Transforming Heart and Mind--A New Perspective on Christ and His Message

This is a wonderful book describing the teachings of Jesus in the reasonable light of likely reality. I say rhat because we can not know from experience who he was or what he was like because we were not there when Jesus walked the earth as a man. I have studied this history a lot and I believe this book shows us the man isa Wisdom teacher in the Jewish tradition. I reccommed it to you.

I was very disappointed with this boom. I bought it hoping for inspirational insights, into the wisdom of Jesus teachings. I had to stop reading 1/3 of the way through. Zero inspirational. I assume she was quite proud of referring to people as "egoic binary operating systems", in need of an upgraded system. Okay, I can see saying that once but she used that saying over and over and over, until I just gave up reading it about half way through. To see, hear and feel God, it must be done with the heart, there was no heart in this book. A lot of cerebral ideas and thoughts.... Just not my cup of tea at all.

Bourgeault has gathered information from all sources from the traditional canon as well as the Nag Hammadi texts. Her book and the accompanying CD's are groundbreaking. I now have a much better understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as a wisdom teacher, and an ascended spiritual master. This is an important book, for reading, and re-reading.

Obliquely recommended by my spiritual director as he made a point about the Eucharist, The Wisdom Jesus served me as a catalyst of my experience of Centering Prayer and my emergent and deepening experience of Jesus as friend, teacher, and God Among Us. There is much here. Bourgeault rewards your investment - entirely agree or not.

Ever since reading "Mystical Hope" I have been a "fan" of Cynthia Bourgeault. Her ability to articulate in a deeply inspiring and beautiful manner what many of us on the mystical path have long sensed was true and real is nothing short of breathtaking. "Wisdom Jesus" has truly transformed my spirituality, already rooted in the wisdom practice of meditation. I facilitate a weekly group that practices Christian Meditation as part of the World Community for Christian Meditation, and this book provides a wealth of resource material to "weave" into the short presentations I offer our group, opening up yet another dimension of the practice.

I found this book very thought provoking. I had to work to stretch my mind in a completely new direction--a new mind set. My understanding of Jesus was expanded and deepened. I truly believe the contemplative practices she shared are helping me to experience a transformation on my spiritual path. I found it most interesting and will certainly read more of her books.

"Father" based religions, ideologies and cultures themselves are the principle source of unconscious violence in society. If humanity is to move forward and make peace with nature, civilization must come to grips with this basic fact.

The Christ, the archetypal energy, rose from the dead and is alive and well today. Jesus, the man, died and remains dead. This book does a wonderful job of highlighting and explaining the difference.

The time is now for mankind to move beyond war. The time is now for Christianity, and all father based religions, to embrace these important truths.

Thank you Cynthia Bourgeault for writing this divinely inspired book.

Regan Patno
SacredSpectacle.com

This is a wonderful exploration of Jesus, the human being. Rev. Bourgeault opens a whole new perspective that allows us the opportunity to recognize Jesus again for the 1st time. In addition, her approach to Jesus' teaching brings clarity and depth that, at least for me, was missing previously. The 'recognition energy' as she names people's ability to respond to Jesus, offers us today a way to prayerfully enter into a deepening relationship with Jesus. The section on Christian prayer - Centering, Lectio Divina, Chanting, Welcoming and Eucharist - offer the practical guide many of us need to facilitate this deepening relationship..

"Father" based religions, ideologies and cultures themselves are the principle source of unconscious violence in society. If humanity is to move forward and make peace with nature, civilization must come to grips with this basic fact.

The Christ, the archetypal energy, rose from the dead and is alive and well today. Jesus, the man, died and remains dead. This book does a wonderful job of highlighting and explaining the difference.

The time is now for mankind to move beyond war. The time is now for Christianity, and all father based religions, to embrace these important truths.

Thank you Cynthia Bourgeault for writing this divinely inspired book.

Regan Patno
SacredSpectacle.com

This is a wonderful exploration of Jesus, the human being. Rev. Bourgeault opens a whole new perspective that allows us the opportunity to recognize Jesus again for the 1st time. In addition, her approach to Jesus' teaching brings clarity and depth that, at least for me, was missing previously. The 'recognition energy' as she names people's ability to respond to Jesus, offers us today a way to prayerfully enter into a deepening relationship with Jesus. The section on Christian prayer - Centering, Lectio Divina, Chanting, Welcoming and Eucharist - offer the practical guide many of us need to facilitate this deepening relationship..

This book is riveting. The author opened my eyes to the real world of Jesus and what a great teacher he was through the use of parables. I plan to read it many times until I have squeezed every ounce of knowledge. Even then I will be referring to it for the rest of my life.

Rather than read Bill O'Reilly's attempt to examine the topic, read this instead. This author discusses the meaning of Jesus' life and work, and does so extraordinarily well — so well, in fact, that it's really quite shocking. Bourgeault makes Christianity real and valuable again, by stripping away the thousands of layers of veneer, laid over it by the same quantity of churches and egos.

Well done, thank you.

Cynthia Bourgeault writes in The Wisdom Jesus that "The wisdom walk with Jesus is at every step of the way a recognition drama. At each new level of subtlety something in us must be able to see, to find our way to who he now is" (p. 29).

This affirmation of the importance of ongoing, dynamic relationship on the spiritual path is one of many fine insights that make this book a source to return to again and again.

Becoming Flame: Uncommon Mother-Daughter Wisdom

Cynthia Bourgeault has put together a very credible and well done book to enlighten your mind and stimulate your faith. Her examples and lived experiences are a living reality which awakens your faith. This book will be an excellent gift for one who is stagnated in faith and seeking a new yet familiar experience.

If you struugle with making sense of Jesus' REAL message...the message rarely taught in many churches....then this is the book for you. It helps you make sense of many of Jesus' teachings. If you are on the transformative spiritual path then this book is
a good companion on that quest.

Cynthia Bourgeault looks at Jesus as a teacher of wisdom in a manner similar to Richard Rohr's works. She stresses that Jesus taught that promoting justice begins by going within to address the darkness within oneself, that following doctrines of an institution is not what Jesus taught.

I'd never read Cynthia Bourgeault before but this book was recommended and I found it amazing, transformative and very, very hopeful. In addition, it is very readable and her use of metaphors and examples make it understandable for just about anyone willing to spend time and have an open, seeking mind. I think she has captured the essence of Jesus' ministry and mission. I'm buying a copy for my Catholic pastor and associate pastor. Books like this really have the power to change the world.

I had opened "The Wisdom Jesus" a couple of times and thought that I would probably never get around to reading it as I was struggling with Bourgeault's book on Mary Magdalene at the time. Then one afternoon as I continued my struggle with the book on Mary Magdalene, I took a break and reached for The Wisdom Jesus and opened it at some random place very early in the book. What I read made sense and I really started reading backward page-by-page to the beginning of the book. A few days later I started at the beginning and read all of the way through the book over a course of several days. I recommend it.

The first half of this book is awakening. And then suddenly I'm thrown back into the religious mix. The book is well written and holds the mind in order to cement the ideas into place. Choose your fruit wisely.

This book helps the reader understand that there is more than one way to read scripture and interpreting the life of Jesus. It is scholarly as well as spiritual. I have purchased four more books to share with friends. It was a wonderful Lenten discipline.

Bourgeault's perspective on Christ is awe inspiring and quite transformational for readers. I recommend this text for private and group prayer and discussion, and suggest looking into her other spiritual books as well.

A truly wonderful read and a new perspective as advertised in the title. I've spent a great deal of time reading and discussing. Cynthia Bourgeault writes clearly and informatively. Provides time well spent.

Anyone still searching for more of Jesus will totally appreciate this book.
An open approach, well founded and reflective, leads the reader to a depth that informs and indents a mind and soul.
The author becomes your trusted friend beginning in the first chapter.

A splendidly freeing publication of the most likely meaning of the message Jesus lived. We keep trying to turn the message of love into some kind of abeyance to punishment. Bourgeault and Rohr convey a much more likely understanding. This perspective can and will change our lives.

Cynthia Bourgeault presents simply and deeply the message of Jesus. You can rest on several of her teachings that lead you to a deeper awareness of the message of Jesus. It is a grand book to use with small groups.

Our book group loved Bourgeault's "Wisdom Jesus." The author very thoughtfully makes the case for Jesus' life and teachings based in the Eastern mysticism of his age. It has added much to our understanding and interpretation of his teachings in the Gospels.

Our book group loved Bourgeault's "Wisdom Jesus." The author very thoughtfully makes the case for Jesus' life and teachings based in the Eastern mysticism of his age. It has added much to our understanding and interpretation of his teachings in the Gospels.

This book is written by a Christian pastor who has delved into the history of Christianity and been influenced by it. Some of her beliefs have been altered to a more Gnostic approach in a very satisfying way. Good book.

This book looks at Jesus through a completely different lense than usual. It is causing me to revamp my view of what Jesus was hoping to do in terms of transforming lives. i've had 3 copies sent to different friends. Buy it.

Very interesting perspective based on some scholarly work. Western Christians will learn about Eastern interpretations of Christ's teachings from texts that didn't get selected for the Bible. Also included are clear guidelines for several types of meditation,

I highly recommend The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind--A New Perspective on Christ and His Message by Cynthia Bourgeault (Paperback - Aug 12, 2008) (the store new $11) - out of
print & thus only available through the store...
My spiritual book discussion group is reading it now..
It is based upon the "wisdom" scriptures of the Nag Hammadi & Dead Sea Scrolls
{of the "eastern" rather than orthodox Christianity.}

Main theme -- that Jesus models a complete radical shift of consciousness!.
THe chapter I just read was about "Kenosis" meaning self-emptying that Jesus lived!!
{& expects of us!!}...

Fascinating/amazing book...

Marilyn