Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages

By: Robert Ullman, Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman

Narrated by: Emily Woof

Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages is a collection of stories and writings on the moment or moments of spiritual enlightenment of ancient and modern masters of spirituality from all traditions. Selections from the Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Kabbalist, Sufi traditions, and more are all presented. The focus of the book is on the crucial point of realization in the lives of each of these saints and masters that led to his or her awakening to the divine reality.

©2001 Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman (P)2007 Phoenix Books

Fine, but not what I was expecting

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this book. Some of the stories I found interesting and thought-provoking. But it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It was in essence readings from either personal diaries of the enlightened person themselves or from someone close to them. It spans a number of centuries, and it covers people I hadn't heard of before (which I would say was a positive factor).
For me (and this might be a personal thing) I felt very removed from the people being portrayed. I would love to have been able to ask questions of these people, but most didn't have as a goal teaching or enlightening others. So it was sort of like being an observer of a very different group of people that you didn't really have a way of connecting with.
That said, it did make me think, and I found the stories of some of these people amazing. So overall I'm glad I listened to it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Almost every individual story had an interesting aspect. I personally liked the story of the man who figured out that he was happiest when he loved, so he started working really hard on loving everyone, including his enemies. I'm not sure I buy that he also figured out that all actions seemed to stem from his own thoughts, so he was then able to control what happened through his own thoughts. I also had trouble following the poems of the guy from India, although I recognize that they were beautiful poems.

Did Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages inspire you to do anything?

I'm not sure it inspired me to do anything, although parts did make me think.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fine, but not what I was expecting

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this book. Some of the stories I found interesting and thought-provoking. But it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It was in essence readings from either personal diaries of the enlightened person themselves or from someone close to them. It spans a number of centuries, and it covers people I hadn't heard of before (which I would say was a positive factor).
For me (and this might be a personal thing) I felt very removed from the people being portrayed. I would love to have been able to ask questions of these people, but most didn't have as a goal teaching or enlightening others. So it was sort of like being an observer of a very different group of people that you didn't really have a way of connecting with.
That said, it did make me think, and I found the stories of some of these people amazing. So overall I'm glad I listened to it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Almost every individual story had an interesting aspect. I personally liked the story of the man who figured out that he was happiest when he loved, so he started working really hard on loving everyone, including his enemies. I'm not sure I buy that he also figured out that all actions seemed to stem from his own thoughts, so he was then able to control what happened through his own thoughts. I also had trouble following the poems of the guy from India, although I recognize that they were beautiful poems.

Did Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages inspire you to do anything?

I'm not sure it inspired me to do anything, although parts did make me think.

Good way to start the new year

Spiritually minded? Want to start the new year with an uplifting read? Then this may be for you. The stories and writings of a wide spectrum of sages, saints, and so-forth make up the body of this work. Read effectively by a variety of voices, different genders, various ages. I was reminded of the "work" of some inspiring beings and learned of some I have never heard of. I'm glad I stumbled upon this one, it has helped shape a good start to 2012 for me.

typical new age vision of mysticism.

The book opens with the authors obvious TAKE on mystical experience and its concluding truth,then opens with two non duel theistic mystics[probably to be inclusive}and then fills the rest with the USUAL gurus of eastern monistic and non duel vedic traditions and a host of american new age drop outs.The terrible problem with this is that it creates a deception That the majority of those who have had mystical experience see there truth in this pantheistic way, when In actual fact Most experience a PERSONAL higher reality{GOD for all those not afraid of THAT reality} .And considering that it IS this non duel pantheistic world view that unites ALL new age spiritualities,I will conclude if your not a NEW AGER,dont get this. If you are, it will bring you to the loss of your indivigual self.....ENJOY.

0 of 2 people found this review helpful