Editorial Review

First in the four-book Diamond Heart series, this collection of essays--taken from transcripts of seminars A.H. Almaas delivered over a several-year period--is an effective introduction to the Diamond Approach of inner realization. Lamenting that human suffering is due to not living up to one's human potential, Almaas proceeds to lay out in detail a uniquely modern and strictly logical path to enlightenment--its purpose to regain one's palpable human essence. Carefully leading the reader through stages of increasing depth and subtlety, he reveals hidden self-knowledge. Chapters with simple titles such as "Value," "Truth," and "Trust" open doors to realizations that result in relief from existential angst. If you have ever felt you were missing something you couldn't quite name, chapter 2--"The Theory of Holes"--is worth the price of admission. Read more

Reviews (6)

A Great Teaching
Years ago, my then Zen teacher, Joko Beck, was recommending that her students read A. H. Almaas's "Diamond Heart" series. She said that his work helped her articulate the connection between the ego and the absolute.Whether or not someone wishes to pursue this particular path, this is an amazing book.Teachers often say that "we are love (or compassion, peace. . .)."Almaas helps us understand what that actually means.
Powerful, Simple and Profound...What a Book!
A friend mentioned this book to me at a party and I took a chance on it and WOW. This book is so valuable. The most important relationship you'll have in your life is the one with yourself! This is a journey, one you can't afford not to take, and affording it has nothing to do money, it's your life.

Almaas's Diamond Approach.
This is the first book in A. H. Almaas's four-part Diamond Heart series of teachings, and as such, it offers a good introduction to his integration of Sufism, Zen, and Vajrayana Buddhism with Gurdjieff and modern psychology into what he calls "the Diamond Approach" to realizing our full potential."We live in a world of mystery, wonder, and beauty," Almaas observes in the book's Preface, "but most of us seldom participate in this real world, being aware rather of a world that is mostly strife, suffering, or meaningless" (p. i).According to Almaas, this is because we are not realizing and living our full potential.The collection of teachings compiled here (based on talks Almaas delivered in both Colorado and California), thematically linked by the "essence" of what is real in each of us, have the power to change the way you live your life.Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Conduct of life    3. General    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Psychology    6. Religion    7. Self-realization    8. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Editorial Review

A.H. Almaas presents "the holy ideas" that are the spiritual realities of the nine personality types that the Enneagram reflects. For those unfamiliar with the Enneagram, he includes an introduction to the structure of psychological typecasting rediscovered by Oscar Ichazo, founder of the Arica School, who gives this book its high credentials by having written the Foreword. While other books on the subject explain the different characteristics and behaviors of each of the nine fixations or types, Almaas expounds here on how the disconnection from each holy idea leads to the development of its corresponding fixation. Then he provides keys to unlock them. For example, the "seven" type's holy idea is "holy wisdom," which Ichazo defines as "The awareness that reality exists as a succession of moments, each experienced as the present, and that it is only by existing in the present that the constant unfolding of the Cosmos can be experienced ... can real work be done, and results achieved." Read more

Reviews (7)

valuable contribution
This exploration is a most valuable contribution to the understanding of Gurdjieff's Holy Ideas. I found it to be very seminal and I am sure that for some time to come it will be an often referred source.

The very best enneagram book for self-unfoldment
Touching, warm, gentle and precise. Almaas explains how we get fixated on certain enneatypes, and also points the way out of fixations. Reaching far deeper than the 'standard' personality approaches to the enneagram, this book really opens the gates to those who are seriously pursuing the Work of self-liberation.

a personal experience
a couple of years ago, i was out camping, spending hours just sitting in the woods, reading a.h.almaas's "facets of unity".Read more

Subjects:  1. Enneagram    2. General    3. Inspiration & Personal Growth    4. New Age    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Reference    7. Spiritual life    8. Spirituality - General    9. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    11. Spirituality   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Therapy    2. General    3. Intellect    4. Intelligence    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Psychology    7. Religious aspects    8. Spiritual    9. Wisdom    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Editorial Review

The third and final book in Almaas's Diamond Mind series, this 602-page tome reformulates the traditionally accepted definition of narcissism, positing it as the major barrier to self-realization--we are staring at reflections of ourselves thinking we are looking at the real self until we fall through the surface of the pond. Dissecting the nature of self to expose ego's mimicry, Almaas illuminates the relationship between the different approaches of various psychological and religious traditions, leaving no stone unturned in his search for "essence." Since the process involves transformation of the experience of identity, it exerts pressure on all levels of self-image, bringing up classically narcissistic issues. While the work appears therapeutic and, in fact, may have therapeutic value, its primary purpose is opening to deeper levels of self knowledge, which eventually becomes a participation in the dynamic unfolding of being human. A pivotal distinction expounded upon in Read more

Reviews (5)

a brilliant & comprehensive mapping of mind, body and soul
The author considers narcissicism in its various folds to be the central impediment to self realization. He looks at it as a natural human defense against what he sees as the almost inevitable annihilation of our soul and the "essence", that we encounter early on in our family upbringing. Not only is it the root of most psychological problems, but we will encounter it constantly while seeking a life of the spirit.
Probably the most spiritually advanced book ever
The Point is probably the best high-tech & how to instruction manual for self-realization written to-date. Now let's ask Ali to write one for self-actualization.

... making the Unconscious Conscious.
So much of psychology is superficial and so much of what spiritual traditions teach is misleading and impractical to incorporate into our daily lives...

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. General    3. Healing - General    4. Narcissism    5. New Age    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Psychology    8. Self-actualization (Psychology    9. Self-actualization (Psychology)    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    12. The self, ego, identity, personality   

Reviews (2)

An Important Series
Years ago, my then Zen teacher, Joko Beck, was recommending that her students read A. H. Almaas's "Diamond Heart" series. She said that his work helped her articulate the connection between the ego and the absolute. Whether or not someone wishes to pursue this particular path, this is an amazing book. Teachers often say that "we are love (or compassion, peace. . .)." Almaas helps us understand what that actually means.
A Heart that shines.
This is the second book in A. H. Almaas's four-part Diamond Heart series."We live in a world of mystery, wonder, and beauty," he observes in the Preface to this book, "but most of us seldom participate in this real world, being aware rather of a world that is mostly strife, suffering, or meaninglessness" (p. i).In the series of twelve inner-work teachings collected here (e.g., "Hanging Loose," "Acceptance," "Love," and "Being Oneself"), Almaas integrates Sufism, Zen and Vajrayana Buddhism with Gurdjieff and modern psychology into what he calls "the Diamond Approach" to self realization, and as the book's subtitle suggests, into "the freedom to be."This is a "Heart" that shines like a diamond.Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. New Age / Parapsychology    5. Psychology    6. Self-actualization (Psychology    7. Self-actualization (Psychology)    8. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. Individuality    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Psychology    7. Self    8. Self-realization    9. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (3)

A truely personal touch
If you have enough appreciation of Almaas' work, you will sail through this one with a deep undestanding of how to actualize our full human potential in this lifetime. What makes this particular book stand out most, is how the personal aspect of our soul, or our "Pearl" draws one into realizing and actualizing that we CAN live a life of spiritual integrety and still function more optimally in our society, here and now. Albeit with much devotion, hard work, and pschological/emotional pain (and eventual healing toward wholeness), as Almaas points out numerous times throughout most of his books.Like most worthwhile undertakings in life, this takes hard work and requires much more than just reading and achieving an intellectual understanding, although this is the way for most of us, and is of much value, it is only the tip of the inner journey iceburg.
Must read for therapists and spritual seekers
The founders of NLP, following Korzybski, reminded us that "the map is not the territory." Almaas speaks of the territory - the vastness and profundity of out Being - as one who lives there. He also has produced yet another superb map, with very precise descriptions of the challenges, the obtacles, the meaning of the signs along the way, and a more workable way than we have ever had of actually geting there.

An integration of personal and transpersonal development
Almaas has succeded in explicating and integrating contemporary object relations theory with transpersonal development. He has articulated the development of the ego and then its transcendence in a compelling, coherentdiscourse. This book is of tremendous value for anyone interested in aserious inquiry into the development/realization of the Self that does notignore the important contribution of object-relations theory to selfdevelopment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. Object relations (Psychoanalys    4. Personality    5. Psychology    6. Self    7. Self-realization    8. Spiritual life    9. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (7)

Heavy Going, but Worth It
A.H. Almaas (Hameed Ali) has been one of my "teachers" for the past several years as I negotiated my way through his Diamond Approach works.His clear vision and faithful rendition of Sufi teachings in the context of Western depth psychology, are major intellectual and spiritual achievements.
Serious inner workbook of AH Almaas
Under his pen name AH Almaas Hameed Ali has written some fifteen books by now. All of these are original and thorough explorations of the many facets of becoming more aware of who we essentially are. The Inner Journey home is the book that puts all his other contributions together. After reading this book, the overall framework of the journey to enlightenment has become much clearer to me, and I have all the other books where more detail is needed.
There's more to the Soul than "philosophy"
Gaining a deep understanding of the "soul" is a subtle process requiring both knowledge and practice, in addition to "time and circumstance," through which one absorbs the teaching and the experience(s) toward which those teachings are directed.Many writers have impressive insight into such knowledge (e.g., Wilber), and some have participated in aspects of the practice (e.g., Grof), but no contemporary writer has been able to fuse knowledge, practice, and interior experience into a corpus of work having such a unique clarity, depth, and eloquence appropriate to the contemporary Western audience as has Hameed Ali (literary name, A. H. Almaas).The reason for this is that no contemporary writer (with the exception of Idries Shah) has authoritatively addressed the nature and function of the subtle centers of the "lataif" or essential qualities (different from the "chakras"), and only Hameed's practice directly addresses the "activation of the lataif," which are the substance and expression of the mysterious "pearl" of the Soul.This knowledge and practice goes far beyond the rational and intellectual (e.g., 'philosophical') perspectives which can 'point to' these truths and cross-correlate them across world traditions but do not facilitate one's experiencing or 'tasting' them.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Comparative Religion    3. General    4. Psychology    5. Reference    6. Self-realization    7. Spiritual    8. Spiritual life    9. Popular psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (9)

Substantial Advance and More
I thought that this book was a substantial advance on the understanding of the ideas of Gurdjieff. Yet it goes beyond this by introducing new ideas that I believe would have been very acceptable to the original fourth way schools of thought.

Essence is All There Really Is
Almaas has provided us with some ofthe most sophisticated means of overcome egoic attachment in his most well known book, Essence.Using his knowledge ofSufism, Buddhism, psychologyto describe the universality of essence and what we can do to reclaim ithas earned him somewell deserved recognition.Connecting with our essence,i.e.the core of ourselves that cannot be distorted, perverted, damaged, etc. is no easy task and really takes a lifetime (or lifetimes) of effort.Almaas describes the false shell of personality that we all have in various degrees and the importance of working through /dissolving this shell (which fuels narcissism, insecurity, defensiveness, the desire to control others, consumerism, etc.).Reading Essence will bea perfect introduction to this author's extensive body of work.Embarking on reclaiming your own essence should not be taken lightly at all-so please read this wonderful book before taking the first step towards genuine enlightenment. Whatever the message, it's lost in too many words
"four book Diamond Heart series, and the three Diamond Mind series also by this obviously enlightened author".. Unfortunately, being enlightened doesn't insure that one is a good writer, nor that he is able to teach enlightenment. This writing is the most tedious, repetitious that I've read. It (7 books) could easily be condensed down to a single chapter or an article. Some good insights, but nothing worth plowing through all the words. At times it seems words are just flowing, just to fill pages and he ultimately forgets what his point was going to be and never arrives. The author should respect the reader's time a bit more, the point is not to fill enough pages to make a book. But ultimately I don't see what the other reviewers saw in these books, more worthwhile to read the clear and concise Huang-Po or Foyan or Krishnamurti or Nisargadatta etc. for more to the point direction.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Mysticism    3. New Age    4. Religion    5. Spiritual life    6. Spirituality - General    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Spirituality   

Reviews (3)

Essential introduction to the work of A.H. Almaas and Diamond Approach
If you're at all curious about what A.H. Almaas is talking about in his many Diamond Approach books, get this one first.He lays out the fundamentals of the teaching about The Work.

A Good Summary, But How Many Can Use It?
A.H.Almaas' diamong approach is a powerful spiritual practice that deals with the unconcious barriers to enlightenment that other spiritual practices overlook. And Davis' book is an excellent summary of the subject.
Burning hard like a gemlike flame.
I arrived at the teachings of A. H. Almaas through Ken Wilber's books."The universal message of the Diamond Approach," Almaas explains, is that "when we learn how to invite our true nature to reveal itself, it will guide us toward realizing our spiritual ground and, at the same time, actualize our potential in all walks of life."John Davis, one of Almaas's first students (p. xi), now teaches "Ali's" Diamond Approach to human potential here in Boulder, a practice that integrates the ancient spiritual wisdom of Gurdjieff, Sufism, Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism with modern psychological theory (p. 10)."The aim of the Diamond Approach," he writes, "is to live fully and deeply" (p. 3), and like a diamond, the practice is "durable, valuable, precious " (p. 17).In a way that is easy to understand, Davis surveys the main concepts and methods of the Diamond Approach, including teachings on inquiry, the soul, space, essence, self-realization, and pure Being.The practice itself, however, is more challenging.Writers including Wilber, Jack Kornfield, and Tony Schwartz have all recognized the value in the Diamond Approach, and in his book, Davis provides his readers with an introduction to Almaas's Diamond teachings that, well, glitters.
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Subjects:  1. Almaas, A. H    2. General    3. New Age Movement    4. Psychology    5. Self-realization    6. Spiritual life    7. Spirituality - General    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (1)

once again...
almaas produces a lucid and masterful work. a timeless piece of concentrated vastness that reaches the outer and inner cores of one's being.though one must stay with the ride he is exhibiting to the reader,the journey is well worth it.i find myself at the end of each chapter tobe in amazement how he can describe such undescribable states of being withwhat appears to be a benevolent ease.and the challange he presents isaccepted for here is a guidemap at which to navigate with. my thanks forhis pioneer efforts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Awareness    2. General    3. Inspiration & Personal Growth    4. Mind & Body    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Philosophy    7. Psychology    8. Self    9. Self-realization    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Popular psychology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. General    2. New Age    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Spiritual life    5. Spirituality    6. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism   

Reviews (4)

Practical Support
The title of this book is, to be honest, a little silly. But after getting over Almaas' metaphor I found this to be one of the best spiritual practice books I have come across. Inquiry, when done properly, is an amazingly powerful practice. Almaas takes you step by step into a deeper understanding of how to do this practice. That said, this book is not for everyone. I would suggest that someone should have read Diamond Heart One and Two (for most people these are a better starting point than the Diamond Mind series) and also have at least a couple of years of sitting meditation experience before working with this book. Without that foundation, this work might only engage you at the psychological level. This is also a "workbook" with lots of inquiry exercises-take your time with it. I would suggest setting aside some time to work with it two or three times a week. The inquiries will take 15-20 minutes each and shouldn't be skipped if you want to engage this work fully.
Good for those already into Almaas' method
This book is very practical for those already familiar with Almaas' teachings. It describes precise and extensively his method of self inquiry, and I underline the word "method", since the book focuses on inquiry itself, on "how" to inquire, and not on "what" to inquire about. 400 pages about how to conduct your inquiry can be a bit too specific and overwhelming for those not into the Diamond Approach, but, on the other hand, it can be the most valueble for those familiar with previous Almaas' books (especially the Diamond Mind series). I really recommend it for the latter, but beginners should choose another one to start with.

imaginative
a somewhat imaginary approach resulting in a somewhat imaginary enlightenment ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Doctrines    2. General    3. Psychology    4. Ridhwan Foundation    5. Spiritual life    6. Spirituality - General    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    8. Religion: general    9. Spirituality   

Reviews (2)

For the seeker who is ready to get on with it.
You've read Freud, Jung, perhaps Teillard de Chardin, Aurobindo, J.G. Bennett, Idries Shah, and so on.The poetry of Rumi and Hafiz calls you to the 'beloved' 'like a broken man walking behind a farting camel'.You have done group and individual psychotherapy, yoga, zen and so on.You have attended workshops, prayed, found a 'right livelihood'.Travel is a genuine adventure.Something propels you to examine the mysteries of the perennial philosophy, it is just something you must do.Your appetite is voracious; you yearn for that 'missing piece'.The great novel that is your life is page turner you just cannot put down.
Getting Specific
So far I've read three of the Diamond Approach books: "Essence," "The Diamond Approach," and "Diamond Heart, Book One." For someone working alone, "The Void" is the most helpful because it is the most specific about techniques. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. Mind and body    4. Psychological aspects    5. Psychology    6. Self-perception    7. Space and time    8. Spiritual life    9. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (3)

A luminous inner journey.
The Diamond Approach to human potential teaches us that when we "learn how to invite our true nature to reveal itself, it will guide us toward realizing our spiritual ground and, at the same time, actualize our potential in all walks of life" (A. H. Almaas, SPACECRUISER INQUIRY, p. xiv).In LUMINOUS NIGHT'S JOURNEY, Almaas describes the self-discovery of his own true nature, and his integration of that realization into his personal life."The thread I follow in this book," he writes, "sheds light on the obscure process of how the soul, the individual consciousness, becomes integrated into this absolute nature, as and after the source of all experience is realized" (p. ix).This book may appeal more to Almaas's students than to those readers new to his Diamond Approach teachings. Amazing Descriptions of Higher state of Consciousness
I have been reading about and studying higher states of consciousness for 30 years, and in all that time I have never read such personal, detailed, in depth descriptions of experiences of Unity Consciousness. Almaas has an amazing facility to describe profoundly subtle experiences.His descriptions are consistent with classical descriptions of that state, yet at the same time he adds an element of examining his own "ego structures" in the light of the Untiy experiences.If you are into this type of thing, this is a truely facinating book.

Awesome.
Accessible, profound and inspiring. Tastes like freedom to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Almaas, A. H    2. General    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Religion    5. Religious aspects    6. Self-realization    7. Social Scientists & Psychologists    8. Spiritual biography    9. United States    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. General    2. New Age    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Spirituality    5. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Norway   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mind and body    3. Psychoanalysis    4. Psychological aspects    5. Psychology    6. Self-perception    7. Space and time   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Europe - Italy    3. International Architecture - European    4. Reference   

Subjects:  1. City & town planning - architectural aspects