Book 11/50.

This book was actually pretty witty. I thought it would be preachy, gospel-esque. But I was surprised to find a lack of religion altogether. (Although I think I did see a lot of Jesus, which unfortunately draws me away.) Overall, it was funny as hell at certain parts, and wise in others. I'm sure the Buddha would have dug it.

"30. "And what would you do," the Master said unto the multitude, "if God spoke directly to your face and said, 'I COMMAND THAT YOU BE HAPPY IN THE WORLD, AS LONG AS YOU LIVE.' What would you do then?"

31. And the multitude was silent, not a voice, not a sound was heard upon the hillsides, across the valleys where they stood.

32. And the Master said unto the silence, "In the path of our happiness shall we find the learning for which we have chosen this lifetime. So it is that I have learned this day, and choose to leave you now to walk your own path as you please." (pp. 23-25)

"You teach best what you most need to learn." (p. 60)

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof." (p. 84)

"He didn't say a word. I had explained the panorama of life to him, and my messiah, as though he had heard all he needed in that one chance word about his happiness, had fallen fast asleep." (p. 97)

"If you will practice being fictional for a while, you will understand that fictional characters are sometimes more real than people with bodies and heartbeats." (p. 135)

fuck a bunch of this.

I read this book as it came highly recommended by a close friend. It's their favorite book. I started reading before a long-haul flight after midnight and continued reading through while gazing out of the airplane.
The book has several little gems, I think that is what I would like to take out of this book, and would focus on, rather than how the overall book was.
A few important messages that stuck with me were:
1. You can decide something and you can change your mind about it later
2. So what if you were a Messiah? You can still choose to live your life in a certain way that is not Messiah-like. And that is also fine.

I think I will read this book again someday and see it from a different perspective, as I don't find it life-changing because of the state of mind I am in at the moment.

Illusioni
#1 Illusioni: Le avventure di un Messia riluttante ~ ★★★
#2 Illusions II: The Adventures of a Reluctant Student

Altre opere
· (1963) Straniero alla terra
· (1966) Biplano
· (1969) Niente per caso
· (1973) Il gabbiano Jonathan Livingston ~ ★★★★
· (1974) Un dono d'ali
· (1979) Nessun luogo è lontano
· (1984) Un ponte sull'eternità: una storia d'amore
· (1988) Uno
· (1994) Via dal nido
· (1999) Le ali del tempo
· (2002-2003) Curious Lives: Adventures from the Ferret Chronicles [separati in italiano]
· (2003) Flying: The Aviation Trilogy
· (2004) Il libro ritrovato: Le risposte che aiutano a vivere
· (2009) Il cielo ti cerca
· (2012) Thank Your Wicked Parents: Blessings from a Difficult Childhood
· (2013) Travels with Puff: A Gentle Game of Life and Death

This is one of my favorite books from when I was a kid. It changed my thinking and the trajectory of my life. Short book, huge message.

I’ve read this book countless times since my mom first gave it to me while I was in high school. It changes for me a bit after each reading. It will always be a favorite for me because I think it speaks to the untapped potential of humankind. I hope we get there someday.

I found this book on my dad's library when I was 10 years old. Changed my life forever. I read it over and over again, even after 14 years. I always find new meanings in its words.