What do you think?
Rate this book
The Thunder of Silence
The famed lecturer and teacher explains the principle that there is an inner grace available to all and offers concrete directions for hearing and understanding the voice of God.
- GenresSpiritualityNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2013
49 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 2, 2014
Think not... it is more than than a feeling. It is force from the source.
Silence is the invisible force we don't see the inner kingdom that presides over my very being.
I have read this book twice. And as Joel say's it is a peace that passses understanding he has
changed my life, By returning me back to my true idenity. Thank you Joel for being the transpercey and intrument of the Divine and you reflecting back at me the truth of my being.
Silence is the invisible force we don't see the inner kingdom that presides over my very being.
I have read this book twice. And as Joel say's it is a peace that passses understanding he has
changed my life, By returning me back to my true idenity. Thank you Joel for being the transpercey and intrument of the Divine and you reflecting back at me the truth of my being.
July 10, 2013
Simply one of the best books I have ever come in contact with. Impacting my spiritual journey in ways I can't even fathom yet. Very deep but totally digestible. A must for anyone looking to connect within.
June 25, 2008
This is my favorite Goldsmith Book. It is understanding the necessity of contemplation and of clearing your mind in order to feel Oneness.
May 30, 2020
When most people use the term, "New Age" they think they are discussing something brand new. But this book published in 1961 would be a text book for anyone wanting to study from the inside, what is the New Age. There is nothing really new here, as the images are often biblical, albeit far removed from Bible itself. A Jewish friend gave me this book as a marker of her life and understanding and in honor to her I read it. I'm glad I did. It helps me 'see' what others see from their perspective.
Although the book has very little to do with harmonizing current (or even 60-year-ago) thinking with the accuracy and substance of the biblical text, Goldsmith certainly is consistent in his thinking and writing. He dismisses the God of the Older Testament as a karmic God, who keeps score only and who is prayed to for the sake of conquest and ruin of our enemies. "This is the God the greater part of the Bible reveals, but this is not God; this is the law, the Lord God, the Law-God, the karmic law, the law of cause and effect... that is not God... noe of this has any real reference to God." (page 27)
He is right (page 42) in saying, "This is what God means to most people today-- something to use."
Goldsmith's thesis comes out again and again as hostility towards the biblical record, labeling it regularly as "the mind of flesh" or "the man of flesh." His Buddhist philosophy emanates "we cannot bring forth the son of God from the second chapter of Genesis, out of which comes only Adam, the man of flesh. The only way that this man of flesh can be restored to Eden and to his normal spiritual harmony is not by thining and to his normal spiritual harmony is not by thinking thoughts about him, but by entering into a state of Silence which recocgnizes neither good nor evil." (page 98)
His 'new age' thinking filters its way throughout the book and most notably shows "when we come to the place of realizing that there is a son of God in us, but that the prodigal son of man is still struggling for survival, we begin to understand the warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. .. there were not two different men, but the selfsame man in two different states of consciousness." (page 117)
Goldsmith continually calls Jesus, "The Master" which is honorable and beautiful, but actually allows for other masters who are equally enlightened.
His ending is fascinating in light of our COVID and climate situations in May 2020. He says, "the enemies confronting us today are not a threatened epidemic of disease, not a devastating condition of weather or climate, not impending economic disaster, not destructive war; All these are but part and parcel of the belief in material and mental powers." His answer, as obvious in the title, is silence and hearing that (not the knowledge of it) that "God will be with you unto the end of the world. You rest, relax, and be silent." (page 191-192)
For new-age folks, this book will be seminal and instructive. For Bible believers, it will annoy to the core. For me, I'm glad my friend gave me the book so I could learn more about her and her thinking and maybe for me to be better informed about others as well. Then maybe the Jesus of the Bible, who well represented the Living God, who said, "I and the Father are one" will help me speak kindly, quietly, and compassionately the reality that his death and resurrection were not simply ideas; they were historical realities. And why did he die? To emanate consciousness? Nope, to eradicate sin in his own being, to spill our lifeblood on the earth, to usher in the new age of hope based on Forgiveness and Salvation that only the God of the Older Testament (who is the same as the One in the Newer) could extend. He made me, the Prodigal wandering wayward son, to come home again by the death and bodily resurrection of the Jewish messiah. Thanks be to God
Although the book has very little to do with harmonizing current (or even 60-year-ago) thinking with the accuracy and substance of the biblical text, Goldsmith certainly is consistent in his thinking and writing. He dismisses the God of the Older Testament as a karmic God, who keeps score only and who is prayed to for the sake of conquest and ruin of our enemies. "This is the God the greater part of the Bible reveals, but this is not God; this is the law, the Lord God, the Law-God, the karmic law, the law of cause and effect... that is not God... noe of this has any real reference to God." (page 27)
He is right (page 42) in saying, "This is what God means to most people today-- something to use."
Goldsmith's thesis comes out again and again as hostility towards the biblical record, labeling it regularly as "the mind of flesh" or "the man of flesh." His Buddhist philosophy emanates "we cannot bring forth the son of God from the second chapter of Genesis, out of which comes only Adam, the man of flesh. The only way that this man of flesh can be restored to Eden and to his normal spiritual harmony is not by thining and to his normal spiritual harmony is not by thinking thoughts about him, but by entering into a state of Silence which recocgnizes neither good nor evil." (page 98)
His 'new age' thinking filters its way throughout the book and most notably shows "when we come to the place of realizing that there is a son of God in us, but that the prodigal son of man is still struggling for survival, we begin to understand the warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. .. there were not two different men, but the selfsame man in two different states of consciousness." (page 117)
Goldsmith continually calls Jesus, "The Master" which is honorable and beautiful, but actually allows for other masters who are equally enlightened.
His ending is fascinating in light of our COVID and climate situations in May 2020. He says, "the enemies confronting us today are not a threatened epidemic of disease, not a devastating condition of weather or climate, not impending economic disaster, not destructive war; All these are but part and parcel of the belief in material and mental powers." His answer, as obvious in the title, is silence and hearing that (not the knowledge of it) that "God will be with you unto the end of the world. You rest, relax, and be silent." (page 191-192)
For new-age folks, this book will be seminal and instructive. For Bible believers, it will annoy to the core. For me, I'm glad my friend gave me the book so I could learn more about her and her thinking and maybe for me to be better informed about others as well. Then maybe the Jesus of the Bible, who well represented the Living God, who said, "I and the Father are one" will help me speak kindly, quietly, and compassionately the reality that his death and resurrection were not simply ideas; they were historical realities. And why did he die? To emanate consciousness? Nope, to eradicate sin in his own being, to spill our lifeblood on the earth, to usher in the new age of hope based on Forgiveness and Salvation that only the God of the Older Testament (who is the same as the One in the Newer) could extend. He made me, the Prodigal wandering wayward son, to come home again by the death and bodily resurrection of the Jewish messiah. Thanks be to God
June 12, 2017
Joel Goldsmith is one of the great mystics of the 20th Century. His works are increasingly important for those on a spiritual journey.
Thunder of Silence, as with all of Goldsmith's books, requires that you pay close attention, listen intentionally, and pause frequently to contemplate his words.
He goes beyond all other spiritual writers and he is not for the feint of heart. Each book that I read by him takes me deeper and deeper on my own journey.
Thunder of Silence provides more context of Goldsmith's own journey and continue to open the pathway to our unexplored within.
Thunder of Silence, as with all of Goldsmith's books, requires that you pay close attention, listen intentionally, and pause frequently to contemplate his words.
He goes beyond all other spiritual writers and he is not for the feint of heart. Each book that I read by him takes me deeper and deeper on my own journey.
Thunder of Silence provides more context of Goldsmith's own journey and continue to open the pathway to our unexplored within.
May 4, 2008
Learning to see through our own thinking to see the Truth of self.
Read
September 8, 2011Stand still and know I AM God.
December 8, 2022
I now love silence and feel such peace after reading this book. It’s one of my favorites.
July 8, 2022
I glean a lot of spiritual insight by reading the books of Joel Goldsmith. They are not an easy read, but worthwhile. In my opinion, "The Thunder of Silence" is one the better, more straightforward reads. At times some of his books are a bit abstract, repetitive(this often happens when lectures are transcribed) but his views on his philosophy of "The Infinite Way" make a great deal of sense on the path.
I wish at times Mr. Goldsmith would share his own personal influences as a healer and teacher(Christian Science, Zen, Judaism and Christianity from what I gather.) I appreciate the process of combining many New Thought and traditional teachings into a creative new path. Many people could benefit from silencing their minds and being in a state of 0ne-ment with the Spirit. While reading this, the whole idea of the realization of a mystic consciousness through the silence of meditation really helped as a way of getting in touch with God/the Christ within.
Highly recommended for those who are inquisitive seekers, on a spiritual journey and want to learn and understand more how to be more at peace with yourself and the world.
I wish at times Mr. Goldsmith would share his own personal influences as a healer and teacher(Christian Science, Zen, Judaism and Christianity from what I gather.) I appreciate the process of combining many New Thought and traditional teachings into a creative new path. Many people could benefit from silencing their minds and being in a state of 0ne-ment with the Spirit. While reading this, the whole idea of the realization of a mystic consciousness through the silence of meditation really helped as a way of getting in touch with God/the Christ within.
Highly recommended for those who are inquisitive seekers, on a spiritual journey and want to learn and understand more how to be more at peace with yourself and the world.
June 14, 2019
Essentially a book of non-duality. I really enjoyed certain parts. Very philosophical & enlightening. Maybe it’s beyond my spiritual experience though to fully surrender how the author suggests.
I have too much resistance as I couldn’t find a way to handle injustices within this state of being, & I think we need more balance.
I also get put off with the overuse of the male pronoun and wonder if this is really adding value to my life or just another message to the world by another white male.
I have too much resistance as I couldn’t find a way to handle injustices within this state of being, & I think we need more balance.
I also get put off with the overuse of the male pronoun and wonder if this is really adding value to my life or just another message to the world by another white male.
March 30, 2021
This is the most important book I have read in my entire life. It may not be for everybody. The intent of the book is to awaken to the spirit that lies within each of us; that deep, deep spirit. For me, a guiding voice that I have come to learn from, trust, and be guided by.
As it says in the introduction, if this book speaks that awakening for you, it will become your constant companion. I have read it more than once and will do so many more times.
As it says in the introduction, if this book speaks that awakening for you, it will become your constant companion. I have read it more than once and will do so many more times.
July 23, 2008
Good!
June 16, 2013
Takes some work to get through. A chapter a week is a doable goal. And that will give you time to meditate on the concepts. Great book group selection for spirituality.
January 21, 2023
"The Thunder of Silence" is based on the fact that there is an indescribable "inner silence that is not part of our physical and mental being. The author states that we can only access the "inner silence" when we are willing to relinquish all desires whether good or evil. In the silence of meditation our prayer is the total surrender of our needs to "God" and not to our wants. Only then can we experience "transcendental" or "Christ Consciousness." The author states that "Christ Consciousness" is not related to formalized religion and that there are degrees of it that an individual can reach. Jesus Christ reached the pinnacle of "Christ Consciousness" as others throughout history. It should be noted that "Christ Consciousness" is closely related to the early Christian mystics of Meister Eckhart, Jacob Bohme and the non-dual philosophies/religions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. This is a provocative and Inspirational book that I would highly recommend.
July 9, 2023
A true man of God realization, very rare, and possible for all.
All of Joel, Goldsmith’s books are wonderful. Each one reveals more secrets of living, a peaceful, fulfilling, and joyful life.
All of Joel, Goldsmith’s books are wonderful. Each one reveals more secrets of living, a peaceful, fulfilling, and joyful life.
November 25, 2021
First half was good, second half not.
December 20, 2025
Outstanding. Read in one sitting.
February 21, 2012
I only got two thirds through this one. Lost interest. I know it's about gaining spirituality but really couldn't tell you much about it and it wasn't that long ago that I read it. What does that tell you?
Read
December 7, 2018I really do not know what to say about this book other than I am adding it to my shelf: Life Changing Books! This book will challenge all you know about yourself and your commitment to following ALL THAT JESUS TAUGHT
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews