Breakfast at the Victory: The Mysticism of Ordinary Experience

Brilliant

At several points of the book I felt like crying. James Carse is so honest, so clear, and so humble in his questions and writings, that I feel like I’ve lost a good friend and mentor. I read this book after finite and infinite games, and just like that book, I went through with my pen to take notes on every chapter and line. I can’t thank Professor Carse enough for his contribution to our world.

This book is not about concepts, it's about comprehension, the space behind ideas. The ah Ha. If you like to reflect on the words of others to see how they fit into your life experience, this book is a must for you. You might think that to plumb the depths of this book book might require some familiarity with schools of philosophical thought, Eastern and Western. Yet it doesn't require any additional background because each chapter explains these concepts through the course of the experiential narrative. This book is a glimpse into a history and literature of religion teacher's life experiences and thinking, which he so aptly describes in each chapter of the book. This book is to be savored for its depth and insight.

I love this book. If you are even vaguely interested in spiritual growth I would recommend this book to be added to your permanent collection. It is full of short essays that are interesting, touching, often amusing and enlightening or provocative depending on your current position on God or god. James Carse began his education as a Seminary student but moved on to "Dean of Religious Literature Studies" at NYU. He speaks his heart, opens his life and cites ideas from many religious and/or spiritual literary works. I've given this book to at least a half dozen people and will continue to do so. I have not managed to read his first published work, Finite and Infinite Games but I have read and re-read everything I've thus far found under his name.

He writes with some beautiful metaphores... and for me this book will require re-reading to digest. Had I not liked 'patches' of this book, then I would not read it again. I did not understand a lot of it, and surely didn't figure out how portions related to the chapter - maybe, a second try will clarify. This is a book which require much thought.

Professor Carse is an engaging writer, and the subject matter for his book comprises selected experiences he relates with ease and clarity.For perhaps the first time, I believe I understand what mysticism means to a present-day person.I enjoyed the reminders that desire underlies all progress, but cannot be expressed by that progress; and that this fact is in itself significant to mystics.Professor Carse has the ability to make a reader wonder and so engage with his viewpoints more closely.I recommend this book for a relaxing and engaging read!

I purchased the book because I expected to gain ideas on the mystical in everyday life that I could use in a setting. Yes, I got that. And, I gained personal inspiration, energy, and enthusiasm for my own experiences of everyday life.

If you like nonsensical questions like "What is the sound of one hand clapping", you might like this book. I found it devoid of insight, or even emanations of insight. The things Carse finds worthy of contemplation remind me of a story from years ago about how a person tripping on LSD could spend hours marveling at the geometry of a fingernail clipping. After reading this book, I have even less respect for the subject of mysticism than when I started.

I bought this book on a hunch after I saw a reference to it in David Carse's non-duality book. Instantly fell in love with it. Boy, what a writer. Highly recommended.