JOURNEY THROUGH THE SOL

In this debut memoir, the author recounts the origins of her spiritual journey and the challenges she faced while apprenticing with teachers and guides.

Author Kaiser develops this remembrance through scenes of “awakening”—prophetic dreams that delivered important messages—and the teachings of the famed author Carlos Castaneda, an important figure throughout the book. Following the guidance of the “Right Hand Path of the Masters” (in which one aims “to transform the undersoul or the shadow self by transmuting it into a body of light”) and the advice of other teachers and writers, Kaiser developed her personal spiritual awareness. The author vividly tells of her experiences as a young child with an abusive father and a neglectful mother, showing how she started her journey toward higher purpose by moving away from the stress and dysfunction of her family life. Drawn to Reiki, chakra healing, meditation, and other holistic practices, Kaiser began to explore the world around her and how it related to her true inner self. The book is organized into sections detailing major periods of her life when specific transitions occurred, but the story as a whole is told chronologically, often through dreams. She colorfully describes the latter through storytelling, then connects them with what was happening in her life at the time, giving readers insights into both dream interpretation and her waking experience. The book also discusses past-life recollections, some from ancient times. For readers who are unfamiliar with the work and teachings of Castaneda, many of the themes and terms in the book may seem foreign. However, the author helpfully includes a glossary at the end of the text, as well as an index of dreams for reference.

An insightful, often engaging work that will appeal most to readers who already have knowledge of its concepts.