ARA Review by davidmendenh of In It Together
Moderator: Official Reviewer Representatives
-
davidmendenh
- Posts: 0
- Joined: 07 Oct 2019, 12:22
- Bookshelf Size: 0
ARA Review by davidmendenh of In It Together
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, In It Together.]
In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes was inspiring. Hughes really understands human nature and puts eloquently the steps for us to take in order to be more enlightened and aware of what our place in this world is.
I found myself reading and rereading many passages, the author has an extensive vocabulary and it really is enlightening to read and really learn as you read. It was over to quickly
I really liked the chapter “There is no problem of evil”. I actually disagree when someone believes in God they believe there should be no evil there for there is a paradox that they call the problem of evil. Just because God exists does not mean there is no evil. There are opposites, you cannot have Joy without sorrow, and understanding that there is a purpose to a person's existence makes all the difference. Hughes then goes on to say there is no such thing as evil, which I totally disagree with. I also don’t agree that it is liberating at all, sure being free from personal responsibility is nice sometimes but it is not freeing in the sense of the soul. Although I disagree completely the argument is valid and is important to keep an open mind and see things the way others see them.
The author tries to not offend others' beliefs and tries to avoid being preachy but I find in his attempt he is actually transparent in his underlying belief system. Hughes assumes that what he is saying is a universal truth and that all believe it and almost sets up those that don’t believe it. So, I find the book very biased. But as I said before. It is mind-opening and well-written.
I love the suggestions given for Freeing your spirit and manifesting love. BE HONEST – let go of denial, delusion, and self–deceit. ABSOLUTELY! I feel like letting go of being honest removes the weight of the world from your shoulders. Huges is right, that not even God can force you to let go, this has to be a choice a liberating choice.
The second suggestion is to let go of trying and accept the unchangeable. I don’t think he means don’t try to change your circumstance but accepting the unchangeable or what we don’t have control over removes stress, anger, and resentment from our lives.
Third, he suggests we let go of fighting and surrender to truth. This is also something that really resonated with me. I feel it can be so freeing. What I got from this is that we need to forgive others, and remove resentment from our hearts. If we remove judgment from our hearts and our language, heavy burdens will be lifted. I have personally seen this when I have held a grudge vs. letting it go and forgiving. So incredibly freeing! Hughes understands this so well!
Number Eight is by far my favorite. I believe you cannot see any change in your life without discomfort. We need to embrace it and actively get out of our comfort zones in order to progress to be happy, to achieve, to serve, and to live.
Number nine Hughes reminds us to be the present, another one I relate with. This is a good reminder to be in the moment and to live for the now!
In the last chapter where Hughes leaves really his greatest desires for all of us. It is a beautiful final blessing to all of us individually and collectively on this journey on earth. He wishes each of us a sense of confidence and invincible endurance. And finally closes by comparing our bodies to a temple. Our bodies are a temple but they would not be without our inner selves. This resonates with me and really is a lesson I took personally about how I feel about my body, my soul, and others.
Great read, I give it 5 out of 5
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes was inspiring. Hughes really understands human nature and puts eloquently the steps for us to take in order to be more enlightened and aware of what our place in this world is.
I found myself reading and rereading many passages, the author has an extensive vocabulary and it really is enlightening to read and really learn as you read. It was over to quickly
I really liked the chapter “There is no problem of evil”. I actually disagree when someone believes in God they believe there should be no evil there for there is a paradox that they call the problem of evil. Just because God exists does not mean there is no evil. There are opposites, you cannot have Joy without sorrow, and understanding that there is a purpose to a person's existence makes all the difference. Hughes then goes on to say there is no such thing as evil, which I totally disagree with. I also don’t agree that it is liberating at all, sure being free from personal responsibility is nice sometimes but it is not freeing in the sense of the soul. Although I disagree completely the argument is valid and is important to keep an open mind and see things the way others see them.
The author tries to not offend others' beliefs and tries to avoid being preachy but I find in his attempt he is actually transparent in his underlying belief system. Hughes assumes that what he is saying is a universal truth and that all believe it and almost sets up those that don’t believe it. So, I find the book very biased. But as I said before. It is mind-opening and well-written.
I love the suggestions given for Freeing your spirit and manifesting love. BE HONEST – let go of denial, delusion, and self–deceit. ABSOLUTELY! I feel like letting go of being honest removes the weight of the world from your shoulders. Huges is right, that not even God can force you to let go, this has to be a choice a liberating choice.
The second suggestion is to let go of trying and accept the unchangeable. I don’t think he means don’t try to change your circumstance but accepting the unchangeable or what we don’t have control over removes stress, anger, and resentment from our lives.
Third, he suggests we let go of fighting and surrender to truth. This is also something that really resonated with me. I feel it can be so freeing. What I got from this is that we need to forgive others, and remove resentment from our hearts. If we remove judgment from our hearts and our language, heavy burdens will be lifted. I have personally seen this when I have held a grudge vs. letting it go and forgiving. So incredibly freeing! Hughes understands this so well!
Number Eight is by far my favorite. I believe you cannot see any change in your life without discomfort. We need to embrace it and actively get out of our comfort zones in order to progress to be happy, to achieve, to serve, and to live.
Number nine Hughes reminds us to be the present, another one I relate with. This is a good reminder to be in the moment and to live for the now!
In the last chapter where Hughes leaves really his greatest desires for all of us. It is a beautiful final blessing to all of us individually and collectively on this journey on earth. He wishes each of us a sense of confidence and invincible endurance. And finally closes by comparing our bodies to a temple. Our bodies are a temple but they would not be without our inner selves. This resonates with me and really is a lesson I took personally about how I feel about my body, my soul, and others.
Great read, I give it 5 out of 5
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
