After the Ecstasy, the Laundry

View other editions of After the Ecstasy, the Laundry.
View books by Jack Kornfield.

joining earth and heaven - Rated
Many poignant little stories about soaring to the heavens while staying down to earth. Many fascinating glimpses of what really goes on in the heads of today's enlightened spiritual leaders. Excellent stuff.

Kornfield at his worst... - Rated
Another in a long line of books which promises much, but delivers very little. People who read these sorts of books (myself included), generally want to be enlightened. Kornfield is another one of the vast ranks of 'spiritual teachers' who repeatedly side-step the issue, and encourage a vague, heart-driven approach to spirituality. Compassion is all well and good, but it has little to do with WAKING UP! It doesn't answer the FUNDAMENTAL question "How do I realise the truth?"

Agreed, that we all have lives to live and chores to do, but I didn't need assistance with that! If you're serious about validating whether enlightenment actually exists, and taking the first steps on the path, you'd be better reading "Spiritual Enlightenment, The Damnedest Thing" by Jed McKenna, or "Hardcore Zen" by Brad Warner. These books have very little common ground, but they're guaranteed to get you thinking for yourself. If they help put the purveyors of this sort of trash out of business into the bargain, so much the better! :o)

After the Ecstasy, the Laundry - Rated
Great book. Its offers help and insight on how to manage your emotions and sail gracefully on this stream of life.. Jack has written some great stuff..

A must for those on the spiritual path! - Rated
It was with mixed feelings that I ordered this book, anticipating that it may just be like one of the millions of self-help books out there. What a surprise and absolute delight when I started reading! The book is practical and offers down to earth insights on concepts like 'enlightenment', 'detachment,' which show up as buzzwords in other books but have very little meaning for the beginner who is exploring his/her insights and growth.

It was encouraging and humbling to read how the greats like Buddha, Jesus, Dalai Lama--all suffered or suffer from being human, giving in to bouts of anger, despair and discontent. How wonderful to read that 'seeing the light' does not guarantee immunity from illness, divorce, drug addictions--all the experiences of being human. An especially poignant moment for me was when Jack explained that personal evolution did not mean getting rid of bad habits, feelings, memories but rather to understand and embrace them as part of this whole thing called life. There is a great analogy of the 'poison tree' where the natural tendency is to cut it down or uproot it. Rather, we should put a fence around it and acknowledge it as being there.

I highly recommend this book for those that have started meditating and introspection as often we have no idea what 'enlightenment' looks like, where to find it and how long it lasts. This book will put your mind at ease and is like a soothing balm during those turbulent and trying times on the journey. I feel so much ligher (maybe 'enlightened' even!) since reading this book and periodically pick it up on the 'laundry days.' It just uplifts me and reminds me that everything is ok as it is.

Jack at his best - Rated
Kornfield's book 'A Path with Heart' was hard act to follow but this book is also a gem. It is the nitty gritty reality of daily life - coming home from retreat feeling almost enlightened(!)and facing all that laundry - life goes on. He really does put things clearly and re inspire one to persevere on the path. I am hugely grateful for this book. He includes compelling stories of people's efforts from all traditions to translate the freedom and experience of union with the divine in to the daily life of difficult relationships, struggles with earning a living, sickness, betrayal and death. Full of practical suggestions and alive with compassion and humour.