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(More customer reviews)The Shift is a companion book for the movie with the same title, both of which are self-sufficient. Nonetheless, I recommend reading the book before seeing the movie, as it will help you grasp much of the significance. The book doesn't give away the plot of the movie, though it refers to it once in awhile.
Like the other 30-some books by Wayne Dyer, this one is filled with inspirational quotes from famous spiritual teachers and classical holy texts, personal stories, and parables. This one, however, is only 112 pages and can be read easily in a day or two. It can be read several times and you will still get something out of it.
The original title of the book and movie was "From Ambition to Meaning," and interestingly, there are only four chapters, each with one of these words. The first chapter, "From," discusses the void where we came from and how in the womb, we are doing nothing but being lived by "all creating energy that seems to do nothing, and at the same time leaves nothing undone." Wayne cites quantum physics to validate the nothingness from whence we came. We are reminded that everything in the material world is truly like what it came from. Ergo, we are truly spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. And "our real self is the loving observer of our sensory experiences." He leads us to the conclusion that "nonbeing and love are synonymous." We are given tools on how to get back to the Nothingness, such as meditation, feeling the oneness, and surrender. We are even challenged to give away one item a day, anything we do not use on a daily basis!
Before we realize that, however, nearly all of us get sucked into "Ambition," which is the title of chapter 2. Here we learn how our false self develops as we identify with the ego. This entails beliefs such as "Who I am is what I have, what I do, and what others think of me." This "somebody training" involves learning more lies such as "I am separate from everyone else, from what's missing in my life, and from God."
In chapter 3 ("To") we make the U-turn back to our "fromness." There comes a time in everyone's life when they see that the inauthentic self is a lie. This doesn't mean the loss of ambition, but rather that our drive is now directed toward a life based on meaning and purpose. Some signs that we may be ready include: the ego's "mantra of more" becomes less attractive; we find ourselves doing less; we shun the spotlight to work in the shadows; we believe in unity more than separateness; we begin to realize we're connected to Spirit; we begin to trust the wisdom that created us. Next, Wayne tells us what to expect and gives a 7-point summary of our U-turn. He describes four qualities of the shift from ambition to meaning: surprising, vivid, benevolent and enduring.
In the final chapter, "Meaning," Wayne tell us how he told his buddy Ram Dass many years ago, "All of my life I wanted to be somebody. Now I finally am somebody--but it isn't me." All the fame and wealth did not satisfy him and he didn't feel fulfilled till making the shift back to his authentic self. Wayne describes the four virtues that constitute our original nature: reverence for all life, natural sincerity, gentleness and supportiveness. "Today," Wayne declares, "my life is almost 100 percent devoted to service in one way or another. Each day begins with a prayer of `Thank you.'" He describes the three most important things to watch for during the shift: the shift from entitlement to humility; the shift from control to trust (in yourself, others and God); and the shift from attachment to letting go.
Great little book packed with inspiration and encouragement! With the tendency we are heading in for shorter books at smaller prices, this makes a really great gift to yourself or to someone who is over 30 and perhaps beginning to question life's meaning and his/her purpose.
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The Shift: Taking Your Life from Ambition to Meaning
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