the prophet... higher consciousness

Has anyone read 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran?


'The Prophet' is basically a guide to living, written in the style of questions and answers. The people of the town ask the prophet questions on a number of different subjects; love, marrage, work, children, prayer, joy & sorrow, to name but a few. The questions that are asked are ones that we have all asked many time. I feel that Gibran's answers are insiteful and reveiling for everyone, no matter what spiritual path you are following.


It is written almost like poetry, it is so simple on the surface and it is only when you look deeper that you realise it's true greatness. It is a book that I turn to no matter how I'm feeling, a lot of comfort can be found in its pages.


'The Prophet' is the only book that I have ever read and agreed with every single word in it. If hippies were to have a Bible then I would say that this was it!



Part of Gibran's teaching on Love seems partuicually relevent me at this moment in my life...


"But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love. When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips."


You can actually read the whole book on-line at http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/gibran/prophet/prophet.htm


-Xiola

 

I LOVE this book. And respect it.

It is truly the work of a genius, someone who knows life.

 

I got this as a Christmas gift this year. I had already read most of it online but wanted my own copy.

The quotes below are two of my favorites

 

NAMASTE

That is one of the best books that has come my way.I love to give copies as gifts to friends.

 

I've read bits of it and particually like the passage about children:

...you may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughs. You may house their bodies but not their souls...

It's so true of my parents and I.

TTFN

Sage

 

I adore it to.. I bought it last year before to jump on the train from my university town to my family's place... and I finished it before to embrace my mum


and one of my best friends has dedicated me a quotation form it after my hospitality for some days in denmark... wondrful book.. everyone should read it.. at least some of it!!!

 

tis one of my favourite books of all time!!!

Make not a bond of love,
but rather,
let it be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

A truely beautiful book!

 

I received this book as a gift from my mother a few years back and have cherished it since that day. Such wonderful messages.

 

Definitely one of the books that everyone should read! I love it...mum gave me her copy of it

 

"The Prophet" rocks! It's basically the guide to living. The poetic simplicity of it all is to me the most astonishing aspect of the book. A must read!

 

Yes, a very excellent book. The ideas are expressed in a very, very heartfelt sort of way. For anyone curious who don't own a copy, it's a quick read and online at .at this web site.

 

(I know this is an older thread, but I've just joined up and was browsing through. )

I just love The Prophet, and indeed anything by Kahlil Gibran. The depth conveyed in a simple way, and the beautiful poetic way that Gibran writes just blows me away.
I found the Prophet online, printed it out, and read it in a few hours... couldn't put it down. There's something of a flow of beauty and insight in Gibran's writing that I just can't get enough of... it's like he speaks directly to my soul.

 

The Prophet is one of the greatest books that I have ever read. I love anything from Gibran.

Ben.

 

i got that book a few years ago from a friend of mine. i like the bit that says," you're children aren't yours, they are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.

 

the prophet by kahlil gabib is possibly the most life changing book i have ever read in my life. it opened my eyes and my soul. reading it was like taking a drug and discovering the secrets of the universe. it encouraged me to take up meditation and i believe i am much more peaceful and fulfilled person since my beautiful friend sophie gave it to me as a gift. she saw a potential in me, the potential to make my life great! she, and the book, made me reconsider the path i was taking in life, which could eventually be devestating, and in turn i rediscovered myself and learnt to appreciate my life and the things arond me without turning to drugs.

 

oops sorry the author is kahlil gabran. defintely a book worth checking out. can anyone else recommend something similar?

 

awesome I'll look into it

 

read Ishmael!!!!!! by daniel quinn. my goodness, just read it =)

 

cool thanks, i will definitely check out 'ishmael' as well as have a look at kahlils other reads.

 

Try some books by Hafiz or by Rumi. you might like them aswell...