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Conversations with God #1
Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1
Suppose you could ask God the most puzzling questions about existence - questions about love and faith, life and death, good and evil. Suppose God provided clear, understandable answers. It happened to Neale Donald Walsch. It can happen to you. You are about to have a conversation...
I have heard the crying of your heart. I have seen the searching of your soul. I know how deeply you have desired the Truth. In pain have you called out for it, and in joy. Unendingly have you beseeched Me. Show Myself. Explain Myself. Reveal Myself.
I am doing so here, in terms so plain, you cannot misunderstand. In language so simple, you cannot be confused. In vocabulary so common, you cannot get lost in the verbiage.
So go ahead now. Ask Me anything. Anything. I will contrive to bring you the answer. The whole universe will I use to do this. So be on the lookout; this book is far from My only tool. You may ask a question, then put this book down. But watch.
Listen.
The words to the next song you hear. The information in the next article you read. The story line of the next movie you watch. The chance utterance of the next person you meet. Or the whisper of the next river, the next ocean, the next breeze that caresses your ear - all these devices are Mine; all these avenues are open to Me. I will speak to you if you will listen. I will come to you if you will invite Me. I will show you then that I have always been there.
All ways.
I have heard the crying of your heart. I have seen the searching of your soul. I know how deeply you have desired the Truth. In pain have you called out for it, and in joy. Unendingly have you beseeched Me. Show Myself. Explain Myself. Reveal Myself.
I am doing so here, in terms so plain, you cannot misunderstand. In language so simple, you cannot be confused. In vocabulary so common, you cannot get lost in the verbiage.
So go ahead now. Ask Me anything. Anything. I will contrive to bring you the answer. The whole universe will I use to do this. So be on the lookout; this book is far from My only tool. You may ask a question, then put this book down. But watch.
Listen.
The words to the next song you hear. The information in the next article you read. The story line of the next movie you watch. The chance utterance of the next person you meet. Or the whisper of the next river, the next ocean, the next breeze that caresses your ear - all these devices are Mine; all these avenues are open to Me. I will speak to you if you will listen. I will come to you if you will invite Me. I will show you then that I have always been there.
All ways.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Neale Donald Walsch
420 books1,727 followersNeale Donald Walsch is a modern day spiritual messenger whose words continue to touch the world in profound ways. With an early interest in religion and a deeply felt connection to spirituality, Neale spent the majority of his life thriving professionally, yet searching for spiritual meaning before beginning his now famous conversation with God. His With God series of books has been translated into 34 languages, touching millions of lives and inspiring important changes in their day-to-day lives.
In addition to authoring the renowned With God series, Neale has published 16 other works, as well as a number of video and audio programs. Available throughout the world, each of the CwG dialogue books has made the New York Times Bestseller list, Conversations with God-Book 1 occupying that list for over two and half years.
The With God Series has redefined God and shifted spiritual paradigms around the globe. In order to deal with the enormous response to his writings, Neale created the Conversations with God Foundation, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to inspiring the world to help itself move from violence to peace, from confusion to clarity, and from anger to love.
Neale's work has taken him from the steps of Macchu Picchu in Peru to the steps of the Shinto shrines of Japan, from Red Square in Moscow to St. Peters Square in Vatican City to Tiananmen Square in China. And everywhere he has gone-from South Africa to Norway, Croatia to The Netherlands, the streets of Zurich to the streets of Seoul, Neale has found a hunger among the people to find a new way to live, at last, in peace and harmony, and he has sought to bring people a new understanding of life and of God which would allow them to experience that."
In addition to authoring the renowned With God series, Neale has published 16 other works, as well as a number of video and audio programs. Available throughout the world, each of the CwG dialogue books has made the New York Times Bestseller list, Conversations with God-Book 1 occupying that list for over two and half years.
The With God Series has redefined God and shifted spiritual paradigms around the globe. In order to deal with the enormous response to his writings, Neale created the Conversations with God Foundation, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to inspiring the world to help itself move from violence to peace, from confusion to clarity, and from anger to love.
Neale's work has taken him from the steps of Macchu Picchu in Peru to the steps of the Shinto shrines of Japan, from Red Square in Moscow to St. Peters Square in Vatican City to Tiananmen Square in China. And everywhere he has gone-from South Africa to Norway, Croatia to The Netherlands, the streets of Zurich to the streets of Seoul, Neale has found a hunger among the people to find a new way to live, at last, in peace and harmony, and he has sought to bring people a new understanding of life and of God which would allow them to experience that."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,150 reviews
September 24, 2010
When I was going through the roughest spiritual time in my life, this book not only restored my faith in myself as a minister and my ministry in general, but restored my faith in God.
It also showed me the God I always wanted to believe in, but was afraid to. I will forever be grateful for this book.
It also showed me the God I always wanted to believe in, but was afraid to. I will forever be grateful for this book.
January 21, 2024
This book will act as a lifeline for some people who are having an open mind and are struggling to find the meaning of life, while it can also act as something that is trying to hurt your feelings if you are a strictly religious person.
You may like this book mainly because it tells us, as the title suggests, how God converses with us through our intuitions and feelings. But more important than discovering God, this book is about finding ourselves. The author uses wisdom from great philosophers and presents it to us in a simple palatable manner. The first thing which came to my mind after reading the part related to God is my favorite Sanskrit word Tathwamasi , which means Thou art you (That is you). It is coming in the Samaveda- in the Chandogya Upanishad. This is a complex Advaita Vedānta which means that God and you are the same, just like what the Sanskrit word, Aham Brahmasmi means. Walsh is telling a similar concept to us. I think it will be easier for us to understand this book if we have read Vedas.
I liked the way the author thinks about love and fear.
"All human actions are motivated at their deepest level by two emotions--fear or love. In truth there are only two emotions--only two words in the language of the soul.... Fear wraps our bodies in clothing, love allows us to stand naked. Fear clings to and clutches all that we have, love gives all that we have away. Fear holds close, love holds dear. Fear grasps, love lets go. Fear rankles, love soothes. Fear attacks, love amends."
Evolution is depicted as an interesting holy trinity - knowing, experiencing, and being.
The part of the book which you don't like is most probably where the author castigates religion in a very harsh manner. Even though some of the author's ideas are correct, some others have gone entirely wrong, especially about some details and references from the Holy Bible. It will make us question the authenticity of this whole book when the author makes silly mistakes about some facts about the Holy Bible. A little more research on some religious books, especially the Holy Bible, would have helped the author avoid this facile writing style. Moreover, the author should have taken a euphemistic approach to deal with these controversial areas with finesse instead of using the hackneyed cliches and phrases seen in some famous books by atheists. The author was hyperbole when he overemphasizes the word "I," which was like the individualistic approach of Ayn Rand in a hedonistic manner.
The author seems like an erudite who gained a lot of knowledge from reading various religious and esoteric philosophical books and also his experiences from his life. He tries to give us all those empirical knowledge in a condensed manner palatable to ordinary people. I can't say that it is a perfect book, but there is a chance that it will help you if you are standing perplexed at the crossroads of your life.
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December 13, 2010
This book really makes me sad. There are a lot of false things written in it. For example : this book tries to make us think that we're god ourselves. At this point, I was assured that it wasn't GOD who spoke with Neale, the writer.
The key to life and understanding : we have to believe first, then comes the understanding. But if we think that faith to God is stale...we'll never get the true understanding. Just like relationships won't work when we have no trust.
This book uses many terms and references from the Holy Bible. But it's actually against it in a very soft way, presenting a more open option of faith. Alas, it's a false faith. How can we say it's true when it keeps saying wrong things??
For example: this "god" said that, most of the writers of the New Testament didn't live in Jesus Christ's era, they lived after that. So they won't recognize God if they pass Him on the way.
The FACT is: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter, Jude (it's another Jude, not the one who sold Jesus to the romans), they wrote in the New Testament, they were some of the first disciples of Jesus Christ, of course they lived in the era of Jesus Christ!
It's Paul who wasn't one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. He was actually against Christianity and he captured the first believers to arrest or to torture them. He was Jewish but a roman citizen. He never met Jesus before, because at that time Jesus had already been crucified and raised to the Heaven. But Jesus came to him on his way to Damascus and Paul got blinded by Him for three days. After this personal encounter, he repented and accepted Jesus Christ as God. Then He chose Paul as the first apostle to preach to other nations outside Israel, especially within the roman empire at that time. He wrote many books of the New Testament.
This "god" said that just to mock Paul, maybe. And he got problem with words...he said "most of the writers lived after Jesus". So this is surely a lie. God won't lie. Could you really trust a god that lies?? And God won't be careless with words. Or would you believe in a sloppy god??
Oh...there are so many wrong things in this book. Christianity isn't about religion! It's a personal relationship with God. It grows, it's like a journey, it's not stale...it's dynamic! And it fruits eternal life. I really hope that people won't get deceived by this "god". This "god" lies a lot!! We know who is the father of all liars. I feel sorry for Neale too. I hope he will ever get to the true understanding.
Some people just believe that life ends as the breaths gone. Full stop. But everyone's going to die anyway. I haven't been to either heaven or hell. But I surely wanna go to God's place. It's not about being conservative. It's about taking the biggest decision that would affect our lives, with eternal value! Why risking it?
Please, please...open your heart. All we need is to come to Jesus and ask honestly, without being judgmental or cynical, to come to our heart, and said that we want to know Him better. No one has ever died for you and me like Him!! His blood had paid the price of all sins!!
Neale's "god" said that GOD isn't a creator but just an observer. Come on!! On top of everything, there must be A CREATOR. Even the founder of Quantum Mechanical theory and all top notch scientists cannot explain where did the atoms that formed almost everything in this world come from, or why was this universe formed the way it is. The last time i watched BBC, even those physicians admitted that atoms seemed to come out of nothingness and that the universe, galaxies, and so human beings happen to be just a cosmic accident. Don't you think it's ironic and irrational?? God creates everything. And do you know that the universe is actually still expanding at an accelerating rate?? HE really meant it when He said "Let there be light!"
I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe God has redeemed me. I believe God is the owner of everything and that He's NOT just an observer. He's a creator, a helper, He puts action! He came to this world and crucified!! If someone pays your debt, would you say "what debt?" and walk away?
In fact, when we accept what He had done for us, when we decide to trust and follow in Him, we'll start to understand beautiful things, far beyond our imagination. For it is true, that the fear OF THE LORD is the beginning of knowledge. =)
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Life is offered for everyone now. And there's Someone Who dearly wants everyone to come and get all things He's so ready to give. He wants us to live and live abundantly!!
Don't waste the chance we have!! Walk by faith!!
Added Dec 9, 2010:
Ps: If you really want to read real life-with-God experience, I suggest "The God Who Changes Lives", edited by Mark Elsdon-Dew. God bless!
The key to life and understanding : we have to believe first, then comes the understanding. But if we think that faith to God is stale...we'll never get the true understanding. Just like relationships won't work when we have no trust.
This book uses many terms and references from the Holy Bible. But it's actually against it in a very soft way, presenting a more open option of faith. Alas, it's a false faith. How can we say it's true when it keeps saying wrong things??
For example: this "god" said that, most of the writers of the New Testament didn't live in Jesus Christ's era, they lived after that. So they won't recognize God if they pass Him on the way.
The FACT is: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter, Jude (it's another Jude, not the one who sold Jesus to the romans), they wrote in the New Testament, they were some of the first disciples of Jesus Christ, of course they lived in the era of Jesus Christ!
It's Paul who wasn't one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. He was actually against Christianity and he captured the first believers to arrest or to torture them. He was Jewish but a roman citizen. He never met Jesus before, because at that time Jesus had already been crucified and raised to the Heaven. But Jesus came to him on his way to Damascus and Paul got blinded by Him for three days. After this personal encounter, he repented and accepted Jesus Christ as God. Then He chose Paul as the first apostle to preach to other nations outside Israel, especially within the roman empire at that time. He wrote many books of the New Testament.
This "god" said that just to mock Paul, maybe. And he got problem with words...he said "most of the writers lived after Jesus". So this is surely a lie. God won't lie. Could you really trust a god that lies?? And God won't be careless with words. Or would you believe in a sloppy god??
Oh...there are so many wrong things in this book. Christianity isn't about religion! It's a personal relationship with God. It grows, it's like a journey, it's not stale...it's dynamic! And it fruits eternal life. I really hope that people won't get deceived by this "god". This "god" lies a lot!! We know who is the father of all liars. I feel sorry for Neale too. I hope he will ever get to the true understanding.
Some people just believe that life ends as the breaths gone. Full stop. But everyone's going to die anyway. I haven't been to either heaven or hell. But I surely wanna go to God's place. It's not about being conservative. It's about taking the biggest decision that would affect our lives, with eternal value! Why risking it?
Please, please...open your heart. All we need is to come to Jesus and ask honestly, without being judgmental or cynical, to come to our heart, and said that we want to know Him better. No one has ever died for you and me like Him!! His blood had paid the price of all sins!!
Neale's "god" said that GOD isn't a creator but just an observer. Come on!! On top of everything, there must be A CREATOR. Even the founder of Quantum Mechanical theory and all top notch scientists cannot explain where did the atoms that formed almost everything in this world come from, or why was this universe formed the way it is. The last time i watched BBC, even those physicians admitted that atoms seemed to come out of nothingness and that the universe, galaxies, and so human beings happen to be just a cosmic accident. Don't you think it's ironic and irrational?? God creates everything. And do you know that the universe is actually still expanding at an accelerating rate?? HE really meant it when He said "Let there be light!"
I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe God has redeemed me. I believe God is the owner of everything and that He's NOT just an observer. He's a creator, a helper, He puts action! He came to this world and crucified!! If someone pays your debt, would you say "what debt?" and walk away?
In fact, when we accept what He had done for us, when we decide to trust and follow in Him, we'll start to understand beautiful things, far beyond our imagination. For it is true, that the fear OF THE LORD is the beginning of knowledge. =)
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Life is offered for everyone now. And there's Someone Who dearly wants everyone to come and get all things He's so ready to give. He wants us to live and live abundantly!!
Don't waste the chance we have!! Walk by faith!!
Added Dec 9, 2010:
Ps: If you really want to read real life-with-God experience, I suggest "The God Who Changes Lives", edited by Mark Elsdon-Dew. God bless!
August 12, 2007
This is definitely a book for people with an open mind. Many people, I imagine would be put off with the way Neale presented himself. But then within the early section of the book, he wrote something that God communicate with us all the time. And we have to listen to Him firstly through our feelings and our experience, then, through text.
I agree about many misconceptions about God, which was brought about our religious beliefs. So this is a book that could made us understand ourselves better, especially how we should see ourselves in our relationship with God.
Once you pick it up, get your mind ready to be provoked. And keep your heart open, that's the most important thing.
For me this book goes in line with the other books that I am reading. Neale presented it in his own unique way. I am glad I read this book.
I agree about many misconceptions about God, which was brought about our religious beliefs. So this is a book that could made us understand ourselves better, especially how we should see ourselves in our relationship with God.
Once you pick it up, get your mind ready to be provoked. And keep your heart open, that's the most important thing.
For me this book goes in line with the other books that I am reading. Neale presented it in his own unique way. I am glad I read this book.
March 30, 2012
I found myself distracted by the reviews here that claim this book presents falsehoods and the message is poorly constructed. Then, I immediately felt bad and had a desire to defend this material because it has provided me with something I never thought I could have - a better understanding of who I want to be. I quickly realized I don't need to feel bad that other people here don't seem to get what this book has to offer because of what I've learned in reading the book, which is that the construct of bad is something I create. I can choose to feel bad about the way I receive other's conditional opinions here (where the need to formulate black and white statements is mandatory) and argue my point. Or, I can choose to accept that I have no place to judge what is good or what is bad for other people - only that I need to accept and understand who I am at this moment. Who I am at this moment is someone who adores this book because it gives me insight into the type of person I want to be right now. I do not need to pass judgment on others for not being able to see what beauty is being offered here. But most important, I do not need to pass judgment on my self for adoring it in spite of the negative comments here. Love is a gift from God, and so this book is God's gift to me. As the book suggests, we are all on a journey to Who We Are and not all people will be able to accept the message that is present here because not everyone's soul is prepared for it. I don't see that as a failing, but that certain things are right for certain people at a certain place and time. For those that are ready, this book can help you put water under the bridge between you and God.
June 11, 2008
I think I've found my new bible...
Conversations with God is a book I will refer to time and time again for inspiration, a lift higher and a reality check. I plan on carrying it in my purse until I loan it out to anyone willing to read it.
The only one reason to do anything: as a statement to the universe of Who You Are.
You and I, we are God's, the world around us is a spiritual machine, an expression of God's creative thought inspired by our collective consciousness.
Next time you do something ask yourself what feelings are behind that emotion and see if those feelings resonate with the greatest emotions of all, fear and love. Determine for yourself if any other emotions do exist. Examine your motives, your emotives and your every action to assure it withstands the test of your truest self. Once you experience being God you will no longer fear, no longer hurt and no longer need approval from anyone else but yourself.
Bottom line: read this book.
Conversations with God is a book I will refer to time and time again for inspiration, a lift higher and a reality check. I plan on carrying it in my purse until I loan it out to anyone willing to read it.
The only one reason to do anything: as a statement to the universe of Who You Are.
You and I, we are God's, the world around us is a spiritual machine, an expression of God's creative thought inspired by our collective consciousness.
Next time you do something ask yourself what feelings are behind that emotion and see if those feelings resonate with the greatest emotions of all, fear and love. Determine for yourself if any other emotions do exist. Examine your motives, your emotives and your every action to assure it withstands the test of your truest self. Once you experience being God you will no longer fear, no longer hurt and no longer need approval from anyone else but yourself.
Bottom line: read this book.
August 18, 2007
I think the reason most people even pick up this book in a store is because they're searching for something. Something missing from their lives, something they've lost and are unable to find, a piece of their soul that's broken away -- whatever the case may be. I firmly believe that there is a reason each and every person who picks up this book ends up reading it. Some might feel that Walsch is being blasphemous. Some might feel he's creating God to be something others don't believe He is. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and mine is that this book literally changed my life and the relationship that I have with God. Because of this book, I've opened my heart and my mind. And it's really made me re-evaluate why I'm here and the role I play in God's life and vice versa.
June 30, 2007
OK - I know. You can laugh, but this book was my life-line during one of the most difficult periods I've ever been through. The message that love of the self is the key to happiness was something I really need to hear at that point in my life, and it made me realize that we all manifest the events of our life, consciously or not.
You don't have to believe in God to appreciate the message of this book: Choices based on love will bring good things in to your life; choices based on fear will not. It's pretty simple, really.
You don't have to believe in God to appreciate the message of this book: Choices based on love will bring good things in to your life; choices based on fear will not. It's pretty simple, really.
August 26, 2016
Read out of curiosity...and it's tragically funny. Reminds me of a line said by Matthew Broderick's character Phillipe Gaston in the 1985 film "Ladyhawke": "Sir, the truth is, I talk to God all the time, and, no offense, but He never mentioned you."
Anyway, accounting for the rating: three stars for making me laugh plus three stars for an imaginative tale. Subtract four stars for trying to pawn off things like these as words of his God:
"Your job on Earth, therefore, is not to learn."
[Strike one...you're out. No discussion.]
"Yet there are no victims in the world, and no villains."
[Um, okay]
"In the largest sense, all the 'bad' things that happen are of your choosing. The mistake is not in choosing them, but in calling them bad. For in calling them bad, you call your Self bad,
since you created them."
[Riiigghhhtt]
"I have never set down a “right” or “wrong,” a “do” or a “don’t.” To do so would be to strip you completely of your greatest gift—the opportunity to do as you please, and experience the results of that;"
[Really? Did we read the same bible, Mr. Walsch?]
"...because My promises are too good to be true."
[No comment.]
"There is no coincidence in the universe —only a grand design; an incredible 'snowflake.'"
[Cute philosophical BS.]
"I am not pleased by suffering, and whoever says I am does not know Me.
... I have put an end to it. You simply refuse to use the tools I have given you with which to realize that. You see, suffering has nothing to do with events, but with one’s reaction to them."
[ Apparently, whoever wrote Your book did not know You either.]
And so on... Oh, also subtract two stars because Walsch wrote two more books on the same subject that I can't muster the will to read. Add one because zero stars implies no opinion and I certainly have an opinion on his fiction.
Anyway, accounting for the rating: three stars for making me laugh plus three stars for an imaginative tale. Subtract four stars for trying to pawn off things like these as words of his God:
"Your job on Earth, therefore, is not to learn."
[Strike one...you're out. No discussion.]
"Yet there are no victims in the world, and no villains."
[Um, okay]
"In the largest sense, all the 'bad' things that happen are of your choosing. The mistake is not in choosing them, but in calling them bad. For in calling them bad, you call your Self bad,
since you created them."
[Riiigghhhtt]
"I have never set down a “right” or “wrong,” a “do” or a “don’t.” To do so would be to strip you completely of your greatest gift—the opportunity to do as you please, and experience the results of that;"
[Really? Did we read the same bible, Mr. Walsch?]
"...because My promises are too good to be true."
[No comment.]
"There is no coincidence in the universe —only a grand design; an incredible 'snowflake.'"
[Cute philosophical BS.]
"I am not pleased by suffering, and whoever says I am does not know Me.
... I have put an end to it. You simply refuse to use the tools I have given you with which to realize that. You see, suffering has nothing to do with events, but with one’s reaction to them."
[ Apparently, whoever wrote Your book did not know You either.]
And so on... Oh, also subtract two stars because Walsch wrote two more books on the same subject that I can't muster the will to read. Add one because zero stars implies no opinion and I certainly have an opinion on his fiction.
November 24, 2007
Recipe for Conversations with God Alphabet Soup
1. Carefully rip out all pages of Conversations with God close to the binding. Attempt to make the rips as clean as possible. If this is difficult, use scissors. Can be done five or six pages at a time. Set aside in neat stack.
2. Discard binding.
3. In very large stockpot, add equal parts water and saccharine. Bring to a boil. Maybe the saccharine will melt, maybe it won't, I've never tried this recipe, but, trust me, saccharine is a key ingredient. Turn off heat.
4. Plug in and turn on paper shredder.
5. In small batches, carefully shred Conversations with God according to manufacturer's directions. Cross shredding works best. Set aside in six small artistically arranged piles.
6. Locate yellow pages. Look up butcher who carries specialty meats.
7. Dial number. Ask butcher to reserve six pounds of tripe.
8. Retrieve reserved tripe from butcher
9. Rinse and pat dry.
10. Over medium flame, alternate pound of tripe with one pile of cross shredded Conversations with God in the saccharine water.
11. Boil the hell out of it.
12. Bon apetit!
1. Carefully rip out all pages of Conversations with God close to the binding. Attempt to make the rips as clean as possible. If this is difficult, use scissors. Can be done five or six pages at a time. Set aside in neat stack.
2. Discard binding.
3. In very large stockpot, add equal parts water and saccharine. Bring to a boil. Maybe the saccharine will melt, maybe it won't, I've never tried this recipe, but, trust me, saccharine is a key ingredient. Turn off heat.
4. Plug in and turn on paper shredder.
5. In small batches, carefully shred Conversations with God according to manufacturer's directions. Cross shredding works best. Set aside in six small artistically arranged piles.
6. Locate yellow pages. Look up butcher who carries specialty meats.
7. Dial number. Ask butcher to reserve six pounds of tripe.
8. Retrieve reserved tripe from butcher
9. Rinse and pat dry.
10. Over medium flame, alternate pound of tripe with one pile of cross shredded Conversations with God in the saccharine water.
11. Boil the hell out of it.
12. Bon apetit!
June 3, 2011
Where many find it difficult to believe in this book I find it more difficult not to believe in. From studying philosophy A-level - great minds and masters such as Plato, Augustine, Irenaeus and Descartes already had exactly the right idea about life as we know it and as we don't know it. Where many, humanly, see it as completely controversial and totally blasphemous, the truth of this philosophy absolutely cemented my beliefs in the Highest thought of Love - the ultimate and absolute of all that we are; freedom- the Divine Creator (that which we are) has provided us with the beauty of choice; and experience - the ability to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' and to decide who we are and who we want to be in the world of relative.
Neale Donald Walsch is a great representation for the ordinary human being who feels as though he's done everything right in his life but can't understand why it's all falling apart - a horrible reality that most of us have subconsciously shaped and created for ourselves. Being so terribly fed up he is desperate to know EXACTLY what is going wrong and resorts to asking; in writing WHY. WHY ME, why is this happening?! (not a direct quote but basically something that a number of us are feeling at some point in our live) His bluntness and directness is perfectly relatable and the dialogue is written in a humorous and quirky manner.
God is a pretty cool character - unexpected and this is where some find the blasphemy. I personally love it. This I believe is the way God is supposed to be. He is the all-loving and we are his children. I can't myself express his awesomeness - you must read it for yourself.
Plato was concerned with concepts of the Forms - higher versions of ourselves (or God) our souls seek to be. Even in the most Ancient times of Greece the Stoics believed God to be present in everything and everyone. Conversations with God expresses how the Bible and Christian teaching was severely manipulated and warped to change societies views and to establish higher and lower beings. This book reminds us that we are all of equal being and we are all deserving of experiencing the highest concept of love. It is only in recent periods - 1960s where fundamentalist Christians stopped interpreting and analysing and took up a literal view of its teachings.
This book is what it is. It doesn't force you into anything; it doesn't promote a new religion or following. It is not the right way. It is not the wrong way. It simply is. Only by fear are people offended - but to me the logic is sound and pure and the truth really is a beautiful thing.
Favourite quote: "Yet your teachers have told you of an angry God, a jealous God, a God who needs to be needed. And that is not a God at all but a neurotic substitute for that which would be a diety."
Neale Donald Walsch is a great representation for the ordinary human being who feels as though he's done everything right in his life but can't understand why it's all falling apart - a horrible reality that most of us have subconsciously shaped and created for ourselves. Being so terribly fed up he is desperate to know EXACTLY what is going wrong and resorts to asking; in writing WHY. WHY ME, why is this happening?! (not a direct quote but basically something that a number of us are feeling at some point in our live) His bluntness and directness is perfectly relatable and the dialogue is written in a humorous and quirky manner.
God is a pretty cool character - unexpected and this is where some find the blasphemy. I personally love it. This I believe is the way God is supposed to be. He is the all-loving and we are his children. I can't myself express his awesomeness - you must read it for yourself.
Plato was concerned with concepts of the Forms - higher versions of ourselves (or God) our souls seek to be. Even in the most Ancient times of Greece the Stoics believed God to be present in everything and everyone. Conversations with God expresses how the Bible and Christian teaching was severely manipulated and warped to change societies views and to establish higher and lower beings. This book reminds us that we are all of equal being and we are all deserving of experiencing the highest concept of love. It is only in recent periods - 1960s where fundamentalist Christians stopped interpreting and analysing and took up a literal view of its teachings.
This book is what it is. It doesn't force you into anything; it doesn't promote a new religion or following. It is not the right way. It is not the wrong way. It simply is. Only by fear are people offended - but to me the logic is sound and pure and the truth really is a beautiful thing.
Favourite quote: "Yet your teachers have told you of an angry God, a jealous God, a God who needs to be needed. And that is not a God at all but a neurotic substitute for that which would be a diety."
October 11, 2008
Another book that my dad gave me.
I am personally not supportive of organized religion in any way. In fact, I feel that organized religion breeds hatred & ignorance. That last statement will likely upset a lot of people, including ones that I love respect. But... it's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I believe that Neale Donald Walsh's "Conversations with God" books can likely offend in the same sense, which is probably why I agree with so much of what is written about in these books.
I have always considered myself to be a very spiritual person, but have struggled with the fact that I cannot bring myself to be a part of any religious organization. I have always felt trapped and closed off when I've gone to church. These books made me so much more comfortable with who I feel that I am and really made me think about why I believe what I believe.
I am personally not supportive of organized religion in any way. In fact, I feel that organized religion breeds hatred & ignorance. That last statement will likely upset a lot of people, including ones that I love respect. But... it's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I believe that Neale Donald Walsh's "Conversations with God" books can likely offend in the same sense, which is probably why I agree with so much of what is written about in these books.
I have always considered myself to be a very spiritual person, but have struggled with the fact that I cannot bring myself to be a part of any religious organization. I have always felt trapped and closed off when I've gone to church. These books made me so much more comfortable with who I feel that I am and really made me think about why I believe what I believe.
December 28, 2007
Whether or not you believe that this book is divinely inspired, it still presents an interesting viewpoint: that the world is what we make it, that we are responsible for everything from the success of our love life to the ravages of world hunger, on both a personal level and through mass consciousness. This book's greatest recommendation is that we each must take responsibility for our lives, and that by changing our basic judgments and perceptions, we can become our own God.
July 31, 2007
"You are about to have an extraordinary experience. You are about to have a conversation with God." So begins Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 1) which was a best-seller, a publishing phenomenon. Truly, this book is less a conversation than a tiresome monologue by Neale Donald Walsch, who in the process of instructing the reader to liberate himself by recognizing his own Self as God, paints an image of a God as small as Walsch himself, and filled with Walsch's own parochialisms and scars. Walsch's God is intolerant of any consumption of wine, but tolerant of mass murder as being merely "different". He also shares Walsch's love of bad prose.
Read
December 14, 2017I am not a religious person whatsoever, but I was recommended this book by a close friend of mine & I relish the opportunity to change my mind.
Upon finishing this, I've decided to leave my rating blank. Will discuss why in my RTC!
Upon finishing this, I've decided to leave my rating blank. Will discuss why in my RTC!
August 19, 2018
Antes de iniciar la lectura no estaba muy segura de que fuera a gustarme. Al contrario, estaba convencida de que lo dejaría a la segunda página. Sin embargo, como por la boca muere el pez, ahora sólo puedo callar y meditar sobre todo lo leído.
January 23, 2014
Conversations With God. Indeed. What do I say?
This book is heavy enough to inspire me day after day, with only a half page or several pages.
Neal's God is playful but gentle.
He is fresh, but reverent.
She is startling, but reassuring.
It is liberating, but unyielding.
They are modern, but timeless.
I Am plain, but obscure.
Neal's God is not like a politician who answers the question you didn't ask, but instead like a grandparent who tells you you the scary answer, then backs it up with the comforting answer, showing you in the process that answers are not all that they seem, and maybe you knew inside all along.
Since there is really only one Message, perhaps a reasonable question might be, how true is Neal in writing for God? My honest answer is this: Neal is true enough to the voice of God within him to be saying things you likely will want to read when the time is right. But when you do, listen to the voice of God within yourself, and let Neal be nothing more than your fellow messenger. Believe it all and believe it none.
This book is heavy enough to inspire me day after day, with only a half page or several pages.
Neal's God is playful but gentle.
He is fresh, but reverent.
She is startling, but reassuring.
It is liberating, but unyielding.
They are modern, but timeless.
I Am plain, but obscure.
Neal's God is not like a politician who answers the question you didn't ask, but instead like a grandparent who tells you you the scary answer, then backs it up with the comforting answer, showing you in the process that answers are not all that they seem, and maybe you knew inside all along.
Since there is really only one Message, perhaps a reasonable question might be, how true is Neal in writing for God? My honest answer is this: Neal is true enough to the voice of God within him to be saying things you likely will want to read when the time is right. But when you do, listen to the voice of God within yourself, and let Neal be nothing more than your fellow messenger. Believe it all and believe it none.
June 26, 2008
This book has changed my life and has made me see things in a whole new light. Because of this book, I have changed my thought process and it has made all the difference in the world.
I grew up with deep religious roots, but I have discovered that I enjoy having an open mind and discovering what others believe and just because it differs from the teachings I was raised with, doesn't mean it's not enlightening. I don't believe EVERYTHING the book has to say, and I don't HAVE TO! I take the words in this book with a grain of salt and an open mind and decide what and what not to believe. It is my choice and I have a right to it...and I have decided to let the words of this book help build the woman I ultimately want to be. It's not a book for everyone, but I enjoyed it because it spoke to me and the life I have currently decided to experience.
I grew up with deep religious roots, but I have discovered that I enjoy having an open mind and discovering what others believe and just because it differs from the teachings I was raised with, doesn't mean it's not enlightening. I don't believe EVERYTHING the book has to say, and I don't HAVE TO! I take the words in this book with a grain of salt and an open mind and decide what and what not to believe. It is my choice and I have a right to it...and I have decided to let the words of this book help build the woman I ultimately want to be. It's not a book for everyone, but I enjoyed it because it spoke to me and the life I have currently decided to experience.
September 15, 2021
This came to me at the right time.
October 2, 2013
Fanciful fluff by a deluded con-man.
People comment that his book has provided them with comfort, to which I would reply that like hard liquor, it may make you feel warm and fuzzy, but ultimately it's going to mess you up.
What we want to believe must always bow to what actually is. There is very little truth espoused in this book, and hence by adhering to it's dictates, we are entertaining delusion and falsity. This is an equation which always leads to tears.
For the gullible only.
People comment that his book has provided them with comfort, to which I would reply that like hard liquor, it may make you feel warm and fuzzy, but ultimately it's going to mess you up.
What we want to believe must always bow to what actually is. There is very little truth espoused in this book, and hence by adhering to it's dictates, we are entertaining delusion and falsity. This is an equation which always leads to tears.
For the gullible only.
June 30, 2008
OK, I confess; I didn't finish this book. I didn't even buy it. Got it for free somehow. Actually, I forgot how I got hold of a copy. Anyway, nice sentiment. I do know this happens, but I'm not sure Walsch recorded his actual conversations. They seem staged. Nevertheless, I know that people do speak with God in this manor. About ten years ago, I had a friend die in a car accident at the age of 28, and part of the celebration of this woman's life consisted of the mother reading from her journal: actual conversations with God. These conversations hit me so hard at my spiritual center (and if you don't believe it's there is because you're jaded and unpracticed at humbling yourself enough to listen--that quite voice can not be heard above the din of the material / fallen world) that for hours later on into the rest of the weekend, I was struck dumb. I could not speak for the depth of power and import these words held in my heart. When God speaks to you it is as spirit to spirit and will overcome the lesser, materialistic and jaded voice of the world. The day after the memorial, I sat for hours, four to five hours, just writing, writing, writing, feeling the power, majesty, depth, mystery, and eternal secrets therein. The power was unmistakable. I did not feel this power coming from Walsch's conversations. Nevertheless, this is not to pooh-pooh the process, but to advocate authentic conversations that can inform of the mysteries of the eternities, those which I have been privy too on many, many an occasion.
November 6, 2010
This book changed the way I look at everything. It's a read, then re-reread. He starts it by "writing an angry letter to God" and says he heard God reply to his questions (hence the name). I read it loaded with skepticism but eventually, it did help me realize that maybe if there is a God, he/she/it can talk to us however we choose to hear him (free association writing, musical inspiration etc.). In that regard, I let my guard down and read it with a somewhat open mind. He has a whole series of these books now but as far as i'm concerned, it's only book one that is worth buying. It seemed that the others were mostly recycled material or a political agenda inside of a spiritual wrapper. Since book one became such a hit, it looks like Neale goes to great efforts to fulfill his role as the spiritual guru, tainting the authenticity that made book one so meaningful for me. Regardless of who he is or what he's doing now, it's a great read for anyone who's ever thought about the concept of God or no-God.
April 12, 2022
Ehrlich gesagt, hat mich der Titel anfangs echt abgeschreckt. Da ich es aber von immer mehr Menschen die sich mit persönlicher Weiterentwicklung beschäftigen, empfohlen bekommen habe, musste ich es einfach irgendwann lesen. Was soll ich sagen? Ich wurde nicht enttäuscht! Es handelt sich hierbei um ein wirklich tiefgründiges Buch, das ich auch nicht mal eben inhaliert habe - sondern zu dem ich über Monate hinweg immer wieder gegriffen habe. Es inspiriert, regt zum nachdenken an, lädt zum Perspektivwechsel ein, bringt Frieden und Liebe in die Welt. Ein großartiges Werk! Auch wenn man nichts mit Religion, Gott oder Glaube am Hut hat, absolut lesenswert! ❤️
July 27, 2020
Beware, this book is not biblical!
I read this book when I was still relatively new in my faith and even then I knew something was wrong. However, years later and a much deeper understanding of the Bible has only reinforced that. I don’t want to be harsh, but I also really want to warn people that just because a book claims it’s Christian doesn’t mean it’s preaching the truth, and this is one of those cases. It seriously confused me when I read it, making me doubt so many essentials about my faith, the Bible, and even my personal experiences with God. It’s not that this book gets the inconsequential truths of Christianity wrong, it’s that it gets the very core truths of it wrong, and that makes this book dangerous.
I read this book when I was still relatively new in my faith and even then I knew something was wrong. However, years later and a much deeper understanding of the Bible has only reinforced that. I don’t want to be harsh, but I also really want to warn people that just because a book claims it’s Christian doesn’t mean it’s preaching the truth, and this is one of those cases. It seriously confused me when I read it, making me doubt so many essentials about my faith, the Bible, and even my personal experiences with God. It’s not that this book gets the inconsequential truths of Christianity wrong, it’s that it gets the very core truths of it wrong, and that makes this book dangerous.
April 16, 2016
Once someone asked while I was reading this series, "How do you know if what this guy is saying is true?" Great question especially considering the author's intro and all that stuff about automatic writing. Well, I said, I decided to disregard the messenger and pay attention to the message. No disrespect here to Mr Walsch at all but concentrating on the message allowed me to feel it the way it was meant to be felt. And boy did I feel it! Everything rings very true in my soul. I do believe that we retain residual soul memory from our lives on the Other Side and from our past lives. I do believe that we are all God, his/her particle incarnated to experience things we cannot experience back Home. Before you make a decision whether to discount the messages in these books, ask yourself, "Does it ring true in my soul?" You just may be surprised what you hear back.
September 6, 2007
Some books touch us some don't. This one speaks for me. I cried, laughed, twitched my eyebrow reading it, hence, I found myself reading another sequel and another and got the whole trilogy. It left me with a feeling of liberation and some things that I thought complicated before became sensibly simple for me. But again, that's for me. So for everyone who is not only searching for the essence about themselves, the Creator, life, world, and relationships with other people to name few, but also are willing to open their minds and heart about it, I recommend this one.
March 2, 2023
For all you readers who have been helped by this book, good for you. You're the winners here.
My * rating is merely about what I consider to be the truth value of the method Walsh offers. I'm not sure what his standards are, claiming that he can easily help others to have "conversations" with God. Nor am I convinced of his standing to teach such a thing, given my research of him using quality energetic literacy.
Certainly I agree with the broader implication of this book, which is that each of us can have a beautiful and meaningful relationship with God.
My * rating is merely about what I consider to be the truth value of the method Walsh offers. I'm not sure what his standards are, claiming that he can easily help others to have "conversations" with God. Nor am I convinced of his standing to teach such a thing, given my research of him using quality energetic literacy.
Certainly I agree with the broader implication of this book, which is that each of us can have a beautiful and meaningful relationship with God.
November 8, 2007
(Reading for the second time...with a highlighter!)
These books have changed my life. And they're not what you'd think from the title. They give a swift kick in the ass to a great many accepted religious "norms." The religious questions I've had, wondering why certain pieces just didn't fit or make sense...they get answered! These books don't promote any religion, but rather encourage a new belief system.
These books have changed my life. And they're not what you'd think from the title. They give a swift kick in the ass to a great many accepted religious "norms." The religious questions I've had, wondering why certain pieces just didn't fit or make sense...they get answered! These books don't promote any religion, but rather encourage a new belief system.
January 28, 2011
Whew ! What to say here ...never have I been more stumped about a review !
Let me start by saying that I have been blessed with a wondeful , life-long friend . " Lisa " has always been like a sister to me . We have a million and one things in common . ONE thing we do NOT have in common is our taste in books . ( see my review of Women Food and God - keep in mind that it was good ol' Lisa that insisted I read it because she totally LOVED the darn thing ) Let me clarify - we enjoy the same genres , but our opinions of individual books usually totally differ .
It was my buddy Lisa that recommended CWG to me ....not only did she suggest reading it , she drove her copy 20 minutes across town, on a saturday evening , in a terrible snow storm for me to borrow !
This would not have been on my to-read shelf by my own doing and I really expected to throw it ( gently of course since it was on loan ) across the room at the fireplace after 10 pages . We're talking Lisa here and she loves CWG ....
I had no desire to throw it and I hung in there till the end ! However , for me the jury is still out . Yeah I know , I gave it three stars , but I had to give it something , didn't I ? I will say this much ( despite my hating Lisa's books )....
While this book is NOT for everyone , it had the ability to make ME think . While I found parts of it confusing , almost childish at times - repetitive at others , and different than what most of us have been taught all our lives , large parts it made perfectly good sense ( see the chapter on relationships and tell me what you think ) . I am not even going to touch whether it was divinely scripted or not - that is between God and Mr. Walsch !
As I said , the jury is still out for me on this one . Didn't hate it , didn't love it , but I have a 20 minute trip across town now to return it ;-)Please pray for me that it doesn't snow !
Let me start by saying that I have been blessed with a wondeful , life-long friend . " Lisa " has always been like a sister to me . We have a million and one things in common . ONE thing we do NOT have in common is our taste in books . ( see my review of Women Food and God - keep in mind that it was good ol' Lisa that insisted I read it because she totally LOVED the darn thing ) Let me clarify - we enjoy the same genres , but our opinions of individual books usually totally differ .
It was my buddy Lisa that recommended CWG to me ....not only did she suggest reading it , she drove her copy 20 minutes across town, on a saturday evening , in a terrible snow storm for me to borrow !
This would not have been on my to-read shelf by my own doing and I really expected to throw it ( gently of course since it was on loan ) across the room at the fireplace after 10 pages . We're talking Lisa here and she loves CWG ....
I had no desire to throw it and I hung in there till the end ! However , for me the jury is still out . Yeah I know , I gave it three stars , but I had to give it something , didn't I ? I will say this much ( despite my hating Lisa's books )....
While this book is NOT for everyone , it had the ability to make ME think . While I found parts of it confusing , almost childish at times - repetitive at others , and different than what most of us have been taught all our lives , large parts it made perfectly good sense ( see the chapter on relationships and tell me what you think ) . I am not even going to touch whether it was divinely scripted or not - that is between God and Mr. Walsch !
As I said , the jury is still out for me on this one . Didn't hate it , didn't love it , but I have a 20 minute trip across town now to return it ;-)Please pray for me that it doesn't snow !
February 17, 2020
کتابی بود که من رو با خودم آشتی داد. بسیاری از سوالات اعتقادی که سالها با آنها درگیر بودم پاسخ داد. پنجره ای نو در زندگی برای من باز کرد. اگر قرار باشد خلاصه ای برای آن بنویسم باید کل کتاب را یکجا بیاورم. کاش زودتر با دونالد والش آشنا شده بودم.
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