Customer Reviews

The Simple Feeling of Being: Embracing Your True Nature

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zakmeg@ecoisp.com

Writing as someone who's read everything of Wilber's, I can attest that this book is a welcome addition to Wilber's corpus. The volume is finely edited and superbly designed. It is a compilation so it contains no previously unpublished materials (although it does bring to light some obscure but valuable passages). The book consists of nine sections into which some of the most powerful pieces of Wilber's writing have been collected and organized.

The section titles are as follows: The Witness; Memoirs; Spirit-in-Action; Immediate Awareness; Passionate Philosophy; Always Already; Being-in-the-World; One without a Second; The Brilliant Clarity of Ever-Present Awareness.

As can be gleaned from these headings, this is a book that distils and makes available a particular aspect of Wilber's vision- the mystical. While it could be argued that insight into the Divine is the catalyst behind all his writing; no one would claim that the freeing Dionysian energy dripping off the passages in this book seep into all his meticulous system building.

This book does not read like his others. It is not a detailed matrix of knowledge, not a blueprint of the possible, not a many-roomed mansion of human potentials. Rather, it is a simple and radiant testament. It is beautiful.

So, perhaps the most valuable aspect of the book is that it will not be misunderstood (although I'm sure some critic may be able to manage).

To conclude, if you're looking for an intro to Wilber's system don't look here (look instead to Integral Psychology or A Brief History of Everything). But, if you're looking for an invitation to party for One, this book will do that- throwing you back against your self and leaving you alone. But it may just take you from that alone to the Alone.

The Simple Feeling of Being: Embracing Your True Nature by Ken Wilber is a compilation of the essential elements of Wilber's "poetic" writing. Many excerpts are taken from the end of sections, chapters, or books, where he reminds the reader that we are all aspects of Radiant Spirit - All-That-Is - as pointed out in every authentic nondual tradition. The main thrust of this opus reveals that the complexities of his integral theory are _always_ a means toward an end: awakening to who and what we really are.

In short, the simple feeling of being is about "what is" "always already" "just this."

Remarkable! Simple.

Four of his students - Mark Palmer, Sean Hargens, Vipassana Esbjörn, and Adam Leonard - assembled this "greatest hits" compilation. I really enjoyed seeing some of my favorite excerpts from various books in a new context. Readers of his books will likely find this to be the case, too. A relatively easy read, there's no need to worry about long endnotes, complex diagrams, or overly long technical explications.

Thus, we are treated to an array of Wilber's poetic riffs on concepts like the Witness, spirit-in-action, immediate awareness, passionate philosophy, always already, being-in-the-world, One Without A Second, and the brilliant clarity of ever-present awareness. There are also excerpts from The Collected Works, forewords to lesser-known books by other integral thinkers, and more obscure writings.

Moreover, there is a Memoirs chapter of personal material that casts Wilber in a human and vulnerable light. My favorite excerpt is still when he comes to terms with his second wife's - Treya - approaching death in a German beer hall, drinking, crying, and dancing with complete strangers whose compassion and acceptance allow his many conflicting feelings to surface.

The Simple Feeling of Being is a tour de force by one of the great integral philosophers of our era. Echoing three decades of Wilber's nondual experience, research, and personal meditation practices, it is _relentless_ in pushing one's awareness back into itSelf, towards its ineffable Source. In this sense, it is closer to One Taste than A Theory of Everything or A Brief History of Everything.

While I wouldn't recommend it as a first book to those just beginning to explore the details of Ken's integral theory, I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in a lucid, mindful, and passionate pointing out of "what is" "always already" "just this." Regardless of what path, practices, or philosophical background we come from, Wilber's integral poetry speaks directly to who and what we really are.

Perhaps this is the first in a series of compilations based on various aspects of Ken's work?

Wilber's students have done a wonderful job editing his previously published works. He is indeed the most provacative figure in contemporary philosophy. I have read all his works and this edition is a wonderful sequal to One Taste. His pointing out instructions are what I have been yearning to experience and I recommend this book highly, as with all of Wilber's other works. Brilliant, enlightening, and challenging. I can only say, to all my Dharma Friends, treasure this man as a living Bodhisattva.

An excellent introductory piece to Ken Wilber's Non-dualistic philosophy. Well edited and constructed, it gently, but firmly leads the reader into the depths of rigorous personal contemplation of "Who am I?".

Unlike many of Ken's writings, this particular book is very accessible to almost anyone. It gives a good sense of what the authors inner life is like, which is refreshing because this author often focuses on systems of meaning and integrating complex philosophies. This can be intimidating or confusing to new readers.

There are many other good reviews on the content of the book, including the two spotlight reviews above. I particularly agree with the first review and find that this work compliments Ken's other more technical writing. I also agree that both a "Brief History of Everything" and "Integral Psychology" are the TWO best introductions to Ken Wilber's thought. However, I would add the caveat that a "Brief History of Everything" is much more readable for the average person. "Integral Psychology" is more scholarly and perhaps better for someone who is already familiar with Wilber or a professional in this area of study.

What is wonderful about this book is that it returns back to what it's all about i.e. the internal experience of connection, unity and wholeness. It provides the vision that underlies Ken's other work in a poetic and touching manner. Mr. Wilber is a very prolific writer and this book collects some of his more poignant works under one roof. I also found that NO BOUNDARIES was written from a similar space. It has a different feeling tone than many of his other works.

Ken's overview of very complex topics on the medation processes is rich with simple understanding and insight. A most valuable effort to continuing on a personal quest during meditation. Some times, the information collected from his other works is slightly distracting having been on a steady track of thought. In summary, however, his approach to the main topic is invaluable and well documented to the source writings.

Expertly written by Ken Wilber (the prolific author of nineteen books on philosophy and psychology, as well as the developer of the "theory of everything" that blends wisdom from Eastern spirituality and Western science), The Simple Feeling Of Being: Embracing Your True Nature is an assembly of inspirationa, mystical, and informative passages drawn from his many works. These vivid, bite-sized vignettes of enlightenment offer brief glimpses into a larger fulfillment of purpose and the long path to emotional and spiritual well-being. As nourishing to read all at once or a few pages at a time, immersion of any duration in the pages of The Simple Feeling Of Being promotes a meditative sensation true to its title and is a recommended additon personal and academic supplemental reading lists for students of Eastern and Western philosophy systems.

Ken Wilber is one of the true "Yodas" of modern contemplative practice! This compilation of segments from his other works is a perfect introduction to his philosophy and contains page after page of useful information. For example, chapter 2 contains a gut-wrenching and inspiring account of his final days with his lover, Treya, as she learns of and later dies from a fatal illness. She gives all of us a perfect example of the proper way to live and the proper way to die. If this one doesn't leave you running repeatedly for the tissue box you're either an android or you don't speak English! All-in-all this book is a must-read addition to the library of anyone who is investigating their own identity as a manifestation of "Spirit". Thanks once more, Ken!!

Ken Wilber's writings make you feel better than you did before you read them. Everything is everything and it's all going to be OK. Don't worry be happy. I remember that each time I fill my gas tank these days. This book is a splendid compilation of Wilber's writings and philosophies.
When your true nature is understood as Wilber explains it we really don't have to worry about a thing because we are the same electrostatic energy that we have always been now in this our present human form and that shall always be the case.

If everybody read and studied Ken Wilber then this world to them would be a spectacular carnival of delight whether your fate was a mansion in Newport or being a blind leper in Calcutta with a sinew of thread hanging from the hole in your face where your nose used to be, on a hot day with mosquitoes biting your gums.

ken wilber has written dozens of books on sprituality, philosophy and psychology. he is a very learned and wise soul. this is a compilation of thoughts and writings from his various works. there are nine sections in the book and each section is full of various articles and excerpts from his books. there are pros and cons to compilations; the pros is that you get a glimpse of a variety of writings, the cons is that it lacks flow. also the sections have some one line insights such as this: "to say that matter, body, mind, soul and spirit are evolutionary potentials is to say both quite a lot and not very much." that is taken from an introduction to one of his writings. it really doesn't go anywhere. this is a good book and great introduction to ken wilber's works though. when it's all said and done: "spirit is the only thing that has never been absent. it is the only constant in your changing experience." how true.