Auf halbem Weg zum Gipfel der Erleuchtung.

by Mariana Caplan

"Fool's gold exists because there is real gold," coined Rumi. Here author and anthropologist Mariana Caplan herself extracts valuable nuggets from the writings of spiritual masters, both ancient and contemporary, as well as personal interviews with more than 30 esteemed masters, spiritual practitioners, and scholars and psychologists such as Andrew Cohen, Claudio Naranjo, and Robert Svoboda. Contending that "the present condition of contemporary spirituality in the West is one of grave distortion, confusion, fraud, and a fundamental lack of education," Caplan sets out to correct this situation by encouraging seekers to carefully examine the ideas--and ideals--of the spiritual teachers with whom they are involved. The introduction by Fleet Maull, a lay monk in the Zen Peacemaker Order and founder of the National Prison Hospice Project, alone makes this worth reading. --Randall Cohan

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Buddhism

Paperback

First published May 31, 1999

Reviews

[Hippymomma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this book. I guess I thought there would be lots of juicy stories about failed cults...but instead, it starts with an attack on the "new age" movement then continues with random quotes from various Buddhist/Hindu/Jewish types. Apparently you have to suffer to be enlightened....

[Edwin Wolbers · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book contains as much utter nonsense as the nonsense of new age she is writing about. Sure she mentions some pitfalls which seem to be widespread. But ironicly this book itself is the biggest pitfall on understanding a path to enlightment.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

K, I haven't read this whole book I admit... Mariana is one of my dearest friends and I have read excerpts... she is a brilliant, creative, great writer and everyone should read her books!

[Ana Isabel]

Un libro enormemente valioso y atinado, especialmente en las partes dedicadas a las cuestiones "candentes" de la autenticidad, el ego, la inflación y la corrupción de los maestros.

No se puede trascender lo que no se conoce.

[Ronald Jonker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most complete 'manuals' for avoiding the pitfall of a think-realisation.