THE THEATER OF LIFE

In this concise New Age manual, a psychiatric nurse and spiritual teacher outlines the elements necessary for the integration of mind, body, and soul.

In the introduction to this guide to Eastern religious philosophies, Kent outlines a broad spectrum of credentials, which include an unusual combination of training as a registered nurse, a specialty in psychiatric treatment, and education in a wide range of spiritual traditions, from Buddhism to the study of the mystical Jewish cabala. The chapters that follow intend to help readers find the path to answering such profound questions as “Who are you? Will you complete the divine mission you were placed here to do?”; “Were your parents happy you were conceived?”; and “Do you belong to a religion that freely gives you the tools necessary for the higher good?” Kent begins her exploration of these existential issues by distinguishing between the soul, an inner seat of knowledge that endures from lifetime to lifetime, and psychology, which analyzes the mind and personality of the current incarnation. Referencing the principles of a number of New Age practices, such as holistic healing, meditation, and clairvoyance, the author clearly explains the basics of New Age, Eastern spirituality, including reincarnation, chakras, and auras. Adding a political element, she deftly ties together such disparate elements as the crucifixion of Jesus, the emergence of the 1%, and the need to hold governments accountable for their actions. Occasionally, the text’s assertions seem a bit simplistic, such as the identification of “pot belly, weak hand shake” with depression, and its appeal is probably confined to those who are familiar with and open to New Age teachings. The discussion of the various levels of mind, body, and soul is well organized, and the stories of spiritual events experienced by those nursing the dying are eerily engrossing.

An intriguing but limited spiritual guide that connects mystical religion, medical knowledge, and political ideology.