A much needed book for my continual learning.

This book strengthened my belief that my Soul is far beyond the need of my protection, but my mind is not. Jesus is the teacher of the ego.

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3 people found this helpful

struggling to find myself

what an amazing book on my own jounery to self mastery
truly touched my soul thank u xxx

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beautiful

A book that was beautiful in its indpired simplicity, humility, ecumenical and openness. loved it

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This book really resonated with me

What made the experience of listening to The Wisdom Jesus the most enjoyable?

While some of the content was quite challenging to orthodox Christianity as it is now, I found that much of what the author was saying resonated with me, made a lot of sense and ultimately made me feel much closer to and more comfortable with Jesus. Jesus came here to be our teacher and many of his most important lessons have been misinterpreted, overlooked or deliberately skewed to suit the ends of those that came later and set up Christianity as we now know it and this turned me away from the church for many years. However, books like this one seek to find the real Jesus, the real teaching and the true meaning of his life and death and resurrection. Follow and get to know the man and let him live in your heart and leave behind the the constrained practices, rules and regulations that have been built up around his name over the last 2000 years.

What other book might you compare The Wisdom Jesus to, and why?

So far, I have never read any other book like this one.

What does Jo Howarth bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narration was gentle and easy to listen to and I did not tire of hearing Jo's voice.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you thought you knew Jesus, think again. See Jesus with new vision in this thought provoking book by Cynthia Bourgeault.

Any additional comments?

This is a book that I will listen to again many times and I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

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12 people found this helpful

Challenging, provoking and refreshing

So many of the ideas presented in this book resonated with me and at times even moved me to tears. Cynthia has a brilliant way of fleshing out her points and addressing the inevitable questions and presumptions that her work brings up in the reader. Thanks to this book I’m finding myself peeling back the layers of accepted Christianity to discover the Jesus at its heart. I heartily recommend this book and I’ll be chewing on it for months if not years to come!

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Awesome introduction to a new perspective on Jesus

Great introduction to seeing Jesus as a wisdom teacher together with some great practices that will definitely help you embody Christ at a deeper level.

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2 people found this helpful

Controversial, beautiful, and enlightening.

As others have mentioned here, the author opens with, and continues with, study of the so-called 'gnostic' 'gospels'. Although perhaps unnecessary so early on in the book, it feels something akin to a test for the reader. Can you get past the opening section? If so, there's something here for you.

Although this book refers deeply and repeatedly to these extra-biblical 'gospels', almost none of the conclusions or interpretations rely on them, or would be less relevant without them. Equally, although one sometimes gets the impression the author's intention is to 'undo' the traditional interpretation of Christ, she herself states that is not the case. Indeed, I believe that very few of the teachings within are in contradiction with traditional understandings of Jesus (no matter how alien they may initially seem), and that in fact this study can be held in beautiful tension, balance, and unity with more traditional understandings, as a fuller picture of Christ.

Unsurprisingly then, I recommend this book to open minded seekers of 'The Way' and those interested in the wisdom tradition. Take it with a pinch of salt, ruminate on the good, throw away that which you cannot stomach. This is a book worthy of significant consideration with an enlightening and beautifully mystical angle on our Lord incarnate.

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Challenging but Nourishing

As the title suggests, this book is about Jesus as a teacher within the Wisdom tradition of the Near East, as well as the global Perennial Wisdom of all spiritual traditions. It is not a read for the systematic theologian, at least not one with a closed mind and heart. It is not "academic" theology at all, but rather mysticism and 'sophiology'.

I have been very blessed by this book. It has challenged me, and when I began it I found myself arguing with the author one minute about doctrine and straight afterwards being moved at the deep truth she was conveying which I myself have experienced.

I don't agree with everything in the book, but I don't outrightly disagree. It is certainly good cud for the Christian mystic and seeker to chew.

Cynthia Bourgeault is a member of the Center for Action and Contemplation founded by Richard Rohr and so is an associate of his, as well as of Thomas Keating, founder of the Centering Prayer movement. Other seekers will recognise those names. Her credentials precede her, and she has much to offer in this book, as in others I'm sure. Her understanding and teaching is worth listening to for spiritual praxis, even if you are likely to disagree with her doctrinal stance or expression. Her language is sometimes more 'eastern' in that she refers to energies and consciousness and realms, but don't let that phase you; there is no good alternative vocabulary offered by the Christian tradition for her to use in order to convey the mystical and experiential ideas she expounds.

If you are considering this book from an academic and scholastic viewpoint, I would say it's not for you. For the seeking mystic who wants to understand more of Christ and how to connect with His wisdom, this book will sustain you well.

Leave behind your egoic operating system and listen to Wisdom.

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Great book

I enjoyed the learning and the angle this book offers. I highly recommend it to all curious seekers who are on their journey of piecing their puzzle mural with a help of all good learning books available already and more to come.

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Wow!

As a western raised in a non religious christian society, I had no idea of the teachings of Christ without the dogma.

If anything, I was anti-Christ due to the connotations of ‘Jesus saves’.

Reading Jesus as a wisdom master was a revelation. I now understand him as an equal to Buddha and Lao Tzu - rather than a divisive figure who founded an outdated church based on superstition and control.

Awesome book. 10/10 recommend.

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1 person found this helpful