One of the most memorable books I have ever read is the topic of today's review. It is called Illusions, and it may affect you profoundly. (NOTE: Friday is Book & Movie Day on the blog, when we take a...
Good to see the old favourites still around; Illusions was always one of mine. Richard Bach may have suggested In Illusions that we are disconnected but he did alter this view in a later book, named, appropriately, "One".
"One" is also well worth a read, especially for a chapter in which Richard discovers the ultimate truth of all things (depicted in some pages that he finds) and wishes to share this knowledge with the world. However he soon realises (in a brilliant depiction of how organised religion can twist core principles to suit its own ends) that words can be mis-used. I won't reveal what he decides to do, you'll have to read the book. But it's a good book and like all of Richard Bach's, based around flying.
Good luck with your new book, Neale, I shall look forward to reading it.
Bill
February 29, 2008 9:28 AM
Richard is my favorite author. Especially One and
Bridge across forever. Other good reads:
Way of Wyrd by Brian Bates and
Mutant message down under.Don't know the author Its out on loan.
It's a story of a small tribe of Hebs sharing their life with a mutuant.
Love
Bill
Tesla
February 29, 2008 12:05 PM
Ooooh! I love this book! I have the paperback version. It's been on my bookshelf for many years, a wonderful parable that never ceases to intrigue my mind.
My favorite part is the beginning tale of the little river creatures clinging to the bottom until one of them shouts "no more" and lets go to fly with the currents.
Wonderful!
Daniel
February 29, 2008 12:09 PM
This is my favourite book and it changed my life. Every time I go to a book store, I find it, then front face it so someone walking by will see it. When they are finished they will know that book came into their life for a reason, and I love assisting in that. Even if it's just the bookstore worker having to put it back, they look at it and may be inspired to read it!
Brilliant book.
amilius
February 29, 2008 2:31 PM
I enjoyed "Illusions". I found these interesting questions posed by Bach,"Just how does one suppose an avatar reawakens? How is that reawakening received by the public when he demonstrates his awareness? Might it be much more complicated today than it was 1500, 2000, or 2500 years ago?" I like anything that plays with the notions of telekinesis and levitation. I suppose each avatar chooses a different set of miracles as serves one's purposes. After all, having a flawless recollection, Absolute Awareness seeks original experiences over repeat experiences as ways of demonstrating the illusion we all share. We are all One. Everything else about One is an illusion. Namaste.
Michelle
February 29, 2008 9:18 PM
Read this book when I was 17 and that was 23 years ago, it changed my life. Good read- had a copy and passed it on.
Michelle
Jim T
March 1, 2008 3:30 AM
I read Illusions way back when. I don't remember many details, but I do recall it had a lot in common with his pervious book Nothing by Chance, a non-fiction account of his barnstorming days.
Richard Bach was a pilot, and he wrote a lot of good inspirational books and short stories about flying, in addition to his inspirational work, and I recommend all of them.
Donna
March 1, 2008 8:51 AM
I have Illusions and have read it many times.. wonderful book.. exciting.
Now Neale.. Your new book is WooHoO.. I just love it.
I got one of the signed and numbered books and am just thrilled. I finished it quickly and will re read it many times I am sure.
Thank you so much for this life changing gift.
Love,
Donna
michelle Ma Belle
March 1, 2008 5:23 PM
"KNOWLEDGE CAN BE COMMUNICATED, BUT NOT WISDOM. ONE CAN FIND IT, LIVE IT, BE FORTIFIED BY IT, DO WONNDERS THROUGH IT, BUT ONE CANNOT COMMUNICATE AND TEACH IT. I SUSPECTED THIS WHEN I WAS STILL A YOUTH AND IT WAS THIS THAT DROVE ME AWAY FROM TEACHERS. THERE IS ONE THOUGHT I HAVE HAD, GOVINDA, WHICH YOU WILL AGAIN THINK IS A JUST OR FOLLY: THAT IS, IN EVERY TRUTH THE OPPOSITE IS EQUALLY TRUE, FOR EXAMPLE, A TRUTH CAN ONLY BE EXPRESSED AND ENVELOPED IN WORDS IF IT IS ONE-SIDED. EVERYTHING THAT IS THOUGHT AND EXPRESSED IN WORDS IS ONE-SIDED, ONLY HALF THE TRUTH; IT ALL LACKS TOTALITY, COMPLETENESS, UNITY. WHEN THE ILLUSTRIOUS BUDDHA TAUGHT ABOUT THE WORLD, HE HAD TO DIVIDE IT INTO SAMSARA AND NIRVANA, INTO ILLUSION AND TRUTH, INTO SUFFERING AND SALVATION. ONE CANNOT DO OTHERWISE, THERE IS NO OTHER METHOD FOR THOSE WHO TEACH. BUT THE WORLD ITSELF, BEING IN AND AROUND US, IS NEVER ONE-SIDED. NEVER IS A MAN OR A DEED WHOLLY A SAINT OR A SINNER. THIS ONLY SEEMS SO BECAUSE WE SUFFER THE ILLUSION THAT TIME IS SOMETHING REAL. TIME IS NOT REAL, GOVINDA. I HAVE REALIZED THIS REPEATEDLY. AND IF TIME IS NOT REAL, THEN THE DIVIDING LINE THAT SEEMS TO LIE BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND ETERNITY, BETWEEN SUFFERING AND BLISS, BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL, IS ALSO AN ILLUSION."
"HOW IS THAT?" ASKED GOVINDA, PUZZLED.
"LISTEN, MY FRIEND! I AM A SINNER AND YOU ARE A SINNER, BUT SOMEDAY THE SINNER WILL BE BRAHMA AGAIN, WILL SOMEDAY ATTAIN NIRVANA, WILL SOMEDAY BECOME A BUDDHA. NOW THIS 'SOMEDAY' IS ILLUSION; IT IS ONLY A CAMPARISON. THE SINNER IS NOT ON THE WAY TO A BUDDHA-LIKE STATE; HE IS NOT EVOLVING, ALTHOUGH OUR THINKING CANNOT CONCEIVE THINGS OTHERWISE. NO, THE POTENTIAL BUDDHA ALREADY EXISTS IN THE SINNER; HIS FUTURE IS ALREADY THERE. THE POTENTIAL HIDDEN BUDDHA MUST BE RECOGNIZED IN HIM, IN YOU IN EVERYBODY. THE WORLD IS NOT IMPERFECT OR SLOWLY EVOLVING ALONG A LONG PATH TO PERFECTION. NO, IT IS PERFECT AT EVERY MOMENT; EVERY SIN ALREADY CARRIES GRACE WITHIN IT, ALL SMALL CHILDREN ARE POTENTIAL OLD MEN, ALL SUCKLINGS HAVE DEATH WITHIN THEM, ALL DYING PEOPLE--ETERNAL LIFE. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ONE PERSON TO SEE HOW FAR ANOTHER IS ON THE WAY; THE BUDDHA EXISTS IN THE ROBBER AND DICE PLAYER; THE ROBBER EXISTS IN THE BRAHMIN. DURING DEEP MEDITATION IT IS POSSIBLE TO DISPEL TIME, TO SEE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALL THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, AND THEN EVERYTHING IS GOOD, EVERYTHING IS PERFECT, EVERYTHING IS BRAHMAN. THEREFORE, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IS GOOD--DEATH AS WELL AS LIFE, SIN AS WELL AS HOLINESS, WISDOM AS WELL AS FOLLY. EVERYTHING IS NECESSARY, EVERYTHING NEEDS ONLY MY AGREEMENT, MY ASSENT, MY LOVING UNDERSTANDING; THEN ALL IS WELL WITH ME AND NOTHING CAN HARM ME. I LEARNED THROUGH MY BODY AND SOUL THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR ME TO SIN, THAT I NEEDED LUST, THAT I HAD TO STRIVE FOR PROPERTY AND EXPERIENCE NAUSEA AND THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR IN ORDER TO LEARN NOT TO RESIST THEM, IN ORDER TO LEARN TO LOVE THE WORLD, AND NO LONGER COMPARE IT WITH SOME KIND OF DESIRED IMAGINARY WORLD, SOME INARINARY VISION OF PERFECTION, BUT TO LEAVE IT AS IT IS, TO LOVE IT AND BE GLAD TO BELONG TO IT."
THESE ARE WORDS OF SIDDHARTHA TO HIS FRIEND GOVINDA IN THE BOOK,"SIDDHARTHA" BY HERMANN HESSE.
IT IS A LING QUOTE, BUT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF ILLUSION!!!
Amy
March 4, 2008 9:48 PM
Wow, I found this review very interesting and enlightening. I also enjoyed reading the blogs. I'm a little bit of a skeptic when it comes to beliefs. I am particularly unsure about having such confidence that a 'messiah' can be found within ourselves. I think we each know we have our limitations. How would Richard Bach define 'messiah?' Hope is attached to that word. How can we find hope within ourselves? I think if we are really honest, we know deep down that we are not our own messiah because we question if even that is true. If hope is found within ourselves, then why do we keep trying to fill that emptiness? If hope is found within ourselves, why do we lack confidence in our beliefs? Everything's not okay. This world's a mess. How messy is it? Here's a word picture: We are all drowning in an ocean. Can a drowning person save him or herself? No, but some have been saved.
The lifeguard (namely, Jesus Christ), has rescued millions from the hopeless sea of uncertainty. This review on Illusions says the book will capture your heart, that it will fill you with warmth and wonder. Being filled with warmth and wonder over a false sense of security differs quite significantly with wonder over a confidence of truth that can be known. We (readers, authors, business people, teachers, Buddha, etc) don't have the authority to make a truth claim. But somebody who did and does have authority has made a truth claim. And He would not say sin is holy. Sin is wrong, horribly wrong. We know sin is wrong when someone cheated on us. We know sin is wrong when someone suffers mistreatment. The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). That's what's wrong with us. That's why we can't save ourselves. That's why we can't be our own "messiahs." We are in that ocean telling ourselves that with just one more stroke, we'll make it to shore. We only grow weary in the process. The news only gets worse: "For the wages of sin is death..."(Romans 6:23). Each one who sins has earned death. But here is where GOOD NEWS comes in. Romans 5:8 says, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He had done nothing wrong, having never sinned. But because of His love for us, He became our substitute. He took upon Himself what we had earned -- death. But He did not stay dead. He rose from the dead. He is a living, breathing, existing God.
Our response for salvation? It is not to look within ourselves, but at someone who can actually perform the rescue: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Also, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
This is real hope!
no-dramaqueen
March 8, 2008 10:14 AM
I am a major Richard Bach fan. "Illusions" was the first book of his that I read in the early 80s. His books, Ruth Montgomery's and the CWG books have paved the road on which I walk today and have enabled me to see more Life along the way. God-inspired writings--ALL of them!
Leora
March 8, 2008 12:23 PM
Having just read the text in reference to "the signs are everywhere"..
i then chose to click immediately onto the text on "illusions"..
as a synchronistic aspect of this experience..
less than two full days prior to this reading today..
i held in my hand Richard Bach's ILLUSIONS..
skimmed the cover text..and placed it back on the shelf..
today..i will return and read ILLUSIONS..
thank you NDW for the affirmation that the signs that are occuring now..are..
Leora
a poete and a seeker
Jagan Mohan
March 17, 2008 11:09 AM
Dear Friends,
I am Jagan Mohan, from India. I have read Four books regarding meditation what are converted into the telugu language which one of the following languages in India.
1. Jonathan Livingston Seaghull.
2. Illusitions
3. Master Ramtha
4. Mirdad.
I can't express the depth of the theme. and i could easily understood as it is there in out language Translated from English to Telugu.
And i am decided to choose my master is Richard Bach. I have seen his photograph but i would like to speak him, atleast i would like to send a mail to him. This is my desire of course i have been searching for his phone or email. could any body help me to speak with out master.
Thanking you.
Jagan ( Meditator)
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Good to see the old favourites still around; Illusions was always one of mine. Richard Bach may have suggested In Illusions that we are disconnected but he did alter this view in a later book, named, appropriately, "One".
"One" is also well worth a read, especially for a chapter in which Richard discovers the ultimate truth of all things (depicted in some pages that he finds) and wishes to share this knowledge with the world. However he soon realises (in a brilliant depiction of how organised religion can twist core principles to suit its own ends) that words can be mis-used. I won't reveal what he decides to do, you'll have to read the book. But it's a good book and like all of Richard Bach's, based around flying.
Good luck with your new book, Neale, I shall look forward to reading it.
Richard is my favorite author. Especially One and
Bridge across forever. Other good reads:
Way of Wyrd by Brian Bates and
Mutant message down under.Don't know the author Its out on loan.
It's a story of a small tribe of Hebs sharing their life with a mutuant.
Love
Bill
Ooooh! I love this book! I have the paperback version. It's been on my bookshelf for many years, a wonderful parable that never ceases to intrigue my mind.
My favorite part is the beginning tale of the little river creatures clinging to the bottom until one of them shouts "no more" and lets go to fly with the currents.
Wonderful!
This is my favourite book and it changed my life. Every time I go to a book store, I find it, then front face it so someone walking by will see it. When they are finished they will know that book came into their life for a reason, and I love assisting in that. Even if it's just the bookstore worker having to put it back, they look at it and may be inspired to read it!
Brilliant book.
I enjoyed "Illusions". I found these interesting questions posed by Bach,"Just how does one suppose an avatar reawakens? How is that reawakening received by the public when he demonstrates his awareness? Might it be much more complicated today than it was 1500, 2000, or 2500 years ago?" I like anything that plays with the notions of telekinesis and levitation. I suppose each avatar chooses a different set of miracles as serves one's purposes. After all, having a flawless recollection, Absolute Awareness seeks original experiences over repeat experiences as ways of demonstrating the illusion we all share. We are all One. Everything else about One is an illusion. Namaste.
Read this book when I was 17 and that was 23 years ago, it changed my life. Good read- had a copy and passed it on.
Michelle
I read Illusions way back when. I don't remember many details, but I do recall it had a lot in common with his pervious book Nothing by Chance, a non-fiction account of his barnstorming days.
Richard Bach was a pilot, and he wrote a lot of good inspirational books and short stories about flying, in addition to his inspirational work, and I recommend all of them.
I have Illusions and have read it many times.. wonderful book.. exciting.
Now Neale.. Your new book is WooHoO.. I just love it.
I got one of the signed and numbered books and am just thrilled. I finished it quickly and will re read it many times I am sure.
Thank you so much for this life changing gift.
Love,
Donna
"KNOWLEDGE CAN BE COMMUNICATED, BUT NOT WISDOM. ONE CAN FIND IT, LIVE IT, BE FORTIFIED BY IT, DO WONNDERS THROUGH IT, BUT ONE CANNOT COMMUNICATE AND TEACH IT. I SUSPECTED THIS WHEN I WAS STILL A YOUTH AND IT WAS THIS THAT DROVE ME AWAY FROM TEACHERS. THERE IS ONE THOUGHT I HAVE HAD, GOVINDA, WHICH YOU WILL AGAIN THINK IS A JUST OR FOLLY: THAT IS, IN EVERY TRUTH THE OPPOSITE IS EQUALLY TRUE, FOR EXAMPLE, A TRUTH CAN ONLY BE EXPRESSED AND ENVELOPED IN WORDS IF IT IS ONE-SIDED. EVERYTHING THAT IS THOUGHT AND EXPRESSED IN WORDS IS ONE-SIDED, ONLY HALF THE TRUTH; IT ALL LACKS TOTALITY, COMPLETENESS, UNITY. WHEN THE ILLUSTRIOUS BUDDHA TAUGHT ABOUT THE WORLD, HE HAD TO DIVIDE IT INTO SAMSARA AND NIRVANA, INTO ILLUSION AND TRUTH, INTO SUFFERING AND SALVATION. ONE CANNOT DO OTHERWISE, THERE IS NO OTHER METHOD FOR THOSE WHO TEACH. BUT THE WORLD ITSELF, BEING IN AND AROUND US, IS NEVER ONE-SIDED. NEVER IS A MAN OR A DEED WHOLLY A SAINT OR A SINNER. THIS ONLY SEEMS SO BECAUSE WE SUFFER THE ILLUSION THAT TIME IS SOMETHING REAL. TIME IS NOT REAL, GOVINDA. I HAVE REALIZED THIS REPEATEDLY. AND IF TIME IS NOT REAL, THEN THE DIVIDING LINE THAT SEEMS TO LIE BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND ETERNITY, BETWEEN SUFFERING AND BLISS, BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL, IS ALSO AN ILLUSION."
"HOW IS THAT?" ASKED GOVINDA, PUZZLED.
"LISTEN, MY FRIEND! I AM A SINNER AND YOU ARE A SINNER, BUT SOMEDAY THE SINNER WILL BE BRAHMA AGAIN, WILL SOMEDAY ATTAIN NIRVANA, WILL SOMEDAY BECOME A BUDDHA. NOW THIS 'SOMEDAY' IS ILLUSION; IT IS ONLY A CAMPARISON. THE SINNER IS NOT ON THE WAY TO A BUDDHA-LIKE STATE; HE IS NOT EVOLVING, ALTHOUGH OUR THINKING CANNOT CONCEIVE THINGS OTHERWISE. NO, THE POTENTIAL BUDDHA ALREADY EXISTS IN THE SINNER; HIS FUTURE IS ALREADY THERE. THE POTENTIAL HIDDEN BUDDHA MUST BE RECOGNIZED IN HIM, IN YOU IN EVERYBODY. THE WORLD IS NOT IMPERFECT OR SLOWLY EVOLVING ALONG A LONG PATH TO PERFECTION. NO, IT IS PERFECT AT EVERY MOMENT; EVERY SIN ALREADY CARRIES GRACE WITHIN IT, ALL SMALL CHILDREN ARE POTENTIAL OLD MEN, ALL SUCKLINGS HAVE DEATH WITHIN THEM, ALL DYING PEOPLE--ETERNAL LIFE. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ONE PERSON TO SEE HOW FAR ANOTHER IS ON THE WAY; THE BUDDHA EXISTS IN THE ROBBER AND DICE PLAYER; THE ROBBER EXISTS IN THE BRAHMIN. DURING DEEP MEDITATION IT IS POSSIBLE TO DISPEL TIME, TO SEE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALL THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, AND THEN EVERYTHING IS GOOD, EVERYTHING IS PERFECT, EVERYTHING IS BRAHMAN. THEREFORE, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IS GOOD--DEATH AS WELL AS LIFE, SIN AS WELL AS HOLINESS, WISDOM AS WELL AS FOLLY. EVERYTHING IS NECESSARY, EVERYTHING NEEDS ONLY MY AGREEMENT, MY ASSENT, MY LOVING UNDERSTANDING; THEN ALL IS WELL WITH ME AND NOTHING CAN HARM ME. I LEARNED THROUGH MY BODY AND SOUL THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR ME TO SIN, THAT I NEEDED LUST, THAT I HAD TO STRIVE FOR PROPERTY AND EXPERIENCE NAUSEA AND THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR IN ORDER TO LEARN NOT TO RESIST THEM, IN ORDER TO LEARN TO LOVE THE WORLD, AND NO LONGER COMPARE IT WITH SOME KIND OF DESIRED IMAGINARY WORLD, SOME INARINARY VISION OF PERFECTION, BUT TO LEAVE IT AS IT IS, TO LOVE IT AND BE GLAD TO BELONG TO IT."
THESE ARE WORDS OF SIDDHARTHA TO HIS FRIEND GOVINDA IN THE BOOK,"SIDDHARTHA" BY HERMANN HESSE.
IT IS A LING QUOTE, BUT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF ILLUSION!!!
Wow, I found this review very interesting and enlightening. I also enjoyed reading the blogs. I'm a little bit of a skeptic when it comes to beliefs. I am particularly unsure about having such confidence that a 'messiah' can be found within ourselves. I think we each know we have our limitations. How would Richard Bach define 'messiah?' Hope is attached to that word. How can we find hope within ourselves? I think if we are really honest, we know deep down that we are not our own messiah because we question if even that is true. If hope is found within ourselves, then why do we keep trying to fill that emptiness? If hope is found within ourselves, why do we lack confidence in our beliefs? Everything's not okay. This world's a mess. How messy is it? Here's a word picture: We are all drowning in an ocean. Can a drowning person save him or herself? No, but some have been saved.
The lifeguard (namely, Jesus Christ), has rescued millions from the hopeless sea of uncertainty. This review on Illusions says the book will capture your heart, that it will fill you with warmth and wonder. Being filled with warmth and wonder over a false sense of security differs quite significantly with wonder over a confidence of truth that can be known. We (readers, authors, business people, teachers, Buddha, etc) don't have the authority to make a truth claim. But somebody who did and does have authority has made a truth claim. And He would not say sin is holy. Sin is wrong, horribly wrong. We know sin is wrong when someone cheated on us. We know sin is wrong when someone suffers mistreatment. The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). That's what's wrong with us. That's why we can't save ourselves. That's why we can't be our own "messiahs." We are in that ocean telling ourselves that with just one more stroke, we'll make it to shore. We only grow weary in the process. The news only gets worse: "For the wages of sin is death..."(Romans 6:23). Each one who sins has earned death. But here is where GOOD NEWS comes in. Romans 5:8 says, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He had done nothing wrong, having never sinned. But because of His love for us, He became our substitute. He took upon Himself what we had earned -- death. But He did not stay dead. He rose from the dead. He is a living, breathing, existing God.
Our response for salvation? It is not to look within ourselves, but at someone who can actually perform the rescue: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Also, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
This is real hope!
I am a major Richard Bach fan. "Illusions" was the first book of his that I read in the early 80s. His books, Ruth Montgomery's and the CWG books have paved the road on which I walk today and have enabled me to see more Life along the way. God-inspired writings--ALL of them!
Having just read the text in reference to "the signs are everywhere"..
i then chose to click immediately onto the text on "illusions"..
as a synchronistic aspect of this experience..
less than two full days prior to this reading today..
i held in my hand Richard Bach's ILLUSIONS..
skimmed the cover text..and placed it back on the shelf..
today..i will return and read ILLUSIONS..
thank you NDW for the affirmation that the signs that are occuring now..are..
Leora
a poete and a seeker
Dear Friends,
I am Jagan Mohan, from India. I have read Four books regarding meditation what are converted into the telugu language which one of the following languages in India.
1. Jonathan Livingston Seaghull.
2. Illusitions
3. Master Ramtha
4. Mirdad.
I can't express the depth of the theme. and i could easily understood as it is there in out language Translated from English to Telugu.
And i am decided to choose my master is Richard Bach. I have seen his photograph but i would like to speak him, atleast i would like to send a mail to him. This is my desire of course i have been searching for his phone or email. could any body help me to speak with out master.
Thanking you.
Jagan ( Meditator)
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.