Like the Celestine Prophecy, this sequel is an adventure parable, an attempt to illustrate the ongoing spiritual transformation that is occuring in our time. My hope with both books has been to communicate what I would call a consensus picture, a lived portrait, of the new perceptions, feelings, and phenomena that are coming to define life as we enter the third millenium.
Our greatest mistake, in my opinion, is to think that human spirituality is somehow already undestood and established. If history tells us anything, it is that human culture and knowledge are constantly evolving. Only individual opinions ar fixed and dogmatic. Truth is more dynamic than that, and the great joy of life is in letting go, in finding our own special truth that is ours to tell, and takes a clearer form, just when it's needed to impact someone's life.
Together we are going somewhere, each generation building upon the accomplishments of the previous one, destined for an end we can only dimly remember. We're all in the process of awakening and opening up to who we really are, and what we came here to do, which is often a very difficult task. Yet I firmly believe that if we always integrate the best of the traditions we find before us and keep the process in mind, each challenge along the way, each interpersonal irritation can be overcome with a sense of destiny and miracle.
I don't mean to minimize the formidable problems still facing humanity, only to suggest that each of us in our own way is involved in the solution. If we stay aware and acknowledge the great mystery that is this life, we will see that we have been perfectly placed, in exactly the right position.to make all the difference in the world.
- James Redfield (Spring, 1996)
My Review
I think the author's above note on the Tenth Insight is the best summary I can give about the book. When I enter a religious shrine, I am usually in awe. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve being in such holy grounds. And sometimes I feel those are the only places when I get to be as near as I possibly can to achieve the ultimate spiritual experience. Once outside the shrine, its back to the routine life, career, struggling relationships and so forth.
That's how I feel when I read author James Redfield's The Celestine Prophecy and it's sequel The Tenth Insight - like touching holy ground. Celestine Prophecy's contents had more of a racy novel and slightly less of treasure trove of spiritual discussion. But Tenth Insight has much more breathtaking share of life-changing wisdom interspersed within a fictitous story again.
But truth be told, do not buy TI simply expecting a thriller plot like DaVinci Code. The fiction and its ability to hold reader's attention is average. But if you are essentially seeking a self-help book or simply a spiritual discussion, then be in bliss. This book leaves us satisfied like an everlasting cup of piping hot Nescafe! :)
And thankfully, James allows the spiritual debate to progress between a tense, exciting adventure of the lead character in the book, (lets say) John. In both CP and TI, the story is in first person narration. Hence there's no mention anywhere of the lead character's name.
The Plots
In CP, John visits Peru to know more about the secretly discovered knowledge of the Nine Insights that's reportedly creating a mass spiritual awakening among people, after his close friend Charlene discloses about the findings to him. During his quest, John experiences many moments akin to enlightenment but almost loses his life in the hands of the hostile Peruvian military and a government that feels threatened by the influence of the Nine Insights among the locals. He's finally ordered to leave the country and never come back.
In the TI, John who's back in US hears that Charlene's gone missing. Her employer informs John that she packed her bags and left to the Appalachian valley in eastern North America and has not been heard since. Alarmed and determined to find her, John sets out to the wild, dense valley. During his search, he also discovers to his horror about a deadly secret experiment being conducted in the valley by a private company to harness cheap alternate energy and earn huge money. But the technology used is highly volatile and threatens to destroy the valley and perish the people living nearby. Can John find Charlene and save his own life too in the nick of time? Can he do something, anything to stop the experiment? He also amazingly meets his old friend Wil who was his companion in Peru. Why is Wil here? Will reveals to a stunned John his mission to seek something in the valley that's only been so far whispered about in awe among a close circle of true spiritual seekers. The discovery of a Tenth Insight!
Review contd.
Why I'm amazed about TI is not because I blindly believe in the views shared within to be true. But because it effortlessly clarifies the complex spiritual truths shared by the most respected saints in India across hundreds of centuries. Why do we pray? The REAL reason for praying to the Divine? Why do we chant mantras before we eat our meals? Why do we get a feeling of deja-vu when we visit a new place or meet a total stranger? What happens to us spiritually when we survive almost-fatal accidents in our life? What's the hidden meaning of our dreams? Will businesses worldwide reach a stage where instead of making the most money, they ask, "(as quoted from the book)What can we produce that liberates and informs and makes the world a better place, yet also preserves a delicate environmental balance?" And so much more.
I get the feeling that books like CP, TI or even fantastic Indian books like Autobiography of a Yogi (by Paramhamsa Yogananda) are still ahead of its time. The debate or views shared in these books may be too esoteric for some or perhaps even crazy for some others. But, at the very least, they spark a curiousity in us to know more about ourselves, the reason behind Life and Death. This quest has already begun centuries ago and is gradually, steadily building up. We may not be ready yet to seriously discuss our own spirituality. But we can always go back to read these books and get inspired or feel renewed again. I firmly believe these books are timeless and should be preserved for generations to read.
And those who have insight will
shine brightly like the brightness of
the expanse of Heaven, and those who
lead the many to righeousness, like the
stars forever and ever.
But for you Daniel, conceal these
words and seal up the book until the end
of time. Many will go back and forth,
and knowledge will increase
DANIEL 12:3-4
Verdict~ As Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom, quotes "James Redfield has achieved what the great storytellers across time and culture aspire to. He has woven a parable accessible to all envisioning humanity's highest destiny."
Can I give him a better compliment?
