Reluctant Messiah

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Donald reiterates this to Richard throughout the book who continues to assume limits. It is that we have total unlimited freedom of choice, even the freedom to hurt others if we choose to. Say you have it, and you have it! Richard, what is so damned hard about that? And we make the choice to be hurt and unhappy. Like Jonathan Livingston Seagull Illusions is filled with inspiring ideas of our freedom and our power.

Ideas that break the illusions of our reality. Have a look at the book yourself. There are many more lessons to be learned from it with many more illusions to break. Sign in Get started. Never miss a story from Andrew Gillard , when you sign up for Medium. The book starts off with a "handwritten" and smudged story, written like books in the Bible, by a auto mechanic who discovered the Divine in himself and was followed by throngs of people,who called him a messiah, until he had to disappear.

Then the "real" book begins: A young man flys around the country in his airplane, supporting himself by selling flights in his plane. One fateful day, he meets a strange individual who seems to have amazing abilities, including one of my favorites preventing insects from smashing on the windshield. I feel that this book deepened my spirituality, and reinforced my desire to live life more peacefully, and with great kindness. I only wish I could perfect the "no-bugs-killed-on windshield" trick!! Remember the Kleenex commercial about the monk who saves the spider, turtle, and fish, then after he blows his nose is dismayed to see that Kleenex kill germs?

That is somewhat like me: I am always helping various critters outside--I don't like to kill anything. However, I don't worry about bacteria, molds, dust mites, mosquitos, and cockroaches. I am a hypocrite in that way! View all 3 comments. Mar 12, Shakirah rated it it was amazing. After reading the reviews here on Goodreads I decided to make the 10 odd minute trip to Kinokuniya to grab a copy. I never regretted it. A book which carries the message of how we mould our own future, our own life, our own outcomes in a very engaging way.

I finished this wonderful book in 4 hours or so. If you need anything to lift your spirits when you are feeling down, or restore your faith in the Law of Attraction, this is one of the many books that will be very helpful. Jul 20, Steve Merrick rated it it was amazing. Before I say anything else I feel it needs a health warning. The symptoms that I have witnessed as people read this book include, delusional psychosis, fantasising in public, maniac attempts at cloud bursting and one very very bruised nose. A result of a grown man trying to swim in the "Here is a test to find whether your mission to Earth is finished; If your alive it isn't.

A result of a grown man trying to swim in the grass on a very dry day in Hackney. If only he hadn't decided to dive in.

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Also most of these poor crazed Richard Bach Fans discover something mystical and illuminating within themselves as they read the book. Unfortunately all of them want to share this great gift with everyone, so get used to some rather odd lectures if your Partner, flatmate, best friends, or children lay their hands on a copy of this book. The story however is brilliant, A Messiah who wants to quit. A pilot who doesn't want to fly using machines anymore. Written masterfully and with a huge degree of characterisation. If you have read Jonathon Livingston Seagull also by Richard Bach then this is an evolution of that first book.

However dangerous the book may be its a must have on any shelf. I hate to admit it but this book is enlightening, entertaining, thought provoking, but above all original. The mould was smashed up afterwards because I have never read anything quite like this.

View all 5 comments. Apr 22, Madeline rated it it was ok Recommends it for: If I can turn my back on an idea, out there in the dark, if I can avoid opening the door to it, I won't even reach for a pencil. But once in a while there's a great dynamite-burst of fling glass and brick and splinters thr um But once in a while there's a great dynamite-burst of fling glass and brick and splinters through the front wall and somebody stalks over the rubble, seizes me by the throat and gently says, "I will not let you go until you set me, in words, on paper. A great way of looking at life. Jan 01, Rajat Ubhaykar rated it it was ok.

I call anything sounding grand and oh-so-awesome but actually meaning squat a Richard Bach quote.

Illusions, to summarize, is a compendium of such quotes. However, I gave the book two stars only because it is consistent with the philosophy it preaches. The idea that the book is saying anything of consequence is an illusion and you are the one attaching any reality and importance to it. The book might have had some 'message', but I was too busy smell-proofing my mind from all the shit flying aroun I call anything sounding grand and oh-so-awesome but actually meaning squat a Richard Bach quote. The book might have had some 'message', but I was too busy smell-proofing my mind from all the shit flying around.

Richard Bach is the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a book about birds, but teaches lessons relevant to humans. I guess I relate more to people!! Illusions is a lighthearted mystical adventure story about two barnstorming vagabonds who meet in the fields of the Midwest. Magic and miracles surround Don. He calls them Illusions, not M Richard Bach is the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a book about birds, but teaches lessons relevant to humans.

He calls them Illusions, not Miracles. Richard wants to learn. Don presents him with Messiah's Handbook: Reminders for the Advanced Soul. If you turned to this page, you're forgetting that what is going on around you is not reality'.

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Richard reads more and more and Don speaks more and more. Very beautiful life-clarifying phrases. If any of you want to read this book, let me know if you would like to discuss it with ME. View all 6 comments. Jan 05, Errin Davenport rated it it was amazing. This is a wonderful book! I have read it several times and with each reading I discovered a little part of myself, and remembered those times of miracles I had forgotten.

I loved this story. I love taking responsibility for my own life and outcome. I love doing what I want to do, and leaving others free to do what they want. I loved the analogy about all the creatures clinging to the sticks and rocks in the river, but one was tired of clinging and let go to follow the path the river led it down. I loved the point that freedom is watching "your own films" not someone else's films, and the introspection that resulted when I pondered the films I actually like and wh I loved this story.

I loved the point that freedom is watching "your own films" not someone else's films, and the introspection that resulted when I pondered the films I actually like and what that says about life choices.

I want to live freely and happily, to give up the boredom. I love "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. Apr 26, liz rated it did not like it Shelves: Please note the shelves this book is on: It's much more "junk" than "fun. The author's note in the beginning is pretentious drivel about "I never wanted to write another book again because it's just so hard, but these characters and this story were just begging to be let out of my head The book isn't even 2 Please note the shelves this book is on: The book isn't even pages, and the print is not tiny.

You can finish it in an afternoon he probably did. I'm trying to find one to link to, but really, pretty much ANY book about Buddhism or Buddhist meditation will give you the same ideas but better articulated. Which I guess is kind of funny, since the person who gave me the book gave it to me because she loves the message, and she's an observant Christian albeit an extremely cool, funny, and open-minded observant Christian.

An excerpt from the "Messiah's Handbook" oracular book within the book: Y ou are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. Y ou may have to work for it, however. As a matter of fact, hey. You want to read a BETTER book about a "reluctant messiah" not that better is really saying much that'll give you the same basic message in a way more satisfying way? Jun 12, Saby rated it it was amazing. I loved the way he started this book - with the fable I found parallels to the life of Jesus - the messiah of the Bible.

There are so many inspiring quotable lines. I liked this one best: Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers'. Maybe because I'm a teacher? But I always loved that line. Even before I became a teacher: I think the idea th I loved the way he started this book - with the fable I think the idea that everyone is capable of performing miracles is powerful.

I also agree with Don's observation that people want miracles, not learning how to perform them. They want their fish, they don't want to learn how to catch them and feed themselves and others. This is absolutely the best book that I have read in a long while. There is much philosophy and much humour. And there is so much to stimulate the reader's mind into a flurry of thoughts. I could pick out so many quotable passages, but my favourite remains as one which I used on my own blog recently. I loved it so much that I shall immediately put it onto my personal top books of all time list.

Feb 20, Nathan Trachta rated it it was amazing. My friend Renee recommended this one to me, she knows I've had questions in life and I'm open to unique perspectives; what can I say, I don't know everything in life and I'm still learning. Illusions is a book of self learning or teaching by and indirect method, I'll let you decide. For me it was an indirect method learning about the illusions of life and how we limit ourselves.

In this case Mr. Bach has two gentlemen who give airplane rides to people meet and we watch as one quests and learns a My friend Renee recommended this one to me, she knows I've had questions in life and I'm open to unique perspectives; what can I say, I don't know everything in life and I'm still learning. Bach has two gentlemen who give airplane rides to people meet and we watch as one quests and learns about himself and the world.

As he slowly expands his world past his narrow, limited world into understanding that the world is limitless and only we limit ourselves elite meant happens. Bach has shown us there is a world outside of the box we place ourselves in and while others can show us there's more around us, only we can go beyond our self imposed limits.

This is an outstanding read! I learned so much about myself it's amazing. This is a solid 5 star book where we can learn about ourselves and if we limit ourselves from doing all that we possibly can. While the is an allegory about a persons relationship with God, you don't have to limit yourself with this viewpoint.

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah Review

Expand yourself, take wing, and fly beyond your limits so others are amazed and you become their teacher. Feb 05, Anastasia rated it did not like it Recommends it for: I could have just as easily been asleep and equally productive. It was such a disappointment, because not only was it practically free, one of my best friends had good things to say about it. This book was like the dictionary of fortune cookie-isms. The general message seemed to be "Whatever you think, that is what is, also, the opposite of that is as well. And how do you say, "Stop smoking weed" in Chinese?

Nov 16, Janice rated it did not like it. This was actually a life-changing book. It was a book that opened my mind as to my own thought process when I came upon other individuals having challenges with life's journey. Here's a story I wrote about it Not for eyes under Well, love is a strange word, a strong word, a poor-excuse-to-be-miserable word. He loves me as a friend, as a sister, as a pet, perhaps. I'm always around, following him like a lost puppy. It's cruel, un This was actually a life-changing book. Passion unrequited leaves its victim insane. It's the problem of supply and demand.

When love is in low supply, you demand it even more, like the last cookie in the cookie jar. You see someone grabbing it, and suddenly it's the one thing you have to have, the one thing you've always wanted. You'd beg for it. You'd pay through the nose for it.

You'd steal it if you needed to. His name is Charlie, but he looks like Jim Morrison—his long, unkempt hair; his perfect skin; his blue-gray eyes; his morose poetness. Love me one time. I could not speak. The song pounds in my head. Love me one time, baby. Yeah, my knees got weak. He'll never love me, but my knees get weak. He'll never love me, but I cannot speak. I cannot sleep—in my bed, in his bed. Only Molly gets to share his sheets, his blankets. He passes me a paperback across the table—Richard Bach's Illusions.

That's what Charlie is: We grew up together; played together; shared secrets together. I'd go to his house after school, and we'd write poetry or song lyrics. I'd bang on the piano, and he'd strum his guitar. He'd read Kafka or Camus aloud. I'd bask in his voice, in his blue eyes, in his Jim Morrison hair and melodic articulation. It's been six years since we graduated High School, and I still love him, but the only female he loves is Molly.

He smiles for Molly, kisses Molly, pets her in front of me shamelessly. He brushes her ginger hair and feeds her from his soft, pale, perfect hands. Molly is a Golden Retriever. She has Charlie wrapped around her finger—rather, her paw. Charlie hands me a copy of Illusions. The book smells musty and a bit like Jergens lotion with a hint of cinnamon gum. It smells like Charlie.

I turn the pages, taking care not to dirty them with peanut butter. I sink into the cracked, leather couch and struggle noisily to reach for the sliced apple to dip in the peanut butter. I lick my fingers after each bite. Charlie sits in the orange recliner. His cut-off jeans display his lean legs. He shovels forkfuls of scrambled eggs into his mouth and fingers the bacon. When he swallows, his Adam's apple floats up and down. My face flushes, and the fever rages even more intensely.

Each time his Adam's apple moves up, then down, I'm burning up. I need a bucket of ice water to dump on my head before it's too late. Our sweat-dampened bodies stick to the furniture in this summertime Hell called Davis—one hundred ten degrees in the shade. The moisture accumulates on my upper lip, my temples, in the creases of my knees and elbows, running down my chest and collecting under each breast. My bra must be soaked, like someplace else that's soaked causing me sweet misery.

Molly sits in front of Charlie, wagging her tail and eyeing his strip of bacon. Charlie pats his bare knee, and Molly wiggles closer.

She begs; better than me. Charlie places the slice of oily, crisp bacon between his lips and teeth; gets on his hands and knees and faces Molly.

We can only lose and our love become a funeral pyre. Molly licks the bacon from Charlie's mouth and gently shares it's saltiness with her master. I want to cry.

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

She continues to lick his lips, mouth, and teeth. Sidewalk crouches at HIS feet like a dog that begs for something sweet. Charlie makes kissing noises and croons for a dog. I watch, and my stomach drops to my knees. Someone has placed a brick in my gut and has tightened a rope around my throat. Somebody please find an iceberg to place on my head. I've never been so jealous of a dog in my life. I've never wanted to be a dog so badly, a Golden Retriever, Molly. This is the end. God set me up. God's joke, Cupid's joke. I've loved him for years, and I thought he loved me too.

We were like Siamese twins. We still are, inseparable. You'd think I would have known. I should have known: But that's exactly why I fell in love with him. I lick my fingers and turn a page and reach for another slice of apple. My legs stick to the couch as I shift and reach.

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There's a knock on the door and Molly follows Charlie as he gets up to answer it. His name is Charlie, but I'd swear he's Jim. Hello, I love you. Let me jump in your game. In school, we were best friends. We could touch, we could laugh, we could pass the time doing absolutely nothing. And when we discovered sex in junior high, we even kissed; behind the gym, waiting for the bus; my love, my first love, my door to everything.

Senior year he changed. He started wearing make-up, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. He started wearing kilts. He looked so pretty, I should have known. He was the tiger that disappeared, the rabbit in the hat. He was the ace up my sleeve. I've never been good at figuring out magic tricks. When I asked if he was going to the Sadie Hawkin's dance, Heather laughed at me.

You can't predict where life will take you, where love will take you. Charlie protected me from junior high monsters: They said I had big eyes, cow eyes.

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