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 enlarge | Author: Deepak Chopra
Publisher: Harmony
Category: Book
List Price: $24.00
Buy New: $16.32
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Rating:  86 reviews
Sales Rank: 1035
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0307338312
Dewey Decimal Number: 232
EAN: 9780307338310
ASIN: 0307338312
Publication Date: February 19, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
 another perspective July 17, 2008
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
Third Jesus was thought provoking. Good historical research? No. A threat to Christianity? Hardly. A definitive interpretation of the meaning of the life of Jesus of Nazareth? Certainly not. It does however, give the author's interpretation of some aspects of the life of Jesus as reported in the New Testament. Anyone, including the many bloggers here, who purports to know beyond a shadow of a doubt and with total objectivity who a man who lived over 2,000 years ago was, how he lived each moment, and what that man's exact thoughts were is kidding herself. We cannot say for certain who the person Jesus was or what his life meant. His existence (finite, infinite, or both) has meant a lot to very many people. His life has been interpreted many times in many ways. Chopra, an author who makes a living giving his opinion, explains his own interpretation in Third Jesus. Neither Third Jesus nor Chopra are a threat to Jesus or Christianity. Neither are they definitive explanations for how existence works. If you are of a mind to ponder Chopra's take on Jesus, then Third Jesus is a fun interesting read. If you are not, simply don't read it or stop at the point you no longer enjoy it. Both the glowing reviews and the venomous ones are disturbing for what they imply about the writers. Third Jesus is a philosphical opinion. If you have trouble understanding that, read the Bible and try to do some objective, factual research on Jesus, the Christian church, the origin of the Bible, world history, etc., etc., and form your own opinion. Third Jesus may be thought-provoking but is unlikely to bring anyone to enlightenment or to threaten God, whatever you conceive God to be. I liked the book on CD. I listened to it a couple of times in rapid succession to keep me alert on a long car ride alone. I bought it primarily because I've read some other Chopra books and they always seemed to make me feel good and assume a more positive outlook. For me, Third Jesus is the equivalent of watching someone smile - it makes you more likely to smile yourself - nothing more. Chopra's book got me to think about Jesus and God and that nearly always brightens my day.
 Spirituality July 16, 2008
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
This book seems well written and it resonates well with me. Aside from what has been taught by religious doctrine and supported by many scriptures, Deepak talks about what he believes Jesus really meant when he said many of the things we remember and quote all the time. At 234 pages + index, the book is broken down into plain language, so it is easy to understand the opinions expressed by the writer. Copyright is 2008, so it is freshly written.
The Third Jesus indicates that there are 3 Jesus(es), the first being the historical Jesus of 2000 years ago. This is the Jesus whose teachings are the foundation of Christianity as thought and as theology. The second Jesus is the Son of God, who embodied an institutional religion, with its specific dogma, priesthood, and millions of devout believers. The third Jesus is the Cosmic Christ, a term being used often these days. The writer refers to the Cosmic Christ as the Jesus who embraces ALL humanity, not just those covered by the church built in his name. As a spiritual guide, the Cosmic Christ speaks to all who will listen, to help them access the God within and as a personal experience (without the middle man). This is the Christ who helps us to attain enlightenment or God-consciousness, or grace, as some call it. This book is dedicated to the Irish Christian Brothers in India who introduced Deepak to Jesus when he was a little boy.
Much of the book looks at sayings attributed to Jesus with an eye on the analysis of what he may have REALLY meant. For example, "you have been taught an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say don't resist evil. If someone hits you, let him hit you twice . . ."(Matthew 5:38-42) Many of us want revenge for the evil doers, but Jesus would have us "resist not evil" and forgive them. Did Jesus not submit himself to unjust trial, persecution, torture, and a horrible agonizing death? And what did he say on the cross? (Hint: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.") (Come on now--how many people do you know that would be screaming and cursing out the maggot-infested dogs to their last breath? But FORGIVE THEM? that takes somebody really special.) Anyway, the author tells us that when we live in a higher state of consciousness/awareness/vibration, "evil" does not hang around as it does when you are more susceptible to it. In other words, when you learn to find the peace within yourself, and NOT attach yourself to revenge or righteous indignation, you master anger and evil begins to release its hold on you. (and I thoroughly agree) Deepak goes to explain a great deal more on the subject.
This book is full of scriptures and passages and what Deepak believes to be the intended message of Jesus for each one, and for ALL people of all beliefs. Some of the many concepts addressed are: The Golden Rule, Karma (reeping and sowing), praying with faith, why you should pray if God already knows what you want, being in a state of higher awareness/consciousness at the soul level, judgement, materialism, etc. The book addresses common arguments of who the "real" Jesus is and the pros and cons of each (to help you consider the possibilities so you can make up your own mind). (Remember that about 313 AD, Emporer Constantine officially adopted Christianity but then banned many religious documents, such as the Gospel of Thomas. Now why would he go and do such a thing?)
The book includes a section on contemplation, similar to meditation, explaining what contemplation is and providing some scriptures to practice this deeper form of thinking with, where you go within yourself to seek a deeper meaning.
I met Deepak in the early 1990s at a Satellite television studio in Washington DC. He was doing a presentation on one of his earlier works and I was fortunate to be able to speak with him personally for a few minutes. Although I was not at the stage of awareness that I am now, I certainly sensed something very special about this man--a sort of knowledgeable peace. He was a pleasure to listen to and speak with. Today he is the author of over 50 books, translated into more than 35 languages. He has some excellent material out there on spirituality topics. One of my favorites is his 2-CD gold cover chakra balancing CD (check my other reviews for more info on that one.) I believe the man to be a well-educated spiritual being in human form.
I highly recommend this book and certainly agree with what I've read in it. I do not believe the concepts should be earth-shattering to anyone. Most likely, you know these things already, at your soul consciousness level if not at your conscious awareness level, but sometimes we need to be reminded. This would be a good book to share with friends and to re-read every so often. I do not believe bible-readers would be offended by its contents. It just encourages people to look more within themselves for deeper meaning and to hold others in love in your heart--complicated concepts broken down for easy reading. Remember that Jesus said to love one another.
Approximately 2/3rds through the book are "15 Steps to God-Consciousness: Lessons and Exercises". An example is #8 "resist not evil". Applying the Teaching: explains that it means overcoming evil without resisting it (and more detail). An exercise follows, explaining how to practice the concept by making a perception change. It involves facing your fears and hidden feelings. Evil has power over you ONLY WHEN YOU GIVE IT POWER. (This concept alone is priceless, once you really get it.)
Throughout the book, there are a lot of comments similar to ". . .as you progress on the spiritual path, you begin to see/feel/experience X/Y/Z, etc." I have personally experienced many of these, as he says them to be true. Some examples: as you begin to achieve a higher level of consciousness: you feel more secure and positive about yourself, you exist in peace with others, you drop the habits of criticizing and complaining, life is no longer a competition "me" against "them", obsessive and compulsive thoughts lose their grip, negative thoughts are replaced by positive ones, you improve the atmosphere around you (by your presence), and many many more. (Personally, I have found it EXTREMELY difficult to be around negative people or people who disrespect others or themselves.)
Conscious Love June 22, 2008
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
What I like most about any book that Deepak writes is his depth of wisdom and his committment to living a contemplative life. One clear sign of this wisdom is his appreciation and agility in being able to contemplate his subject from multiple points of view. Thus, whatever he concludes is born out of this desire for a deep and broad understanding...an intuition to the wholeness of Spirit.
I was raised Catholic, well educated and inspired by the story of God, Paradise, Jesus and his profound love and sacrifice for all Being. A few priests and nuns were also inspiring. Yet for myself and many other baby boomers, the religious culture of our time barely registered on any scale of true Love, Peace or Wisdom. Far more important than what we are told to believe when we are young and open is the energy signature of the environment in which the teaching happens. Unfortunately, our modern Western model of a sane and loving world viewed from within our organized religions offers very little for those of us with precocious natures. We need more than platitudes, dogmas, rules of engagement sourced in fear and hypocracies that anyone with a modicum of insight can plainly see.
I believe that Deepak is more credible than most spiritual teachers in that he appears truly interested in your spiritual unfolding and fulfillment. He is also wise enough to perceive that there are significant resistences and challenges to the heightening of the human awareness of the Christ Consciousness or any enlightened state of being. Deepak has clearly brought Jesus into his own unfolding through his research, contemplation and sharing. Yes...this book is Deepak's interpretation of the meaning and purpose of the Jesus story, the Jesus life and Christ Consciousness. He writes it as he sees and intuits it. I for one, simply resonate with his insight and inspiration. He offers many practical ways that every lover of Jesus can explore their own state of consciousness in a context inspired by Jesus himself, as far as we can know him from the past. No one can make dogma (past) out of wisdom or love (Presence). All Truth is alive and flowing throughout each moment of life and the form of life changes as we unfold. Anyone who is willing to inspire and add to this unfoldment has my deepest admiration for their efforts. I can also consciously appreciate the sign of our times that is found in the merging of the spiritual wisdoms from East and West. Common sense should never go unnoticed. The Third Jesus has added to my appreciation and love for the Spirit we call Jesus. For this I am deeply grateful.
Sundance Burke, Author Free Spirit: A Guide to Enlightened Being
 Insightfull June 18, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I like to feel led by Jesus's teaching. I think this book really explains what was going though his head, and how we might attempt to be like (close) to him.
Chopra and Jesus June 18, 2008
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Finally after covering every possible subject related to God and the spiritual path, Chopra finally takes on his relationship with Jesus. This is a wonderfully written account of his own struggle with the Jesus he encountered in school as a youth, then following his own cultural spiritual path as an adult, and eventually spiraling around to encounter Jesus in a whole new way. For those who are looking to find a new look at Jesus rather than the picture portrayed by the historical church, Chopra provides some insight. This is well worth the read for "worn-out" Christians as well as those of other faiths who intuitively are drawn to the wisdom of Jesus, but can't relate to the tainted version presented by some factions of the Christian faith. This book was so refreshing to me that I bought a copy for a friend's birthday as I didn't want to pass on my own copy. Its a keeper.
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