The Inner Life (Penguin Great Ideas)

I picked up my first copy of this book at a used book sale. I intended to send it to a friend, but ended up keeping it for myself. St. Thomas a Kempis has given us so much wisdom on the inner-life. A great spiritual read.

This book is one of the best books that I've read in a while. It reasons with philosophy from a religious perspective. I'm not a religious person and I appreciate his views on morality and life. So far, it's second only to Seneca.

It was wonderful and very helpful getting me to a better prayer live.

This book has taught me much about the development of the soul and the importance of living a humble life.

Initially I was hesitant to purchase this book as I had read in some reviews that it was simply excerpts from the original text The Imitation of Christ.Although this may be true at a surface level, this book seems to be much more than it appears, at least at deeper energetic levels and based upon my own personal experience.I started The Inner Life immediately after finishing The Imitation of Christ and therefore have a reasonably accurate baseline to compare the two. While I cannot describe what accounts for the difference in the two works, I can say that I had two very different experiences with each, both being highly positive.At a surface, packaging level I can say that I appreciated the clean formatting and bite-sized chapters of The Inner Life which I found much easier to read and navigate when compared to the original. I would have appreciated a cleaner, simpler cover as it seems a bit busy given the block of text, although it is original and stands apart from other books in my collection.I highly recommend this book even for those who have read The Imitation of Christ as it's very possible that you will have a different experience with this text. Even those who do not completely agree with the message may find value here given the simplicity and succinct nature of the message.At a minimum The Inner Life provides a compelling argument for the merits of humility and a simple and spiritual-centered life.

If you're thinking about buying this book, you ought to know that this isn't really a full-length book, it's actually an excerpt from "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis. I think it's really deceptive for the publisher to take a piece out of a Kempis' book (I doubt a Kempis would have approved), change the title, and market it as a new book ("hey, maybe we can get people to think it's actually a new book instead of just an excerpt!").Don't buy this book, buy the full-length one, which is superb (see my review of it). Shame on the publishers for their deceptive advertising... especially since this is a book about imitating Christ. How ironic - in a sick sort of way.

This wonderful book was written by the priest Thomas a Kempis in the 1400's and is very reminecient of the Apostle Paul's writings by encouraging readers to live a simple spiritual life. It recommends that peace is found in the heart of the humble and that in overcoming the ego you overcome the world. Joy is found in a quiet conscience and you are only happy when you have done what is right. This may also be the original source of the advice to choose the less of two evils. It also warns that pleasure and desire carry the seeds of sorrow. This book is spiritual focusing on living the inner life and not getting entangled with the world. A must read for all Christians or anyone on a spiritual path. This book is really a remake of the classic "The Imitation of Christ" without the last two chapters of Book III and it does not contain Book IV Sacraments of the altar. I personally think that it does not take away from the book and more condenses it to Kempis's best work of his first three writings that apply more to common people.

This is the most inspiring book I have ever studied. It is excelliantly written & arthor persuades you to get not only mentally involved but involved deep in your heart.

Very beautiful book, highly recommended.

This is one of the BEST books on the heartbeat of God as it is found and formed within the mouth of Man. Dayna Mazzuca

Everybody should read this book before death.

The overall condition of the book was below what I had expected. Clear signs of use and the spine has faded in colour so it doesn't match the original collection.

Item delivered in really poor condition.