Customer Reviews

The Unburdened Heart: 5 Keys to Forgiveness and Freedom

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Unburdened Heart touched my heart and helped me key back into my need to stay current with the people in my life that I care about most and with those with whom I have on-going conflicted feelings. Mariah's writing style is open, engaging and makes sense. I am using her five key points in my personal life and also in my professional life as an organization development consultant. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to change the way they relate to their partner, family, friends or colleagues. This is one of the best books I've read and the best on forgiveness - great job!

Mariah Burton Nelson is a powerful, honest and eloquent writer. Her new book is wonderful. As a survivor of childhood molestation, I know how much strength it takes to push through the fear and confusion until you come to a place where forgiveness is possible. Ms. Nelson expresses that strength, even as she understands the fear. My thanks to her for sharing her story in a way that can help me (and maybe all of us) forgive and be whole.

I believe in the future this book will be seen as the beginning of a sea change in our culture; similar to _The Feminine Mystique_ in its impact on our society. Mariah is at the forefront of a powerful cultural spiritual awakening that will not be stopped. She is one of our teachers. She is a woman who faces life fearlessly and is willing to share her journey with others. Her message has changed the way I do my life and I believe everyone can benefit from her message. She has given us a road map, a gentler way to do our lives.

I held the image of my ex-husband in my mind throughout the reading of Mariah's book, to make sure I didn't just engage theoretically, to make sure she could reach me in the most base and unresolved crevices of my heart. I haven't stopped thinking about it since putting it down - Mariah challenged me, as a feminist, to look deeper at forgiveness...to see it as the ultimate power in my relationships, the power to free myselves from the weight of my disdain, from the heaviness of holding onto my righteous contempt for him. Mariah helps to define forgiveness: not to be cofused with condonement or even with justice, forgiveness is really a personal experiece that is empowering and liberating because ultimately it begins and ends with ourselves. I applaud her courage and welcome her wisdom. This is a great book.

Thus far, I've been spared the torments experienced by many of the people Mariah profiles in her book. Her book touched me deeply on a far less dramatic level: Daily life. Life at work, at home, and on the road can so easily be an assault of small irritations. Because of Mariah's gentle, insightful book, I now pause to think empathetically about the "perpetrator". Each day is now far more relaxed. Thanks, Mariah.

Mariah Burton Nelson writes a very moving book. She is honest, objective, sincere, and sensitive. When I read "The Unburdened Heart", many feelings, emotions, new ideas, and fresh goals are provoked in me. Mariah Burton Nelson is truly inspirational. I want to read the "5 keys ..." again to fully grasp these profound ways of "opening the heart."

Nelson's book is eloquent and yet accessible, wrenching and yet soothing, and as beautifully written as a poem. While addressing some of our most difficult issues--the relationships between compassion and anger, forgiveness and healing--she has created a narrative that will sing to anyone who's ever had anyone to forgive: namely, anyone!

Mariah Burton Nelson has taken an abstract concept and made it concrete. The book is beautifully written and impeccably researched, making it perfect for a good read or for a more scholarly examination of the information cited. Using both secular and religious concepts, this book does not preach. It is full of love and will enrich your life.

I have not read the whole book so, correct me if I am wrong. The poster, "Paul" says that the author of the book "ruined a a mans life, betrayed love and gloated". Is he talking about how the author spoke publicly about how a married man in his mid 20's, her high school coach, Bruce, took advantage of her, molested her and raped her when she was 14? It is called statutory rape, taking advantage of power and it is illegal! Paul, why are you suggesting that the author cover up what Bruce did? He made those mistakes, and should have to face the consequences. Do you have a daughter, niece, cousin who is around the same age? How would you feel if this was done to them? Bruce ruined his own life by taking advantage of a 14 year old. Your suggestions that the 14 year old ruined someones life by talking about it are completely ridiculous.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. If it's not available on Amazon, try Borders or Alibris and don't stop searching until you get a copy! I've read literally hundreds of self-help books aimed at helping people forgive and let go of the past, but they all seemed to me to be written in flowery, idealistic, inaccessible language that didn't get through to me. From the first page of this book I felt a shift in my heart and was hooked. I couldn't put this book down, which is saying a lot for a self-help book. I usually read self-help books because I "should" not because I want to and am deeply enjoying them.

After 25 years of making myself sick by holding onto rage and resentment against the two people who sexually abused me as a child and have never admitted it or apologized, I was able to let go of my pretty-much hopeless mission to seek justice and truth-telling from the abusers, and get on with my life. Of course, if I ever see a chance to get them to tell the truth, I will push for it, but I no longer let that desire rule my life and make me ill with resentment. Before, it was like I was keeping everything in my life on hold, thinking "my life will start and I'll move on once I get justice." But Mariah is right: Forgiveness is not for the benefit of the abuser--it's for you. I feel so much better now that I've moved on with my life.

As an intelligent person who has always done psychological and spiritual work on herself, it's amazing to me that I somehow just didn't get it before, and held on to resentment and victim mentality for so long, without fully realizing that that was what I was doing.

If you are holding on to resentment for things that happened in the past, I sincerely hope you will order this book and read it and reread it. It has saved my life and my physical health and energy level (never good) has shown marked improvement, within one month of reading it. My best wishes to you, for your own health and healing!