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The Announcement
"""You drive down a road for the hundredth time and notice a house you've never noticed before. You look at a picture and never saw that green spot before. You pick veggies or fruit and think you've cleared the area, then go back and see all the ones you missed. It's all in your point of view. There's a new perspective, a different angle - and you see things differently. And that's where The Announcement comes in. It provides that different point of view, that new perspective, that different angle, and does so with a purpose, It's for anyone who would like to see the world be a better place, but will challenge your ideas of what ""better"" is. And when you're done, and have had a chance to absorb The Announcement, think of others who would hate this book. Then give it to them and cajole, bribe, beg or whatever you have to do to get them to read it, because they are the ones who desperately need it.""
Bill Sturk, artist and musician"
Bill Sturk, artist and musician"
484 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2014
5 people are currently reading
2466 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 25, 2015
I don't really understand why anyone would buy a book such as this. The aim, ostensibly, is for people to be able to look at the world in a more enlightened way and therefore to live a better life. What happens before you get there is that to have to accept your own inadequacies before being led, by the hand, along the yellow brick road of redemption.
To start with the title. Gajda is not quite a shrinking violet here. What's inside this biblical looking, large black book is as important as anything written in the past, so the title would indicate. However, it's no more than a rehash and reiteration of what has gone before. At least the Bible has some interesting stories, clutched from the sky by different fantasists a couple of thousand years ago. This book has all the boring stuff but none of the 'fun' – murder, incest, war, fairy tales, mythology, plagiarism, and the like.
The style is incredibly hectoring. I don't think I've seen (or attempted to read) a book which assaults the reader with so many questions. Presumably this is all done to try to convince the reader that s/he is arriving at the conclusions by themselves. But it's merely manipulation.
From the beginning the reader is made to feel as if they are a failure because they may not be adapting to the difficulties of modern life in the way they would wish. Gajda brings in hundreds of names from history and literature, hundreds of examples of where there have been injustices but without a shred of analysis. And the over use of Wikipedia and other not necessarily reliable sites on the internet doesn't inspire too much confidence.
Each chapter covers so many aspects of whatever aspect he has chosen to write about that all that is produced is confusion. You get no idea about what he actually believes – apart, that is, from his own superiority over the rest of us mere mortals.
He also seeks to answer the most minute question, again with his style trying to convince yourself that you had already arrived at his answers before but didn't realise it. Why do these fundamentalist books try to control the whole spectrum of issues rather than allow people to develop a morality of their own and then through intelligent study and analysis arrive at their own conclusions that fit into that morality?
I found this book an incredible unpleasant read. I will be wary of putting my name down for similar in the future.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
To start with the title. Gajda is not quite a shrinking violet here. What's inside this biblical looking, large black book is as important as anything written in the past, so the title would indicate. However, it's no more than a rehash and reiteration of what has gone before. At least the Bible has some interesting stories, clutched from the sky by different fantasists a couple of thousand years ago. This book has all the boring stuff but none of the 'fun' – murder, incest, war, fairy tales, mythology, plagiarism, and the like.
The style is incredibly hectoring. I don't think I've seen (or attempted to read) a book which assaults the reader with so many questions. Presumably this is all done to try to convince the reader that s/he is arriving at the conclusions by themselves. But it's merely manipulation.
From the beginning the reader is made to feel as if they are a failure because they may not be adapting to the difficulties of modern life in the way they would wish. Gajda brings in hundreds of names from history and literature, hundreds of examples of where there have been injustices but without a shred of analysis. And the over use of Wikipedia and other not necessarily reliable sites on the internet doesn't inspire too much confidence.
Each chapter covers so many aspects of whatever aspect he has chosen to write about that all that is produced is confusion. You get no idea about what he actually believes – apart, that is, from his own superiority over the rest of us mere mortals.
He also seeks to answer the most minute question, again with his style trying to convince yourself that you had already arrived at his answers before but didn't realise it. Why do these fundamentalist books try to control the whole spectrum of issues rather than allow people to develop a morality of their own and then through intelligent study and analysis arrive at their own conclusions that fit into that morality?
I found this book an incredible unpleasant read. I will be wary of putting my name down for similar in the future.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
December 21, 2015
Normally, I wouldn't write a review of a book that I stopped reading by p.40 (of a 500 page book) but, having won The Announcement by Michael Gajda as a Goodreads giveaway, I feel obliged to do so.
The book is written in second person so we are being talked to by somebody who appears to be knowledgeable about something. Though not sure, I assume I am in a large auditorium with a bunch of other people who, like me, are not as smart as the speaker.
On the second page, "But try to realize something first, right from the outset ... if you can get your compulsive brain traffic out of the way."
Well thanks for the insult.
A few lines later, "Is this making any sense at all yet?"
Well no.
And then about 10 pages later after similar lecturing,
"WAKE UP! And please ... do pardon our sudden interruption. But we did notice that some of you were beginning to fade back into complacent suspension - again."
Well yes. I was just getting a little tired of being yelled at about something you are taking forever to get around to.
One of the other reviewers suggested that it might be better to just pick up the book and read a chapter randomly as there is no particular storyline to follow. I did that and it didn't help.
Anyway, I definitely will not follow the suggestion on the back cover which suggests that we
"think of others who would hate this book. Then give it to them. And cajole, bribe, beg, or whatever you have to do to get them to read it, because they are the ones who desperately need it."
I am all for looking at things in a different way (which is supposedly the purpose of the book) but if I am turned off by the tone of the presenter then I am heading elsewhere.
The book is written in second person so we are being talked to by somebody who appears to be knowledgeable about something. Though not sure, I assume I am in a large auditorium with a bunch of other people who, like me, are not as smart as the speaker.
On the second page, "But try to realize something first, right from the outset ... if you can get your compulsive brain traffic out of the way."
Well thanks for the insult.
A few lines later, "Is this making any sense at all yet?"
Well no.
And then about 10 pages later after similar lecturing,
"WAKE UP! And please ... do pardon our sudden interruption. But we did notice that some of you were beginning to fade back into complacent suspension - again."
Well yes. I was just getting a little tired of being yelled at about something you are taking forever to get around to.
One of the other reviewers suggested that it might be better to just pick up the book and read a chapter randomly as there is no particular storyline to follow. I did that and it didn't help.
Anyway, I definitely will not follow the suggestion on the back cover which suggests that we
"think of others who would hate this book. Then give it to them. And cajole, bribe, beg, or whatever you have to do to get them to read it, because they are the ones who desperately need it."
I am all for looking at things in a different way (which is supposedly the purpose of the book) but if I am turned off by the tone of the presenter then I am heading elsewhere.
March 19, 2015
I was one of the lucky winners to win 'The Announcement' on the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
This book was totally different to anything that I have read in the past and made a welcome change. I must admit that I was not sure whether I was going to enjoy this book, but once I had passed a few chapters, I was hooked. Recommended.
This book was totally different to anything that I have read in the past and made a welcome change. I must admit that I was not sure whether I was going to enjoy this book, but once I had passed a few chapters, I was hooked. Recommended.
May 29, 2015
I do not know what to think about this book. The Announcement purports to be a book to be taken seriously but the extensive use of Wikipedia as a reference is not conducive to this end.
Although I understand the author's thinking and found quite a bit of it admirable, the repetition and the feeling I was being lectured did not sit well with me.
First Reads winner.
Although I understand the author's thinking and found quite a bit of it admirable, the repetition and the feeling I was being lectured did not sit well with me.
First Reads winner.
December 26, 2015
Received a copy of The Announcement by Michael J. Gajda through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review
A history of prophets and truth tellers who were publicly persecuted, poisoned, imprisoned, or executed for what was the greater good. They only became saints after their death and after many generations had passed. Categorized as unpatriotic traitors, or blasphemers at their present time, they became celebrated for having the fortitude and becoming their true-self's. The unbelievable revelation was what fear can do to people of power and what sacrifice can do for future generations and the world as a whole. The sad thing is how these punishments have promoted a feeling of subservience and have depressed the idea of changing the world around you.
The book is loaded with quotes from the world's most historic thinkers and doers, it also provides many statistics and case studies to help assist in making the author's points. The book in itself is narrated by a spokesperson from several generations past. Providing a voice of reason for longevity in a world that's headed for disaster if things are not cleaned up. The narrator documents fundamental principles for the health and welfare of future generations by curing ingrained tribal machinations, encouraging the reader to be a difference maker while saving one's self in the process.
The point of the book is to take the current good version of you, flawed decision-making and all, and make you whole but not complete, because complete would mean stagnation. It is to take your own independent tribal conventions via thoughts, behaviour and speech, make you aware of them so you become your truest self and say bye bye to your other self. Sound convoluted, well, for the most part it is. But, there are some good points. For one he makes you wonder what could've been when it comes to Adolph Hitler if his heart and motivation were in the right place. But it can also go the other way by going through life acquiring faces and personas like their going out of style. Positive minded people have distracted themselves from knowing who they really are by hiding and refraining from facing reality and becoming prone to self-pity, and adopting a woe is me self-loathing attitude. An attitude that only limits you from making an impact on the big world that's around and waiting for you. This is a book that is a wake-up call to end divisiveness, break away from tribal factions, bring you back to your true self through a subversive reawakening. Bring back your childlike inquisitive state, unlearn what you already know, break out of routine, free your mind, take off your mask, and slow dance in grocery stores.
Anti-war, tribal worship of town, country, political lean, and colours has led to the loss of innocence through distraction of true concern. A book that promotes compassion and feeling in order to comprehend how life events can effect others through various tribal forces. Use nonviolence to transform and transcend opinions with no winners and losers unlike our fellow citizens preferred method of instigation and containment today. Understanding this philosophy will allow you to vicariously live through tragedies, help you become your better self, and extradite you from your tribe. Obtaining a better grasp of cause and effect that goes beyond what personally troubles you will benefit you in the long term even if it hurts in the short term.
The Announcement by Michael C. Gajda doesn't simply encourage you to look at the world with a different perspective or perspectives, it's claim is that it is that perspective. The author says a lot of things that as a reader you already know, but what he does is put in one book. A book where you can pick it up, open to a chapter and act as a reminder to an ideal or mentality that should be used as a practice for the day in order to sustain for a lifetime. We all know how important it is to open your eyes to truth without the feeling of being hoodwinked into believing something that surely doesn't exist. The idea of trying to capture what can't be caught is a short way to ending your pursuit of the impossible.
The most interesting piece of information that I may or may not agree with was how the inner voice or the eternal presence is the greatest religious facade and is the one that will require the most time and patience to subdue. Patiently observe the thoughts and feelings you have each day, use your power to discern information, and be ready to accept change and go on with grace while still knowing how exceptional your you really is.
Manipulated by a tribe by being seduced, tricked, oblivious to their true agenda whether it is religion, country, New England Patriots, or reality television shows; the idea is take control of your own thoughts. You should have seen the look on my mom's face when I suggested to her that the television reality show The Voice was predetermined, you would've thought I told her there was no Santa Claus. I really enjoyed when the author involved real stories to emphasize his point rather than long-winded diatribes which only lessened it's impact. I also didn't appreciate the condescension in his style of narrative and how he ended each chapter suggesting that he doubts the reader even comprehends what he's trying to say or is even capable of doing so. This book won't be for everyone so do your due diligence before making the purchase and taking the plunge.
A history of prophets and truth tellers who were publicly persecuted, poisoned, imprisoned, or executed for what was the greater good. They only became saints after their death and after many generations had passed. Categorized as unpatriotic traitors, or blasphemers at their present time, they became celebrated for having the fortitude and becoming their true-self's. The unbelievable revelation was what fear can do to people of power and what sacrifice can do for future generations and the world as a whole. The sad thing is how these punishments have promoted a feeling of subservience and have depressed the idea of changing the world around you.
The book is loaded with quotes from the world's most historic thinkers and doers, it also provides many statistics and case studies to help assist in making the author's points. The book in itself is narrated by a spokesperson from several generations past. Providing a voice of reason for longevity in a world that's headed for disaster if things are not cleaned up. The narrator documents fundamental principles for the health and welfare of future generations by curing ingrained tribal machinations, encouraging the reader to be a difference maker while saving one's self in the process.
"Your group identifications, your flags, and your altar cloths have become security blankets and idols of worship in themselves - to kill, to torture, and to lie for. No one group has ever been able to honestly and completely escape that pattern of self-fragmentation (and the accompanying self-denial).
But a sprinkling of courageous wisdom figures have. Haven't they?"
The point of the book is to take the current good version of you, flawed decision-making and all, and make you whole but not complete, because complete would mean stagnation. It is to take your own independent tribal conventions via thoughts, behaviour and speech, make you aware of them so you become your truest self and say bye bye to your other self. Sound convoluted, well, for the most part it is. But, there are some good points. For one he makes you wonder what could've been when it comes to Adolph Hitler if his heart and motivation were in the right place. But it can also go the other way by going through life acquiring faces and personas like their going out of style. Positive minded people have distracted themselves from knowing who they really are by hiding and refraining from facing reality and becoming prone to self-pity, and adopting a woe is me self-loathing attitude. An attitude that only limits you from making an impact on the big world that's around and waiting for you. This is a book that is a wake-up call to end divisiveness, break away from tribal factions, bring you back to your true self through a subversive reawakening. Bring back your childlike inquisitive state, unlearn what you already know, break out of routine, free your mind, take off your mask, and slow dance in grocery stores.
Anti-war, tribal worship of town, country, political lean, and colours has led to the loss of innocence through distraction of true concern. A book that promotes compassion and feeling in order to comprehend how life events can effect others through various tribal forces. Use nonviolence to transform and transcend opinions with no winners and losers unlike our fellow citizens preferred method of instigation and containment today. Understanding this philosophy will allow you to vicariously live through tragedies, help you become your better self, and extradite you from your tribe. Obtaining a better grasp of cause and effect that goes beyond what personally troubles you will benefit you in the long term even if it hurts in the short term.
"Every contour of human violence is shaped and driven by the spread of untransformed fear, pain, and anger (at some level); by some form and degree of capitulation to the tribal only-mind; by an unenlightened and even clueless allegiance along with a reinforcing collective amnesia, much of it simply surrendered up to the overly contained conventional thinking of the disjointed tribe...and by an incestuous, self-adulating, and artificial sense of tribal superiority."
The Announcement by Michael C. Gajda doesn't simply encourage you to look at the world with a different perspective or perspectives, it's claim is that it is that perspective. The author says a lot of things that as a reader you already know, but what he does is put in one book. A book where you can pick it up, open to a chapter and act as a reminder to an ideal or mentality that should be used as a practice for the day in order to sustain for a lifetime. We all know how important it is to open your eyes to truth without the feeling of being hoodwinked into believing something that surely doesn't exist. The idea of trying to capture what can't be caught is a short way to ending your pursuit of the impossible.
The most interesting piece of information that I may or may not agree with was how the inner voice or the eternal presence is the greatest religious facade and is the one that will require the most time and patience to subdue. Patiently observe the thoughts and feelings you have each day, use your power to discern information, and be ready to accept change and go on with grace while still knowing how exceptional your you really is.
"At the very root of most of your habituated opinions, perspectives, and related behaviors are the miscellaneous thoughts and emotions which assume majority control of your operational system, convincing you that they are really you and that you (in unwitting cahoots with them) are the actual causal agent who fashions your very own independent appraisals of what you choose to think, feel, and even desire.
It's a very effective trick."
Manipulated by a tribe by being seduced, tricked, oblivious to their true agenda whether it is religion, country, New England Patriots, or reality television shows; the idea is take control of your own thoughts. You should have seen the look on my mom's face when I suggested to her that the television reality show The Voice was predetermined, you would've thought I told her there was no Santa Claus. I really enjoyed when the author involved real stories to emphasize his point rather than long-winded diatribes which only lessened it's impact. I also didn't appreciate the condescension in his style of narrative and how he ended each chapter suggesting that he doubts the reader even comprehends what he's trying to say or is even capable of doing so. This book won't be for everyone so do your due diligence before making the purchase and taking the plunge.
"Heaven and he'll are always accessible from wherever and whenever you are. They're infinitely real. Neither is restricted by time not by mythological geography or even by life and death. There is no time and there is no place that either one of them cannot be accessed from or entered into. But you already know that. Because you've been there.",/blockquote>
Want to read
December 12, 2021Hey everyone.
I have an announcement regarding my participation in major events on goodreads and my role in the community.
As most of you may know, I was the leader of the former clan Goodreads Defence Agency which was terminated a few months ago due to an attack.
After the end to GDA, I retired from Goodreads unless the community was under attack.
I came back later due to SolarPug’s CYBER clan, probably most of you may remember that.
Then I became less and less active, mostly because of less kindle access and also me losing it later on.
Therefore I don’t know much about what has been happening recently and cannot really do much at the current moment in time.
So, I have began to go into GR retirement. I will be less active on the platform and will participate less in the ongoing RP story of Goodreads.
If the community is under attack and needs help, I’ll come back to help.
Could anybody tell me what has been happening here?
I have an announcement regarding my participation in major events on goodreads and my role in the community.
As most of you may know, I was the leader of the former clan Goodreads Defence Agency which was terminated a few months ago due to an attack.
After the end to GDA, I retired from Goodreads unless the community was under attack.
I came back later due to SolarPug’s CYBER clan, probably most of you may remember that.
Then I became less and less active, mostly because of less kindle access and also me losing it later on.
Therefore I don’t know much about what has been happening recently and cannot really do much at the current moment in time.
So, I have began to go into GR retirement. I will be less active on the platform and will participate less in the ongoing RP story of Goodreads.
If the community is under attack and needs help, I’ll come back to help.
Could anybody tell me what has been happening here?
September 13, 2019
I don't know why I bothered reading this book cover to cover but one thing you cannot say is I didn't try because I painfully fucking did.
I don't know if the way this book was structured was done purposely but what I can tell you is that from start to finish this "book" was chaotic and overwhelming. It wasn't overwhelming because I was bombarded with information because that wasn't the case. The reason why it felt overwhelming was because the writer was addressing me "the audience" with what seemed as pity and I felt like I was being talked down to as if I was too stupid to comprehend the political and social problems that are greatly affecting and influencing our society. I felt patronized and reading this horrid piece of trash felt so condescending.
For full book review: https://amandaweidensjo.blogspot.com/...
I don't know if the way this book was structured was done purposely but what I can tell you is that from start to finish this "book" was chaotic and overwhelming. It wasn't overwhelming because I was bombarded with information because that wasn't the case. The reason why it felt overwhelming was because the writer was addressing me "the audience" with what seemed as pity and I felt like I was being talked down to as if I was too stupid to comprehend the political and social problems that are greatly affecting and influencing our society. I felt patronized and reading this horrid piece of trash felt so condescending.
For full book review: https://amandaweidensjo.blogspot.com/...
May 13, 2017
I have struggled with this book for a couple of weeks now but am unable to get past the feeling of being shouted out on every page. I have not finished this book.
May 17, 2017
This book was very well done. I enjoyed it very much.
Want to read
August 13, 2024Qur’an: Chapter 78, Verse 1-4 —
What are they questioning one another about? About an important announcement, which they are disagreeing over. However, they soon will know.
What are they questioning one another about? About an important announcement, which they are disagreeing over. However, they soon will know.
February 14, 2017
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This book did not resonate with me. I felt it to be very pretentious and preachy, with the main idea being that I am a mindless person who has been brainwashed by various “tribes”. In fairness, I want to acknowledge that I gleamed that people should be kind to one another and not judge people because society says to, which is a good message. However, reading and deciphering the message was quite difficult. The best way to describe this is to quote from a page in the book…
“Many of you have come to equate the impartial acknowledgement of any sign or symbol of accused otherness (however it leaks into you) as a symptom of weakening allegiance, as a suspicious crack in the concentrated jar of group stability, from which the conditioning of your materialistic imagination often leads you into recurring nightmares…filled with battalions of alien infiltrators sneaking into your privatized portions of the planet, though any mouse hole that you’ve failed to tightly plug shut with your terminal judgements or with your never-ending opinions, casting doubt upon the sworn allegiance of whoever it is that perpetrates even a hint of civility (or fairness) upon the so-called otherness.”
The entire book was written this way which made it very tiring to read. I think there is little middle ground in this book…either the reader will like it or they won’t. If you read the quoted paragraph and liked what you read and the way it was written, you will fall into the first category. I fall into the latter category. To that end, I am unable to recommend this book to others, though I am sure there are readers who may like it.
This book did not resonate with me. I felt it to be very pretentious and preachy, with the main idea being that I am a mindless person who has been brainwashed by various “tribes”. In fairness, I want to acknowledge that I gleamed that people should be kind to one another and not judge people because society says to, which is a good message. However, reading and deciphering the message was quite difficult. The best way to describe this is to quote from a page in the book…
“Many of you have come to equate the impartial acknowledgement of any sign or symbol of accused otherness (however it leaks into you) as a symptom of weakening allegiance, as a suspicious crack in the concentrated jar of group stability, from which the conditioning of your materialistic imagination often leads you into recurring nightmares…filled with battalions of alien infiltrators sneaking into your privatized portions of the planet, though any mouse hole that you’ve failed to tightly plug shut with your terminal judgements or with your never-ending opinions, casting doubt upon the sworn allegiance of whoever it is that perpetrates even a hint of civility (or fairness) upon the so-called otherness.”
The entire book was written this way which made it very tiring to read. I think there is little middle ground in this book…either the reader will like it or they won’t. If you read the quoted paragraph and liked what you read and the way it was written, you will fall into the first category. I fall into the latter category. To that end, I am unable to recommend this book to others, though I am sure there are readers who may like it.
June 22, 2016
I won The Announcement by Michael J. Gajda in a Goodreads give away, in exchange for my honest review. ....... I am not one to read these type of books but I was interested in seeing how it was anyways. I must honestly say I did not finish reading this book. It was difficult for me to read. I do not appreciate being told what to do and how to feel while trying to read a book. Such as telling me to be patient and keep my head up. I tried to wrap my head around how the author has written the book. But it just did not appeal to my type of book. I do however understand the way it was written to appeal to specific types of people fo I know a few people who would actually quite enjoy the book. I will pass this book along to one of them and metion that they could do a review as well. I would like to see what else Michael J. Gajda has to offer as an author though. I feel like he could write one heck of a good book. Maybe a thriller type with an obsessive main lead character. Any how. I want to thank GOODREADS and Michael for sending me this book to review and as I said I will pass this book along to one I believe will truly enjoy this read.
February 19, 2016
After struggling, and skimming most of the book, I really did not want to submit a review of The Announcement. I hate saying negative things about books I've read, or attempted to read. I didn't like it at all. I give it two stars for the ultimate message of the book. Maybe I have it wrong since I didn't read every line in it. I just couldn't do it. Don't you see? I couldn't stand the tone and the lecturing. Then the idea to"re-face" yourself: to see your crimes through someone else's eyes. Assuming we all have something to atone for. Yes, I believe we are all "indoctrinated" by our "tribe". As supposedly intelligent beings, we should be able to filter out the crap. Yes I think the world would be a better place without war and violence. Who wouldn't? No matter to which "tribe" you belong. I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
April 21, 2015
I think everyone should read this book.
Like literally, everyone, seriously, go, buy it.
All seven billion of you, go!
Everyone needs the wake-up call in this book, its incredible, its indelible, its undeniable.
This book drones on a bit, it repeats itself a lot, but its worth it, oh boy is it worth it.
There's just something special about this book and its message, it needs to be shared, needs to be discussed, to be passed on.
If you aren't effected, affected, afflicted and awoken by this book, you might want to see if you have a reflection in the mirror, because you're probably the walking dead.
Like literally, everyone, seriously, go, buy it.
All seven billion of you, go!
Everyone needs the wake-up call in this book, its incredible, its indelible, its undeniable.
This book drones on a bit, it repeats itself a lot, but its worth it, oh boy is it worth it.
There's just something special about this book and its message, it needs to be shared, needs to be discussed, to be passed on.
If you aren't effected, affected, afflicted and awoken by this book, you might want to see if you have a reflection in the mirror, because you're probably the walking dead.
April 11, 2016
Unfortunately, it took a lot for me to really get into this book. The back cover of this book made it sound somewhat interesting so I was all for reviewing it. I have to admit that once I got to the middle of the book it was easier to stay with it. After that point I truly understood the book a bit more. No matter what your religion or beliefs, this is a read for you. Once you finish, you will be left with many thoughts going through your head. Thank you Michael J. Gajda for an eye opening read that leaves you with ? above your head!!!
September 1, 2017
I received this as a free book through Goodreads First Reads.
Although I've not yet finished this book I am sort of enjoying so far. Its not something I would normally read and is set as if in an auditorium with someone giving a lecture. Some of it is quite thought provoking and is supposed to be encouraging you to look at life from a different angle therefore to hopefully live your life in a 'better' way.
I shall carry on with it although I shall read other things in between. I don't find it to be something to sit and read in a single sitting.
Although I've not yet finished this book I am sort of enjoying so far. Its not something I would normally read and is set as if in an auditorium with someone giving a lecture. Some of it is quite thought provoking and is supposed to be encouraging you to look at life from a different angle therefore to hopefully live your life in a 'better' way.
I shall carry on with it although I shall read other things in between. I don't find it to be something to sit and read in a single sitting.
July 14, 2015
it is an interesting book, bound to make the reader think about some of the paradoxes of today's world and you will find many ideas in it, some quite original. However, a big part of the book feels as stuff you have heard before, or thought before. It is lacking a story which would connect everything together. Maybe the best way to read it is to open a fresh chapter, and absorb a few pages. If you try to swallow in whole, you may get overcome by its content.
It should be taken slowly, like a glass of good wine.
It should be taken slowly, like a glass of good wine.
October 9, 2017
An interesting book filled with many quotes, statistics and case studies to illustrate the author's message(s). I found it useful to consider the multiple points of views, or perceptions, of events. Without these different ways to view life, one really doesn't fully comprehend events and can't fully grow.
Currently reading
March 9, 2016I just won this book in the goodreads giveaway and can't wait to read it!! I'll update my review once I have received and read it :D
Update: just received this book in the mail! I'll write my review once I have read it! :D
Update: just received this book in the mail! I'll write my review once I have read it! :D
July 4, 2015
This got a little boring for me. Sorry.
November 26, 2015
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
Read
December 21, 2018I'll post my updated review soon!
June 24, 2018
I won this book through Goodreads. Thought provoking and insightful. A new way to look at things.
September 25, 2017
The Announcement
Stumbing across Michael J. Gajda’s The Announcement, is like discovering the long-lost Nag Hammadi Coptic Gospel of Thomas, containing the oldest written version of the words of Jesus, or perhaps a new parchment of the Dead Sea Scrolls, or a channeled text from an archangel, like the Book of Mormon was for Joseph Smith and his followers. Only what you hear and learn is not from the distant past, but from the distant future, from the reality of your children’s children’s children. Both magnificent in its scope and initially inscruitable, such texts require close and repeated reading in order to bring to the surface of consciousness precious gems of great value and beauty, extracted from the vast, largely forgotten storehouse of the sacred traditions of the world.
Quoting Richard Rohr, “If we do not transmute our pain we will assuredly transmit it,” The Announcement calls us to “Come Alive!” To do so we must give up our compulsive need to be in control, to separate ourselves from others in order to preserve our uniqueness, our individuality. We are stuck in our tribal affiliations, in prisons of familiarity. “What we are looking for,” to quote St. Francis of Assisi, “is what is looking.” We have gradually forgotten who we actually are, forgetting, ignoring that which is always becoming.
It is our allegiance to a tribal majority that prevents our transcendence of the collective fear of the indivisible Self, but that fear can be the source of transformational courage that brings us face to face with the Compassionate Ones, from seven generations in our future, who allow us to transcend our fear of the other. We need experiences of letting go, of moving into the experience of the possible, and The Announcement is full of them. These experiences build mindfulness, the Witness, an ability to observe our fear, doubt and trapped, insular self, with compassion. Beginning with the laying out of how and why we stay blind and stuck in ignorance due to our allegiance to tribal consciousness. “The world of the tribal-only mind has simply forsaken and abandoned that which is real— for that which is not.”
The announcement is that “Tomorrow morning…you will all be fitted with a brand-new face.” But controlled by the tribal only-mind, we choose violence that separates us from accepting that transformative identity. This brand-new face is in contrast to the mask of self-censorship and self-deception in which we choose to remain imprisoned. We avoid intimacy with that which is always becoming, with that which would liberate us. We find the uncontainable grace of the ever-present self in deep, pervasive silence.
It is through the daily, moment to moment practice of detachment, differentiation and discernment that we move through empty-headed chatter and frivolous imagery to avoid both future heavens and hell and instead learn to abide in the eternal now. When we move from the television in our minds to the clarity of simply focusing on One, as an authentic form of self-inquiry, we move out of our self-imposed prison of words and into a spacious realm of non-violence. We have simply been denying our infinite capacity. A padlocked only-mind can never permit itself to expand. That which you seek is pure relationship. The indivisible Self can never be controlled.
There is in the end only the One Breath, which forever breathes through all of us, the One Perception which is always available…the One Savoring, which manifests itself in so many feelings, flavors, tones and contours. The partial reveals the whole because the whole is fully revealed in every expression of It-Self. We have to return to the source of all language, to that quiet Self, a Self of non-violence, satyahgraha.
The name and face of the Divine is revealed to you in every being you come into contact with —human or other than human. The uncontainable Self can never be controlled, nor can it ever be confined…it can only be denied. We clump together all that is beyond understanding with that which is not. When you move into dualities of black and white thinking, feeling and living, grey and doubt vanish, and with them instructive ambiguity, compassion, empathy and Self realization. We become trapped in the illusion of perfection.
The Announcement introduces us to the Art of Paying Attention, to Watchfulness and Wise Foolishness. Tying together ancient wisdom and current events through an encyclopedic variety of pertinent quotes, The Announcement shows us how truth is timeless and how we can make it come alive in the middle of the chaos of our world today.
As you read The Announcement you will be taking off your masks and finding your new face, rewearing only your own face and transcend the corrupting overidentification with tribal mind.
Stumbing across Michael J. Gajda’s The Announcement, is like discovering the long-lost Nag Hammadi Coptic Gospel of Thomas, containing the oldest written version of the words of Jesus, or perhaps a new parchment of the Dead Sea Scrolls, or a channeled text from an archangel, like the Book of Mormon was for Joseph Smith and his followers. Only what you hear and learn is not from the distant past, but from the distant future, from the reality of your children’s children’s children. Both magnificent in its scope and initially inscruitable, such texts require close and repeated reading in order to bring to the surface of consciousness precious gems of great value and beauty, extracted from the vast, largely forgotten storehouse of the sacred traditions of the world.
Quoting Richard Rohr, “If we do not transmute our pain we will assuredly transmit it,” The Announcement calls us to “Come Alive!” To do so we must give up our compulsive need to be in control, to separate ourselves from others in order to preserve our uniqueness, our individuality. We are stuck in our tribal affiliations, in prisons of familiarity. “What we are looking for,” to quote St. Francis of Assisi, “is what is looking.” We have gradually forgotten who we actually are, forgetting, ignoring that which is always becoming.
It is our allegiance to a tribal majority that prevents our transcendence of the collective fear of the indivisible Self, but that fear can be the source of transformational courage that brings us face to face with the Compassionate Ones, from seven generations in our future, who allow us to transcend our fear of the other. We need experiences of letting go, of moving into the experience of the possible, and The Announcement is full of them. These experiences build mindfulness, the Witness, an ability to observe our fear, doubt and trapped, insular self, with compassion. Beginning with the laying out of how and why we stay blind and stuck in ignorance due to our allegiance to tribal consciousness. “The world of the tribal-only mind has simply forsaken and abandoned that which is real— for that which is not.”
The announcement is that “Tomorrow morning…you will all be fitted with a brand-new face.” But controlled by the tribal only-mind, we choose violence that separates us from accepting that transformative identity. This brand-new face is in contrast to the mask of self-censorship and self-deception in which we choose to remain imprisoned. We avoid intimacy with that which is always becoming, with that which would liberate us. We find the uncontainable grace of the ever-present self in deep, pervasive silence.
It is through the daily, moment to moment practice of detachment, differentiation and discernment that we move through empty-headed chatter and frivolous imagery to avoid both future heavens and hell and instead learn to abide in the eternal now. When we move from the television in our minds to the clarity of simply focusing on One, as an authentic form of self-inquiry, we move out of our self-imposed prison of words and into a spacious realm of non-violence. We have simply been denying our infinite capacity. A padlocked only-mind can never permit itself to expand. That which you seek is pure relationship. The indivisible Self can never be controlled.
There is in the end only the One Breath, which forever breathes through all of us, the One Perception which is always available…the One Savoring, which manifests itself in so many feelings, flavors, tones and contours. The partial reveals the whole because the whole is fully revealed in every expression of It-Self. We have to return to the source of all language, to that quiet Self, a Self of non-violence, satyahgraha.
The name and face of the Divine is revealed to you in every being you come into contact with —human or other than human. The uncontainable Self can never be controlled, nor can it ever be confined…it can only be denied. We clump together all that is beyond understanding with that which is not. When you move into dualities of black and white thinking, feeling and living, grey and doubt vanish, and with them instructive ambiguity, compassion, empathy and Self realization. We become trapped in the illusion of perfection.
The Announcement introduces us to the Art of Paying Attention, to Watchfulness and Wise Foolishness. Tying together ancient wisdom and current events through an encyclopedic variety of pertinent quotes, The Announcement shows us how truth is timeless and how we can make it come alive in the middle of the chaos of our world today.
As you read The Announcement you will be taking off your masks and finding your new face, rewearing only your own face and transcend the corrupting overidentification with tribal mind.
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