THE MOST DIRECT AND RAPID MEANS TO ETERNAL BLISS by Michael Langford Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of THE MOST DIRECT AND RAPID MEANS TO ETERNAL BLISS
Book Review: Many good points
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree with the reviewer who said buy it for the ego-deprogramming, if nothing else. We all benefit from that, and this book is clear and concise in guiding you toward more inner happiness.Book Review: this is the one
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read a lot of books by "enlightened" teachers but never one that gave me such hope I could be one too. After having meditated for years just reading the name of the book's main excercise "awareness watching awareness" got me excited. It sounded so intuitively correct. Most meditation techniques involve watching your breath or your thoughts or your body etc. But watching your own awareness works SO much better. You really start to believe that "it is possible for all humans to be free of all sorrow and suffering and to experience absolutely perfect infinite eternal joy here and now in this lifetime" as the author claims. Yes the book is that good. The author also makes a very convincing argument to meditate hours a day. I find myself in the middle of an activity at times and I drop everything and meditate for an hour or two! I never meditated for more than 30 minutes before this book. I find myself experiencing deeper and deeper bliss during and after meditating. Wow!
One thing I would change about the book and this goes for many books of its kind is the idea of an "ego" that's trying to trick you. These same authors would tell you the egos not even real and that its just a false identity. So why personify a false limiting identity and see it as against you. Its much more useful to realize you're simply idenitifying with a limiting self concept. Then you have no enemy in your head to fight against and you're simply learning to expand your sense of self (Self) and detach from false ideas. (sorry I just I'd throw that in there. LOL)
So in summary a book that may just guide you to eternal bliss direcly and rapidly. Wow! Buy it. Practice it. Live happily ever after.
Book Review: Impractical!
Summary: 2 Stars
I really, really wanted to like this book. But it's just a bit too impractical unless you're looking into mastering the art of zen as a monk would. I also take issue with this book's contradictory statements. It calls the ego evil and insane, but to resort to name-calling of the ego is simply... ego making a statement about ego! The text fails to consider that ego is capable of positivity and love after becoming aware of the difference between the ego and YOU. Not to mention, the other possibility that ego is human nature - but it's usefulness was hijacked by the collective ego of our society. Remember, the ego is also responsible for much of the beauty in our world today, not just suffering and violence as this book leads people into thinking.
I also had a problem with the book referring to itself as a religion, as religion is a concept created by ego. Then the author actually stresses his opinion that this book is unique and extremely valuable, which is just the author's ego getting in the way of actual information. And how many times can he plug his website? The book even goes so far as to demand that you question everything you've ever known, but don't dare question the book itself. I think while we're questioning things, it really couldn't hurt to question something that asks you to travel trillions of years into the past. (not kidding.) I question anything that credits itself as the only book you'll ever need, the all-knowing book, a book that the author claims will revolutionize civilization. As with anything, just because someone tells you "this is the way" doesn't make it the truth.
This book received 2 stars instead of 1 because it is useful, as I said, if becoming a monk is what you wish to do. However, I think challenges and pain and even entertainment are all lovely aspects of life. To drop everything so you can sit alone in a state of bliss all day long sure seems like a scapegoat to having real life experience.
Readers of this "extremely unique and valuable" mess will be thinking to themselves after reading my review, "Well this guy's ego is just using preservation strategies to trap him." But it's my ego's personal belief that becoming aware of your ego in order to use it for practical purposes, and knowing when to shut it off, is more useful than attaining bliss every waking hour.
Book Review: Intense!
Summary: 5 Stars
Langford says, "Awakening the extremely intense desire for Liberation is the most important first step that can be taken towards being liberated now in this lifetime."
Michael Langford is intense. Perhaps no one in our current times has provided a more intense and concentrated teaching.
The intensity of this book could awaken or uncover the intensity of your desire for enlightenment.
Michael even places scriptural values on the book: "This book is a new doorway for humanity." "There are more than fourteen hundred sentences in this book. Those sentences describe a very precise formula. If the formula is changed, the formula will usually no longer be effective."
This book could be your guru. No teacher is necessary other than this book and the methods described, Langford declares. Doing exactly what the author says could get you enlightened.
Michael spends a lot of time telling you to remove all distractions in your life and to hold only to your natural commitments: washing, eating, making a living, raising kids, etc. Michael doesn't tell you at what point brushing your teeth becomes an ego preservation strategy. However, that will become clear to you as you follow the practices.
By virtue of its intensity, commitment, declarations of greatness, and specificity and concentration of instruction, this book is scriptural in nature. That means it could have an immediate and great impact on the reader.
Jerry Katz
One: Essential Writings on Nonduality
Book Review: Just another great review
Summary: 5 Stars
Before commenting on the book itself, please notice that all the other copies for sale only go up in price. There are many books you can buy on Amazon that start at one cent! This is clearly not the case here. As I was reminded in the discussion group that a copy of the book is available free on line. However, having said that it's better to have your own copy in the end. Read it on the train, the plain, the bus, at least until it sinks in. I'd give you quotes but you can see the whole book online. You "could" criticize the recitation of the positive statement and then use mostly the same words to state just the opposite. But before you do that you should start with the Buddha, who stated things in the same way. See the Dhammapada. Which by the way is probably the only other book you'll ever need after you purchase this book?