Now I Become Myself

Reviews

'Few people could have written this deeply redemptive book. In order to write such a book, one needs to be gifted in a number of interrelated ways, which is uniquely the case with Ken Shigematsu. First, he has a wonderful capacity to see what is going on in our souls beyond what we choose to divulge. Second, Ken is also an engaging storyteller--around Vancouver many of us refer to him as the 'master storyteller.' Stories that touch the heart with liberating mercy. And third, Ken is not ashamed to say he feels shame. For someone of Asian descent that is not easy to do. But he has found deep grace to heal his shame; or, as I should say, Deep Grace has found him and has healed his shame. Read this book and you will find shame not only being covered but washed away in God's love. And you will find yourself, your true self, in the love of God.'

'He's done it again, and then some. Ken Shigematsu's latest book is both capstone and fresh foundation--a consummation of his earlier works, a breaking of new ground. He writes with verve, insight, and humility, and tells a tale at once theological, biblical, ancient, and contemporary--and so vitally important. With his skillful weaving of multiple sources and his sheer knack for storytelling, Mr. Shigematsu entertains even as he edifies. This book is necessary reading for all who wrestle with the nettlesome and perennial question, 'Who am I?''

'If you've ever wondered what really matters or questioned whether you are enough; if you have doubted, failed, feared, questioned, floundered, messed up and thought yourself incapable of real change; if you have succeeded and found acclaim and yet still feel the ache of 'not enough' in the pit of your stomach, then please, please, please, read this book. With clarity, humility and courage Ken Shigematsu skillfully breaks open the goodness of Love and the possibilities of discovering our own belovedness. This is the only thing that really matters. As you read this book, what is on offer is Life in all its fullness and an encounter with the only power that can truly set you free to be yourself.'

'Ken has written a book that is gripping both in the sense that its terrifically well-written but also in that it is spiritually arresting and soul-healing.? He is deeply informed on the topic by scripture, by wisdom, by the social sciences, and by his own open heart.? In a world that often seems to be moving toward a shame/honor society, this book will foster a journey from shame to grace.'

'Self-acceptance is an uphill journey. We are told early that our value depends on our performance; our grades, net worth, waist size. Fall short and feel the shame of not measuring up. How do we counter-balance this toxic tendency? Ken Shigematsu has answers worthy of our contemplation. Using strands of Scripture, neuroscience, and personal experience, Ken has woven together a tapestry of hope. Please read this book. Shame need not have the last word--not on your life.'

'Shame thrives in silence and isolation. By bringing shame--and its many masks and qualities--to the fore, Shigematsu creates a space for us to examine it, and ultimately set it down in favor of what is true about?ourselves as creation God has called Good. Filled with useful insights, practices, and stories, this book is like a mirror we can hold up against ourselves, to see who we really are underneath the mask of shame.?'

'The universal struggle with shame is so multilayered that we need an integrated, robust approach to be free from it. Ken Shigematsu has offered us just the gift. Ken weaves theology, psychology, sociology and more to help us become our true self. I found myself repeatedly nodding as I felt truly seen in his words. I highly recommend this book!'

'There are books I read because the topic (or at least the title!) interests me. Others attract me because I know of the writer. In this case both are true for me, plus the fact that I know Ken so personally and well. He writes of becoming fully the person God wants us to be so honestly and movingly out of his own life experience. Now I Become Myself speaks to my own longings--especially the chapters on limitations and beauty--and I believe it will speak to you!'

'There is a deep longing in each of us to be fully known and fully loved. But our greatest fear is that the more known we are, the less loved we'll be. Through his own vulnerable story-telling and his seamless integration of a wide array of literature from psychologists to theologians to Christian contemplatives and more, Shigematsu tenderly guides us away from toxic shame and toward true freedom. This book will lead you to drink deeply of the abundant grace found in the presence of God and through the people of God. All who are weary will find not only rest but their true and whole selves as a result.'

'This book unpacks the beautiful truth of the gospel and its power to remove the blinders of shame so we can become all that God has created us to be! Ken shines a light so we can come out of hiding, showing how the truth set us free, and how we can experience the fullness of life in Jesus.'

'This is a remarkable book. Written with a beautiful, accessible, and gentle simplicity, this book addresses one of the most pressing needs in our world today: a genuine sense of the sacredness of ourselves. The haunting question, 'Am I enough?' is universal and obsessional: we must find an answer. That answer is in this book. Ken is a trustworthy teacher whose open-hearted transparency fills each page. You will come away knowing not only that God loves you, but that God also really, really likes you.'

'Through a creative blend of theology, pastoral experience, and psychological insight, Ken has written an excellent book that will help you experience healing from your shame, and a restoration of your true self. Highly recommended!'

'Utterly wonderful. Emotionally attuned, self-aware, thoroughly researched, well written, seamlessly blending theology, spirituality and psychology, rooted in ancient practices and yet culturally engaged; there's so many good things I could say about this book, but the main thing is: read it.'

'We are made by God to become more than we are, made to become our true selves--an enterprise to which evil is violently opposed. To become ourselves, therefore, is the hardest task put before us. But thanks be to God, with Ken Shigematsu's Now I Become Myself we have a field guide of the first rank to assist us on our journey in becoming real human beings. With this book, we have so much more than a map for the road, for indeed our author knows well the road himself, and with his offering, he is not merely telling us what to do--he is showing us how. If becoming yourself is what you long for, look no further to begin, and allow what you hold in your hands to inspire you to do the work required to become what you have not heretofore imagined.'

'While there are many resources available today about shame, Now I Become Myself stands out in that it is both richly Christian and widely accessible. Shigematsu's bicultural experiences in Japan (a shame/honor culture) and North America (a guilt/innocence culture) have blessed him with a deep well of insights to share. With the gentle wisdom of a pastor and the vibrant creativity of an artist, Shigematsu skillfully marshals an impressive array of illustrations from history, film,?literature, music, science, pop culture, and classic spiritual writings to open our eyes to the various manifestations of shame and how to overcome it. Read this book if you want to move from the shadows of shame to the radiance of freedom and joy.'

'Wow. Imagine you could meet with a committee consisting of a deeply empathetic friend, a wise biblical scholar, a sharp neuroscience researcher, and a wildly motivating personal coach--all of whom had the uncanny ability to read your mail, diagnose your symptoms, and offer you a path to health and flourishing. That's just what you'll get if you read Now I Become Myself. In a culture that is relentlessly corrosive to our identity as God's beloved, Shigematsu's book is more than timely--it's essential.'