Enlightened Gardener, The

by Sydney Banks, Randy Williams (Editor)

Beset by daily life's trials and tribulations, many people search for the elusive wisdom that will help them make sense of their journey and find inner peace. So, too, do the characters in this wonderful story by Sydney Banks. In this simple but profound tale, four colleagues meet a remarkable gardener whose unique philosophy will forever change their lives. That philosophy is equally powerful for the reader. The wisdom within these pages comes in the form of a straightforward message that is accessible to all who open their hearts to it.

Genres: Psychology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Inspirational

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 1991

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apart from some very few psychological concepts which are indeed used today in therapies such as CBT and ACT, this book is a load of nonsense on the clinical psychological side. I'm not even going to discuss the writing - it was too plain to achieve its goal. There are some good ideas in here, but the presentation is severely lacking in all areas.

[Irene Grindell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little read. Full of metaphors to keep working on the subconscious:)

3 Principles changed my life more than any other work I have done over the last 15 years. So simple yet soooooooo complex.

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story and remarkable man. I love the book, particularly chapters 7 to 12 and 15 have touched me deeply. Very good read for the eternally curious.

[Angelique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrible, horrible writing, but some good points in there, but man, it took me forever to read because, wow, it was just so poorly written!

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sydney Banks changed my life. Probably sounds like I've joined some cult but it's not like that.
That said, his fiction is utterly horrible - this book included.

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in relatively small doses, no more than a couple of chapters at a time where possible, and I wouldn't want to try and read it in one go. It's not a heavy book by any means, but I don't think you'd get the most out of it by devouring it in a single sitting. You need to take your time and let the meaning develop and take hold.

That said, I don't think I got a lot out of it completing this in multiple sittings. I think this is a book that will make you think, and ponder, and which you'll then return to on multiple occasions. I imagine that each time you return you'll find some new meaning or insight you didn't notice before.

But, I'm not convinced that this is a book you could dip in and out of, as the story portrayed here lays out the elements that Mr Banks is known for, so reading the last sections first wouldn't bring any benefit. Although I think you could potentially re-inforce the principles with select re-readings - once you understand them anyway!

It may be (in fact it is likely) that psychology has moved along since this book - but I found a lot of the things that the gardener put forward to be ... somewhat well known these days. I personally know what a difference the power of positive thought can have (though some times I do allow myself to wallow in negativity for a little while... you can't be positive all the time afterall) - so I guess the next step for me is to try and let go of the negative thoughts I have. And from there try and understand what else is being taught here!

[Fabian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Especially the beginning was great and I was wondering there it would go...
But then it drifts off into very general statements, the sort of "we are all one" and the conversations seem very staged. I get the idea of just pointing at things and leaving it to the reader to get a hold of it through own experience - but I've read other books on the topic that did it in a much more easily accessible, down to earth kind of way.

[Richard Tubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, thought provoking read

I came across the work of author Sydney Banks after discovering The Three Principles movement.

This book is a beautiful exploration of what The Three Principles is, explained through a parable featuring a group of psychologists and therapists from the USA who visit England and meet a gardener who shares wisdom that changes their views on mental health.

I wish I could explain the Three Principles better, but thinking about how to do that is more difficult than you'd imagine (as you'll find out from reading this book!)

Let me just say that I suspect this book will set you on a life long journey of understanding our thoughts form our reality.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought and read this book because “The Three Principles” are mentioned in Amy Johnson’s Little Book of Big Change. I wanted to get a better understanding of the principles of Universal Mind, Thought and Consciousness. This is a nice and very simplistic book written to help us understand a very metaphysical concept. I am a consummate highlighter. I highlight passages, go back, re-read them, try to memorize them, etc. With this book, I just wanted to read and try to understand the principles. I don’t think it is something you “get” with just one reading. It reminds me of The Tao Te Ching. The concepts are little hard to grasp with our intellectual mind. I know I’ll read it again. It is a short book and I found it very thought provoking.

[Debashri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, dear. I found this book because I read The Little Book of Big Change and The Inside-Out Revolution.
I thought I'd go back to the source of these ideas and books. And, well. I'd stick to new books that explain and expand on the Enlightened Gardener.
It is unfortunately poorly written and describes the field of psychology with a number of misconceptions showing that the author does not really understand or know what psychiatrists and psychologists do.
But the book is the inspiration for a number of other great works and for that I have to keep it at 4 stars. The philosophy is interesting but poor explained. And well... not really happy with this read,

[Alistair Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about the 3 Principles espoused by Sydney Banks. The 'story' is really a backdrop for explaining how the 3 Principles work. As someone who is interested in the 3 Principles, I found it engrossing. Having the wisdom come from a character, rather than in a factual manner, made it more interesting. It also made it more palatable to understand. This is definitely a book to come back to, then think about for a while, then return.

[Dennis Leth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is thought-provoking and changing the way I see the world. I've been into the principles for some years now and I can see the insights presented in this book in my everyday life and in all the changes I've gone through. I also see all the difficulties I have led my thinking and feelings create.

If you want a better and more healthy life. You should read and understand the insights presented.

[Karin Kind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a psychologist, so I cannot speak to the validity or scientific accuracy of concepts presented. However, I am a keen observer of people and my own thoughts and behaviors . While this book is simply written, the concepts conveyed here, I thought had validity. It made me question and think long after I put this book down.

[Marian Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

for truth, love and insight into who we are, truly this is the only book to read. Everything else is entertainment only. Change your thinking back towards the one you were meant to be, find that peace of mind, it exists, still, within!

[Barry Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Excellent book, a personal development book written in novel form. One of the more enjoyable books in personal development to read with great wisdom on how thought affects our lives

[Lucy's Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

A must read if you want to deepen your understanding of the three principles. It has made see them in a different light and you can see the transaction of the characters as their understanding deepens.

A book for life for me.

[Charles Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read.

Quite an intelligent novel. Immediately you can relate to the characters within the story, as the author cleverly weaves Wisdom throughout the pages. I'm sure I will revisit this book again and again.

[Steph]

Loved learning about the Three Principles but can’t recommend this book. Poor writing (and narrating) made it annoying.

[Natasha Everitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving exploring these three principles, this is the founding book by Sydney Bank that is an enjoyable read. You wont regret it.

According to Banks, the three principles of Mind, Consciousness and Thought explain the entire range of human behaviour and feeling states.
You cannot have a feeling without first having a thought. Our feelings are caused 100% by our thoughts. Thoughts come first, our thinking leads to our feelings and emotions. Every thought has a corresponding feeling attached.
Many people mistakenly believe that our feelings and emotions are caused by people or events and circumstances that happen around us. This leads to the false perception that things are outside our control. Nothing could be further from the truth. Life always happens from the inside out. Our thoughts, feelings and ultimate behaviours are not controlled by external factors but how we interpret and perceive them, by our thoughts.

[Kat Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is twee AF. But it is a nice way to learn more about the 3 principles. It’s fundamentally a no frills parable for explaining Banks’ enlightened beliefs. It was never going to be a literary marvel. I doubt he meant it to be either - how fancy does it need to be when you’re an enlightened mystic?

I had to keep reminding myself that it was set in a time before we knew about the importance of our thoughts, as I couldn’t help thinking that these 4 psychologists were absolute rubbish when they couldn’t grasp even the most basic concept of thoughts creating our environment. If that was the 60s then I’m glad I wasn’t there.

I would recommend learning the basics of the 3 principles before reading, otherwise I don’t know how much sense it actually makes.

[Isabel Fontes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The three principles have transformed my life like no other psychological concept.

According to Banks, the three principles, mind, consciousness, and thought, explain human behaviour and emotions.

The book is an awe-inspiring story about a remarkable man, and I was captivated by it. However, I prefer reading the book in small portions, no more than a couple of chapters at a time, as it can be overwhelming to absorb it all in one go.

While psychology may have advanced since this book's publication, I found many of the gardener's arguments timeless.

I know the power of positive thinking and how it can make a significant difference.
Although I allow myself to feel negative emotions sometimes, I know that one cannot always be positive.

[Lucinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it but I struggled to get through this book. I have myself found so much new depth to life since coming across the 3 Principles understanding a year ago. I hoped going to the source by reading Sydney Banks would help to increase my understanding however the book seemed so slow and poorly written. I didn't feel engaged with any of the hollow characters. It is also pretty dated, for example I disliked how the gardner always referred to the female psychologist as 'luv'. Overall it made me more grateful for the Pranskys and Dicken Bettinger who have managed to be my translators for this understanding.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intro book into consciousness theory presented in an easy to read, and somewhat entertaining format, about a gardener who "knows things". Probably good for those who have not been exposed to the various greater consciousness ideas. Not a lot of depth or explanation. Maybe a step beyond the Law of Attraction ideas.

For those exposed to Robert Monroe, Tom Campbell, William Buhlman, the Seth books or even the ones by Ester and Jerry Hicks, this will be nothing new.

[Lars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall good read. The narrative and the dialogue between the characters makes the quite challenging philosophical and psychological discussion easy to relate to. Some of the story context feels a bit stereotypical and irrelevant, but nevertheless the flow and the subject is really interesting.

[Ronnie Connick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening

Deceptively easy to read, this is a book worth savouring, let the chapters sink in before moving on.
A bit late to be recommending a book that’s been around for almost 50 years but if you haven’t read it, do.

[Pam Toth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very jumbled and simplistic story. No character depth and the references to therapy methods and concepts seems unbelievable to me. If what is described is true, many older generations never had a chance of understanding or recovering from their illnesses. Makes me sad.

[Mattias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it made me feel present and peaceful just to read it. I don’t know if it was that eye-opening for me but I’m sure for somebody it will be. I might read it again if I need some peace of mind and an easy read. Thank you Sydney Banks it was a pleasure.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by a therapist of mine. Full of important lessons about how we think and perceive things. Instrumental to helping me have a healthier relationship with my thoughts. Very easy to read. Highly recommend!!!

[Hans Bech · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't read it to the end. It may be a good book for others, but it didn't manage to catch my attention.

[Maryline David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very effective at introducing Sydney Banks' three principles.