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The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry
An anthology of poems from the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, Chinese and Japanese Buddhist masters, and Christian poets
171 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
111 people are currently reading
2023 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Mitchell
171 books579 followersStephen Mitchell was educated at Amherst College, the Sorbonne, and Yale University, and de-educated through intensive Zen practice. He is widely known for his ability to make old classics thrillingly new, to step in where many have tried before and to create versions that are definitive for our time. His many books include The Gospel According to Jesus, The Second Book of the Tao, two books of fiction, and a book of poetry.
Mitchell’s Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke has been called “the most beautiful group of poetic translations [the twentieth] century has produced.” William Arrowsmith said that his Sonnets to Orpheus “instantly makes every other rendering obsolete.” His Book of Job has been called “magnificent.” His bestselling Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, and Gilgamesh—which are not translations from the original text, but rather poetic interpretations that use existing translations into Western languages as their starting point—have also been highly praised by critics, scholars, and common readers. Gilgamesh was Editor’s Choice of The New York Times Book Review, was selected as the Book Sense 2004 Highlight for Poetry, was a finalist for the first annual Quill Award in poetry. His translation of the Iliad was chosen as one of the New Yorker’s favorite books of 2011. He is a two-time winner of the Harold Morton Landon Translation Award from the Academy of American Poets.
His books for young readers include The Wishing Bone, winner of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award as the best book of poetry for children published in the United States in 2003, and Jesus: What He Really Said and Did, which was chosen by the American Library Association’s Booklist as one of the top ten religious books for children in 2002.
He is also coauthor of two of his wife Byron Katie’s bestselling books: Loving What Is and A Thousand Names for Joy. www.thework.com
You can read extensive excerpts from all his books on his website, www.stephenmitchellbooks.com.
Mitchell’s Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke has been called “the most beautiful group of poetic translations [the twentieth] century has produced.” William Arrowsmith said that his Sonnets to Orpheus “instantly makes every other rendering obsolete.” His Book of Job has been called “magnificent.” His bestselling Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, and Gilgamesh—which are not translations from the original text, but rather poetic interpretations that use existing translations into Western languages as their starting point—have also been highly praised by critics, scholars, and common readers. Gilgamesh was Editor’s Choice of The New York Times Book Review, was selected as the Book Sense 2004 Highlight for Poetry, was a finalist for the first annual Quill Award in poetry. His translation of the Iliad was chosen as one of the New Yorker’s favorite books of 2011. He is a two-time winner of the Harold Morton Landon Translation Award from the Academy of American Poets.
His books for young readers include The Wishing Bone, winner of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award as the best book of poetry for children published in the United States in 2003, and Jesus: What He Really Said and Did, which was chosen by the American Library Association’s Booklist as one of the top ten religious books for children in 2002.
He is also coauthor of two of his wife Byron Katie’s bestselling books: Loving What Is and A Thousand Names for Joy. www.thework.com
You can read extensive excerpts from all his books on his website, www.stephenmitchellbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 16, 2018
Contains snippets from mostly longer works--more valuable to read them in their entirety, but a nice introduction to some that are lesser known.
So many verses about rain on the day that I read this! Synchronicity!
So many verses about rain on the day that I read this! Synchronicity!
January 1, 2009
Better than the Bible. This is Jesus' textbook.
September 14, 2019
A small collection of poetry and mystical writings that show the universal truth.
April 17, 2020
"Ten thousand flowers in Spring, the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life." Wu-Men
"The man pulling radishes
pointed the Way
with a radish." -Issa
"The man pulling radishes
pointed the Way
with a radish." -Issa
January 29, 2008
Always going back to this one. Good for waiting rooms and as an aid to a search for meaning.
July 20, 2024
I read this on a flight. It was great. A bunch of short pieces of religious and philosophical poetry from various authors from various times and places, and different schools of thought that all somehow fit together nicely. It was a great way to discover some authors I’d like to read more from. I’ve read a few translations by Stephen Mitchell I have enjoyed them all. He seems like he’d be a fascinating person to meet. I enjoyed the Buddhist texts the most. I never read Walt Whitman before and I enjoyed his contributions as well. This book put me in a meditative state of mind. I might read it again on my flight home!
July 29, 2013
Found this in my son Connor's and my favorite old dusty used book/DVD/CD store, The Frugal Muse in Downers Grove, IL . . . It's a gem. I'll likely be carrying this around in my work backpack, etc. permanently. Beautiful and sacred texts transcending many faiths and sets of beliefs, including both obscure and well-known. For example, St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of the Sun" -- wonderful.
This copy was originally a gift in its past life: "Ron, Merry Christmas! -- Angela, '89" Sorry to see that Ron gave his copy up, but so happy that it landed with me. Even more meaningful having found it while with Connor, doing one of our favorite things together.
Can't say I'm really "finished" reading this - as I've been digging back into it nearly every morning, and will continue to do so.
This copy was originally a gift in its past life: "Ron, Merry Christmas! -- Angela, '89" Sorry to see that Ron gave his copy up, but so happy that it landed with me. Even more meaningful having found it while with Connor, doing one of our favorite things together.
Can't say I'm really "finished" reading this - as I've been digging back into it nearly every morning, and will continue to do so.
January 6, 2016
"If we attain something, it was there from the beginning of time. If we lose something, it is hiding somewhere near us." - Ryokan
Ancient wisdom for the next time you lose your car keys.
Ancient wisdom for the next time you lose your car keys.
March 23, 2015
Lovely poetry; a wide variety of pieces covering the divine/sacred from worldwide sources.
March 31, 2023
A beautiful collection of poetry on the divine through the centuries. Might work well as a general introduction to spirituality. Essential.
Psalm 131
My mind is not noisy with desires, Lord,
and my heart has satisified its longing,
I do not care about religion
or anything that is not you.
I have soothed and quietet my soul,
lika a child at its mother´s breast.
My soul is as peaceful as a child
sleeping in its mothers arms.
Lao Tzu
Every separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity
Rumi
If you've opened your loving to God's love,
you're helping people you don't know
and have never seen.
Dante
The love of God, unutterable and perfect,
flows into a pure soul the way that light
rushes into a transparent object.
The more love that it finds, the more it gives itself;
so that, as we grow clear and open,
the more complete the joy of heaven is.
And the more souls who resonate together,
the greater the intensity of their love,
and, mirror-like, each sould reflects the other.
Gensel
The point of life is to know what's enough -
why envy those otherworld immortals?
With the happiness held in one inch-square heart
you can fill the whole space between heaven and earth.
Chalip
Travel far enough into sorrow, tears turn to sighing;
in this way we learn how water can die into air
Chalip
The world is no more than the Beloved's single face;
In the desire of the One to know its own beauty,
we exist
Each place, each moment, sings its particular song of not-being and being.
Without reason, the clear glass equally mirrors wisdom and madness.
Navaho
I ask all blessings,
I ask them with reverence,
of my mother the earth,
of the sky, moon, and sun my father,
I am old age: the essence of life,
I am the source of all happiness,
All is peaceful, all in beauty, all in harmony, all in joy.
Rilke
Be ahead of all parting, as though it already were behind you,
like the winter that has just gone by,
for among these winters there is one so endlessly winter
that only by wintering through it will your heart survive.
Here, int the realm of decline, among momentary days, be the crystal cup that shattered even as it rang.
Blake
I cannot think of death as more than the going out of one room into another.
Laym An Pang
When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy nor wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.
Psalm 131
My mind is not noisy with desires, Lord,
and my heart has satisified its longing,
I do not care about religion
or anything that is not you.
I have soothed and quietet my soul,
lika a child at its mother´s breast.
My soul is as peaceful as a child
sleeping in its mothers arms.
Lao Tzu
Every separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity
Rumi
If you've opened your loving to God's love,
you're helping people you don't know
and have never seen.
Dante
The love of God, unutterable and perfect,
flows into a pure soul the way that light
rushes into a transparent object.
The more love that it finds, the more it gives itself;
so that, as we grow clear and open,
the more complete the joy of heaven is.
And the more souls who resonate together,
the greater the intensity of their love,
and, mirror-like, each sould reflects the other.
Gensel
The point of life is to know what's enough -
why envy those otherworld immortals?
With the happiness held in one inch-square heart
you can fill the whole space between heaven and earth.
Chalip
Travel far enough into sorrow, tears turn to sighing;
in this way we learn how water can die into air
Chalip
The world is no more than the Beloved's single face;
In the desire of the One to know its own beauty,
we exist
Each place, each moment, sings its particular song of not-being and being.
Without reason, the clear glass equally mirrors wisdom and madness.
Navaho
I ask all blessings,
I ask them with reverence,
of my mother the earth,
of the sky, moon, and sun my father,
I am old age: the essence of life,
I am the source of all happiness,
All is peaceful, all in beauty, all in harmony, all in joy.
Rilke
Be ahead of all parting, as though it already were behind you,
like the winter that has just gone by,
for among these winters there is one so endlessly winter
that only by wintering through it will your heart survive.
Here, int the realm of decline, among momentary days, be the crystal cup that shattered even as it rang.
Blake
I cannot think of death as more than the going out of one room into another.
Laym An Pang
When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy nor wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.
May 25, 2023
I read this at night to calm myself before sleep. I got a lot out of many of the poems. Especially the Buddhist ones at the beginning affected me. I noticed that the editor also did a compilation of Rilke poems. That may explain why there were quite a few of Rilke poems. I didn’t understand those poems at all. I’m not an experienced poetry reader. I pick up poetry books every once in a great while and in the biographical notes it says he is one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Anyway many of the poems touched me and helped me see a path through a difficult episode in my life.
April 5, 2022
Some excellent spirit finding poems in here - from east to west and all thru the centuries.
Here’s one from Laym An Pang (740-808)
When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy nor wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.
Here’s one from Laym An Pang (740-808)
When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy nor wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.
July 9, 2023
The Enlightened Heart is a lovely compilation of poems which spans from ancient China to the modern era. The author chose a very diverse selection of poets to discuss topics such as meditation, morality, love, and death. The poetry was very curated and concise, I would highly recommend!
July 5, 2024
It was fine. After a while, it got a little tedious because all mystics begin to sound more or less the same. Of course, that is the point.
My favorite were the ancient Chinese poets: Li Po, Tu Fu, Layman P'ang. Also Ryokan, Japanese Zen Master.
My favorite were the ancient Chinese poets: Li Po, Tu Fu, Layman P'ang. Also Ryokan, Japanese Zen Master.
April 2, 2018
Good way to end a day and begin the month of April- National Poetry Month. Gorgeous writing throughout.
September 25, 2018
This was a relaxing read between commute or stressful situations. I recommend this book as a gentle escape or meditation on life's beauty and mystery.
March 18, 2019
Superb anthology. Brillant collection.
May 18, 2020
It’s hard to rate anthologies- I adored some of these poems and others were just okay. But, the collection included enough gems to make it a very worthwhile read.
March 21, 2021
What a beautiful little collection. There's something here for everyone, whether you're a devout mystic or someone simply interested in existing.
July 18, 2021
perfect
Read
June 22, 2015A quick read, and fairly breezy (for some; those who dwell on each poem may take a while). I selected this as a bit of a palette cleanser after finishing a terrific but rather dense book on Egyptian religion/myth. It was a decent choice, since it was something certainly different. Though I cultivate my spirit, I might be too pragmatic for this collection; though I could recognize the value of the poems collected here, not many of them moved me to any great extent. Still, it was a good review of devotional literature from multiple traditions.
The translations were most likely selected for sentiment or readability over accuracy, but if you are merely seeking inspirational reading, this is probably suitable to your needs. The selection was occasionally drab, with even some otherwise great poets I have enjoyed in the past not being exhibited to their best advantage here. I recommend using this as a stepping stone to seek out more work by the individual artists/traditions, either for greater reliability or to find more variety in their works.
I am not leaving a rating, as this book is too subjective for me to quantify. Like most works categorized "Inspirational", in the right mood, with the right motivation, this book may work for you; or it may just be a friendly way to spend a few hours. Others may simply find it a bit on the Eat, Pray, Love side, and regret it. Thus, no rating. If this book sounds like your cup of tea, do try it; the most you will be out, aside from whatever it costs to read it, will be a few hours, and at least you can be exposed to a few different forms of devotional poetry (even if it doesn't transform your soul, etc).
The translations were most likely selected for sentiment or readability over accuracy, but if you are merely seeking inspirational reading, this is probably suitable to your needs. The selection was occasionally drab, with even some otherwise great poets I have enjoyed in the past not being exhibited to their best advantage here. I recommend using this as a stepping stone to seek out more work by the individual artists/traditions, either for greater reliability or to find more variety in their works.
I am not leaving a rating, as this book is too subjective for me to quantify. Like most works categorized "Inspirational", in the right mood, with the right motivation, this book may work for you; or it may just be a friendly way to spend a few hours. Others may simply find it a bit on the Eat, Pray, Love side, and regret it. Thus, no rating. If this book sounds like your cup of tea, do try it; the most you will be out, aside from whatever it costs to read it, will be a few hours, and at least you can be exposed to a few different forms of devotional poetry (even if it doesn't transform your soul, etc).
July 10, 2012
"This collection celebrates the radiance of the enlightened heart as it shine through the world's cultures and religious traditions. Beginning with selections from the earliest sacred masterpieces -- the Upanishads, the Books of Psalms, and the Bhagavad Gita (in new translations by the editor) -- this extraordinary anthology also contains poems by the Taoist and Buddhist masters; Rumi and other Sufi masters; Christian poets such as Francis of Assisi, Dante, and George Herbert; Blake, Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Rilke, and other modern poets.
Following on Stephen Mitchell's translations of the Tao Te Ching, The Book of Job, and Rilke, ... this unique and inspiring anthology is a further record of the highest points of human experience,"
~~front flap
I was excited to read this book. I often find inspiration and a deepening of my spiritual life in quotes or writings of many of the saints and masters included in this anthology. Perhaps I was just not in a spiritual place, but nothing in this book touched my heart of my soul. What a disappointment!
Following on Stephen Mitchell's translations of the Tao Te Ching, The Book of Job, and Rilke, ... this unique and inspiring anthology is a further record of the highest points of human experience,"
~~front flap
I was excited to read this book. I often find inspiration and a deepening of my spiritual life in quotes or writings of many of the saints and masters included in this anthology. Perhaps I was just not in a spiritual place, but nothing in this book touched my heart of my soul. What a disappointment!
October 22, 2012
Stephen never fails to impress me.
Maybe he takes liberties?? But, it always comes across as very accessible and human.
Only 4 stars because the first half of the book has lead me out of a darkness you ...well, I won't mention here. The second half was lackluster.
Overall, if this means anything, I am 'gifting' this well worn copy to someone who pulled me out of a deep pit of despair. I recommend it. As always, results may vary, but I think he did a wonderful job.
P.S.
have his translation of the Bhagavad Gita, think that's how I was introduced to him, can't wait to get the others...
Have read this many, many times. It gets better with more contemplation.
Esp, the Basho and shorter works.
Love this book.
Maybe he takes liberties?? But, it always comes across as very accessible and human.
Only 4 stars because the first half of the book has lead me out of a darkness you ...well, I won't mention here. The second half was lackluster.
Overall, if this means anything, I am 'gifting' this well worn copy to someone who pulled me out of a deep pit of despair. I recommend it. As always, results may vary, but I think he did a wonderful job.
P.S.
have his translation of the Bhagavad Gita, think that's how I was introduced to him, can't wait to get the others...
Have read this many, many times. It gets better with more contemplation.
Esp, the Basho and shorter works.
Love this book.
June 8, 2020
I have created a new -physical - bookshelf at home and placed on it books I will never "finish" reading. Several are Steven Mitchell collections and translations. These books have exposed me to perspective and awareness, insights and comforts and the long history of human's search for meaning. This book of collected poetry is also a spiritual journey, reflecting many of my personal stops along the way. Here is one of the the most illuminating (for me):
RUMI
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.
pg 59
RUMI
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.
pg 59
January 12, 2009
Both of these anthologies, The Enlightened Heart and the Enlightened Mind, are edited by the scholar, poet, translator, Stephen Mitchell. For those of you interested in poetic and religious ecumenism, I would highly recommend these two works to you. The first is an anthology of world poetry with mostly religious and mystical themes. The second is a related collection of writings from sacred scriptures from nearly all of the major world religions.
Both works demonstrate how much we all, as world citizens, share despite our national, cultural, ethnic, or religious differences.
Both works demonstrate how much we all, as world citizens, share despite our national, cultural, ethnic, or religious differences.
August 23, 2015
There are choice poems in here. Blake's "Eternity in an hour"; Whitman's "...It is eternal life... it is happiness."; Chuang-Tzu's "Cutting Up an Ox"; The Bhagavad Gita's "I alone am real, Arjuna..."; Shakespeare's "We are such stuff as dreams are made on..." It goes on. Good collection, and the theme of "the center" as a stand in for "God" or "Enlightenment" is refreshingly plural in this book.
June 2, 2012
This is a compact anthology, but a wonderful collection that includes Li Po, Wu-Men, Rumi, Kabir, Mirabai, Rilke… And the added bonus of Stephen Mitchell’s way with words. One of my personal favorites.
July 31, 2012
The first 2/3 of the book were sublime, pure ecstasy. The final 1/3 was not on the same level, it was kind of uneven actually. All in all, it was, I think, the right book at the right time. An unforgettable reading experience.
September 25, 2013
This is a wonderful book of sacred poetry. Taken from many traditions, it opens our eyes to the universal longing for the sacred.
Sadly, I read the ebook edition from Amazon. It was so full of misspellings and typos as to drive me mad. The book deserves 5 stars, the ebook edition deserves 1 star.
Sadly, I read the ebook edition from Amazon. It was so full of misspellings and typos as to drive me mad. The book deserves 5 stars, the ebook edition deserves 1 star.
August 8, 2007
This is an excellent and versatile collection of ancient poetry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews