Fotografía de autor

John James (2) (1931–)

Autor de The Master Masons of Chartres

Para otros autores llamados John James, ver la página de desambiguación.

7+ Obras 108 Miembros 4 Reseñas

Obras de John James

Obras relacionadas

The World of Chartres (1988) — Epílogo, algunas ediciones49 copias

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Chartres, The Masons who built a Legend, by John James (pp 190, large format and heavily illustrated). Published in 1982. This book is a tour de force investigation into the building of the cathedral at Chartres, considered by many to be the most beautiful and impressive of all Gothic cathedrals. That noted, the author starts off by describing the overall design “a mess.” He then proceeds in excruciating and minute detail to prove his point, all the while arguing that despite the innumerable irregularities it is, indeed, exquisitely masterful and beautiful. The cathedral was built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, and unlike virtually every other monumental cathedral, was constructed in one generation — about 30 years. To understand the building’s construction with very few surviving plans, he meticulously measured every aspect of every structural element, and deconstructed them almost stone by stone, layer by layer. As a result, the book balances explanations in plain English, numerous illustrations, and a mind-boggling number of geometric diagrams and measurements. Compounding already complex plans, building elements, and strategies, was the use of at least nine separate construction teams, each working, on average, for about a year before being replaced by another team ... on and on years after year. Then throw in some sort of master plan, no clearly defined overseeing architect, different approaches to building by each team, and clerical guidance (unlearned in construction). To mix it up further, each team used their own measures (employing different length foot and rod measures) and each having their own templates for structural elements (edges, bases, window styles, construction methods, ad infinitum). From my uninformed perspective, this approach was madness and should have resulted in a fast track to failure. Of course, it didn’t. In fact, everything hung together and resulted in a magnificent structure that has existed mostly unchanged for over 700 years. To do this study, the author (and presumably his team) measured every building elements to the centimeter, studied every design element in detail, looked at different building styles (comparing them to other cathedrals in Western Europe), found masons’ marks on as many stones as possible, looked at the theological rationale for the various numbers used in the church’s dimensions, etc. The degree of study is incomprehensible, at least to me. By doing all of that and more, Mr Janes was able to identify who did what work and when, in what sequence different sections were built, how they were built, where changes occurred, speculated as to why, what structural problems had to become overcome and how that was done, etc. This book was, I believe, written for architects and engineers, including those with theological backgrounds. I’m guessing only experts can really make sense of all this book contains. I first read about Cathedral building in the children’s book Cathedral, The a Story of its Construction (1973), and followed that years later with The Cathedral Builders, by Jean Gimple (1980). (I think there was a third book along the way but I can’t locate it.) I should have stuck to the children’s book! Actually, I found Chartres fascinating, though impenetrable in sections. While it included many illustrative photos and drawings, it could have used three times more. If you buy this, you’d best have a background in geometry, theology, masonry, and Medieval history. Good luck.… (más)
 
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wildh2o | Jul 10, 2021 |
“The Great Field: Soul at Play in the Conscious Universe”
John James, PhD

This book is timeless, but never more right for our world than now. James writes a compelling, complex, argument for the nature of natural forces to be. I loved this book because it was very, very, deep, yet easy to understand. It is profound, yet simple in the same vein. I found his explanations propelling. Many of us feel that we understand spirituality and the concepts of spiritual growth, letting go, and finding our soul. The essence of life is that Holy Grail- the true meaning of life. James covers many, many aspects of this “great field.” Learn about morphic fields, the Vishnu paradox, and what constitutes the great field. He correlates how energy is relevant to biology and physics, the human brain (the heart brain and cerebral brain). James discusses therapy as transformation on a much more meaningful level than you can imagine. Is in depth transformation possible without the energy of the psyche changing? I particularly liked his comments on conventional psychology in respect to time and space.
Deeper self investigation is an invaluable tool. The soul is described as the personal aspect of the great field. It is present in the womb. It is and always will be. You will be touched by the photo and story of the newborn twins. One puts his arm around the other to reassure him, he will be fine; that he will survive. What drives this intelligence as newborns…while in the incubator?
The soul incarnates and Karma accumulates in the soul. He describes Karma as “the imprints of life experiences and actions onto the energy field of each soul.” This book thrusts you into your own personal journey and transformation. It will educate you on deep aspects of soul work and spiritual progression. A fantastic contribution to the world of soul searching, of finding inner peace; and ways of uncovering explanations of how the psychics of energy are spiritually applied. This book helps you find your soul. It gives you the information and understanding to pursue how such a great field works. It explains its existence. It bewilders you in a profound and wonderful way. More importantly it explains it relevance to each and every one of us. This just isn’t a philosophy book; it is an encyclopedia to help you on your journey to your soul. It touches humanity bridging science and the energy worlds. It reminds us of the tender sides of humanity and how to reach within ourselves for more of the goodness in life here and beyond. I received a complimentary review copy.
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kathieoc | 2 reseñas más. | Sep 28, 2010 |
This is a difficult book for me to review. The author is an Australian psychologst working with transpersonal therapy and the book deals mostly with the nature of the "Great Field", therapy in relation to the Field and the nature of soul.

As regards the "Great Field", I can't find that he provides us with an exact definition of this, but it appears to be what might otherwise be termed "God" or "Brahma", or that which constitutes the Universe, or all universes.

We are all part of the Field, each have our own field, and we, and everything, are/is interonnected. There is no such thing as empty space, even in the emptiest space possible there is "an all-pervasive field or energy".

Much of the text is somewhat difficult to comprehend, mostly due to the "abstract" nature of the "matter" being discussed. (It is precisely NOT matter but energy or energetic matter that is under discussion.) However, the author states that the separation of matter and spirit is an abstraction - "The ground is always one."

There seems to be an innate contradiction in the author's contention that the higher levels of the Field are "essentially not interested in humanity's needs or moral values" and his citing of the "overwhelming power of love and compassion" that meets those having near-death ecperiences: He says nothing in the Field can have purpose or attitude, plan or morality. "Humanity is not uppermost in its mind, as it should be were it our concept of a loving god."

It is hard for me to understand the author's concept of the soul which he perceives through the experiences of his clients, this differing somewhat from the usual views. "The soul is a personalized aspect of the Field ---" So far so good. "As the soul has neither an agenda nor any longing to be, either more, or less in the Field, it is completely unconcerned with its own path." This is not what I previously have understood.

This book, though difficult, is quite fascinating, especially the final chapters about the soul and therapy.

I haven't read anything quite like this before, and I strongly recommend the book to anyone interested in the subject.
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IonaS | 2 reseñas más. | Jul 28, 2010 |
Therapist John James, PhD, draws on nearly twenty years of therapeutic practice to present elegant and sometimes startling conclusions about the nature of the universe and its implications for the human experience. Drawing on the established scientific wisdom of biology and astronomy, he shows that everything that exists has been created out of and within the vast domains of energy that form the Great Field, and that soul--that energetic part of us that connects with the universe--is as powerful a creative factor in our physical and psychic development as DNA.
Because his findings are based upon an innovative combination of scientific evidence, diverse cultural and spiritual wisdom, and therapeutic case histories, James' conclusions provide stimulating and original theory of how the Great Field is the foundation of everything in the universe--including the personal energy we call soul.

"The soul is one of the most venerable, enduring images of spiritual traditions worldwide. In The Great Field, John James brings new information to this ancient concept, and in so doing helps bridge the worlds of modern science and spirituality, which is one of the most urgent tasks of our time." -- Larry Dossey, MD, bestselling author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things
"The Great Field is a book and topic whose time has come. We need to explore the nature of life in a way that has never been done before. It is time to experience and accept what we cannot explain. Read on and open your mind to the true nature of life and its mystery. Outer space cannot tell us what exists within us and our inner space and the true nature of The Great Field we are part of and exist within." -- Bernie Siegel, MD, bestselling author of Love, Medicine & Miracles

"The Great Field brings together fascinating and accurate scientific evidence on the power of our souls - in a way that is refreshing, new and vital. A very, very exciting and uplifting book, it gets to the very heart of health and healing." -- Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom
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Denunciada
mary-skinner | 2 reseñas más. | Apr 12, 2010 |

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108
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Valoración
3.9
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4
ISBNs
101
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