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Jed Talks #1: Essays, Teachings, Rants & Frivolous Frivolity
Jed McKenna is the author of The Enlightenment Trilogy (Spiritual The Damnedest Thing, Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment, and Spiritual Warfare) and The Dreamstate Trilogy (Jed McKenna's Theory of The Enlightened Perspective, A Play by Jed McKenna, and A Conspiracy Theory). The Jed Talks series continues to provide the same combination of humor, charm, and unparalleled mastery that has made Jed McKenna the clearest and most unique voice in modern spirituality. Visit Wisefool Press to learn more.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2017
36 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 20, 2017
Three reasons I'll never stop reading Jed:
1. this is the best entertainment an awakened being will find anywhere-- bar none.
2. I am now absolutely sure of all the things i should never talk about to anyone else, ever again.
3. And because hardly anyone else gets any of this stuff, and those that do don't convey it this simply or matter-of-factly. Seriously, thank God for an author of my own language and culture who can succinctly state the plain and simple truths of enlightenment without speaking in riddles. Why did Jesus and Rumi have to come off like they were candy flipping?
1. this is the best entertainment an awakened being will find anywhere-- bar none.
2. I am now absolutely sure of all the things i should never talk about to anyone else, ever again.
3. And because hardly anyone else gets any of this stuff, and those that do don't convey it this simply or matter-of-factly. Seriously, thank God for an author of my own language and culture who can succinctly state the plain and simple truths of enlightenment without speaking in riddles. Why did Jesus and Rumi have to come off like they were candy flipping?
July 30, 2021
A very unique book that I probably need to re-read a few times to truly appreciate.
April 7, 2020
Definitively the most entertaining talks on spirituality I have read. Jed in his talks attempts to describe the state of no-self and the way of getting there.
In his short talks, the author references some old movies which could be interpreted from a different context.
According to Jed, there are only two things in reality: consciousness and appearances. The appearances are unreal which appear real. Consciousness is real that appears unreal.
Most of the talks are given to go beyond the ego. I will continue reading Jed Talks series.
In his short talks, the author references some old movies which could be interpreted from a different context.
According to Jed, there are only two things in reality: consciousness and appearances. The appearances are unreal which appear real. Consciousness is real that appears unreal.
Most of the talks are given to go beyond the ego. I will continue reading Jed Talks series.
February 28, 2021
I liked this book because of how unique it was—it opened my eyes to how differently someone can write a book and be successful. Its structure, message, style were all unlike anything I’ve ever read. However, I can’t say I took that much else away from it.
Jed is a spiritual enlightenment teacher unlike most others, and he wants you to know it. He teaches non-dualism; that the sense of self is an illusion, and that there are only consciousness and its contents. It’s a surprisingly similar message to more renowned authors like Sam Harris but delivered in a wholly more shocking way. And for someone who claims to be mostly-enlightened, and to have lost the sense of self, he does seem to have an ego. Even the use of his own name in the title demonstrates some desire to prop up himself.
If you want to realize non-dualism but have unable to do so through traditional methods, Jed might be able to help. His no-bullshit, wake-the-fuck-up approach might work for some who have been toying with merely lovey-dovey Buddhists. For me, however, I just saw this book as a series of strong (and interestingly put) assertions but without reasoned arguments behind them. I did not grow from it or learn anything that will stick with me, but I can see how others might.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.org.
Jed is a spiritual enlightenment teacher unlike most others, and he wants you to know it. He teaches non-dualism; that the sense of self is an illusion, and that there are only consciousness and its contents. It’s a surprisingly similar message to more renowned authors like Sam Harris but delivered in a wholly more shocking way. And for someone who claims to be mostly-enlightened, and to have lost the sense of self, he does seem to have an ego. Even the use of his own name in the title demonstrates some desire to prop up himself.
If you want to realize non-dualism but have unable to do so through traditional methods, Jed might be able to help. His no-bullshit, wake-the-fuck-up approach might work for some who have been toying with merely lovey-dovey Buddhists. For me, however, I just saw this book as a series of strong (and interestingly put) assertions but without reasoned arguments behind them. I did not grow from it or learn anything that will stick with me, but I can see how others might.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.org.
October 25, 2018
Good stuff, I enjoyed the last chapter quite a bit.
July 17, 2022
Another enjoyable chat with Jed. Not on par with The Damnedest Thing but still fun.
January 14, 2025
Weird, but in a good way.
July 23, 2025
Human adulthood has never been so entertaining
You amuse Brahman. Jed amuses you. What's not to like? You may laugh at the start but read all the way to the end. Then give up.
You amuse Brahman. Jed amuses you. What's not to like? You may laugh at the start but read all the way to the end. Then give up.
August 11, 2024
I can't believe it's been over 2 years since I first read this - I'm re-reading it now and laughing as ever, the only series of stories that I struggle with and skim through is the "Starship Gita", that one I find boring.
December 2, 2017
Great! Looking forward to more Jed Talks.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews