From Onions to Pearls: A Journal of Awakening & Deliverance

While the story of 'waking up' while serving time in prison was compelling, the metaphor-laced jargon got in the way a tad for me. The book reads very well, and the author certainly 'sounds' clear like one would expect a freshly enlightened person to sound. But then so do most of the other 'awakened' authors out there. The core message of non-duality remains the same no matter who is delivering it, and one could easily conclude that experiencing 'a dark night of the soul' is a prerequisite for awakening to the realization of who and what we really are, assuming, of course, that we really are not who and what we think we are. What about those of us 'normal' folk who have managed to stay out of hell-hole prisons, who are not on the verge of suicide, who are not unable to get out of bed for six months, who are not so crushingly desperate that our ego just crumbles from the stress and we pop out into clarity of awareness? Can we hope to get there just by reading other people's accounts? Actually, I read about six other non-dual books in quick succession after this one and almost thought I felt a slight tingle happening, but then I stepped back and dismissed it as the power of suggestion. Time to take a break and read a different perspective. Having too many articulate communicators telling me I don't really exist doesn't bolster my self-esteem. Still, what if what they are saying is true?

For those of us searching for ways of living with the stresses and frustrations of life, and learning to accept them as another part of what makes life rich... this is one of modern literature's gems. I've spent countless hours learning about various religions and contemplative traditions, and Nadeen has given us the gem of those philosophies, in a wonderful read. The book is written from the perspective of one who's experienced much of the traditions that should have helped him find true inner peace. It wasn't until a major life crisis that he was "enlightened", the real truth just dawning on his soul.Read this!

I ordered the book as a present because I like it so much

Xclt

This book introduces the reader to non-dualism (Advaita) and has the potential to change the direction of one's life. Amazing!

Sorry to say this, but it is the worse book I have ever read. He says we are just puppets, we can't decide. The "Source" is deciding for us. We shouldn't be responsible for anything we do. I truly believe he is repeating old philosophies to get money from people, to make them come to Costa Rica and spend time and money in his Zen gardens. Who cares about all the people that he damaged with the drug dealing....he shouldn't be responsible for anything because he is just a puppet. Wow so deceiving!!!