The Leap: The Psychology of Spiritual Awakening (An Eckhart Tolle Edition) Paperback – February 15, 2017
by Steve Taylor (Author), Eckhart Tolle (Foreword)
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Part of: An Eckhart Tolle Edition (4 Books)
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What does it mean to be enlightened or spiritually awakened?
In The Leap, Steve Taylor shows that this state is much more common than is generally believed.
He shows that ordinary people ― from all walks of life ― can and do regularly “wake up” to a more intense reality, even if they know nothing about spiritual practices and paths. Wakefulness is a more expansive and harmonious state of being that can be cultivated or that can arise accidentally.
It may also be a process we are undergoing collectively. Drawing on his years of research as a psychologist and on his own experiences, Taylor provides what is perhaps the clearest psychological study of the state of wakefulness ever published. Above all, he reminds us that it is our most natural state ― accessible to us all, anytime, anyplace.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Life always gives you what you need, and right now it has given you this book to use as a guide or companion through challenging times. It contains a great deal of precious wisdom, expressed in the straightforward, clear, and down-to-earth language that Steve Taylor is so good at.”
― from the foreword by Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and A New Earth
“A wonderful synthesis of modern research and timeless wisdom that makes the mysterious process of spiritual awakening more comprehensible than ever before.”
― Peter Russell, author of From Science to God
“This book is both insightful and inspiring. Building on the foundations of his previous books, Steve Taylor’s expertise and profound understanding of awakened states shine through and culminate in his proposition of an evolutionary leap that awaits humankind. For anyone who is interested in or has experienced an awakening, this book is not to be missed, as Taylor eloquently conveys an in-depth understanding of this fascinating phenomenon. It’s an excellent book that everyone should read.”
― Dr. Penny Sartori, author of The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences
“It’s high time we got clearer on what enlightenment is and isn’t. The Leap is readable, important, and long overdue. It offers a thorough portrait of this long-mysterious state with care and love.”
― Dr. Robert K. C. Forman, author of Enlightenment Ain’t What It’s Cracked Up to Be and Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness
“In The Leap, Steve Taylor takes a radically new approach to spiritual awakening, suggesting that the experience is more common than one might suspect, is not bound to any religious or spiritual tradition, and may be playing an essential role in human evolution. The Leap is filled with provocative statements, some of which you may agree with and some you may disagree with ― but you can be sure that this is a book you will never forget. It establishes Steve Taylor as a major spiritual author and teacher, whose lucid and articulate writing will evoke wonder and wisdom among readers.”
― Stanley Krippner, PhD, Alan Watts Professor of Psychology, Saybrook University
“A wonderfully detailed demystification of awakening within and without traditions that is a pleasure to read and offers hope for our dangerous times.”
― Claudio Naranjo, author of Healing Civilization and designer of the SAT Programs for personal and professional development
About the Author
Steve Taylor, PhD, is the author of several books on spirituality and psychology, including The Fall and Waking from Sleep. He has also published two books of poetic spiritual reflections, including The Calm Center. He is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom. Since 2011, he has appeared annually in Mind, Body, Spirit magazine’s list of the world’s “100 most spiritually influential living people.”
Product details
Item Weight : 1 pounds
Paperback : 320 pages
Publisher : New World Library (February 15, 2017)
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Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
Top reviews from the United States
George Ochsenfeld
5.0 out of 5 stars
Explains Awakening and Enlightenment; You May be More Awake Than You Think!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2017
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If you’ve been wondering what ‘spiritually awakened’ or ‘enlightenment’ means, this book is a must read. If you’ve made progress on the path of awakening, this book will validate your journey. If you’re having intense spiritual experiences, confusion, and dark nights of the soul, this book could save your life.
Steve Taylor explores the awakened state of consciousness from a psychological perspective in simple, crystal clear language. The book is based on his scientific study of hundreds of people who had various awakening experiences, on his vast knowledge of ancient spiritual traditions, and on his own personal journey.
His approach is free from archaic terminology, dogma, and cultural baggage which sometimes obscure the spiritual brilliance of ancient teachings. His model of psychological awakening can be helpful to practitioners on any spiritual path as well as to fervent atheists who are having awakening experiences.
Taylor says that ordinary adult consciousness is a state of deep sleep characterized by a sense of separateness, discontent, anxiety, and constant mental chatter. To escape this discomfort, we pursue happiness through money, success, power, etc., or sedate ourselves with compulsive entertainment or mind altering substances. It doesn’t work.
The author distinguishes between awakening experiences and the awakened state. Awakening experiences are temporary episodes of spiritual uplift, which can range from mild awe, reverence, and harmony to full blown mystical ecstatic union with an all pervading spiritual force. Most people have had at least the mild versions, often from nature or artistic beauty. Taylor goes more deeply into temporary awakening experiences in his book, Waking From Sleep.
The Leap, however, focuses on the awakened state, which is permeant wakefulness. Taylor says that with permeant wakefulness, a new, higher-functioning self-system emerges, which often feels like rebirth.
The author provides a list of characteristics commonly seen in people who are spiritually awake. The intensity of these traits corresponds to the intensity of the person’s wakefulness. I’ll mention just a few: serenity, reduced mental chatter, ability to live primarily in the present moment, emotional wellbeing, pleasure in simple activities, empathy, compassion, altruism, and an enjoyable oneness with nature, other people, and a spiritual force. He describes these characteristic and many more in fascinating detail.
Of particular importance, this list of characteristics can be used to evaluate the authenticity of spiritual teachers who claim to be enlightened. Unfortunately, some ‘perfect masters’ are self-deluded, or simply fraudulent. As a result, followers get injured.
Awakened people are far more common than most people realize, says Taylor. Most live ordinary lives and are not spiritual teachers in any formal sense. Many do not comprehend what happened to them as they awakened from the normal adult sleep state. Taylor reports rare instances of people who are naturally awake, who never completely succumbed to adult drowsiness. He describes others who awakened gradually, often through spiritual practices. But the majority of people he studied had sudden, unexpected awakenings, triggered by extreme psychological turmoil and suffering. He gives brief case histories portraying a variety of awakening experiences.
One of my favorite chapters is The Natural Wakefulness of Children, which discusses similarities between the consciousness of young children and of spiritually awakened adults. They share such characteristics as spontaneity, curiosity, openness, present moment orientation, freedom from excessive mental chatter, joy in living, vitality, dynamic creativity, and felt connection to the external world. However, since children lack an adult self-system, their wakeful traits are often overridden by impulsive selfish desires.
In a great quote, Taylor says, “Sometimes, when I discuss childhood wakefulness in talks or lectures, I joke that children are a combination of enlightened beings and narcissistic monsters.” He then asks, “But isn’t that a good description of some spiritual teachers?”
Taylor then cracks open eleven myths about the awakened state or what some call enlightenment. His discussion as to why these commonly held beliefs are incorrect is based on his empirical research, his knowledge of ancient scriptures, and his extraordinarily powerful insight. In addressing these myths, he summarizes most of the important points in the text. This chapter is worth the price of the book!
Here are the eleven beliefs he demythologizes: Myth 1: Wakefulness is exceptional and extraordinary. Myth 2: It’s not possible to live in a continuous state of wakefulness. It would make it impossible to live in the world on a day-to-day basis. Myth 3: You are either enlightened or not. There is no middle ground. Myth 4: Wakefulness is the end point, the culmination, of our development. Myth 5: Awakened people live in a state of continuous bliss and ease, free from all suffering and difficulty. Myth 6: Awakened individuals are incapable of behaving improperly. Myth 7: Awakened Individuals are detached from the world. They become indifferent to worldly affairs and are content for the world to remain as it is, without interfering. Myth 8: Awakened individuals—or mystics—are passive or inactive. They just sit and meditate all day, immersed in their own blissfulness. Myth 9: In wakefulness, the world is revealed to be an illusion. Myth 10: In wakefulness, the self disappears. There’s literally “no one there.” Wakefulness is a state of selflessness. Myth 11: You can’t make an effort to wake up.
In the final chapter, The Evolutionary Leap: A Collective Awakening, Steve Taylor suggests that the evolutionary force that has been driving life on earth toward increasing complexity for billions of years, is nothing less than the universe seeking to become more fully awake and aware of itself. By aligning ourselves with that force, humanity may be able to leap into a new world of collective wakefulness. Planetary turmoil may hasten the process. Taylor makes the case that that is exactly what is happening worldwide as increasing numbers of people are awakening. He cautions, however, that there is no guarantee that we will successfully make the leap rather than self-destruct.
This book could easily become a classic on awakening with the staying power of Cosmic Consciousness (1901) by Richard Maurice Bucke, Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) by William James, and Mysticism (1911) by Evelyn Underhill. That’s assuming humankind awakens from the nightmare produced by the constricted consciousness currently driving us to annihilation. Again, this book gives abundant hope that we will.
Eckhart Tolle supplies an excellent forward to the Leap. To my mind, no one explains ‘be here now’—the essence of the awakened state—better than Eckhart. But when it comes to providing empirical data and explaining the psychological details of spiritual awakening, no one is better than Steve Taylor. And I am making these statements as someone who is not a newcomer to the spiritual rodeo.
Nearly 50 years ago, I had a powerful but fleeting awakening experience and since then have studied everyone from D.T. Suzuki to Suzuki Roshi; Ramakrishna to Krishnamuriti; Gopi Krishna to Muktananda; Ramana Maharshi to Maharishi Mahesh; Allan Watts to Allen Ginsberg; Chogyam Trungpa to Rajneesh (Osho); Timothy Leary to Ram Dass; Patanjali to Yogananda; Thich Nhat Hanh to Peace Pilgrim; Ken Wilbur to Michael Washburn; Aldous Huxley to Stan Grof; Houston Smith to Jean Houston; Meister Eckhart to Eckhart Tolle; Carl Jung to Joseph Campbell; Jack Schwarz to Jack Kornfield; St. Teresa of Avila to St. John of the Cross; Walt Whitman to Gary Snyder; Annie Besant to Charlotte-Joko Beck; St. Hildegard to Thomas Merton; Evelyn Underhill to June Singer; Matsuo Basho to William Blake.
And again, to my mind, no one describes the psychological details of spiritual awakening better than Steve Taylor. Take The Leap home and enjoy.
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140 people found this helpful
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M. Scorelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "The Leap" by Steve Taylor
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2017
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Review of "The Leap" by Steve Taylor
I enjoyed this book. It is about Non-Duality but written in a rational style rather than revelatory or inspirational. It's an easy read. I like the theory that Waking Up is a part of the scheme of evolution. He offers a good definition of awakening: "an experience of clarity, revelation, and joy in which we become aware of a deeper or higher level of reality, perceive a sense of harmony and meaning, and transcend our normal sense of separateness from the world." He outlines some of the typical conditions with which awakening occurs, and differentiates between temporary glimpse and permanent awakening. He has a nice section on wakeful states in various world spiritual traditions. He aligns the permanent wakefulness with sahaja samadhi which I think is correct. He gives some beautiful examples of awakened artists, Walt Whitman, D.H.Lawrence. He surprised me on Lawrence. Also Peace Pilgrim and some other average folk culled from Taylor's own research and work. There are some really interesting case histories. He also covers the aftermath of awakening with examples and stories, always fun to read. This book has something of the style of the Near Death Experience literature, some case histories, some theory, something of a social topological map. He has a helpful summary of the characteristics of wakefulness and the awakened personality in life. One of my favorite parts is listing the common misunderstandings about waking up. I liked Satyam Nadeen's list also in "From Seekers to Finders." I found it helpful when just starting out. If you are used to shocking counter-intuitive pointers to enlightenment, the world is an illusion, there is no self, "there's just what's happening to no one," "There is no teacher, no student," this book does not take that approach. It is rational, comforting and down to earth. A good read.
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21 people found this helpful
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Atman
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview and Summary of the Experience of Awakening and Enlightenment
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017
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An excellent overview and summary of the teachings and experience of awakening (aka enlightenment). The book gets to the core of mystical teachings from many traditions, religions, and ideologies, and then simple explains the information in a format the is very clear and accessible to the reader. Often the book is more easy to understand than the great religious texts from which these very ideas are expressed and drawn from. An great companion book to all inquiry into the basic experience of spirituality as opposed to the ideology of spirituality. I would call it an overview of the perennial experience of spirituality found at the core of all mystic teachings. There is a catch 22 in that to understand some of the concepts you must have had at least a little direct experience with them yourself. The good news is that most people have had touched on this experience even if only briefly. This book may help reinforce the taste of awakening that some people have experienced and help it grow and expand into a higher, deeper experience of awakening.
12 people found this helpful
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Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars So good...
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
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Just finished The Leap and have to say, "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" to Steve Taylor for giving this to the world. Everyone pulled by that mysterious something inside that keeps insisting that "something greater exists, and it's powerful and wonderful," should read this.
I'd assumed the really "important" trans-personal experiences were "given by a guru," but he made me realize that my own experiences earlier in life were just as valid...indeed, PART of the path of awakening toward the greater level of human expression that WE ALL are intended to embody, guru or not. "Awakening" isn't confined to religion at all, it's a human race-consciousness-evolution. This book covers every question I had, and in every chapter I learned things. If anything, it's made me realize the importance of my relationship with the Universe as ONE of its very beloved expressions. This was one great book that should find a wide and grateful audience.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Banjoman
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2018
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I would recommend this book to anyone interested in spirituality. The book describes what awakening is, and gives anecdotal accounts and stories from people who have experienced some kind of awakening. Previously I've read books by Eckhart Tolle and the Dalai Lama. It has greatly complemented my own understanding of awakening, and as I find myself with a terminal illness, the book gave me some guidance and comfort. I am not too hard on myself now.....
5 people found this helpful
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P. Brisk
5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and important contribution to the subject of consciousness and spiritual awakening
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2017
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This is the first of Steve's books that I have read but it certainly will not be the last. Very well researched and very well reasoned - and also engagingly personal at times. Steve is a gifted writer as well as an insightful psychologist and philosopher of consciousness, making this an enjoyable as much as an extremely informative read. I can see I will now need to work my way through all his other books. I urge others with an interest in this field of study to do so too!
11 people found this helpful
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Mark Kawecki
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is amazing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2018
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Ordered this book after a chance noticing of it whilst casually browsing in Waterstones, was drawn in by the ‘Ekhart Tolle edition’ written on the cover.
Took this book with me on a month long hiking & camping trip in the back country of the US Pacific Northwest and Canada. Excellent location of solitude and nature to be able to absorb into the content fully, align with the writers ideas & intent and meditate/reflect on the meanings.
Simply reading this book took my awareness and consciousness to a higher level.
The fact the the author teaches at my hometown university, (I discovered this after purchase), added an extra connection. The empirical stories could really be felt deeply, understood and subsequently integrated into my own being.
5 people found this helpful
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Shikasta
3.0 out of 5 stars Only half the story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2017
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If I'd had this book in 1985 it would have explained what happened to my mind during my awakening and saved me a lot of confusion. An excellent book for those people who have experienced an awakening and want a psycho-spiritual explanation. However, only 3 stars because Steve reckons that the physical brain has nothing to do with the awakening experience, an attitude that I feel seriously limits his understanding of the process.
This book is an interesting starting place, but in my view, incomplete.
6 people found this helpful
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Anon101
4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable overview, till it veers to the speculative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2020
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This publication offers a comprehensive framework for identifying what constitutes ‘awakening’ (often termed ‘enlightenment’), the means and circumstances through which it is attained, who attains it, and to what degree of intensity and duration. In this, it offers considerable value to those simply curious about what ‘awakening’ is really about, and to those who, whereby deliberately or inadvertently, are already engaged in a process of waking. Due to these elements, this work is indeed ‘enlightening’ and a strong recommendation to read it can be made.
Of course, some of the author’s contentions on the key characteristics of ‘awakening’ are open to debate. But that is a not a great problem. It is well established that one of the characteristics of ‘awakening’ is indeed the commitment to investigation. (For example, classical Buddhism offers a list of seven ‘awakening factors’ of which #2 is ‘investigation’.)
What is a problem is that an author with a background in scientific research, and who makes claims to ‘demythologise’ (notably in chapter 15), should be so prone to ‘mythologise’. He perpetuates the myth of a ‘golden age’, purportedly occurring in two periods. One was in the past, with a ‘Fall’ from the awakened state, some 10,000 years ago. The other, predicted for an indeterminate future, is an ‘evolution’ to a higher consciousness for the human species as a whole. Thus the ‘Leap’ in the book’s title has at least two aspects, individual awakening and collective awakening. Whilst the book documents the former very ably, its treatment of the latter involves a leap into speculation. There is no proof of a golden age in the very distant past – we simply have no records. Likewise, we can know very little about what the future holds – the human species will probably ‘evolve’, but whether forwards or backwards is uncertain, and it may disappear altogether.
Further, in espousing the ‘New Age’ idiom, the author seems to be overlooking – or at least underestimating in this publication – two invaluable lines of inquiry. One is to ask what ‘evolution’ has actually occurred over the past 5,000 years or so of relatively well-recorded history. (Of course, this topic is usually treated under the term not of ‘evolution’ but ‘civilisation’ in a copious literature to which the author may be disinclined to add, for understandable reasons.) The other is to document whether, going forwards, the propensity to awaken is increasing, decreasing or static. In other words, does the proportion of the population that is awake or awakening change over time? And if so, to what degree and for what reasons? Are some factors and methods stronger - more effective and/or more reliable - than others? Can the best methods be further refined, and just how do we do that? At the moment, all we do is to guess and proceed on the basis of (often individual) trial and error, because we do not have a historical baseline for comparison. Indeed, perhaps all our generation can do, through the good offices of researchers such as Steve Taylor is to establish a baseline in relation to the present day which can be utilised over the longer term to discover in what direction we are going, individually and collectively, and why. That research project is a lot more modest than New Age myth-making, but it is potentially a greater gift and legacy to future generations. Though it calls for significant resources, it does seem within reach.
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The Leap: The Psychology of Spiritual Awakening
The Leap: The Psychology of Spiritual Awakening
by Steve Taylor, Eckhart Tolle (Foreword)
4.16 · Rating details · 268 ratings · 35 reviews
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Many assume that enlightenment is the result of arduous effort — self-denial such as fasting, travel to far-flung places, encounters with teachers thought to be enlightened themselves. But here, Steve Taylor shows that ordinary people — from all walks of life and every age and place — can and do regularly experience the kind of life-changing moments many of us seek. Taylor ...more
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Janet
May 16, 2017Janet rated it liked it
Shelves: self-help-spiritual
Great overview of what it means to be awakened. I don't know exactly how awakened I truly am, but this is certainly accurate: "Awakened individuals love doing nothing. They love solitude, quietness, and inactivity." "We can rest contentedly within our own being because there is no turbulence or discord inside us. We don't need to constantly do things just for the sake of it or constantly supply ourselves with distractions. Rather than fear quietness and inactivity, we enjoy them deeply because they allow us to touch into the radiance of our own well-being." (less)
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Jennifer
Sep 03, 2018Jennifer rated it really liked it
This was a really informative and fascinating read. Only a couple things held me back from giving it five stars: one of the earlier chapters on religions and spiritual practices was major information-overload and could turn some people off early (it's the only chapter that feels really dense and could easily be skipped), and often the book reads like a dissertation which may be unexpected for some. I personally enjoy reading research material so the style was fine for me. Overall, a really great explanation of our spiritual awakening as a species, particularly due to its layout and the order in which concepts are presented to the reader. (less)
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انتصار فضل
Dec 26, 2019انتصار فضل rated it really liked it · review of another edition
" القفزة " / ستيف تايلور.
ما الذي يعنيه أن تكون مستنيراً أو مستيقظاً روحياً؟ في “القفزة” يبيّن “ستيف تايلور” أن هذه الحالة أكثر شيوعاً مما يعتقد عموماً. كما يبيّن أن الناس العاديين من جميع مناحي الحياة، يستطيعون ويطبقون “الاستيقاظ” بانتظام إلى واقع أكثر كثافة، حتى لو كانوا لا يعرفون شيئاً عن الممارسات والمسارات الروحية. إن اليقظة التامة هي حالة أكثر توسعاً وتناغماً كونها حالة يمكن أن تغرس أو تنشأ عن طريق الخطأ. قد تكون أيضاً عملية نخضع لها على نحو جماعي. بالاستناد إلى السنوات التي قضاها في أبحاث ...more
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Sonia
Mar 31, 2017Sonia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This book answered my many questions about awakening. I was curious ever since learning about Eckhart Tolle. I assumed it was a rare occurrence but have since learned differently. This is also the first book that I've read that adequately addresses kundalini awakening. We as a species are on the leading edge of another evolutionary moment and it's astounding.
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سارّه ..
Aug 25, 2019سارّه .. rated it really liked it · review of another edition
يتحدث هذا الكتاب عن علم نفس الإستيقاظ الروحي كما هو مكتوب في غلافه. يصف كل نوع/ حالة من اليقظة ويحللها مستعيناً بتجارب أشخاص مرّوا بها.
يصف كل حالة، وخصائصها، وأسبابها، وكيف تحدث.
أعجبني من حيث استعانته بتجارب الآخرين واضعاً صورة واضحة لمن يمر بتجربة الإستيقاظ لتعزيز وفهم تجربته.
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Lyn
May 25, 2017Lyn rated it it was ok
I expected it to be easier to read. It got bogged down after the first couple chapters
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Dyana Sahiouni
Mar 13, 2020Dyana Sahiouni rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
الاقتباس:
عندما نستخدم مصطلحات مثل اليقظة التامة والاستيقاظ، يكون من المهم أن نفهم ماهو الشيء
الذي نستيقظ منه.
فإن ما نستيقظ منه هو في الأساس حالة من الغفلة، حالة من التعقيد، الوعي المحدد، التناقض، والمعاناة.
إن السبب الرئيسي وراء هذه الحاجة إلى الهوية والانتماء هو شعور الضعف والهشاشة الناتج عن انفصالنا،
انفصالنا عن الطبيعة، نشعر أننا مهددون ونحتاج إلى بعض الدعم، كي نشعر أننا جزء من شيء أكبر منا، يوفر لنا الملاذ والأمن والحماية.
فإنه يخلق بالتوازي حاجة قوية للقبول.
إنه يجعلنا حريصين على أن نكون ملائمي ...more
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Johnny Stork, MSc
May 13, 2017Johnny Stork, MSc rated it it was amazing
We are all on a similar path in life. Regardless of our professional, personal or relationship goals, ultimately we all strive to be happy and "successful" in our lives, however we define it. Most of us also strive to become the "best" we can become as a person, a spouse or excel through some sort of creative or athletic activity. The psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of human needs which determine what motivates us through our lives starting from basic food and shelter needs at the bottom all the way to "Self Actualisation" as the final pursuit or motivation in one's life. Self Actualisation is basically the pursuit of realising our highest potential, our greatest talent, our ultimate meaning or experience of life. In many religious traditions there is also a similar notion or pursuit of some ideal state of existence or state of mind. Some optimal state of consciousness and experience of life which transcends our "normal" day-to-day lives. This state of mind has many names in different religious traditions ranging from "Nirvana", "Enlightenment", "Buddha Mind", "Moksha", "Liberation" and of course "Awakening". Although it is not uncommon to associate these transcendent and "awakening" experiences with a religious practice, Steve's extensive research (and multiple books) into the 'awakening" state has reinforced similar research which demonstrates that these awakened states are NOT uncommon and are NOT always associated with a religious or spiritual practice of any kind. In other words, the joyful, exhilarating, compassionate and grateful state of mind and acceptance which also contributes to feelings of purpose and meaning in life, is available to EVERYONE.
"I define an awakening experience as “an experience of clarity, revelation, and joy in which we become aware of a deeper (or higher) level of reality, perceive a sense of harmony and meaning, and transcend our normal sense of separateness from the world.”" (Steve Taylor)
Steve Taylor in The Leap, does an exceptional job of outlining his theory that human civilisation was once in a more "awakened" state due to our direct connection to, and dependence upon, our natural environment. At some point in our evolutionary history we had a "Fall" into the "sleep state" we find ourselves in now. However, once we understand this "awakened" state is actually our normal and foundational state, we can re-awaken this dormant and transcendent state of existence. The Leap also covers a great deal of ground describing real-world examples of ordinary non-religious persons who have clearly gone through an awakening experience which transformed their lives in deep and meaningful ways.
I can highly recommend The Leap for every person on any spiritual or religious path, or none at all and who are simply seeking a better way of living and some direction as to how to find happiness and meaning in their own lives. A renewed motivation to pursue activities and ideas which will re-awaken your dormant and awakened self.
"In many ways, awakened individuals experience a higher-functioning state that makes life more fulfilling, exhilarating, and meaningful than it may appear in a normal state of being. As a result of this internal shift, they often make major changes to their lives. They begin new careers, hobbies, and relationships. They feel a strong impulse to make positive contributions to the world, to live in meaningful and purposeful ways, rather than simply trying to satisfy their own desires, enjoy themselves, or pass the time." (Steve Taylor)
"Awakened individuals have little or no sense of group identity. They see distinctions of religion or ethnicity or nationality as superficial and meaningless. They see themselves purely as human beings, without any external identities, who are no different from anyone else. As a result, they don’t put members of their own group before others, but rather treat all people equally. They don’t feel any pride in their nationality or ethnicity; they feel just as connected to “foreigners” as they do to their own “people.” (Steve Taylor) (less)
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Tristy at New World Library
Feb 06, 2017Tristy at New World Library rated it it was amazing
Shelves: spirituality, philosophy
Endorsements:
“Life always gives you what you need, and right now it has given you this book to use as a guide or companion through challenging times. It contains a great deal of precious wisdom, expressed in the straightforward, clear, and down-to-earth language that Steve Taylor is so good at.”— from the foreword by Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
“The Leap establishes Steve Taylor as a major spiritua ...more
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Jennifer Precious
Oct 28, 2017Jennifer Precious rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Essential spiritual reading
This book was above all, encouraging. He describes wakefulness (enlightenment) in terms that are more humanly recognizable than the traditional view of an enlightened person being somehow super human and magical. In fact, it is an evolutionary impulse that we are headed for as a species and that we can all cultivate through stillness, mindfulness, appreciation of the natural and artistic world around us and through practicing empathy and altruism. I won't say where I a ...more
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Heidi Nobantu
Oct 25, 2017Heidi Nobantu rated it really liked it
Shelves: psychology, non-fiction, spiritual-mystical
Demythologizing Wakefulness - A book to read if you have been on a 'path' in life ~ explored a variety of ways to go in terms of religion or spiritual quest... or not. Or if you simply have not been able to buy that there is only 'one right way' to be 'saved' and get to heaven, so to speak. This is a thoughtful and a scientific look at what it means to 'wake up,' from the ways it can look and feel to a comparison/exploration of common traits across religions and in wakeful individuals themselves ...more
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Donnell
Apr 11, 2017Donnell rated it it was ok
The number of stars are NOT an indication of the value of this book, which I consider quite high. It offers valuable info on the awakening process and gaining this info could actually move the process along for the reader.
To sit down and read the book through, though, is a bit tough. I had to stop, actually, about mid way through and then jump to a skim of the "myths" about awakening and a read of the "Appendix: An Inventory of Spiritual/ Secular Wakefulness", which is particularly valuable."
On ...more
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Timbrel
Nov 03, 2017Timbrel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Validated my experiences
This book is an unbiased collection of data presented in an intelligent and efficient fashion that anyone can read and understand it. I am grateful it was available to read because it was nice to finally see that my experience was normal (lol well, normal for someone awakening anyway). It would be a good read for everyone, from seeker to someone who has already found.
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Karen Kerrigan
Jun 19, 2017Karen Kerrigan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Excellent
A very detailed account of awakening as well as the different religious groups perception of wakefulness. Deep and thorough but ultimately a great read. It gave me insight into some things that I didn't know and validated many of the feelings that I've been having over the past few months. How wonderful it is to be awake with peace and wholeness!!! Thank you Steve for your inspired research and genuine effort.
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Trudy
Apr 05, 2017Trudy rated it did not like it · review of another edition
I was only a few pages into this when the left wing political lecturing started. I should've known better, but I'd somehow overlooked the name, Eckhart Tolle on the cover. Then I remembered he's Oprah's approved arbiter of spirituality. Oh, well. It was an interesting concept. Maybe someday somebody will write this book without politics, that would REALLY be something!
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lucho
Feb 03, 2018lucho rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Good Book
Nice detailed review of the types of Spiritual Awakenings posible in humans, why, how and when they occur. The overall need at a personal and for the overall evolution of our specie. Nicely Done !! Loved the way you explained why all this is happening, not as a personal as a much as it is related to our evolution.
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Alis Anagnostakis
Jun 27, 2018Alis Anagnostakis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Must-read for those on a path of self-transformation
Beautiful perspective on what living an “awakened” life means, on why the crises of pur lives might actually be triggers of deeply transformaritve processes. A great read on your journey of personal growth.
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Nsns2hotmail.com
Feb 04, 2019Nsns2hotmail.com rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
كتاب عجيب .. عبارة عن بحث لحالات الاستيقاظ الروحي ..
يصف الكاتب عملية الاستيقاظ الروحي كتجربة
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Teren Hanz
Jan 17, 2020Teren Hanz rated it it was amazing
This book is a mind opener. We think, keeping our eyes open is enough but I think keeping your mind open teaches you the art of being conscious, consciously. But what does that mean? It simply means - inner growth. We may think, it is not easy but it is not as difficult as one may think. This book provides answers to somethings that you may have been pondering over decades. Its an easy read if the subject is of interest but only if you keep your mind open. I think, as human beings we tend to chase our life goals and relationships without knowing ourselves. Unfortunately, neither of the two can be achieved to an A level without a spiritual path. Some do, but, at some point, one will come around to explore the real meaning of life. When you read some of the stories with examples in this book, one will understand what I mean. At some point, it may not make sense and you might find it too much but don't give up. I skipped a few pages which were heavy and then came back to them later. Just read bits that you easily understand, reflect and read again and then it will start making sense and provide you innner growth and precious wisdom. This is what makes us realise our ulitmate potential which in other words is 'self actualisation'. Its a book that must be in every home to be read, whenever you get a few minutes, which will remind you of your unexplored inner potential. (less)
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Riccardo Scafati
Mar 03, 2020Riccardo Scafati rated it really liked it
Veramente ammirevole l'impegno di Taylor nello strutturare in maniera completa e chiara quel processo a tratti misterioso, a tratti assolutamente naturale, del risveglio e della crescita interiore (anche se probabilmente quest'ultimo termine non piacerebbe all'autore).
Ho apprezzato in particolar modo le continue analogie tra le religioni e discipline tradizionali nel loro volgersi ad aspetti di risveglio: Taylor traccia i punti in comune tra induismo, buddismo e scuole mistiche delle religioni tradizionali e li mette in rapporto con gli aspetti pratici ed esistenziali di casi studio reali. (less)
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T Love
Jun 14, 2017T Love rated it it was amazing
Easy to read and simple to understand. While the psychology of spirituality is not new, the way in which Dr. Taylor uses simple explanations, through stories and examples, is. This work provides the reader fully clarity on not only how to get to an awakened state but what life is like along the way. I found this work fascinating and comprehensive. Whether just starting out on the path to awakening, or well into the journey, I believe this book will prove greater expansion and growth to one’s awakening experience. (less)
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Mahdikhazaee
Dec 11, 2019Mahdikhazaee rated it it was amazing
Excellent book, useful for those who are awakened and don't know exactly what has happened to them.\
the best thing about this book, is its simplicity in lexicon usage and nice subtle simply used grammatical structure that has made this book really easy to understand.
Characteristics of awakened people are described in this book, and important ways to being awakened and present are listed. easy to understand for foreign readers.
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Rebecca
Jul 30, 2020Rebecca added it
Shelves: read-in-2020, spirituality
really interesting and illuminating book. i'm not sure if it's the nature of the topic, but after the first 40% or so, it felt like the same points were being repeated in different words. but either way, it was really helpful.
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Nsns2hotmail.com
Jul 17, 2017Nsns2hotmail.com rated it it was amazing
I started reading this book 2 weeks ago .. I'm surprised and affected by the truth that Steve had mentioned it in the book through stories of real awakening happened for human being .. I feel enthusiastic to read his other books.
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Peter Gyulay
Jul 22, 2019Peter Gyulay rated it it was amazing
A very thorough study of the phenomenon of spiritual enlightenment. This book gives the spiritual seeker a framework with which to understand their journey and also a mirror to reflect their experiences.
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Eric
Mar 22, 2018Eric rated it it was amazing
Wonderful book taking a factual look at enlightenment/awakening and pulling it out of the mists of religion and gurus. Establishes that, in fact, enlightenment is a real process and much more common than one would think. One of the best books on spirituality I have read.
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Meagan
May 02, 2018Meagan rated it liked it
By reading only the last chapter, you can get all the value of this book. Worth a read, if only for the ending.
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Jim Ewing
Jul 19, 2017Jim Ewing rated it it was amazing
An absolute belter of a book, just what I needed.
A MUST READ for anyone with an interest in the evolution/raising of consciousness.
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Anna Baran
Jan 19, 2018Anna Baran rated it it was amazing
Beautifully written book about spiritual emergence
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Dusica
Feb 09, 2019Dusica rated it it was amazing
A book I have been looking for for a long time to explain ‘consciousness shift’ occurring in daily existence. Indeed, a must read for anyone on a spiritual path.
