tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10264878304529979142007-08-10T13:46:56.527-07:00LenBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-60365562316591774372007-08-10T13:45:00.001-07:002007-08-10T13:46:56.559-07:00The mark of the true master is that he can express a profoundly complex subject with astonishing simplicity. Jed McKenna is such a master, and spiritual enlightenment is his subject.<br /><br />His first book, Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing, was an instant classic and established him as a spiritual teacher of startling depth and clarity. Now, his second book, Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment, takes us on a fascinating tour of the enlightened state; what it is and what it's not, who's there and who's not, how to get there and how to get somewhere better.<br /><br />Jed McKenna's books aren't for everyone. They're for people who are tired of the spiritual merry–go–round and wish to confront the real journey of awakening. If you like your teachers with all the spiritual trimmings and trappings, you won't like Jed, but when you're ready to jump off the merry–go–round, Jed McKenna is the guy you want to see standing there, waiting for you.Lentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-61439667086859291722007-08-10T13:45:00.000-07:002007-08-10T13:46:08.790-07:00The mark of the true master is that he can express a profoundly complex subject with astonishing simplicity. Jed McKenna is such a master, and spiritual enlightenment is his subject.<br /><br />His first book, Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing, was an instant classic and established him as a spiritual teacher of startling depth and clarity. Now, his second book, Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment, takes us on a fascinating tour of the enlightened state; what it is and what it's not, who's there and who's not, how to get there and how to get somewhere better.<br /><br />Jed McKenna's books aren't for everyone. They're for people who are tired of the spiritual merry–go–round and wish to confront the real journey of awakening. If you like your teachers with all the spiritual trimmings and trappings, you won't like Jed, but when you're ready to jump off the merry–go–round, Jed McKenna is the guy you want to see standing there, waiting for you.Lentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-82912418041011916082007-08-10T13:40:00.000-07:002007-08-10T13:45:18.310-07:00The most beautiful poetry. This is my favorite spiritual poetry book.<br /><br />Review by Tony Kainauskas.Lentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-56909906635942465342007-08-10T13:39:00.000-07:002007-08-10T13:40:34.930-07:00In my opinion the most beautiful translation of The Ashtavakra Gita (the bible of non duality). The beauty of the translation lies in its poetic simplicity. No Vedic Literature library can be complete without this precious book.<br /><br />Review by Tony KainauskasLentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-25231689512735961162007-08-10T13:38:00.000-07:002007-08-10T13:39:25.997-07:00The content of Tony’s book is expressed perfectly by its title. His basic message is that all suffering is due to resistance, and freedom from suffering is a direct result of total acceptance of the present moment. The many words in this delightful book all point to that one truth… at times phrasing the same truth in many different ways helps to imprint it in the consciousness of the reader. Sometimes for me it may take a particular set of words to hit deep inside. For you it may be a totally different set of words. But once the words lead you to that awareness, they drop off as meaningless and all that you are left with is present moment awareness, total surrender to life AS IT IS.<br /><br />Tony’s book took me on a nice journey to that place of surrender. I may have left it temporarily, but I know I’ll keep coming back to visit, to one day surrender and call it home.<br /><br />Review by Tony KainauskasLentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-92141552351925703182007-08-10T13:37:00.000-07:002007-08-10T13:38:23.712-07:00This is my favorite book by Ramesh Balsekar (a direct disciple of Sri Nisargadatta.) I have read it and re-read it. Balskekar’s commentary on The Ashtravakra Gita (The Bible of Non-Duality) to me, offers wondrous insight into the preordained drama that we call life. The Ashtravakra Gita and Ramesh's commentary bring into sharp view what is real and what separates the real from all else. At first there may be fear created by this reality, but through acceptance it brings much peace, as all happens and unfolds as it should, and all action is predetermined. The main theme is that we are dreamers (in actuality there is only one dreamer), the dream being this life. When the time is opportune we awaken to the one reality. This awakening is inevitable and the time and place already set… all we need do and can only do is just carry on in the drama of every day life until that day when the drama becomes a comedy and the laughter begins to flow.<br /><br />Review by Tony KainauskasLentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-88448891136153284112007-08-10T13:36:00.000-07:002007-08-10T13:37:18.571-07:00All true knowledge comes from the transmission of silence. Words can confuse and are subject to various degrees of interpretations. Opinions justify the ego structure… they lead from truth to ignorance.<br /><br />Robert Adams, a direct disciple of Ramana Maharshi, is a powerful conveyer of truth, not because of the words but for the underlying transmission of silence that occurs between the written word.<br /><br />Robert’s main theme is that "all is well."<br /><br />This is a powerful book. Reading it had a powerful effect on the state of my consciousness… there are many passages that cause tears to flow and the heart to open. I highly recommend Robert Adam’s book for any Spiritual seeker.<br /><br />Review by Tony KainauskasLentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-3131329769996920842007-08-01T12:43:00.000-07:002007-08-01T12:47:09.831-07:00Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing<br />Jed McKenna<br />Jed’s words lead the reader to the edge of the abyss and then his deft writing nudges you over the edge.<br /><br />Jed’s books totally demystify truth realization, peeling away the layers of falsehood to reveal the real, unadorned truth within.<br /><br />McKenna writes with cutting edge insight and a sense of humor that makes his teachings easy to digest.<br /><br />His basic premise is that truth realization is just that. Realizing you are an actor in a part and seeing the drama that really is "of no real consequence," one begins to just relax and watch the show unfold. Truth realization is not mystical experiences, being blissful 24/7, or even moral… it is just plain seeing the illusion and not being caught up in it… it has nothing to do with diet, giving to charities, or saving dolphins.<br /><br />I highly recommend this title… truth presented without all the window dressing.<br /><br />Review by Tony KainauskasLentag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1026487830452997914.post-24210031297842274632007-07-18T14:25:00.000-07:002007-07-18T14:26:23.277-07:00One of the most emotionally difficult books I have ever read., but after saying that, it is in my opinion one of the finest works of fiction I have ever read. One reviewer likened The Road to Waiting for Godot without the humor.<br /><br />This is a story of an unnamed father and son trying to survive post apocalyptic America, where society no longer exists and the weak are preyed upon by the strong. There are no names; no past... all there is, is the present moment and survival.<br /><br />When the man’s son asks his father what is the hardest thing he has ever done, his response is the only true one ...”waking up this morning.”<br /><br />I tried to think of another book that left me with such a powerful after effect and I could only think of maybe one other.<br /><br />This book is filled with much darkness and hopelessness but in the end with such a deep spiritual love and bond between a father and son that it borders on heartbreak. McCarthy has to be one of the greatest living fiction writers. This book is not for everyone, but for those who are up to the journey , you will end The Road with emotions few works of fiction can equal. Even now, with the passage of time, I still become emotional when I think about this work of art. If you are deeply impressionable, this book may not be for you. Otherwise this is a novel any lover of fiction should not pass up.<br /><br />This novel can be summed up in one word-- Beautiful.<br /><br />Review by Tony KainauskasLen