The Twelfth Insight: The Hour of Decision [Hardcover]

I've read (and own) all of James Redfield's books. I'll review the book momentarily, but let me give a little background on where my review is coming from. I'm interested in the human situation, thinking, and consciousness. I enjoy philosophy (Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Wittgenstein, J. Krishnamurti,etc.) and I'm really into the writings/teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, and Buddhist/Taoist philosophy in general. I also enjoy the Walking Dead and Chew comic books, Seinfeld, and Arrested Development on TV. These interests, I believe, give you a taste of my tastes. I'm not a New Age person, per se.

I tried reading Louise Hay's stuff and other Hay House publications (the Abraham series, etc.) and I've seen the Secret and read things written by some of the presenters thereon, and plenty of other things of that sort. While I "get them", they all just seem far too "me" oriented. From what they seem to be saying--in my quite possibly erroneous interpretation--is that the whole point of life is to manifest cars and boats and live forever. And an Abraham cruise-ship?! Seems weird to me (if you've got the money to take a cruise, might you consider manifesting food for the poor, or clean water for third world nations?)And while I understand that those sorts of things click with some people--everyone is at a different point in their journey--they don't click with me. I can not get around the irony found in a text or a video that tells me to transcend my ego, yet at the same time tells me that my ego might like me to have more money and a bigger house. And take a cruise.

Back to James Redfield. He's different. He doesn't appear to be in it for the money. For goodness sake, he offers a bimonthly (I think?) webcast/teleconference with anyone who wants to join, FOR FREE! Anyhow, I started with his stuff by first seeing the Celestine Prophecy Movie a few years ago. Then I promptly read all of the books, and I've just finished reading The Twelfth Insight. I loved it.

What I love and appreciate about Redfield's philosophy is that it isn't "me" focused. Whether you start with the first book (which you probably ought to) or you start with this latest, you'll be shown how to exist in the world with more compassion towards others.

The Twelfth Insight is very similar in structure to the other books in the series: The (unnamed)hero catches wind of a document and travels the world looking for more pieces of it, all the while learning more and more about it. People who read Redfield probably aren't looking for an adventure so much as they're looking for philosophy, and The Twelfth Insight provides a great one.

I really, truly believe that if a person were to actually read these books--with an open-mind--and investigate for themselves the truths that are offered inside (like the Buddha would recommend!), s/he would come to a striking revelation that we are, in fact, all One. The Twelfth Insight, essentially, is an action/adventure detailing how an open-minded person can get to that feeling of Oneness, with the hope to sustain it.

And to the Redfield faithful, if you're reading this: Yes, it's worth it. And you'll wish you could read it for the first time all over again, just like the other books in the series.

Peace to you. Enjoy!

=)

I read the book in two sittings as I had to get up and go to work in the morning otherwise I would have read it straight through. Like any good teacher he makes what he is teaching interesting (he is teaching a philosophy, a way of life in his books), as the old philosphers did through a parable. It really is a short book, large print and good spacing.

I have been reading philiosphies for many years now and read Ann Rand when I was a teenager many many years ago and tried it on and saw the havoc that produced and moved on,... this book will appeal to many different groups of peopel including moderate and balanced people, contrary to what some will inevitably say, especially those who truly believe the words of a popular song which goes something like "let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me". It is the only way there will be; a point I believe he is trying to make.

Yes, there are politics and an agenda discussed in the story and a call for a chanage in thinking and actions that moderates not just extremists stand up and be heard and by their own individual actions they can and will change the world; that is the only way change comes about, one person at a time through how we communicate and conduct ourselves. I don't believe this is a extremest concept.

For those individuals who sometimes find themselves in the minority, the not out for number one crowd, this book will let you know that there is a movement growing, of rational people and you are not alone. To those extremest on both sides it will be threatening.

Redfield's first book, The Celestine Prophesy, was instrumental in opening me to a better understanding of myself and my evolving spirituality. I have read each of his books, and was excited that the twelfth insight would soon be available. It arrived in my mailbox yesterday, and I gobbled it up. I will reread it, as I always do with Redfield's books.

Here Redfield brings together all the pieces of a grand picture. I stopped from time to time as I was reading to recall where I had recently been passed this piece or that. Redfield is not the only one bringing through this information. All of us can find these pieces if we open ourselves to them. I am grateful to James Redfield for bringing them masterfully into one volume. Not only does he review the insights of his earlier books, but he presents them as "integrations", things that we can make part of ourselves.

I am pleased with the conclusion of The Twelfth Insight. Years ago I had an experience which I can only refer to as having "touched the heart of God". This book offers a framework whereby we all may do just that.

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