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I have this book for many years but this is a kind of poetry that ripens with time and each time you take a sip, it still surprises you with refreshing revelations. The prevailing popularity of Gibran's PROPHET lies in only one secret: he writes his poems with readers in his soul. Also recommended are his less known books, A TEAR AND A SMILE, SAND AND FOAM and THE GARDEN OF THE PROPHET. The compassionate poet I come to know through his lines, Gibran did not write to impress, shock or confuse but to communicate truth with highest poetic beauty. THE PROPHET addresses 27 essential subjects of life that concerns everyone - love, freedom, children, work, self-knowledge, friendship, time, beauty, death to name a few.
It is small and sits easily in one hand. I didn't really know what to expect when I purchased this. There are few words per page, covering the sayings of a wise man as he speaks to those around him. the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks, than to the least of all the blades of grass." (pp 27-28) The notion of god that emerges from these pages is of a pervasive connectedness or oneness with nature and the universe.
I feel they add to the experience of reading this book, although I can't quite put my finger on the reason.While spiritual, it does not, as far as I could tell, convey any beliefs specific to any religion or even assume a readily recognizable god. Gibran says, ". I like them. Throughout the book are scattered drawings that Kahlil Gibran made.
The insights were both familiar and refreshing. And the text is printed in spacious and easy to read letters. I knew only that it was a well-regarded book, and that it was said to be full of wisdom.What I found was a story that was easy to read. The pages are made from a rich-feeling, textured paper that feels nice to the fingertips.
I bought the hardcover. There is a kind of poetry in the words, but not the kind that is difficult to understand. It made me reconsider my notions of all aspects of life, although it was less a spiritual revolution than a gentle awakening.
Some of my favorite ones include, On Houses, On Teaching, On Talking and On religion.and he parts by saying ,"Less hasty am I than the Wind, yet I must go.We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us" Actually you can read this entire book online, so you don't necessarily need to purchase one to enjoy it. This is a wonderful expression of some of the fundamental truths of human nature and existence. This little book is always on my desk and every now and I revisit it again and ruminate over the wisdom that Al Mustafa gives to the people of the city of Orphalese.As Al Mustafa prepares to leave Orphalese after 12 years, the seeress Almitra implores,"Yet this we ask ere you leave us, that you speak to us and give us of your truth.And we shall give it unto our children, and they unto their children, and it shall not perish.In your aloneness you have watched with our days, and in your wakefulness you have listened to the weeping and laughter of our sleep.Now therefore disclose us to ourselves, and tell us all that has been shown you of that which is between birth and death.".and thus begins the beautiful explanation of love, marriage, children, houses, clothes, teaching, talking, religion and many more.
Soulful and poetic. I was surprised by the wisdom and insight of Gibran's writing.
A book you won't want to part with. I have 2 copies at home now and I often refer to it. The Prophet was given to me by a good friend when my Dad passed away twenty years ago. I loved it the first time I read it and I have given several copies away to friends/family who have lost someone they loved or had a problem I thought the book could help them with.
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