Skilled Journalist's balance-I wanted the Editor's bite too
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Good guy reporter takes a trip into spiritual America and writes about the landscape. Well written, intriguing, hits many of the "players". Well intentioned and important. Another 50 books or more like this where a mainstream writer wanders around in spiritual America might have us looking ahead and not in the rear view mirror. Schwartz comments on his experiences but not to the degree I was looking for. I was fascinated by his angst, midlife goo, wanderlust, spiritual void or boredom. What did that edge yield? I never got a clear sense of his editorial eye but maybe that wasn't what this was about. His journalistic pen was right on. A definite buy for many years.
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Well Balanced and Well Written.
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Exciting and useful personal survey of the strength and shortcomings in the various methods for wisdom in the US. I like Schwartz*s journalistic instinct in seeking an inclusive, multi-faceted approach. It will save other seekers a lot of heartache and time. Nevertheless, I wish Schwart put a bit more emphasis in how to persist in the quest for truth. The constant search for yet another technique in meditation, psychoanalysis, dream work, or Enneagram, means that one may devote less energy in a slow but working approach.
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AN EXCEPTIONAL REFERENCE FOR THE "SEARCHER"
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TONY SCHWARTZ SPENT SEVERAL YEARS ON AN ODESSEY SEARCHING FOR THE BEST TRUTH-SEEKERS IN THE USA FULFILLING A DREAM WHICH MOST OF US DO NOT HAVE THE ENERGY OR RESOUCES TO COMPLETE. HIS EXPERIENCES ARE FASCINATING ; HIS CONCLUSIONS ARE REASONABLE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NECESSARILY HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE. I FOUND THIS BOOK HARD TO PUT DOWN AND INTEND TO BUY MANY COPIES FOR FRIENDS.
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Schwartz searches with open mind, but reader wants critique
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This long book is a real mixed bag. Schwartz gave himself a tough assignment: He set out on his search for wisdom with an open mind and open heart. But for his learning to be of value to others, he also had to bring a bit of skepticism to bear. While he attempts this balance, he ultimately is far more successful at the former than the latter. He offers some fascinating descriptions and histories of various individuals and places he visited in his search. And you have to give him credit for NOT over-intellectualizing his heartfelt experiences, and his honesty with the reader. But, with too rare exception, he treats his contacts with kid gloves. I kept wanting him to say, "this particular experience was silly," or "that guy was a nut." Instead, most of what he encountered was somewhere between "promising" and "transcendent," with most of the latter involving a lot of hugging and crying. Still, as a survey of some unique American thinkers, if not a critique, it's worth a read.
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Where to begin for the knowledge to enrich your life.
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Tony Schwartz wrote this book for all of us who want a little bit of background on all the sublime "new age" techniques to a more centered existence. He researched the subject matter without much, if any, prior knowledge or experience, which gives a real "everyman" point of view. He researched all that he could, obviously enjoying it thoroughly, and followed it wherever it lead him, just as I would have had I taken the journey. And he expresses his exact feelings on all the things he experienced, as if a friend were relaying his findings to you. And yet, you feel free to make your own judgements. Profound!
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