The Book of Listening Paperback – November 14, 2008

This book is a compilation of volumes 1-10 of Klein’s journal Listening. It is a collection of varied treats. One of my favorites is The Sayings of Old Man Tcheng. Here’s a quote as Tcheng speaks to his monks: “You are incapable of seeing for yourselves but only feel what you think should be felt, and think according to the opinion of those you have placed on a pedestal. Nincompoops, you are nothing but fakes and tricksters. Your case is hopeless.” Another treat is Klein’s sensory awareness exercises. And there is, of course, great poetry on not-knowing with lines like: waiting without waiting for anything, directionless awareness, live in absolute absence of yourself, complete openness, free from all ideas, free from all hope, taken by Truth, by Grace.

My favorite Jean Klein volumes would be The Ease of Being, Be Who You Are, and Who Am I? For anyone wishing to explore Jean's teaching, I would recommend those. This book has some interesting material, but not up to his teaching in the books I've mentioned.An update, a couple of years later: this book jumped off my shelf the other day and called out to be read again. I've discovered some real gems in here - Jean Klein talks with questions and answers with his students and writings from other traditions that reflect Klein's way of teaching. So I have upgraded my recommendation to five stars. Although I never met the man, Jean Klein has been a wonderful companion on my life's journey. One of the clearest and most eloquent of the contemporary (20th Century) spiritual teachers.

I've read three of Jean Klein's smaller books, my favorite so far being "I Am". This book is as mind-shaking as the others, but in addition is interspersed with short inspiring writings by other brilliant beings. This, in my opinion, gives the mind a needed break from the startling illuminations he serves up, one after another. Jean Klein writes of the truth in a plain, logical manner that one simply cannot misunderstand. At a delicious 390+ pages, compared with only 168 pages for "I Am", this book is a keeper that I'll read over and over. I am so blessed to have discovered this man!

Jean's clarity and command of the english language is truly eye opening. One of our greatest contemporary teachers of non-duality.

In this book, Jean Klein combines the best of his writings on non-duality with selections by other authors that complement his own teaching. In my view, Klein provides extraordinarily clear insight into our ultimate, shared reality, with practical pointers for living in this reality. Highly recommended for practitioners of any discipline who earnestly seek to understand themselves at the deepest levels.

This is a gem of older Jean Klein journals--priceless!

My most valuable book at this time....full of Truth!

this book is a must...for me! You may love it, who knows. If it resonates with you, watch out. Done.

This book will be welcomed by all those who knew Jean Klein, those who know of him through his previous books of transcribed dialogues and by those who have been dismayed by the deluge of neo-Advaita that has flooded the market since his passing.Here with the sure touch of a master and with his distinctive humour and humility is a comprehensive view of the world seen from a truly global perspective.There is directness but no fear of a discursive, even intellectual approach to this the highest of teachings.The additional material,excerpts from sources ranging from The Egyptian Book of the Dead to T.S. Elliot provides an historical and cultural context for the direct approach as well as an insight into the scope and range of this most remarkable of men.The real question may be, of course, whether this book can be of interest or use to anyone who has never heard of Jean Klein or the Direct approach. Klein himself said that this teaching is more likely to be grasped by someone on the streets , soaked to the skin in the pouring rain than someone learned and comfortable so...if you have ever been caught in the rain ,listen to this book, it may save you a lot of time.

As all Klein's work, truly profound, original and inexhaustible.

Great book, enjoyed it

Excellent

I highly recommend this book. JK's writing captures the subtilities which are often so difficult to articulate.