THE JOURNEY TO SPIRITUAL WHOLENESS

In this “guidebook for the soul,” Milien offers his thoughts on the inner transformation necessary to unite with the Monad, or “the divine and indivisible” source of all beings.

Early on, the author states his belief that one’s highest purpose is to evolve spiritually; unfortunately, he says, society focuses on materialism, leading to moral failings and “unchecked desires and vanities.” Milien cites historical figures, such as Siddhartha Gautama and Mahatma Gandhi, as examples of people connecting with the divine essence. According to the author, “true morality” arises out of “universal principles that guide humanity toward righteousness, self-discovery, and self-development.” He argues for moral responsibility, awareness of one’s knowledge and freedom, and application of the Golden Rule. In order to achieve a life of integrity and fulfillment, Milien asserts that people must “become virtuosos of virtue.” Embracing life’s beauty and being aware of potential danger are crucial, as is developing one’s willpower, he says. The author bemoans the deterioration of the “sacred bond” between men and women and encourages couples to “complete each other.” Readers are warned about how negative peer influences, powerful institutions, and harmful pleasures can give rise to “vampires” who drain the spirit and incite despair. He also recommends boundaries regarding media consumption to protect one’s mental health. Milien asserts that deliberate choices and intentions direct people’s lives more than external circumstances do, and he advises readers to slow down and let life unfold at its own pace. He concludes by reiterating that transcendence should always be one’s goal.

This essay collection effectively aims to provide a clear, persuasive way to align oneself with moral laws and the divine essence. Milien emphasizes traits such as prudence, temperance, and restraint, which, in some circles, seem to have fallen out of fashion. He also approaches ethical dilemmas from creative vantage points; for example, he uses William Shakespeare’s Macbeth to discuss how violence leads to disorder and self-destruction. Milien also considers the ethics of advanced technology and its psychological implications. Throughout, the book asks probing questions, such as, “Will we choose the path of wholeness, or will we persist in the emptiness of resistance?” However, at times, it idealizes the past and makes broad generalizations, particularly regarding marriage: “Over time, human beings created civilizations, and they thrived on such sacred relationships. However, due to such factors as moral decay, lust, greed, and jealousy, this balance has eroded in the modern era, giving rise to discord in relationships, weakening family structures, and contributing to societal fragmentation.” The work also makes gender-essentialist claims, such as that “many women no longer see themselves as life-givers” and that men are “abusing their partners, using them for pleasures or economic profits,” but fails to provide empirical evidence supporting them. Also, although this guide draws inspiration from a wide range of thinkers, from Aristotle and the Buddha to Carl Jung and Nelson Mandela, its sources are overwhelmingly male. Female philosophers, theologians, and psychologists are excluded from the conversation, and female authors are mentioned only in the context of their male characters or subjects, although Mother Teresa and Helen Keller are mentioned as role models.

A thought-provoking guide to spiritual ascendance that’s hampered by a few outdated notions.