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Falling into Grace: Insights on the End of Suffering
Adyashanti asks us to let go of our struggles with life and open to the full promise of spiritual the end of delusion and the discovery and expression of our essential being. After 15 years as a spiritual teacher, Adyashanti has found that the simpler the teaching, the greater its power to initiate this awakening.
On Falling into Grace, he shares what he considers fundamental insights to "open ourselves to that mysterious element that enters in the hidden and quiet moments and sparks a revolution in the way that we perceive life." Wherever you may be on your own spiritual path, you will find in these sessions down-to-earth guidance on breaking the trance of ego, experiencing the raw energy of emotion, cultivating inner stability, transcending the world of opposites, and more.
In the same way that we fall into the arms of a loved one or drop our heads on the pillow at night, we can surrender into the beauty and truth of who and what we really are. Falling into Grace is a program that gets to the core of why we suffer, and allows us to explore Adyashanti's invitation "to be taken by a moment of grace and fall into a sense of life when it is not separate from you, when life is actually an expression of something indefinable, mysterious, and immense."
The human dilemma - the concept of a separate self and the choice to stop believing the thoughts that perpetuate suffering “Taking the backward step” into the pure potential of the present moment Why spiritual awakening can be a disturbing process Intimacy and availability - feeling absolute union with every part of our experience True autonomy - the unique expression of our own sense of freedom
On Falling into Grace, he shares what he considers fundamental insights to "open ourselves to that mysterious element that enters in the hidden and quiet moments and sparks a revolution in the way that we perceive life." Wherever you may be on your own spiritual path, you will find in these sessions down-to-earth guidance on breaking the trance of ego, experiencing the raw energy of emotion, cultivating inner stability, transcending the world of opposites, and more.
In the same way that we fall into the arms of a loved one or drop our heads on the pillow at night, we can surrender into the beauty and truth of who and what we really are. Falling into Grace is a program that gets to the core of why we suffer, and allows us to explore Adyashanti's invitation "to be taken by a moment of grace and fall into a sense of life when it is not separate from you, when life is actually an expression of something indefinable, mysterious, and immense."
The human dilemma - the concept of a separate self and the choice to stop believing the thoughts that perpetuate suffering “Taking the backward step” into the pure potential of the present moment Why spiritual awakening can be a disturbing process Intimacy and availability - feeling absolute union with every part of our experience True autonomy - the unique expression of our own sense of freedom
Audible Audio
First published February 1, 2011
415 people are currently reading
3559 people want to read
About the author
Adyashanti
133 books573 followersAdyashanti is an American spiritual teacher from the San Francisco Bay Area who gives regular satsangs in the United States and also teaches abroad. He is the author of several books, CDs and DVDs and is the founder of Open Gate Sangha, Inc. a nonprofit organization that supports, and makes available, his teachings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
March 23, 2018
"The peace and happiness can arise when we profoundly let go, when we really decide to stop struggling," says Adyashanti in this book.
Truly speaking, this book has changed my life. It came to me at a time when I most needed it, and that too as a gift. Adya writes about suffering, and enumerates its causes -- one of them being this constant struggle we have with WHAT IS. He says that the moment we stop struggling with WHAT IS, our life changes. Its all about tuning into THIS MOMENT and what it offers. I am trying to apply Adya's teachings in my life. In fact, I have even started wordless meditation. No thoughts at all. The silence feels peaceful. It has made me touch base with my inner being and trust the higher guidance. This is one of my most favourite books and I would recommend it to all my GR friends.
Truly speaking, this book has changed my life. It came to me at a time when I most needed it, and that too as a gift. Adya writes about suffering, and enumerates its causes -- one of them being this constant struggle we have with WHAT IS. He says that the moment we stop struggling with WHAT IS, our life changes. Its all about tuning into THIS MOMENT and what it offers. I am trying to apply Adya's teachings in my life. In fact, I have even started wordless meditation. No thoughts at all. The silence feels peaceful. It has made me touch base with my inner being and trust the higher guidance. This is one of my most favourite books and I would recommend it to all my GR friends.
August 27, 2018
When you are on the path of understanding yourself and the Universe, you need books like these. You need books that you may not understand fully. You need books like these that make you think before you realize that you shouldn’t be thinking at all, but moving into the realm of being and feeling.
You need books that make you realize the vast unknown boundaries of Life. You need books like these that make you question the questions and answer the answers. You need books where you learn that pain is a consequence of life but suffering is an option. You need books where you can take a deeper breath during your meditation and find in the breathing the openness that you knew you had all along. You need books like these that point to the space within you and the cramped room in our mind.
Sometimes, you just fall into graceful books.
You need books that make you realize the vast unknown boundaries of Life. You need books like these that make you question the questions and answer the answers. You need books where you learn that pain is a consequence of life but suffering is an option. You need books where you can take a deeper breath during your meditation and find in the breathing the openness that you knew you had all along. You need books like these that point to the space within you and the cramped room in our mind.
Sometimes, you just fall into graceful books.
May 1, 2012
I love the way *Adyashanti* writes.
My personal 'favorite' book by *Adya*, >> (the nickname that the local community calls him), is 'emptiness dancing". I re-read it many times!!! Its a VERY VERY beautiful book!!!
His writing is soooooooooooooo lovely!!!
My personal 'favorite' book by *Adya*, >> (the nickname that the local community calls him), is 'emptiness dancing". I re-read it many times!!! Its a VERY VERY beautiful book!!!
His writing is soooooooooooooo lovely!!!
January 10, 2011
I'd say this is a good one to start with if you haven't read or listened to much of Adya's teachings before. (Not as great as Emptiness Dancing, but still good!) It's a beautiful book; full of relevant and clear pointers, all expressed in Adya's familiar, compassionate and heartful style.
However, for me personally it's not really plunging deep enough into the aspects I would have like it too... After reading his previous book The End of Your World - which truly touched and illuminated my heart in more ways that I could possibly say - I realise I was hoping for this book to penetrate even further in the same directions... but instead it's got a different, more general feel to it... seemingly speaking to a wider audience. I'm still enjoying it, just not in the same deep and intimate way I enjoyed some of his earlier ones.
However, for me personally it's not really plunging deep enough into the aspects I would have like it too... After reading his previous book The End of Your World - which truly touched and illuminated my heart in more ways that I could possibly say - I realise I was hoping for this book to penetrate even further in the same directions... but instead it's got a different, more general feel to it... seemingly speaking to a wider audience. I'm still enjoying it, just not in the same deep and intimate way I enjoyed some of his earlier ones.
December 5, 2018
This book helped me through the death of my 11 year old golden retriever. Not more than a week after I began, she passed away. What this book allowed me to see was that my fear of the pain I thought I would feel when it was time to say goodbye was actually more painful than the actual goodbye. With the aid of this book I was able to see that one moment she was here and the next she wasn’t. But each moment was its own. And only in the actual moment of saying goodbye was I in pain. Everything else after (and before) was just the memory of pain or the anticipation of it.
I have wanted to read this book for a while. Years, in fact. I think I picked it up at just the right time. Love how that works....
I have wanted to read this book for a while. Years, in fact. I think I picked it up at just the right time. Love how that works....
December 22, 2020
Not sure if I'll ever find a more soothing audiobook to listen to before falling asleep. One could even argue that Adya's teachings are best suited to speak to a disarmed consciousness in slumber, rather than a fully awake and energized one
August 31, 2021
Well, I would call 2020 and 2021 the start of my journey into awakening. The books I came across (somehow randomly) drew the path for me. The things I felt and experienced can't be expressed through words and it wouldn't be fair to do so. Now, my favorite parts of the book:
"To be born as a human, to take this particular form, is to be challenged. Even for the awakened ones, life is not always smooth. As I like to remind people, even when enlightenment comes, even when you realize the innate and natural freedom of being, it doesn't get you a pass on life. It doesn't mean you're never going to go through anything difficult. Quite the opposite. The more awake we become, often the more capable we are of having life hand us bigger and bigger situations as our capacity to accept and embody our spiritual essence grows."
"When we come to see that words aren’t the truth, that what people say about us tells us about them, not us, we don’t worry so much about what someone might say about us. And when you say something about someone else, you can actually see that in most cases you’re revealing more about yourself than about the other, revealing your projections and your ideas."
"To be born as a human, to take this particular form, is to be challenged. Even for the awakened ones, life is not always smooth. As I like to remind people, even when enlightenment comes, even when you realize the innate and natural freedom of being, it doesn't get you a pass on life. It doesn't mean you're never going to go through anything difficult. Quite the opposite. The more awake we become, often the more capable we are of having life hand us bigger and bigger situations as our capacity to accept and embody our spiritual essence grows."
"When we come to see that words aren’t the truth, that what people say about us tells us about them, not us, we don’t worry so much about what someone might say about us. And when you say something about someone else, you can actually see that in most cases you’re revealing more about yourself than about the other, revealing your projections and your ideas."
September 19, 2021
Csodás példája ez a könyv annak, hogy hogyan lehet ugyanazt az 5 gondolatot majdnem egy egész könyvön keresztül ügyesen ismételgetni :D A kötet utolsó 1/4-ében voltak csak számomra új gondolatok, amikre felkaptam a fejemet. Azokért érdemes volt elolvasni.
Kegyelem alatt azt érti, amikor elengedjük minden görcsünket és ragaszkodásunkat, megadjuk magunkat és megértjük, hogy mi a valóság és hogy nem érdemes, nem is lehet ellenkezni vele. Jobb ha nyitott szívvel és szellemmel felülünk az Élet nevű vonatra: vigyen, ahová és úgy, ahogy akar. Ekkor lesz vége a szenvedésünknek.
Mindig éreztem, hogy a kereszténység Bibliája semmiben nem mond ellent a buddhista tanoknak, csak más nyelven fogalmaz. Ennek a kötetnek a végén is van néhány gondolat Jézusról, ami ezt megerősíti.
Kegyelem alatt azt érti, amikor elengedjük minden görcsünket és ragaszkodásunkat, megadjuk magunkat és megértjük, hogy mi a valóság és hogy nem érdemes, nem is lehet ellenkezni vele. Jobb ha nyitott szívvel és szellemmel felülünk az Élet nevű vonatra: vigyen, ahová és úgy, ahogy akar. Ekkor lesz vége a szenvedésünknek.
Mindig éreztem, hogy a kereszténység Bibliája semmiben nem mond ellent a buddhista tanoknak, csak más nyelven fogalmaz. Ennek a kötetnek a végén is van néhány gondolat Jézusról, ami ezt megerősíti.
July 20, 2023
I honestly skimmed most of it because I already know a lot about spirituality. Read this only if you’re a beginner!
March 18, 2021
Tämä kirja liikutti minua. Yleensä luen kirjat melko suorittavalla mentaliteetilla pyrkien maksimoimaan saatavan hyödyn suhteessa ajankäyttöön. Tämä kirja oli poikkeus. Kirjan tiiviydestä ja käsiteltävien aiheiden näennäisestä yksinkertaisuudesta huolimatta lukeminen kesti yli 3kk pelkästään siksi, että tuli useita pysähtymisen paikkoja ja oivalluksia, jotka pisti liikkeelle aitoa muutosta. Tätä kirjaa en halunnut ”suorittaa”, vaan se kutsui olemaan läsnä ja katsomaan asioita tarkemmin. Suosittelen niille jotka tykkäävät hämmentää itseään ja ihmetellä elämää ja olemista.
November 11, 2017
I listened to the audio version of this book before reading the actual text. Adyashanti speaks freely from a profound depth that resonates with his every word.
He covers a vast range of perspectives that all point to the same awakening. As with many of his talks, though he repeats himself often, I would find it challenging to outline his points and quote what he said.
This is to say that the experience of reading the book transcends the content itself. One is immediately transported to the living of it rather than the theory of freedom, his words constitute the path/technique/meditation in the moment.
He manages to make clear and simple what cannot be made clear and simple. Moving through words to that which cannot be described with words.
I experienced FALLING INTO GRACE as a meditation in and of itself.
I recommend this book to readers with an open heart, whether they’re on a spiritual path or not.
He covers a vast range of perspectives that all point to the same awakening. As with many of his talks, though he repeats himself often, I would find it challenging to outline his points and quote what he said.
This is to say that the experience of reading the book transcends the content itself. One is immediately transported to the living of it rather than the theory of freedom, his words constitute the path/technique/meditation in the moment.
He manages to make clear and simple what cannot be made clear and simple. Moving through words to that which cannot be described with words.
I experienced FALLING INTO GRACE as a meditation in and of itself.
I recommend this book to readers with an open heart, whether they’re on a spiritual path or not.
August 25, 2021
Have you ever come across a book so powerful it made you change a good 90% of your past-read ratings because it set such a high standard? Well, Falling Into Grace did that for me. I did not expect this to be as mind blowing as it is.
Adyashanti gets to the core of why we suffer and what it means to be truly awake every moment of our lives. There’s so much magic in this book, I feel it deserves a short review so the words can speak for themselves.
Adyashanti gets to the core of why we suffer and what it means to be truly awake every moment of our lives. There’s so much magic in this book, I feel it deserves a short review so the words can speak for themselves.
May 23, 2017
Like this book and the auther, i like how he illustrate his journy in spirituality. It is inspiring. Have very usefull insights.Enjoy it really. ❤
April 4, 2025
This went along nicely with other things I've read.
April 17, 2023
This is a beautiful book.
November 9, 2025
Prachtig ♡ Ik heb het langzaam gelezen en het zal ook nog lang doorwerken verwacht ik.
Het is een boek over dezelfde thematiek als ‘de kracht van het nu’ maar met net weer andere invalshoeken.
Het is een boek over dezelfde thematiek als ‘de kracht van het nu’ maar met net weer andere invalshoeken.
March 6, 2018
One of my favorites, I have read several times including reading to my husband . . . more on true freedom and getting out of suffering . . .
June 10, 2019
Great Adyashanti!
This book is a great read for the curious mind. The one who seeks answers going beyond the obvious and self created beliefs. Adya explains simply and brings to life difficult concepts using powerful examples and experiences.
This book is a great read for the curious mind. The one who seeks answers going beyond the obvious and self created beliefs. Adya explains simply and brings to life difficult concepts using powerful examples and experiences.
September 4, 2014
I love Adyashanti.
His teachings, his persona, his words, his voice, his presence, his caring and loving nature, his peace, his humor, his downtoearth-ness, his smile, his grace.
He may not always be all of this, but that is how I know him. From the YouTube videos and the satsang I was lucky enough to attend, here, in Copenhagen where I live.
This was my first book with Adya.
And I've got to admit: I prefer him live. Or as close to it.
I missed his voice, his laugh, and the way he speaks his words that goes right to the core of me and that I carry with me, as reminders.
Much of what was said in this book I've already discovered for myself, so I didn't have many revelations. The brick wall image stuck with me. But there are some of the YouTube videos and the satsang that has had more piercing impact on me.
Nevertheless, Adya is a teacher whose words and wisdom and presence reach me, deeply and profoundly, just by being close to them, I'm reminded of all this, that lies in me, in the universe. And that makes me better able embrace Life and What is.
And that is a gift for which I'm grateful.
His teachings, his persona, his words, his voice, his presence, his caring and loving nature, his peace, his humor, his downtoearth-ness, his smile, his grace.
He may not always be all of this, but that is how I know him. From the YouTube videos and the satsang I was lucky enough to attend, here, in Copenhagen where I live.
This was my first book with Adya.
And I've got to admit: I prefer him live. Or as close to it.
I missed his voice, his laugh, and the way he speaks his words that goes right to the core of me and that I carry with me, as reminders.
Much of what was said in this book I've already discovered for myself, so I didn't have many revelations. The brick wall image stuck with me. But there are some of the YouTube videos and the satsang that has had more piercing impact on me.
Nevertheless, Adya is a teacher whose words and wisdom and presence reach me, deeply and profoundly, just by being close to them, I'm reminded of all this, that lies in me, in the universe. And that makes me better able embrace Life and What is.
And that is a gift for which I'm grateful.
October 2, 2012
Falling into Grace --- one of the best books I've ever read to date. While every page is deeply insightful, there's a section as well about transmutation; about welcoming reactions when you have a reaction. I loved realizing that you can't get rid of something like fear or anger for example. Everything is one. But you can transmute it. And to "do" that you're not really doing anything but surrendering to what is, and then whatever reaction is present naturally transmutes itself to its higher essence in its own time. Falling into Grace supports me in my practice of awakening, presence and surrendering. To me, it's not a "read once" type of book, but a great wealth of awakening energy on each page.
Blessings,
Susan Nancy Wight
Blessings,
Susan Nancy Wight
March 20, 2015
I heard Adyashanti on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday and ordered his book immediately. As a spiritual teacher, he encourages us to let go of our struggles a be open to Consciousness.
"What we all aspire to, and what is in fact natural to us, is openness, peace, love, and well-being. These qualities are completely natural qualities of spirit. They arise in us when we become conscious of our spiritual nature, of our on-separate, non-somebody nature. Then love flows quite naturally." (p 75)
Let go. Relax. Be present now. Grace is yours.
"What we all aspire to, and what is in fact natural to us, is openness, peace, love, and well-being. These qualities are completely natural qualities of spirit. They arise in us when we become conscious of our spiritual nature, of our on-separate, non-somebody nature. Then love flows quite naturally." (p 75)
Let go. Relax. Be present now. Grace is yours.
January 28, 2021
In Falling Into Grace, we learn about human psychology and the thought processes of using language and mental images, starting early in life. Ultimately, we suffer, struggle and get into conflict because we believe what we think (and what others think about us). The idea of letting go of our ideas, beliefs, and opinions brings up resistance and fear. Yet if we can avoid becoming lost in our thoughts, projections, beliefs, and opinions, we can begin to unravel our suffering and discover true happiness.
Want to read
July 5, 2011In the same way that we fall into the arms of a loved one or drop our heads on the pillow before sleep, we can let go into the beauty and truth of who and what we really are. Falling into Grace presents Adyashanti’s response to anyone looking for a way out of suffering and into the freedom of spiritual awakening.
October 14, 2012
This took me a long time to read. I would read a little than stop to absorb it and practice it in my daily life. I highly recommend reading this. We all suffer in so many different ways and Adya shows us how we don't have to. Stay in the moment!!
September 9, 2015
.Mesmerizing
I want to and will read every book by Adyashanti. After seeing an interview with Oprah, I was impressed.
This book was full of grace and kindness. Exactly what I saw in this author. It will lift your spirits..
I want to and will read every book by Adyashanti. After seeing an interview with Oprah, I was impressed.
This book was full of grace and kindness. Exactly what I saw in this author. It will lift your spirits..
June 15, 2011
Breaks down why we suffer in a simple to follow manner. If we are in conflict with what is true (happening) there will be struggle.
October 31, 2014
Really memorable - some new ideas for me.
December 22, 2014
One of the best spiritual books I have ever read. It all starts with you. Just try to shut up your mind. :-)
January 11, 2015
a great book about the reasons of suffering and about the self. However, after I am that, it did not impress me anymore. But a good read though
June 8, 2015
Thoughtful explanation of how we need to approach the world. Very insightful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews