which surrounded Celestine faded with Redfield's consecutive books. Some of this is just the nature of trends: anyone who has such monumental success with their first publication has little chance of producing a sequel that achieves the same results. On the other hand, there are some factors that could account for this decline in popularity.

In his second book, The Tenth Insight, Redfield compromised part of his original formula by introducing themes like reincarnation and animal omens--subjects that departed from the religious middle ground which initially let many people stay open to his theories. He also told his readers that human beings have abilities which are a good stretch further away from Pop Mysticism than communing with nature or perceiving auras. His third book, The Celestine Vision, was nonfiction, and discussed progressions in science and social thought that Redfield believes are precursors to a major revolution in global consciousness; it did well enough, but didn't come near to his early success.

With the release of The Secret of Shambhala, Redfield returned to the ongoing fictional storyline, continuing where The Tenth Insight left off. In this book, he posits that the energy generated by our thoughts and emotions actually goes out into the world as a force that he calls 'prayer,' and influences both outer events and the awareness of the people with whom we interact. I found his theories (which are embedded in the text as elaborate monologues followed by scenarios which illustrate them) to be as applicable to my own experiences as any other book in the series. The concepts were more advanced--and therefore, more challenging--than those in Celestine. This has probably contributed to its (relatively) low sales up to this point.

By the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, The Celestine Prophecy, this book will appeal to a great many readers, I am quite sure. It is fiction, although many readers will see it as "based on fact." It rather depends upon the reader's own belief system, how they will view the book.

Redfield has used the book as a vehicle to expose his own philosophy, in much the same way as Ayn Rand used Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, but of course their philosophies are different. In fact, one could almost say that they are diametrically opposed to each other. Where Rand was a rationalist, Redfield is, well. . .

To best describe Redfield's premise, and the theme of the story, perhaps it would be best to describe the readers who will probably most enjoy the book: those who will exclaim over its probity and the integrity--nay, saintliness--of the author.

They will look you in the eye fiercely and argue against adding fluorides to water, genetic manipulation of, or adding "chemicals" to, food; or eating "dead" food. They will be vegetarians. They will be certain that large corporations are evil, and that "materialism" is the bane of human existence. They will be persuaded of the positive power of love, and convinced that anger, the lust for power over others, and violence are the ultimate destroyers of civilization.

These are the people who will most enjoy this book, because Redfield is a champion for all of those causes.

The secret of Shambhala (Shangri-La) is the "Power of Prayer." That becomes obvious at once. But, prayer is not simply wishing, or hoping, or idly asking God for a boon. It is a strong expectation. It is the belief that something good (or bad) will happen. This is the force by which we shape our world, with the help of angels, according to James Redfield's protagonist, whose name is never given. The book is written in the first person. He and his alter-ego, Wilson James-who suddenly appears in the story without explanation, with cryptic allusions to other adventures (and insights) of which the reader is assumed to be aware--go to Tibet because a teen-aged girl tells them they ought to, where the protagonist (and the reader) hope to discover their reason for going to Tibet.

In Tibet, their spiritual quest leads them into conflict with the all-powerful atheists of the Chinese government, who shamelessly apply force and violence and fan their paranoia, which, of course, weakens their spiritual strength. The government agents who dog their every move, seem to know more about their quest than they do, and yet they are supposedly motivated by the need to learn from our clueless friends their purpose and destination. It must have been tough for Chinese intelligence to explain their mission to the comptroller and get funding for the project!

In all candor, the book held me to the end. I read it in one sitting. (Although there are 238 pages, the type is large and well spaced out, so it reads quickly (particularly if you skip over the sermons lightly.) The plot is airy-fairy, and the conflict is too improbable to engage your critical intelligence. Yet, read it I did. As in all good fiction, there is enough of a germ of truth in the underlying premise it to make it, if not plausible, at least entertaining. Do I recommend it? Sure!

A most unusual novel.

I really liked The Celestine Prophesy and The Tenth Insight (Redfield's previous books), but this third adventure is the best yet! Redfield may never be a Pulizer prize winner for his often confusing prose (especially in the first book), but his writing is improving rapidly and I was gripped by this adventure from the first chapter.

Redfield's strength is his ability to share spiritual truths within a story, making it much more palatable than boring prose. His main character is a pilgrim, learning these truths as he goes thru a colorful adventure, sort of a spiritual science fiction at times. I find his message resonates deeply within me... and I'd much rather read it in a story format.

I was reading this book during a life challenge and it helped me focus on the energy I could expand to resolve the situation. And it worked. I was reassured over and over, and while my adventure didn't take me thru the mountains of Tibet, it opened new doors of possibility.

Redfield has transcended the mundane once again, splintered barriers, and teaches us new ways to look at life....

As we move into the next century insightful thinking like, "The Secret of Shambhala" will help us all find our way. This book builds on Mr. Redfield's earlier work, and goes even farther, helping one gain perspective on ideas ranging from prayer to nutrition. Not only does this book present us with some incredibly important ideas, but it does so in a clear and well thought out manner. It's a pleasure to read!

I strongly suggest that we all take the time to really ponder the important ideas that are put forth in this book.

I loved this book, even though I wasn't completely hooked until I was halfway through. If the whole world read this book, it would be a transformed place...

While the concepts are age-old, the setting of the Tibetan mountains has served me to use the imagery to consciously remember to call in and energize my own prayer-field on a consistent, moment-to-moment basis.

Like The Celestine Prophecy, this book is powerful in its ability to remind us all of why we're here and what we can personally do to transform the world. It's time the world learns how to consciously use our God-given gifts of compassion, prayer and connection. May the dakini be with us all!

The Secret of Shambhala is the best story yet, in Redfield's continuing saga of the Insights. The journey was intriguing, fast paced, and yes, often times predictable, but the ending was great - I would never have imagined it to end that way. The story captivates your attention and will have you pondering and wondering on the marvels of the Eleventh Insight. This insight could very well be applied to life situations now. I would be curious to find out how many have tried and were successful!

I disagree with the other reviewers on bringing the government into the story. I think that it adds to the suspense and one must realize that the country of Tibet is not like our country in the sense of religious freedom that we have.

This book contains many wisdom filled passages, which speak to the heart. In the chapter titled, The Life Process, I was captivated on the "parenting" issues brought up. Makes one stop and think. "We choose our parents in part to be awakened to what is missing, to what needs to be added to human understanding, and we begin that process by being dissatisfied with what we find in our lives with them."

As many are awakening to the spiritual consciousness that is blossoming on this planet, we are learning that our thoughts as well as we are connected. We are learning that our thoughts are energy and we can influence our own lives. This newest book by Redfield helps bring all of that into focus, expounds on this concept and gives us a new tool to use in our spiritual evolution. I highly recommend this book!

What a delight! This book included a wonderful story line, adventure, and most importantly, an exploration of our relationship to God and prayer. I found the books concepts to almost instantly change the view I hold of the world around me. What a wonderful way to start the New Millennium! Hats off to James Redfield and his ability to write a 'commoners' book that can surely change the way we all interact in our lives.

If you loved Celestine Prophecy but the Tenth Insight left you lagging, you will find yourself once again devouring this latest Redfield book as fast as you can. Also, the four parts of the Eleventh Insight in this book are totally pragmatic tools that you will find sticking to your brain instantly and easily. And if you dare to try them out even for one day, I think that you will be immediately and ecstatically rewarded with the results of using the process outlined many times in the book. Perhaps such a claim is taboo in a book review but I suggest it nonetheless.

By the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, The Celestine Prophecy, this book will appeal to a great many readers. It is fiction, although many readers will see it as "based on fact." How they will view the book rather depends upon the reader's own belief system.

Redfield has obviously used the book as a vehicle to expose his own philosophy, in much the same way as Ayn Rand used Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, but of course their philosophies are different. In fact, one could almost say that they are diametrically opposed to each other. Where Rand was a rationalist, Redfield is, well. . .

To best describe Redfield's premise, and the theme of the story, perhaps it would be best to describe the readers who will most enjoy the book: those who will exclaim over its probity and the integrity--nay, saintliness--of the author:

They will look you in the eye fiercely and argue against adding fluorides to water, genetic manipulation of, or adding "chemicals" to, food; or eating "dead" food. They will be vegetarians. They will be certain that large corporations are evil, and that "materialism" is the bane of human existence. They will be persuaded of the positive power of love, and convinced that anger, the lust for power over others, and violence are the ultimate destroyers of civilization.

These are the people who will most enjoy this book, because Redfield is a champion for all of those causes.

The "secret" of Shambhala (Shangri-La) is the "Power of Prayer." That becomes obvious at once. But, prayer is not simply wishing, or hoping, or idly asking God for a boon. It is a strong expectation. It is the belief that something good (or bad) will happen. This is the force by which we shape our world, with the help of angels, according to James Redfield's protagonist, whose name is never given. The book is written in the first person. He and his alter-ego, Wilson James--who suddenly appears in the story without explanation, with cryptic allusions to other adventures (and insights) of which the reader is assumed to be aware--go to Tibet where the protagonist (and the reader) hope to discover their reason for going to Tibet.

In Tibet, their spiritual quest leads them into conflict with the all-powerful atheists of the Chinese government, who shamelessly apply force and violence to thwart them and fan their paranoia, which, of course, weakens their spiritual strength.

No plausible reason for this persecution is given, except the intense curiosity of the Chinese government, which apparently already knows more about the quest than does our hero, anyway. Getting funding for the operation must have been a chore for their intelligence service.

In all candor, the book held me to the end. I read it in one sitting. (Although there are 238 pages, the type is large and spaced out, so it reads quickly--particularly if you skip over the sermons lightly.) The plot is airy-fairy, and the conflict is too improbable to engage your total attention. Yet, read it I did. As in all good fiction, there is enough of a germ of truth in the underlying premise to make it, if not plausible, at least entertaining. Do I recommend it? Sure! Why not?

By the end of the first chapter I was overjoyed and excited. Tears were welling in my eyes. Though the initial concept is one I have believed for some time, Mr. Redfield expands and explains it in such a wonderful and fulfilling way. A must read. Even if you didn't like the writing style of the first two, you will love this one. (though I loved them all.)