Customer Reviews

God on Your Own : Finding A Spiritual Path Outside Religion

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I have been on a spiritual journey for many years now, turned way off by organized religion. I knew that religion was doing more bad than good in this world and this book helped me verbalize and put into context ideas inside of me that have been clawing at me to reveal themselves. The author presents the information without overt religion bashing, but does take shots at all three "Big Religions" and their antiquated ideas and power schemes. He gives the reader a sense that it is OK to go thru life without having to succumb to ancient and flawed dogmas and rules of another time. He further leads one to start their own spiritual journey, thinking for themselves and discovering the pure love and energy that is the Source. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and promptly ordered 2 more of his books.

Joseph Dispenza's incredible book, God On Your Own, changed my life. As I followed his fascinating story of a former monk who finds fulfillment on his own independent journey into the spiritual realm, I began to better define myself and initiate my own quest as a seeker. I felt inspired particularly by his insights into the role of "giving back" as a path to wholeness. Having discovered a few simple, yet very profound concepts from this excellent book I was able to appreciate my life more and my role in it. I would recommend it to anyone who asks or wants to ask the important questions.

I found this book very wise. I especially appreciated the biographical information provided, taking us on Mr. Dispenza's spiritual journey from his early life ephiphanies to decision to enter a monastery to his departure and ongoing evolving spirituality outside of "organized" religion. Historically people are always seeking to understand our place in the universe and to find meaning. Life, especially as we age, is a personal "mine field" and these days, given what's happening in our planet both good and bad, there is a hunger for ways of reaching God and or/personal meaning in our lives. It's a search for roots and connection and an evolving evaluation of our own unique narratives.

Mr. Dispenza did not merely "dispense" with organized religion, his path was an evolving one, as are so many of our journeys, requiring as it did, his own changing consciousness. He writes with wisdom about other paths, such as the path some people took in the sixties and beyond toward spiritual enlightenment through mind altering drugs like LSD and through mushrooms. I could relate to this having lived through that sixties time of turmoil and I was fascinated by the study of people who took mind altering drugs in the spiritual environment of Marsh Chapel, how this affected their future spiritual outlook. I am living in the house Dr. Timnothy Leary lived in years ago when he was doing these Harvard experiments so I found this research particularly interesting.

I want to laud this book for both its honesty and its truth and also in providing some answers to seekers along the path. There are many forks in the road. Mr. Dispenza provides a nourishing book for those among us who are not sure they want to continue with traditional structures, but who are, nonetheless hungry to find others like them, who have chosen a different, and equally valid route toward this difficult quest for meaning, which of course begets, answers and ongoing questions.

I enjoyed this book so much I wrote to the author and he responded in "kind".

If you were thinking this book would be a quick and easy fix to your spiritual issues,do not bother reading further or buying the book.Joseph Dispenza has written a book that will get you on your path.He does a remarkable job in the discernment between religion and spirituality.More bluntly he offers a convincing argument how religion gets in the way of your spiritual search.You will feel the presence of his years as a monk and how his journey led him to his path.As a psychologist-psychoanalyst,I was equally impressed by his focus and commitment for folks to get appropriate help for their emotional issues and not use religion as a defense.His views of prayer are great and I was refreshed by a very new perspective on it.This book has no answers but it will compel you to ask tough questions concerning your soul and spirit.And that will leave you with your pain and gain.As Joseph quoted in his book from Teilhard de Chardin:"We are spiritual beings on a human journey." The theme that echoes throughout the book is ownership of personal responsibilty for your spirit.Buy the book and take back what is rightfully yours.I was not disappointed nor will you be.

Reading God on Your Own in solitude or in the Jardin, I must have underlined over
a hundred times new, fresh or refreshed, ideas. Your arguments were
very convincing; they satisfied many of my questions about my
experience with religion. Also, your writing was so clear that I had
to analyze it. The elegant paragraph structure and the continuing
threads of questions and answers gave page turning continuity, as
did the personal story being told. It involved me in new ways of
thinking. I hope it has a wide influence. It could stop wars.

At first reading, Joseph Dispenza's book struck me like the few critical books that left me with that "aha" experience. Like Silent Spring, Future Shock, The Hidden Persuaders, my generation's wakeup calls, God on Your Own spoke to me in an almost organic way.

When I was growing up, my status now in the Catholic Church would be one of "fallen away Catholic" or, as some would say, a "recovering Catholic". Given that history, Dispenza's book has been, for me, a definitive commentary in a long search for spirituality outside the Catholic religion. Understanding Dispenza's reference to humanity as "spiritual beings on a human journey" really allowed me a release from years of dogma and doctrine, initiating the paradigm shift necessary to jump start my own spiritual search outside of religion.

I was able to make connections to so many other facets in my life from reading this book. I could see clearly the paradigm shifts in the other careers I have had as a fashion model and educator: from the sixties models who were vacuous, unsmiling mannequins to the savvy career minded business women models of today, or the pedantic lecturers who have become fosterers of critical thinking in their students. How had I missed that shift in religion? I had also spent many months in European countries, especially Scandinavia, and seen the churches as the museums they have become and still the people are incredibly enlightened and very spiritual. Somehow I had missed that shift until reading God on Your Own.

It's obvious that organized religion hasn't been able to bring about peace in the world. Perhaps if we truly could view ourselves as spiritual beings on a human journey, Joseph Dispenza just may have found a key to peace on both a personal and a global level.

If you know you're a spiritual being, if you've discovered that you don't believe what organized religion teaches, if you've questioned your spiritual life, if you've questioned religious myths, if you've searched from eastern philosophies to western dogma for your personal spiritual path, you're not alone. This is proven in the clear, readable prose of Joseph Dispenza as he takes us along on his personal, spiritual journey.

One of my favorite things about "God on Your Own" is Mr. Dispenza's ability to weave the history of western religious teaching and beliefs, a multi-millennium long history, into his personal story in an approachable and understandable way.

Be warned, this isn't a follow the steps to enlightenment guidebook. Your western religious beliefs aren't going to be replaced mindlessly with a new set of beliefs because you've read this book. This isn't a fire and brimstone, fist-hammering-on-the-pulpit text. Instead, the spiritual concepts presented are thought provoking ideas and ideals that will help you explore your own spiritual path and discover god on your own.


Mr. Dispenza also provides his prophecy for the end of the world; it isn't a world-wide apocalypse, but rather a vision of reclaimed positive possibilities for a spiritual human race.

If Mr. Dispenza's prediction of our future is true, there is still hope for humanity and it will come from us finding a spiritual path outside religion.

A "soul-felt" thank you to author, Joe Dispenza, for writing a profoundly life-changing book, God on Your Own. The best part, for me, is that the suggestion about taking a personal spiritual path is coming from someone who was once a Catholic Monk. As a Catholic--but also a general seeker of the spiritual and "student" of the metaphysical--I trust this information more from him, in this case, than if it came from another spiritual author. I am a fan of other non-Catholic spiritual writers, too, but Mr. Dispenza's specific background is more comforting for me since I've feared any diversion from a 100% Catholic path. Still, I highly recommend it to people of all backgrounds who are on a spiritual search (one God connects us all).

I've been a struggling, "very good Catholic" all of my life--and outside of the comfort and inspiration I certainly, gratefully have received from the Church over the years, that part--for me-- had been sadly overshadowed by my worrying about it's messages of "unworthiness," sin and hell (taught in my childhood). I truly believe we are meant to follow the messages-- as Jesus and other prophets taught--of loving God...and one another, as you love yourself... but, I also believe loving oneself is equally important...yet, that was never stressed. I've feared my questioning some negative Catholic Church doctrine, but "God On Your Own" is helping to calm those fears and helping me to find a more positive, heart-felt path to follow--connecting more with the God within than in the clouds.

I know that Mr. Dispenza's decision about shifting from the Church truly seems to have not come about carelessly--or just to make things easier for himself, but, came, instead, from a sincere spiritual search. More impressive, is that even after the tremendous amount of learning and introspection he had as a Catholic priest to the nth degree...a monk...he still felt deep down that taking a shift in spiritual path was the more authentic way to God. This book is an amazing relief to me, because, as a Catholic, I feel that if a Catholic monk could come up with this conclusion, than maybe I, too, can trust my intuition and similar conclusions from my own spiritual studies...even if my new path leads to combining the good elements--the positive elements--of my childhood religion (and, in my case, Jesus' messages) with other more heart-felt spiritual practices I choose as an adult forming a closer relationship with God.

This book, exciting, though unsettling in a good/profound way--is helping me to sandblast what seems to be a necessary hole in the imprisoning, out-dated belief system that I've suspected had been keeping me from moving forward more fluidly in my spiritual journey and personal growth. Along with other inner work I've been doing, this book is helping me to form a new path to help build more healthy, balanced relationships with myself, God and others...in peace and love (clearing out fear and guilt).

I suggest one uses this book as a guide, then meditates on this information, to ultimately go with your own guidance and connection to God within...

BRAVO, JOE DISPENZA for taking a stand and getting this shackle-breaking message out!

--A Relieved Catholic-turning-authentic-spiritual-seeker

This is a comment on the book by Joseph Dispenza, "God On Your Own"I have read the book and found it to be right on target with my own struggle and journey. Every once in a while a book comes along that resonates in that place beyond belief to knowing. This is such a book. I like the fact that he honors the belief system he was raised in as a path that led him to seek his truth.
My own search began with Marianne Williamson's "A Return To Love" and "The Conversation With God" series, then on to Tolle's "The Power Of Now".. This book encouraged me to become even more comfortable with my
"new" truth. It is very difficult to separate from a belief system that has become so much a part of your life and family heritage. I encourage everyone to read this book and find out how great you really are and know that you are co-creating your life.
Namaste
Mary Kay

I've read several of Joseph Dispenza's books, and I believe this is his best one yet. I found his recounting of life in the monastery very interesting. Thanks to Joseph's eloquent writing style, I could almost feel what is must have been like to lead the monastic life as a young person. Moreover, the principles that he lays out in the book provide a practical approach to leading a spiritual life. In fact, these principles can be applied in every area of life - personal and professional. But isn't that what spirituality is all about? Living in alignment within all areas of life leads to direct connection with Source. Through our connection with Source, we all connect to one another and in so doing better the lives of all sentient beings.