Reflection on Three Books - Essay Sample

The Prophets

In this book, Abraham Heschel explores the relationship between God and men in the Old Testament period. The people are generally stubborn and sinful while God is faithful and loving. As the book begins, the life of prophets is portrayed as very pathetic such that no one can desire to be a prophet. They are consumed with loneliness and distress. The work they do is very stressful in the midst of the carefree people who live their lives for themselves (Heschel, 2001). A prophet in this era deserves sympathy for their sad experiences. Despite the possibility of sinning, a prophet has to strive for righteousness for the sake of his life and the life of the community. He must remain loyal to God even if all the rest in the community are turning away from God. He must hold on to the faith he professes to bring hope for the whole community.

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However, people's behaviors are very annoying. They lack commitment and loyalty to the commands of God. They cause great affliction on themselves by their immoral acts. They provoke the anger of God by breaking the commands that God gives them through the prophet. The people portrayed in this book have no concern in their lives, they do not care whether they live or die. All they are concerned with is the comfort they gain through immoral and defiling acts that makes God angrier with them. According to the way they misbehave with the prophets, they deserve punishment. The punishment that would cause affliction and suffering to them so that they can come to their senses and see how unfaithful they are to God.

However, God is very fatherly. He has great love, care, and affection to his people (Heschel, 2001). It is very encouraging to see how God treats his people with great concern. The goodness of God brings hope instead of despair even if the world is filled with sins and immorality. Additionally, God proves to the people why they need to have faith instead of the futile doubts through his mercy and goodness. He takes care of them in all circumstances. He bears with the people no matter how terrible their sins soar. The love of God gives hope and life where doubts and deaths are evident. It is so much encouraging.

The leaders of the land including kings and the priests can be seen as people who are very enthusiastic at discharging their duties. However, it is very embarrassing that they do this at the expense of even breaking the rules of religion. King's rule according to how they feel it should be done, not according to the directions given by God. Priests do not follow the rules given to them by God. The resultant situation is very terrible. The wrath of God catches up with them swiftly, and they have to turn back from their filthy ways to the right paths as directed by God.

Be Here Now

"Be Here Now" is a very insightful book written by Ram Dass. He intimates significant insights into the different paths to God. At the beginning of the story, Dass is very much frustrated with life at the University (Ram, 2010). He is in the anguish of the hopelessness caused by the experiences of drugs. His life is very terrible. He lacks hope, faith, and any meaningful life. Instead, his life is full of despair, doubts, and hopelessness. No one can admire such a life.

However, it is very encouraging how his life changed from worse to better. Thanks to Neem Karoli Baba. He taught Ram Dass the life lessons that brought a total transformation in his life. It is very evident that Dass gained hope and understanding of what life means, and not just life, good life (Ram, 2010). Mentors are critical people in our life. They enable us to see what was hidden from our sights. They open our eyes and hearts, pour abundant life, and hope which flourish to give light to others.

It feels good to have self-confidence (Ram, 2010). No one was accidentally born into this world. Therefore, everyone has a duty and responsibility to carry out while living in the present life. We are as good as we think of ourselves. Self-esteem should, therefore, take most of the mind for us to be wholly determined beings. Being part of the bliss of the universe is exciting.

According to this book, the present is the best time to live in, not the past or future. It can be unfortunate trying to live in the past or the future. They bring unnecessary worries, anxiety, and unhappiness that only cause hopelessness and despair. A sad life, which can cause death. Interestingly, three things have been identified to lead to blissful life. They include meditation, mentorship, and living here and now.

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge

In this book, a young man called Carlos Castaneda explains some of the terrible experiences he went through while researching peyote, a hallucinogenic drug. Castaneda is sadly influenced by Don Juan Matus to use the drug himself for a personal experience. It is a matter of success and failure. He needs to succeed in his studies, so he gives in to that idea (Castaneda, 2008). The experience of Castaneda in this first attempt makes you sympathize with him. His joy is shortly turned into agony as he is choked and undergoes convulsions. Very sad indeed!

He is then introduced to another hallucinogen called an ally. Also, thinking about the experience gained from peyote, it is challenging to yield to yet another suffocation. However, Castaneda chooses to be loyal to his mentor, Matus. According to Matus, an ally drug would enable Castaneda to do great things. Since this is a matter of faith, Castaneda must believe in what he is told to do.

It is unfortunate to imagine what followed next. Castaneda is suffering for the sake of success in his study. His mentor, Matus, is such a heartless character. He forces Castaneda to use the hallucinogens for the very first time, claiming it is the only way to success and greatness. Although his methodologies were useful to Castaneda's research, he gained it at untold cost (Castaneda, 2008). The terrible experiences through which Castaneda underwent are heartbreaking and out of proportion. Therefore, it is very evident that success is not found on a silver platter, but it comes at a cost. Success involves the efforts. The efforts may not be admirable, but it is the only way of coming out of a problem. In the end, Castaneda succeeds in obtaining the information he richly needed.

Reference

Castaneda, C. (2008). The teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui way of knowledge. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Heschel, A. J. (2001). The Prophets. New York: HarperCollins.

Ram, D., & Lama Foundation. (2010). Be here now, remember. Place of publication not identified: HarperCollins e-books.