Journey of the Heart: The Path of Conscious Love

I am an avid reader and have read many many books about love, personal growth and spirituality. This book has spoken to me, shaken me and awoken me in a way that only a handful of books have. I came across the author through an article of his that appeared in Lions Roar magazine and it really stick out to me. A few months later I revisited the article which led me to research books he had written and here I am.The truth and clarity with which the book is written is astounding to me, it speaks to my heart directly in plain and simple words. It has shone a light on things I didn’t even know where hidden within me.I can only hope you find this book as meaningful as I have.

I find any of John Welwood's work worthy of my time and this book holds a special permanent place on the shelf by my bed. It was the book that made me aware that my heart has a way of its' own, very separate from my mind and ego. Though Welwood often addresses romantic relationships, perhaps because this is where people struggle the most, I believe his ideas about the heart are relevant to all interpersonal relationships and most everyday human interactions. When I read this book my daughter was a preteen and there is no doubt that the concepts in this book helped me forge a deep connection with her; that connection proved invaluable as we navigated through her teen years.This is an important work because the heart thrives with intimacy. It is intimacy, and the courage and respect for our hearts, that lets us drop our masks, our pretenses, or our often silly facades that serve to protect our fragile hearts and egos. For me, learning to open my heart in everyday situations has made life so much more interesting and satisfying. We all struggle with difficulties, irritations, or misunderstandings with others, This book does not take those difficulties away. Rather, I notice more and more that I am more often curious and open instead of irritated and shutting down. If I am having a good day, that curiosity will often translate into appropriate compassionate action. Awareness and respect for the journey of my own heart, as well as the hearts' uniquely powerful capabilities, were the most important things I learned from this book. If his work resonates with you I also recommend his other book and a dynamite essay on his website called Relationship as Spiritual Crucible.

This book, and it's follow-up, 'Love and Awakening,' are wonderful books. The important take-away for me is that conflict in an intimate relationship is a reliable pointer toward my own 'stuckness' and emotional defenses. As such, conflict is a guide on my path of inner work to soften and become more loving. When viewed this way, relationship 'problems' can be welcomed as opportunities for growth and intimacy. That profound shift takes us away from 'what is wrong with my partner?' to 'what is happening in my heart?', a shift which opens the door to so much possibility. Of course, it takes commitment by BOTH parties in a relationship to use this paradigm to bear fruit. Just the same, there is something in this book for anyone who is looking for more love and intimacy. Wellwood's gentle and compassionate way of writing add to the books power.

This is such a good book.... There are many good reviews on here, so I wont rehash. Its actually hard to explain how good this book is, you just have to read it. This book explains the 'Why' in relationships much better than any other Ive read. There are many good 'how to' books out there (Conscious Loving, 5 Love Languages, Getting the Love you want), but this one digs deep into the spiritual and archetypal aspects of a relationship. I read it slowly and spent a lot of time rereading poignant themes the author illustrates. This one is a must have.

This is one of the best, if not the best, book on the path and dynamics of romantic love that I have encountered. I was most impressed with John's classifying connection into five levels: fusion, companionship, community, communication, and communion. While it is not a lengthy section, the definitions are very clear and were easy for me to relate to and identify with. By breaking up connection into these five levels, it made it easier for me to understand the dynamics at play in the relationships throughout my life and why some were more potent than others. Although I wish I had read this book sooner, I probably wouldn't have understood it until I've had the experiences that I've had.

I think John Welwood is brilliant! I read this book many years ago and it's still my favorite book on relationships.....that's saying a lot since I'm a Marriage family Therapist. I recommend it to people and I gift it often. John has a combined psychological and spiritual approach to committed relationships which he melds beautifully in this inspiring book.

The author presented sound advice on "conscious" love. I think our society has lost its ability to consciously love. It summarized intimate relationships perfectly.

Well written blends philosophy, religion and psychology in to one book about relationships with other and with one self.

I'm not sure what to think of this book as it seemed a bit all over the place to actually gain any knowledge or wisdom , get a pen and paper ready to make notes whilst reading. I did gain some good advice which seemed different from all the other spiritual/self help books but wether that sticks with me due to it being mumbled up , I've no idea.

I love this book. Required reading for the next man in my life! Also helpful for all sorts of relationships. I have read and re-read and made notes from this book, I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn and grow from the relationships in their life.

This book is an excellent companion for anyone who recognises the developmental opportunities that being in relationship offers. The content is very practical, has tremendous depth and is an easy read at the same time.

I have read a lot of books about discovering yourself and relationships. This book and the authors other 2 books are by far the most insightful and helpful I have read. Just by changing your perspective on relationships and why they are like they are has made the world of difference in the quality of my life.I thoroughly recommend this read for anyone who is interested in personal and relationship growth.

Nice book and good quality even this book was written while ago