To me, the most remarkable aspect of James Redfield's "Celestine Prophecy" lies in the following.

As a teacher of energetic literacy, especially during the years of Redfield's extraordinary fame and influence, I pondered what I could learn from this book.

Regarding aura reading, Redfield passionately repeated all the most limiting and unhelpful clichés about auras that were prevalent at that time. It wasn't his fault, but he did fall for each of those outdated ideas and, through his influence, ended up spreading them.

Redfield's bestseller was self-published during what I refer to as the New Age Years in my 2022 writing. That remarkable period of growing energy sensitivity, from 1980 until the Shift on December 21, 2012, was transformational for all of us spiritual seekers. Millions of us became infatuated with energy, and I was no exception at that time.

In hindsight, Redfield is one of many authors who may have had more enthusiasm for energy than reliable knowledge or skills.

For those who found Redfield's charming book a spiritual touchstone, that's great!

However, for me, as a teacher of Aura Reading Through All Your Senses®, his bestseller has become an educational resource. In the sense that, among other things, for decades I've been working to help people gain more discernment and skill than what Redfield popularized in his "Celestine" book.

Of course, I'm not going to rate this novel. To put it mildly, it wasn't for me, but that's not Redfield's fault. He did his best, and millions have loved him for that.

The Celestine Prophecy is a book that tells the story of following one's innermost intuition. However, it is truly ironic for me as I feel completely cheated after not listening to my own inner voice. I should have left this book to rot on its dusty and underused shelf.

In this so-called "adventure," people of various indistinct types intersect and learn the rather unremarkable or even awful lesson that no matter what or how, one shall be catered to. The book is filled with one long lecture, which is interspersed throughout the dull narrative as spurts of half-baked wisdom. These so-called pearls of wisdom are often as incoherent as a half-yolk half-chick hybrid or Pollocks that have fallen off a high tree, and they are directed at some neutral and uninteresting "protagonist." Yuck!

The book combines abstract thought with severely restricted choose-your-own-adventure conventions in a rather weak blender. This so-called "mystical experience" feels completely fake as it is all produced by word-of-mouth, with the urgent message to indoctrinate one's fellow man and the claim that knowledge is power. It's all about conforming and being part of the group, rather than any real spiritual or intellectual exploration. And incredibly, it's not even the result of taking peyote or any other mind-altering substance.

Someone presented my wife with a hardcover edition of this book during her hospitalization.

I picked it up and perused perhaps the initial 50 or so pages while seated in her hospital room. Subsequently, I skimmed through the remainder of it and unceremoniously threw it into the trash.

What I witnessed was shoddy writing, misdirected concepts, a lack of coherent structure, and overall, it was a blatant waste of paper and ink, all masquerading as a novel of some kind.

If I had possessed anything else to read, be it the back of a cereal box or the instructions for operating the medical equipment in the room, I would have discarded it even sooner.

It's truly disheartening to encounter such a poorly crafted piece of work that fails to engage or offer any real value.

One would hope that authors would take more pride in their writing and strive to create something that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Alas, this particular book fell far short of those expectations.

I had purchased this book 18 years ago from a second-hand bookstore. It was on the recommendation of my Physics Professor, believe it or not. I spent no more than the cost of a'masala dosa' to acquire it. Now, I didn't spend more than the equivalent time of eating that dosa to read this book which has sold over a million copies in the US (well, maybe a little more). And I had a feeling that was comparable to the experience when the dosa was stale, oily, clumsily made with burnt sides and half-baked unsalted potatoes. Finally, I decided not to go to that restaurant again.

Is this book Nirmal Baba's inspiration?

I gave up after reaching the 50% mark.

I simply couldn't find the strength to push through.

It was as if I was eating boiled broccoli.

You are aware that it has nutritional value, but you're just not having any enjoyment from it.

This book has no right to be classified as fiction because the writing is extremely dry.

There is a lack of vivid descriptions and engaging storylines that would typically draw a reader in and keep them hooked.

Instead, it feels more like a chore to read, and I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to continue.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations.

Maybe it would be more suitable for someone who enjoys a more academic or technical style of writing, but for me, it was a disappointment.

I was informed by a dear friend of mine to read this handed-down book.

As she presented this book to me, she stated, "This book transformed my perspective on life, and I hope it does the same for you."

The Celestine Prophecy is a book that is not merely inspirational but also motivational.

While reading the distinctively written passages regarding how one can perceive things differently in life, I had the feeling that this book can convert a negative outlook into a positive one just by reading the first Insight.

This book is about uncovering an inner peace and a serene mind. It is a step-by-step guide to fulfilling oneself with beauty, love, and acceptance.

The Celestine Prophecy is a book that I will continuously pass down to my family and friends. It is one of the finest books I have read and I will always highly recommend it to those who might question this outstanding novel.

Long ago, this book was written and it would be considered quite dated now.

Nevertheless, it holds a significant place as one of the very first "new age" books.

It was a pioneer in introducing certain concepts and ideas that were ahead of its time.

Although the language and some of the examples might seem old-fashioned today, the essence of its message still has the potential to resonate with readers.

It offers a unique perspective on various aspects of life and spirituality that can be both thought-provoking and inspiring.

Even though it has been surpassed by more recent works in the new age genre, it remains an important part of the literary history and a testament to the evolution of ideas in this field.

The Celestine Prophecy is a widely renowned adventure story that presents metaphysical concepts in an engaging and accessible manner.

Although the writing style may not be highly advanced or exceptionally outstanding, the ideas it conveys regarding the essence of humanity and our potential as spiritual entities are indeed worthy of serious consideration.

The good aspect of this book lies in its fascinating exploration of religion and spirituality, which can offer readers new perspectives and food for thought.

However, there are also some drawbacks. The story often feels repetitious, and the "adventure" elements may not be as captivating as one might expect. Additionally, the characters are not fully developed, being introduced hastily and disappearing just as quickly, which can make it difficult for readers to form a deep connection with them.

Another rather comical aspect is the overuse of the word "intensely." Virtually everyone in the book looks at each other "intensely," stares intensely, or looks intensely. It becomes almost a running joke after a while.

Despite the generally mediocre writing, if you have a genuine interest in metaphysical spirituality, religion, or simply enjoy reading about people gazing at one another with great intensity, then this book is definitely worth checking out. It may not be a literary masterpiece, but it can still provide an interesting and thought-provoking read.

I take more from this book every time I read it.

My original review:

I've read this book a few times. The first time was after it had been given to me by a rather 'hippy-ish' friend of mine.

The first time, I wanted to throw it in the bin. It was written badly, with two-dimensional characters. There were flaws in the plot, historical information, and lots of the ideas were wishy-washy.

Given my reaction to the first read, I can't really say what made me pick it up a second time. Maybe I was feeling wishy-washy lol!

On the second read, I let go of the fact that it was badly written, the characters were bad, and all the other flaws. I don't think it was ever intended to be a work of literary wonder but rather an accessible vehicle for ideas. In that case, I think it is unfair to treat it as an attempt at a literary wonder. So, I decided to look past the bad writing and so on and focus only on the ideas it puts forward. I think it is unfair to criticize it for not being something I don't think it ever intended to be.

So, ignoring all the flaws and reading it only for the ideas, I started to enjoy it. Yes, some of the ideas - maybe more than not - don't make much sense. Lots of them are, like I said, wishy-washy and try to be too 'new age'. That said, there is a lot of good stuff in there. The notions of peace and calm that it presents, the ideas of becoming one with nature and looking after one another are all worthwhile.

The whole concept of energies can be a little batty at times, but a watered-down version is definitely worth thinking about. We do take energies from our surroundings - that's why some places feel naturally calm or naturally wired. And as for passing energies from person to person, that has to be true. It is self-evident.

I admit it's not all good. But if the reader stops fretting about how bad the writing is and actually pays attention to what it is trying to say, it offers some good insights and is good for making the reader think. On the whole, it has a calming atmosphere. No, it is not a great literary work, but that doesn't make it necessarily bad.

This book is an interesting blend of philosophy and spirituality.

It presents a captivating story about an American who embarks on an adventure in the rain forests of Peru. During his journey, he stumbles upon a set of nine manuscripts. These manuscripts, known as "insights", provide unique perspectives and methods for uncovering a new sense of life.

The author skillfully weaves together elements of philosophy and spirituality to create a thought-provoking narrative. The insights offered in the book are not only profound but also practical, making them applicable to our daily lives.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story and its insights. It made me reflect on my own life and the choices I have made. This book has the potential to inspire readers to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in philosophy, spirituality, or simply a good read. It is a book that will leave a lasting impression and may even change the way you view life.

This is the second time I've delved into this book. Although I'm fairly certain that a significant portion of it is fictional, I still believe it contains some highly valuable insights. Therefore, I aim to summarize them in the following nine points, along with my personal understanding of each:

1. The first step is to notice the coincidences in life. The more attuned I become to these coincidences, the more I'll become aware of the universal force that lies behind them. It's like opening my eyes to a hidden world of synchronicities that can guide me on my path.

2. This point emphasizes the importance of putting my awareness into a longer historical perspective. By imagining myself as a part of all humanity, standing at the forefront of a two-millennia-long arrow, I can see within myself the entire history of human thought and action. This perspective allows me to wake up to the true nature of what is happening around me.

3. Here, we're presented with a transformed understanding of the physical universe. It begins with a heightened sensitivity to the beauty, uniqueness, and presence of nature. As I become more attuned to the natural world, I start to realize that the entire universe is composed of energy that responds to my thoughts. This realization has the potential to revolutionize the way I interact with the world around me.

4. All too often, when people sever their connection to the infinite source of energy in the universe, they attempt to extract it from others. This leads to a power struggle (over energy), and in the end, we often find ourselves feeling depleted. It's crucial to recognize the importance of maintaining our connection to the universal energy source and not relying on others for our own fulfillment.

5. This point highlights the truth that we have the ability to tap into the infinite energy of the universe. When we do so, it brings with it a sense of lightness and a feeling of being connected to everything. We can access this energy whenever we choose, simply by opening ourselves up to it.

6. Clearing our past is essential. We often operate out of certain control dramas that we learned as children to ensure we had enough energy. These dramas can take the form of being an intimidator, interrogator, aloof, or a "poor me." Identifying our own patterns is the first step in breaking free from them. Additionally, our parents leave us with a basic life question that combines the questions their lives represented. Understanding this question can help us define our own path and purpose.

7. Conscious evolution is about actively connecting to the infinite energy by thinking about love, remembering our basic life question, and centering ourselves on our path by identifying the immediate, smaller questions that currently confront us. The key is not to focus on getting answers but rather on clearly defining our current questions. By holding these questions firmly in our minds and paying attention to what emerges in the outside world, we can move forward on our journey of self-discovery.

8. Intimate relationships can be both a source of joy and a potential distraction from our important journey. "Love at first sight" can sometimes lead us astray by mistaking our partner for the infinite love-connection of the universe. To avoid this, it's important to resist the initial rush of feelings and instead cultivate platonic relationships with members of the opposite sex. By doing so, we can break free from the fantasy projection and reconnect with the energy of the universe.

9. The final insight reveals our ultimate destiny as humans. We are the culmination of the entire process of evolution. As groups of us vibrate at higher levels, we'll become invincible to those at lower levels and eventually vibrate high enough to ascend to a higher plane of existence. This is a powerful and inspiring vision of our future.

I watched the movie that was made based on this book and to some extent it was good for a one-time viewing. Now I don't know if it's worth reading the book or not! Because I want to read the tenth discovery written in the continuation of this book. The question that comes to my mind is this, what do you guys do in such situations? Even though you watched a movie based on a book, do you still read the book or do you not read it and go for the next book in the same series? Is it really worth reading it or should I just go for the next book like this? Thank you for telling me.

The movie adaptation can sometimes give a general idea of the story, but it often misses out on the details and the depth that the book can offer. Reading the book might allow you to understand the characters and the plot in a more profound way. However, if you are satisfied with the movie and don't feel the need to explore further, then it's okay to move on to the next book. It really depends on your personal preferences and how much you want to engage with the story. Maybe you could give the book a try and see if it adds something new to your experience.

Another factor to consider is the time and effort you are willing to invest. Reading a book takes more time than watching a movie, so if you are short on time or have a lot of other books on your to-read list, you might choose to skip the book and focus on the next one. On the other hand, if you have a passion for reading and want to fully immerse yourself in the world of the story, then reading the book could be a rewarding experience.

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding whether to read a book after watching its movie adaptation. It's all about your own interests, time, and priorities. You can choose to read the book and discover the hidden gems that the movie might have missed, or you can move on to the next book and continue your literary journey. The important thing is to enjoy the process and have fun with it.