ARA Review by nellooli of In It Together
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nellooli
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ARA Review by nellooli 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, published by OnlineBookclub.org, is a superb work synthesizing the ancient wisdom from Hindu scriptures, Buddhist thoughts Sufi thoughts, and Christian values. It uniquely weaves a pragmatic model for life work that is quite illuminating, interesting, and influential. It converts abstract values and philosophical tenets to lessons that one could apply in life to achieve happiness and self-actualization. And it lays down specific lessons with actionable steps and explains their relevance in life.
The book appeals to the unbelievable love and goodness in us. When most things have started losing their value and meaning, we are struggling to find new synthetic value in material possessions as surrogates for happiness and achievement. The book ably dispels that notion and takes you on a journey of self-discovery. It breaks you down and rebuilds you as a new person. The author ably deals with love, equality, freedom, and peace, the dangerously controversial subjects, with a neutral attitude, yet strongly reinforces universal values and our connectedness.
The author claims that this is not a political book nor based on religion. “ We need not agree on any matter of politics or religion to see the beautiful common struggle uniting every single one of us. The book seeks to unite diverse readers of all sorts, of all cultures, religions and belief systems without infringing on anyone’s spiritual freedom.”
While this is true, the book deals with what real politics and religion could do for mankind.
Affectionate reverence for global forces flows strongly. The book does not claim that we should become united.. rather this book seeks to have the reader realize we already are united, whether we like it or not.
This approach raises the book to the level of philosophy dealing with cosmic consciousness and our intimate connections with it defying space and time. The author stands next to the holy Bhagavad Gita when he says “You have a human body, which you wear like clothes and inhabit like a car, but you, the real you – are the consciousness, not its ever-changing outfit or vehicle.”
Another revealing thought is about how we treat ourselves badly. “We are cruel to ourselves….Documented suicide does not include an alcoholic who dies in a crash…lethal drug overdoses ..lifelong cigarette smoker who dies of lung cancer….we suffer so very deeply – at our own hands, at our own doing.”
The book establishes that as conscious humans, all of us are on the same side struggling together for something, defines what it is, and offers an effective approach to work together in peace and love. That sounds too idealistic, but the book changes that belief and proves our essential goodness and how it is the only sustainable base for us to live happily and spiritually united with all human beings.
Overall this is a book everyone must read in the messy and stressful life of current times. It can help us believe in and find the light at the end of the tunnel and offer the steps and milestones for that journey of peace, happiness, and self-actualization.
Finally a word about style. The writing style brings to life the principle that “once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. The narration, like a light breeze, delivers the fragrance of the content and fades away.
I feel a lot richer having read this book. So will you.
Rating 5/5
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
In it Together, The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All , by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes, published by OnlineBookclub.org, is a superb work synthesizing the ancient wisdom from Hindu scriptures, Buddhist thoughts Sufi thoughts, and Christian values. It uniquely weaves a pragmatic model for life work that is quite illuminating, interesting, and influential. It converts abstract values and philosophical tenets to lessons that one could apply in life to achieve happiness and self-actualization. And it lays down specific lessons with actionable steps and explains their relevance in life.
The book appeals to the unbelievable love and goodness in us. When most things have started losing their value and meaning, we are struggling to find new synthetic value in material possessions as surrogates for happiness and achievement. The book ably dispels that notion and takes you on a journey of self-discovery. It breaks you down and rebuilds you as a new person. The author ably deals with love, equality, freedom, and peace, the dangerously controversial subjects, with a neutral attitude, yet strongly reinforces universal values and our connectedness.
The author claims that this is not a political book nor based on religion. “ We need not agree on any matter of politics or religion to see the beautiful common struggle uniting every single one of us. The book seeks to unite diverse readers of all sorts, of all cultures, religions and belief systems without infringing on anyone’s spiritual freedom.”
While this is true, the book deals with what real politics and religion could do for mankind.
Affectionate reverence for global forces flows strongly. The book does not claim that we should become united.. rather this book seeks to have the reader realize we already are united, whether we like it or not.
This approach raises the book to the level of philosophy dealing with cosmic consciousness and our intimate connections with it defying space and time. The author stands next to the holy Bhagavad Gita when he says “You have a human body, which you wear like clothes and inhabit like a car, but you, the real you – are the consciousness, not its ever-changing outfit or vehicle.”
Another revealing thought is about how we treat ourselves badly. “We are cruel to ourselves….Documented suicide does not include an alcoholic who dies in a crash…lethal drug overdoses ..lifelong cigarette smoker who dies of lung cancer….we suffer so very deeply – at our own hands, at our own doing.”
The book establishes that as conscious humans, all of us are on the same side struggling together for something, defines what it is, and offers an effective approach to work together in peace and love. That sounds too idealistic, but the book changes that belief and proves our essential goodness and how it is the only sustainable base for us to live happily and spiritually united with all human beings.
Overall this is a book everyone must read in the messy and stressful life of current times. It can help us believe in and find the light at the end of the tunnel and offer the steps and milestones for that journey of peace, happiness, and self-actualization.
Finally a word about style. The writing style brings to life the principle that “once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. The narration, like a light breeze, delivers the fragrance of the content and fades away.
I feel a lot richer having read this book. So will you.
Rating 5/5
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
