The Path: A New Look at Reality

by Richard Matheson

Book Overview

A work of inspirational fiction, this story describes one man's encounter with a mysterious stranger, who imparts ten lessons about the true reality of the soul. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312870574
• ISBN13: 9780312870577
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Meeting Conscience and the Companion on the Path

In his introduction the author tells of the hundreds of metaphysical books that he has read in his life and how he has indirectly interwoven the ideas that he obtained from them in much of his work. In this book he finally had a chance to express the best of these ideas directly in a classic question and answer format. Some will condemn him for not adding anything original here- of just recycling another's ideas. When it comes to true metaphysics and the perennial philosophy no one adds anything "original", you merely rediscover and represent what has always been, and will always be, to a new audience. When it comes right down to it that also describes Harold W. Percival's actions when he wrote THINKING AND DESTINY. Some will also disparage the slim size of this little volume. I see this as one of its greatest attributes. In metaphysics, as in science, if you cannot condense the major ideas down to a relatively few readily understandable paragraphs then you are probably propagating humbug. This book is slim, but its ideas are elegantly coherent and satisfying. The main points are even repeated halfway through for review and retention. What are these elegant ideas? Both Matheson and Percival express them better than I ever could. They boil down to personal responsibility for yourself, your community, your nation, and your cosmos. Our actions and our thoughts have consequences that will and must be answered for. There is justice. There will come balance. We may not recognize it but in this life, the hereafter, or the next incarnation, but it will definitely come to pass.

Makes you think of how you live your life

Ive read a lot of Mathesons book, and I really did enjoy this one. It is a very short book, but you take soo much out of it.Its almost more of an esay about politics, life, spirituality and everything in between, but its written as almost just a plain old conversation between two people.Great book, more provoking than story.

A Book for all Beliefs

No matter what your religious or spiritual belief system is based on, as long as you have an open mind and a willingness to consider new thoughts, you will enjoy this book. I just happened to see it on a bookshelf and the words on the front convinced me to buy it. It took me a few days to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. You can look at this book as a textbook for spirituality, or simply as something to ruminate about later. It is easy to read, and focuses on the life of a soul. The author sets the story in novel format and explains his ideas (or those he has collected) from the point of a very confused man who meets an interesting stranger on his daily jogs through the woods near his home. As the story progresses, and he talks to the stranger more, he learns more and more about life and what is important, as well as what is to come. The man is hesitant at first about believing the stranger's ideas, but the more he talks with him, the more he looks forward to the next day and his next "lesson." You too will look forward to the next lesson and as you are reading you will discover that you are exercising your mind as well as your busy page-turning fingers.Take it for what you will. Just take it, read it, and enjoy it on any level you choose!

The book can be read daily as a guide to life.

The Path was given to me as a gift, and that it truly was. The book is a dedication to Percival's "Thinking and Destiny," but is written in a concise, clear and engaging manner. The author addresses the questions we ask ourselves on a daily basis: What is the purpose of life? How do I achieve my destiny? How do I come to accept the inadequacies of the human being? The book encompasses Mr. Matheson's thoughts and views on metaphysics in a simple way. I recommend the book for anyone who enjoys discussion of metaphysics, spirituality and humanity.

I loved this book!

I picked up this book because I saw that it was the same author as What Dreams May Come and I was NOT dissapointed. I really enjoyed the fact that the book was easy reading (unlike alot of others of this type) and that it covered some deep material. I don't know if all of it is true, but it makes me believe in Heaven more than ever before. It paints a more realistic view of what happens after our body dies. I will look for this author more often.