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Inspirational Writings of the Masters Excerpted for Easy Access to the Wisdom of the Ages Dec 10, 2010
By L. C. Henderson
Making Your Wisdom Come Alive is divided into two sections. The first, which deals with self-discovery, mainly consists of a series of questions and answers, relating to where you can find happiness (the answer, unsurprisingly, is "inside"), how you can turn suffering into freedom, exploring your own self-nature, and how to recognize and question assumptions. In the second section of Making Your Wisdom Come Alive, Gluckman, with the aid of quotes from a range of sages who lived at different times in different places and cultures, shows how wisdom is reasonable and experiential. In order to encourage the reader to meditate, Gluckman suggests that we read just a little of this section each day, and attempt to come to an understanding of the true significance of the words for our lives. In this way, we should come to grow in our awareness of our own being and happiness.
Starting with an introduction to the Buddhist Masters, who specialize in telling stories, Gluckman proposes that we begin our meditation with self-discovery and not with self-purification. In this respect, he covers the Sutra of Hui Neng; Bankei, The Unborn, which deals with the life and teachings of Zen Master Bankei; the Shurangama Sutra; the Sutra of Flawless Purity; the Zen teachings of Huang Po; and an excerpt from Milarepa, The Song of a Yogi's Joy. In order that we might approach our essence more closely, Gluckman then takes us through excerpts from the following Hindu masters: Shankara; Nisargadatta Maharaj; Kabir; and Anandamayi Ma. Before exploring aspects of Sufi wisdom, Gluckman provides some quotes from Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu. He then rounds off this section with excerpts from the Christian masters, for which he provides a few guidelines on how to unravel their meaning. Gluckman ends his work with supportive words of inspiration that serve to reinforce the message that he has conveyed throughout the book.
Illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs of the sages and their works, Making Your Wisdom Come Alive should be a worthwhile investment for anyone who is interested in exploring their full potential as a loving and caring creature of God, no matter who he or she is conceived to be. Ultimately, the true answer lies in self, to which one can only have access if one is prepared to put a great deal of effort into the exercise. As a starting point for those who are interested in exploring their innermost being, Making Your Wisdom Come Alive is an ideal launch pad to growing self-awareness. [Reviewer for BookPleasures.com]
A fascinating read that shouldn't be overlooked for spiritual readers Nov 08, 2010
By Midwest Book Review
You can look everywhere for peace and wisdom and miss the most obvious place - yourself. "Making Your Wisdom Come Alive" is a collection of wisdom and thoughts from Michael Gluckman, a Quaker who looks to other faiths and spirits to come to understand himself and the world around him. With much food for thought and encouragement from readers, "Making Your Wisdom Come Alive" is a fascinating read that shouldn't be overlooked for spiritual readers.
R-e-s-p-e-c-t Feb 07, 2008
By Jerry Katz
"Nonduality.com"
Michael Gluckman's, "Making Your Wisdom Come Alive," makes your wisdom come alive through two catalysts: (1) devotion of the bulk of the book to nondual scriptures and the wisdom of recognized sages, and (2) Gluckman's engaging style, which is like one of those memorable teachers you've had who makes things very understandable.
Gluckman doesn't simply quote Masters and Scripture. He respects the reader and the spiritual source material. If there is a dominant tone to this book, it is "respect." To read this book is not to connect with Truth, as though you are separate from Truth, but to see you are already It.
Jerry Katz
The Title of This Book Says it All.... Dec 29, 2007
By Kevin Loucks
I've wanted to write a review of this book since I first read it more than a month ago, but I had so many thoughts in my head that I really didn't know where to start. Finally, I realized that what I had to say was really very simple, and the title to this book says it all.
Michael Gluckman has a wonderful writing style that allows him to explain complicated ideas in a very accessible, conversational fashion. For me, however, the best part is that his premises are demonstrable through personal experience. Yes, that's right, you can prove the truth of his assertions with the benefit of your own experience.
I personally came upon "Making Your Wisdom Come Alive" after many years of reading, studying and rereading other books, from the Bhagavad Gita to the Tao Te Ching, and many others. I understood and enjoyed on an intellectual level the things that were being said, but I always had trouble bridging the gap between my intellect and my experience. Finally, there came a point in time when I needed to experience what I was reading about first hand, but I wasn't really sure how to do that. Michael Gluckman, and "Making Your Wisdom Come Alive" helped to start me on my way.
In the past month, since I first read Michael's book, I have begun to see progress in applying the reality that I had been studying from a dry, scholarly perspective for so many years. This is a journey that requires patience, and attention to detail, but with Michael's help, I am on my way.
In the meantime, the texts that I have been reading for all these years have "come alive" in new and wonderful ways, and I am seeing things all around me that I never noticed or appreciated. Also, my behavior is better generally, and the little silly things that I used to waste too much time worrying about are not so important any more.
Needless to say, all of this is not bad for the price of one small book....
I highly recommend "Making Your Wisdom Come Alive" because, as I said in the title to this review, the title of this book says it all. Michael Gluckman's book does make your wisdom come alive, and much, much more.
Peace at Last! Oct 16, 2007
By Christopher Bowman
"Sri Vishwam Maharaj"
After traversing the awesome, grueling and rewarding landscape of the Spiritual Aspirant, it was finally nice to see the one that was on the path and to `Know Myself'.
This book has transformed my life more than any other book or any other teaching in the entire world; And I have looked far and wide for many years.
This book has given me who I truly am and my only real everlasting direct experience of my Own Self: Peace Beyond Birth and Death.
I am ever indebted to you Michael.
Thank you for everything.
All My Love,
Sri Vishwam Maharaj
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