The Enlightened Mind (Paperback)

by Stephen Mitchell (Author) "That is perfect..." (more)
Key Phrases: one jewel, ten directions, Great Spirit, Jesus Christ, Zen Master (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A magnificent compilation of sacred writings from all traditions and the perfect companion to Stephen Mitchell's poetry collection, The Enlightened Heart, and the bestselling Tao Te Ching.

About the Author
Stephen Mitchell attended Amherst, the University of Paris, and Yale. His many books include The Book of Job, Tao Te Ching, Parables and Portraits, The Gospel According to Jesus, A Book of Psalms, Ahead of All Parting: The Selected Poetry and Prose of Rainer Maria Rilke, and Genesis. Byron Katie, author of Loving What Is and an inspirational speaker.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (April 16, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060923202
• ISBN-13: 978-0060923204
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #258,108 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #27 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > Mitchell, Stephen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So many stars, one sky., January 31, 2005

By	Butch (From the American Heartland.) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent anthology of sacred prose. Stephen Mitchell was very ecumenical and egalitarian in his selection process. Such a lack of bias is clear evidence of his own enlightened understanding where the universality of truth is concerned. No one, no cult, no philosophy, no religion, has a patent on the ultimate source of being, on God. All anyone can do is say what God is like, not what God is. No one knows God's name. "I AM THAT I AM", the self-existent one. Exodus 3:14. The bits and pieces of the whole that is contained herein is a tasty feast for the hungry heart. A veritable smorgasbord of heavenly and earthly delights. A little Heraclitus, Plato, Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, Rumi, Eckhart, Dame Julian, Blake, Seattle, Emerson, Einstein, and so many others. A portion of the Upanishads, the Judeo-Christian Bible, the Hermetic Writings, the Diamond Sutra, and what we have hear is truth, truth, and some more truth. If you can't handle truth don't read this collection of writings, it may just enlighten your mind. Personally, I can't get enough wisdom.

Sampler:

Ramana Maharshi:

"If the mind is happy, not only the body but the whole world will be happy. So one must find out how to become happy oneself. Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the whole world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes".

Dogen:

"Gaining enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon doesn't get wet; the water isn't broken... The whole moon and the sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass".

Einstein:

"A human being is a part of the whole that we call the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical illusion of his consciousness. This illusion is a prison to us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for only the few people nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature".

Rumi:

"The Love-Religion has no code or doctrine. Only God".

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remove the log from thine own eye first......., September 10, 2004

By	Mithrandir (Denver,Co USA) - See all my reviews

I found this book on accident several years into my journey, and found it to be a most intriguing work. If you already claim to know the truth, the whole truth, and everyone else falls short, this book will no doubt offend your sensibilities. However if every day is a learning experience for you, and you listen to the " still, small voice within", you will no doubt recognize the transparent thread which connects all the passages in Gods love. No matter how many times I read and reread it, as my perspective grows, so do I find new teachings to inspire and motivate me.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best collection of understandable literature., July 25, 1999

By A Customer

Compiled to appeal to the masses it is a very impressive effort . The introduction given to each section seems to restrict the understanding and guide ones thought in a particular area, it is my humble feeling that this kind of literature needs no introduction. The way it has been combined have an out of the world effect.Best work.I love it