Review of Resurrecting Jesus

Would you consider the audio edition of Resurrecting Jesus to be better than the print version?

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Who was your favorite character and why?

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What about Adyashanti’s performance did you like?

I really enjoyed this audiobook. As a teacher myself and lover of Jesus, I was fascinated to hear what Adyashanti, a truly wonderful and clear nondual teacher, had to say about Jesus and his life. Adyashanti beautifully and eloquently explained the metaphorical meaning of the Jesus story and how Jesus’s life symbolized the journey of awakening and enlightenment. Throughout the book, Adya deftly wove his understanding of Jesus’s teachings and the Jesus story with what Adya himself has been teaching these many years, tying the teachings of Christ with present-day nondual teachings, as only someone like Adya could do. I was impressed with Adya’s knowledge of the gospels and, most of all, with the love he has for Jesus and the Christian mystics. Adya’s own heart was very apparent in this book. If you are interested in this subject, you will not be disappointed. Adya was courageous in tackling this subject, but his interest in Jesus has obviously been lifelong and passionate enough to make him just the right instrument for it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

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32 people found this helpful

Valuing the Jesus story across traditions

Adyashanti, a Zen Buddhist teacher, does an excellent job describing how the Jesus story illuminates and complements his understanding of spiritual and psychological realities. The Jesus story is foundational to Western culture, so warrants deep understanding. (For many, cultural Christianity doesn't convey the tradition's depth and richness. The writings of the Christian mystics awakened Adya to this further depth.) Especially when understood as mythic storytelling, the Jesus story's emphasis on love, redemption, divinity/humanity, and the kingdom of heaven (transformed consciousness) enriches every spiritual path.

6 people found this helpful

Radiant Interpretation

Would you consider the audio edition of Resurrecting Jesus to be better than the print version?

I have not read the the print version, but I am glad my introduction to Adyashanti's writings was through the sound of his own voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Resurrecting Jesus?

It was a joy to connect to Adyashanti's interpretation of the Jesus story as one with deeper meanings than were ever brought forth in any church group I have attended. Being a lover of Zen and Buddhist philosophy, this work was right up my alley as it tied the histories and philosophies of the East with Jesus' own message and the writings of his disciples. Highly recommended.

6 people found this helpful

Great material for a pamphlet but not a book.

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

It had a great feel and some wonderful points but all in all much too little "meat" for an entire book.

What was most disappointing about Adyashanti’s story?

Too much repetition.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Adyashanti?

Yes. He is quite a good narrator.

Do you think Resurrecting Jesus needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not a follow-up, but maybe a do over.

3 people found this helpful

Uniquely insightful

Would you listen to Resurrecting Jesus again? Why?

If you want to know more about Jesus this book really does deliver, giving a fascinating account of Jesus and his life.

It was my first experience of Adyashanti so it was good to hear him talk openly about his own background, especially about the positive spiritual influences which came to him from the Catholic church. He's a gifted teacher and this is a great book.

3 people found this helpful

Truly Remarkable

For those seeking deeper insight into the story of Christ taught in a way that deepens the gift of everyday living. Thank you Adyashanti for the moving insights this provides.

2 people found this helpful

Bending the Gospel to Fit the Author's View

I started out liking this audiobook. The author had some nice insights on the Gospel from his Zen Buddhist perspective, to which I am open. But as it went on, he said more and more things which simply do not square with the Christian view. I quit listening after the 9th Chapter, but up to that point I can only once recall the author speak about love, and that one time was in a context that wasn't really about loving God or others. Instead he spoke of "enlightenment" and coming to a "still point". I understand the importance of these pursuits, but to take the message of Jesus and focus only on them is just wrong. It would be too easy for someone to pursue enlightenment with an attitude of "it's all about me," which is totally antithetical to the Christian way of life.
One point that clinched my feelings on this book came when he spoke of our relationship with God, and minimized the importance of it. Love of God is the greatest commandment in the Judeo-Christian tradition! Our relationship with the Triune God is the most important thing to a Christian! Then he spoke of how wrong the Nicene Creed is for saying that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God and that all of us fit into that category. He also said that the mystics of the Middle Ages supported his view. If he really understood the Middle Age mystics he would know that they stayed true to the Creed in all of their works. It appears he really doesn't understand what the Creed means when it says this.
He also talks about the importance of faith, but faith in what? He is silent on this! For Jesus, it is faith in him, his great love for us, and his desire to share eternal life with us.
You just can't cherry-pick the Gospel and bend it to fit your view of things. You have to look at all of it.
This may be a good listen for someone who is into some kind of New Age religion or eastern mysticism, but just understand that it represents a very selective view of the Gospel and it misrepresents the whole story of Jesus.
The author's style is conversational and is very easy to listen to.

4 people found this helpful

New outlook!

I really really enjoyed this book after skipping thru the first 2 chapters (which were kind of slow in my opinion). Although it is apparently an actual book—it is presented like a series of lectures/sermons/talks. This audiobook gave me a deeper understanding of the gospels and the disciples...as well as a totally different opinion about Judas and Pontius. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone interested in exploring the gospels from a different viewpoint.

1 person found this helpful

Jesus couldn't have said it better?

This ideas in this book should be embraced by everyone; for when studied, fully realized and combined with the corresponding attitude the world will change in an instant.

3 people found this helpful

Outstanding Interpretation of the Bible

This is one of the few books (particularly in audio) that interprets the New Testament of the Bible from a Christian Mystic's point of view. The messages are profound and current even though the Mystics are older than the Bible. I liked Resurrecting Jesus a lot better than "Falling Into Grace" also by Adyashanti.

There's only one book on this subject that I have found more profound: "Why Jesus Taught Reincarnation" By Dr. Herb Puryear. Unfortunately it is not available in audio. "Resurrecting Jesus", however, is a much easier read (listen) because it is less about making a solid intellectual case for the understanding of Jesus's teaching and more about the spirituality of it.

Enjoy.

5 people found this helpful