Customer Reviews

From Self to Self

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Leo Hartong is one of the clearest, intelligent, articulate and considerate communicators of non-duality around today.

Leo's second book, From Self to Self is a worthy follow-up / companion to the now classic Awakening to the Dream - expanding on and probing deeper into many of the topics explored in that book.

Each of the short chapters - taken mainly from e-mails and letters - is presented in a question and answer format that lends an intimacy and relevancy that is often lacking in the traditional method of transcription from satsang recordings.

Leo's first book, Awakening to the Dream (see my review), points to the utter simplicity of spiritual awakening.(How difficult is it to be what you always already are?) This pointing seems to go against so much conventional spiritual belief and experience that many questions and concerns naturally arise from astute readers. Leo's second book, which includes many quotes and references to other teachers and traditions,clearly, compassionately and wisely addresses these excellent questions and concerns. One again, Leo's unique ability to communicate This that is prior to any words enables the reader to fall out of their mind and into the simplicity of being. If you have any questions about what you really are and what true spiritual awakening is really about, you may very well find your answer within yourself from the pointers in this book

This book has really grown on me. I would give it five stars but it took a while to get into it. It consists of 92 two or three page chapters with titles like "The Seeking Curse" and "Who Creates All the Thoughts?".

At first it seemed too dry and mechanical like some of Balsekar's books do. At other times too clever like Wei Wu Wei. But I'm about to read the final chapter called "Journey's End" and I have to say it's a good book.

There's really not a whole lot more to say about Leo Hartong's second book, 'From Self To Self', that hasn't already been said in the other 5 star reviews...but basically, aside from being a fantastic collection of questions and answers, these dialogues clear up any confusion that may have arisen while reading this author's previous work 'Awakening to the Dream'.

Anyone reading this review has likely encountered a number of wonderful books on spirituality that are presented in Q & A format; this collection of dialogues, however, truly deserves to be in a category of its own.

A wonderful expression of non-duality...
Thank you Leo Hartong!

For anyone who is interestd in exploring ones true
nature, Leo Hartong's writings are an invaluable
guide. He points the way for you to see for yourself
the way it really is in a very clear and explicit
manner.
Shelly Borg NC US

I have not written this review, you are not reading it, cause neither you nor I truly exists, we are just happenings in the ocean of totality/the One.

This well-written book containing Hartong's dialogues with seekers from all over the world, pr. letter or e-mail, is yet another book in the vein of Ramesh Balsekar and Tony Parsons. A kind of extreme Advaita where all the spiritual and 'religious' elements have been removed. Leaving only a rather barren and dry approach that actually can remind me of protestant theologicans like Karl Barth: no Love, no Compassion, no Spirit, no Enlightenment, no 'thousand suns exploding'.

Instead all we have is some kind of intelletual conviction, some kind of change of perspective, where you drop all kinds of personal doership. Same desires, thoughts, ego, but now you are no longer identified with it.

Not surprisingly the vast majority of adherents are males with academic degreees!

Perhaps useful for frustrated seekers. But dangerous because it allures people to give up their practice prematurely. A rather dry and gloomy view of 'Truth'.