In each chapter, I'm impressed by 3 things: (1) the quote from the masters that opens the chapter, (2) the amazing stories Weiss shares, and (3) the plethora of practical advice.
(1) Each chapter begins with a quote from the masters about 1 to 2 paragraphs long-a lot of wisdom packed into a few words. These messages include the importance of love, forgiveness, patience, meditation and visualization; and information about reincarnation and life in spiritual form. Although these messages corroborate other spiritual and metaphysical books I've read, it's great to have messages on so many topics succinctly boiled down to their essence in one book.
(2) Each chapter contains fascinating stories that reinforce the masters' quote which begins the chapter. The stories come from many sources including Brian Weiss' life, his regression patients and workshop participants, and experiences with talented mediums such as James Van Praagh. The stories are truly amazing, and if the reader believes the author is telling the truth, provide incontrovertible evidence the existence of the soul outside the human body via out of the body-, between life-, and reincarnation experiences. I recognized several stories from Weiss' previous books, but most were new. There were numerous cases of hypnotic regression patients, mediums, and workshop participants accessing information that no one would know except an individual and his or her deceased loved one, plus some spine-tingling "coincidences".
(3) "Messages from the Masters" is far more than wise quotes and cool stories. I'm impressed by the depth and wisdom of the advice. For example, in his chapter on psychics and mediums, Weiss devotes 4 pages discussing 10 rules of thumb for separating real ones from the fakes. Likewise, his chapter on teachers discusses discerning real teachers and gurus from pretenders. I'm impressed that the book doesn't just preach "peace and love" but provides so much practical advice one can use on a day-to-day basis. In addition, Weiss' commentary on the fallacies of modern psychiatry is quite interesting.
(4) Bonuses - Appendix A provides 7 spiritual teachings, each followed by passages from the sacred writings of major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Appendix B provides 2 meditations one can read into a tape recorder: a past life meditation and a healing meditation with dolphins.
Bottom line: this book is full of wisdom, fascinating stories, and practical advice. I highly recommend it to beginning spiritual seekers, long-term spiritual seekers, and skeptics alike.
