KIRKUS REVIEW
An exploration of the author’s spiritually transformative experiences
and the worldview he’s developed from them.
Part memoir, part roundup of metaphysical and New Age philosophies, Anthes’ debut begins with an important spiritual moment he had as a teenager in Canada at the Bay of Fundy that began a lifelong interest in connecting with what he calls the Divine Universal Energy. He recounts the various experiences he’s had with Kundalini, premonitions, sensitivities to energies and following his instincts. He surrounds these experiences with the thoughts and views of numerous thinkers regarding the relationships among the spiritual and corporeal, the nature of the soul, and how New Age philosophies relate to Western religions, especially Christianity, in which he was raised. He also provides guidance and insight into how to interact with spiritual energy and live a more spiritual life—e.g., looking for God in daily things, being generous, forgiving and focusing on the spiritual in order to heal physical ailments. His look into the effects and challenges of spiritually transformative experiences could prove helpful for readers struggling to make sense of and adjust to their own experiences; the wisdom he draws from his life could certainly help readers in similar situations feel less alone. He often finds deep spiritual meaning in seemingly mundane facets of daily life, which, while interesting, can feel a bit overblown. Anthes’ personal story jumps around in time, with the author presenting various aspects of his life without much context, which may make his journey difficult to appreciate, since readers will struggle to get a sense of his spiritual progression. Numerous references to other authors and an in-depth bibliography make this book a useful jumping-off point for readers looking to get a broad sense of the New Age landscape.
Far-reaching and generous if somewhat scattered, but Anthes is a kindred spirit for readers on a similar journey.
Part memoir, part roundup of metaphysical and New Age philosophies, Anthes’ debut begins with an important spiritual moment he had as a teenager in Canada at the Bay of Fundy that began a lifelong interest in connecting with what he calls the Divine Universal Energy. He recounts the various experiences he’s had with Kundalini, premonitions, sensitivities to energies and following his instincts. He surrounds these experiences with the thoughts and views of numerous thinkers regarding the relationships among the spiritual and corporeal, the nature of the soul, and how New Age philosophies relate to Western religions, especially Christianity, in which he was raised. He also provides guidance and insight into how to interact with spiritual energy and live a more spiritual life—e.g., looking for God in daily things, being generous, forgiving and focusing on the spiritual in order to heal physical ailments. His look into the effects and challenges of spiritually transformative experiences could prove helpful for readers struggling to make sense of and adjust to their own experiences; the wisdom he draws from his life could certainly help readers in similar situations feel less alone. He often finds deep spiritual meaning in seemingly mundane facets of daily life, which, while interesting, can feel a bit overblown. Anthes’ personal story jumps around in time, with the author presenting various aspects of his life without much context, which may make his journey difficult to appreciate, since readers will struggle to get a sense of his spiritual progression. Numerous references to other authors and an in-depth bibliography make this book a useful jumping-off point for readers looking to get a broad sense of the New Age landscape.
Far-reaching and generous if somewhat scattered, but Anthes is a kindred spirit for readers on a similar journey.
