Wise, uplifting, engaging, and mind expanding 🕉

Reflections on Transcendence

"Everything You Have Been Searching For Is Already Within You."

Written by Elizabeth M. Lykins

Narrated by Catherine O' Connor

Audio Book
(3 hours 19 mins)

REVIEW
By Leanna Webber

Firstly, I loved the way the book encourages us to read / listen in a non-linear manner, to read or listen to any part that piques our interest, or in bite-sized chunks. Therefore it does not feel like a "should" or "must" and we are free to be guided by our subconscious, or to let the divine spark within us, speak the words that we might need most in any given moment, with the hope that it might positively transform our thinking. However, I think it can be digested equally well if listened to or read from start to finish, if that is preferred.

Chapter One gives a good introduction and overview of the Three Principals approach, devised by Sydney Banks, which the author uses in her coaching, and outlines the book's main premise.

This audiobook presumes a belief in divinity, yet without any real doctrine attached or without any limited religious underpinning, making it fairly universal. It is easy to see how it might resonate with anyone who is open to receiving its wisdom, whether they be religious, spiritual, agnostic, or an atheist that is open to transcendental thought.

The book does require an all-around openness to existential concepts and the possibility for divine connection within ourselves. It does this in a gentle, enlightening way rather than through proselytising or preaching.

The book explains the difference between concepts like the universal mind, the brain, the body, personal thoughts, and emotions, placing value on each, but also showing the limitation of not being in touch with all dimensions of awareness or having the discipline to integrate them and let them work together harmoniously.

It encourages an inside-out approach as opposed to an outside-in focus, promoting the value of the inner spirit in the context of stillness, quietness, and introspection.

The book quotes many inspirational and insightful quotes by such thinkers as Eckhart Tolle, Helen Keller, Lao Tzu, Carl Jung, Maya Angelou, Aldous Huxley, the Dalai Lama and Rumi, (to name just a few), connecting this wisdom to the ideas expressed within the book.

Although the quotes are quite diverse and do include a few female voices, it would have been refreshing to hear a few more quotes by woman, whilst I acknowledge the difficulty in doing this when the area of philosophy and spirituality has been under-represented by women and other genders, when historically, most of the well known voices in this field have been men. But this, for me, brought awareness of how engaging it is to be listening to a book within this field that has a female author.

The book contains a plethora of teachings. I feel that primarily, the book really brings home the value of accepting the here and now, avoiding pinning our happiness on certain conditions.

The author is resolute that changing our view / thoughts is the path to changing our outside circumstances and that we are not victims of our situations. That the present moment is where we posess the power to change and grow, discouraging becoming or staying stuck in the past or future, through reliving the pain of the past (which can lead to depression) or hooking ourselves to the anxiety of previewing the future, which cannot be predicted when we are out of touch with the present.

It recentres the listeners' locus of control as being within them and their own thinking and actions, and discourages blaming others or events, keeping us buried in resentment and disempowerment.

It also directs us to the benefit of staying true to our authentic self whilst forgiving ourselves for our "innocent misunderstandings."

The book marries scientific insights, psychology, history, and other disciplines, with contemporary spiritual and therapeutic thinking. It gives many examples with which to use to imagine how the books' ideas might apply to everyday life. Many examples of how these alternative approaches could apply to one's own situation are given throughout the audiobook.

I have had a lifelong pattern of being highly introspective, having studied psychology and psychotherapy, and exploring new age spirituality, philosophy, and mindfulness, somewhat. I have also been through some levels of spiritual awakening, thus having been party to some of the wisdom within this book on a personal level before reading it (although rarely being able to put it into practice). There is some repetition of ideas in parts, although this works as the book is written so that it contains many stand-alone parts that can be understood separately from the context of the whole book. It also helps to consolidate our understanding.

The book does sometimes feel like it is written to be understood by anyone, including those who may not have any prior knowledge of these areas or any experience of awakening. This is a strength of the book as it has the potential to really open up new ways of thinking to the uninitiated. However, at times, it did feel like the ideas and thoughts within the book were not entirely new (to me), just expressed in slightly different ways to which I have already encountered them. This is only a small issue. Concepts are explained in a way that should feel accessible to most.

However, not everything was familiar, and it did help to reinforce and develop prior insights and learning in a tangible way. Personally, for me, I think I would have enjoyed the listening experience a little more if there was an option of a British narrator, however after extended listening, I got more used to the narrators accent and it felt quite soothing.

I also have the physical book, which is beautifully illustrated with paintings by Steven D. Lyons. This gives the book an extra dimension for those of us who are more visual and complements the vibe of this book as something light and gentle, not overly dry, heavy or intellectual, although the author clearly has a high level of spiritual intelligence and has studied the concepts within the book very deeply and thoroughly. The artwork also illustrates the beauty and simplicity of the books' teachings.

It is evident that the author has lived experience of how her ideas and the concepts she imparts to us apply to the human spirit through her own awakening and personal growth.

The E-Book has the advantage that we may listen to it when we are doing chores, resting, driving etc, or for those who can better access an audio format or who prefer to listen to an audiobook.

Overall, this book is presented in an original way, and listening to it felt like an act of self-love, care, and nurture. I think there was an element of resistance there that slowly dissipated, the longer I had listened, and the more I committed to surrender to it. It served as a reminder of what is important, and some of the insights provided a necessary revisiting of the knowledge that I have within whilst being uplifted throughout.

The book served as a softening agent, a call to slow down, stay still, listen, and go within again, within a world that is busy, fast moving, and focuses on fear, profit, personal gain, comparisons, outside knowledge, and promotes distraction, over quietening the mind and doing our inner work.

I implore anyone who is curious about this book to invest in it, make the time for yourself to listen to it at your own pace (preferably more than once to give time for its ideas to settle and be fully realised), and stay open and receptive to its unique perceptions.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!