Official Review: Supreme Realization by Anthony Nayagan
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- mmm17
- Posts: 826
- Joined: 23 Dec 2018, 09:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 262
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mmm17.html
- Latest Review: Broke Open by Lela Becker
Official Review: Supreme Realization by Anthony Nayagan
Supreme Realization, written by Anthony Nayagan, is a book about spiritual mysticism, which the author tells readers is as old as Christianity itself. Nayagan uses several resources to explain that acquiring “self-knowledge” is the foundation of spiritual mysticism, and he explores how mystical faith involves realizing the likeness of God within us. The author cites numerous passages in the Bible to explore how names such as Adam, Moses, Elijah, Joseph, Christ, His disciples, and Mother Mary were mystics who executed “the Will of God.” He also posits that Jesus trained all of His apostles to be mystics. Moreover, he believes that “Mother Mary was the most incredible mystic who ever walked on this planet.”
Nayagan was born in Sri Lanka in the 1950s, and he recalls that his father was strict. The author left Sri Lanka in 1977, when he was twenty-four, and moved to the UK to continue his studies. In 1979, he went to the US, and he believes that “American culture allows for individuals to thrive.”
What I liked the most about the book was the author’s insightful reexamination of several biblical narratives. Above all, I enjoyed how Nayagan intertwines his challenges and ventures with a mystic perspective on religious texts, notably the Bible. As the book progresses, the author achieves a smooth and lovely blend of recollections, personal stories, biblical interpretations, and spiritual insights. I particularly enjoyed how the author examines the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel and how it delves deeply into the mystery of the seven layers of consciousness: physical, vital, mental, intellectual, beatitudes, self-awareness, and divine existence. The author posits that a non-dual state of consciousness (the seventh level or layer) is the essence of Christian mysticism.
Additionally, I found the book to be well-written and well-researched. Besides the Bible, the author cites several other religious sources, which I appreciated. For instance, he refers to the Upanishads, which explains that consciousness is the make-up of seven governing principles of the soul, and he also mentions how one can find a similar reference in the seven chakras. Similarly, we learn that the Quran stated that Allah created seven heavens in layers. I also liked how he uses scientific concepts, such as quantum physics, to substantiate his reflections.
With that said, I gladly give this book the highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars. There’s nothing I disliked about it, and it seemed professionally edited. I recommend it to open-minded readers who are interested in spiritual growth. If you have a markedly orthodox view of Christianity, though, some of the mystical concepts may not sit well with you.
******
Supreme Realization
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
-
- Posts: 431
- Joined: 04 Apr 2018, 06:39
- Favorite Book: The Mountain and The Goat
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 34
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tablito.html
- Latest Review: Divided World by Kenneth Pickering
- CharlieMax1516
- Posts: 80
- Joined: 12 Sep 2020, 08:15
- Currently Reading: Put Comfortable Shoes in my Coffin
- Bookshelf Size: 32
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-charliemax1516.html
- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
- SweetSourSalty AndSpicy
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 1762
- Joined: 15 Aug 2020, 07:36
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 238
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sweetsoursalty-andspicy.html
- Latest Review: The Killers’ Therapist by Jonathan David
-
- Posts: 302
- Joined: 05 Apr 2020, 17:42
- Currently Reading: Into the Hand of a Woman
- Bookshelf Size: 107
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nedbrian.html
- Latest Review: Different Family Structures by Mildred Stallworth
- tarafarah7
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2231
- Joined: 29 Jul 2016, 22:22
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... ">tuesdays with Morrie</a>
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 1437
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tarafarah7.html
- Latest Review: Toni the Superhero by R.D. Base
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
-
- Posts: 483
- Joined: 12 May 2020, 23:28
- Favorite Book: Gardening With Guns
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 68
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ankushavhad.html
- Latest Review: The Mindset by Ace Bowers
- Bertha Jackson
- Bookshelves Moderator
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: 19 Aug 2020, 12:57
- Favorite Book: Launchpad Republic: America's Entrepreneurial Edge and Why It Matters
- Currently Reading: Life at the Precipice
- Bookshelf Size: 755
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bertha-jackson.html
- Latest Review: Embrace Your Age by JAMES B. FLAHERTY ... An octogenarian with a bright future.
Book Reviewer at OnlineBookClub.org
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5251
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: People we meet on vacation
- Bookshelf Size: 2398
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
Great review!
- DEEPA PUJARI
- Posts: 1327
- Joined: 28 Jan 2020, 10:52
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 60
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-deepa-pujari.html
- Latest Review: Seemore the Seagull by Ralph Tufo
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- Vickie Noel
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 2448
- Joined: 30 Jun 2017, 04:46
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 86063">Are you afraid of the dark</a>
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 868
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-vickie-noel.html
- Latest Review: Modern Day Cowboy by Nathaniel Sheft
- Reading Device: B01C9JZEBO
Never be bullied into questioning your own credibility. --- Vickie Noel
- Yvonne Monique
- Posts: 1590
- Joined: 01 Sep 2020, 07:57
- Favorite Book: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 102
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-yvonne-monique.html
- Latest Review: Healing Depression by C. Daley
- Ferdinand_Otieno
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 3369
- Joined: 03 Jun 2017, 12:54
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 1749
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ferdinand-otieno.html
- Latest Review: Zona: The Forbidden Land by Fred G. Baker
- Stephanie Elizabeth
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2989
- Joined: 18 Jul 2018, 15:41
- Currently Reading: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
- Bookshelf Size: 212
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stephanie-elizabeth.html
- Latest Review: Do You Remember Me? by Wm M Crouch
- Bles
- Posts: 620
- Joined: 29 Jun 2019, 13:47
- Currently Reading: Dance of Dreams
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bles.html
- Latest Review: Nettie Boo by Judy Adams Brown