HIGH WAY FROM HELL

White examines the path to enlightenment.

After spending years as a self-proclaimed “spiritual seeker,” the author realized that while different religious and spiritual traditions offer various methods to reconnect with the One Spirit, the most effective path is to look within oneself. She writes that our existence is simply the Spirit experiencing itself through each living being’s unique combination of body, heart, mind and spirit. We perceive ourselves as separate from the Spirit when emotional judgments tied to past experiences hold us back. The author urges readers to tap into and examine emotions to unravel their judgments and fears–getting past emotional interference brings us back to the One and into a more compassionate perspective in relation to other people. We must clear any emotional clutter not only to live freer and more enlightened lives, but also so that we don’t contribute negative energy to the world–the author points to terrorism as an example of how our present-day collective turmoil has manifested itself. To eradicate such evil, we must confront our darkest fears, hatred and prejudices to eliminate their power and understand even the most horrific actions of others. Trying to separate ourselves from those who commit such crimes only perpetuates the alienation that fuels them. While many readers may not follow White’s arguments, her premise offers a solid path, echoed by many spiritual teachers, toward a more fulfilling life. However, the book is often repetitive, and White’s distinctions among feeling, emotion, intuition and other abstract concepts can be difficult to grasp.

A wandering but serviceable guide to bettering our lives.