Customer Reviews

Initiation Into Miracles : Footsteps in the Ashes of the Divine

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I found myself completely absorbed in Nigels very honest and human journey of the soul. Along they way I could relate to alot of the circumstance and it gave me the unique opportunatey to travel with him and learn.
A truly inspiring and honest book which is refreshingly light and easy to read.

The challenges he faced are real to us all and the inspiration he offers with Sai Baba is nothing short of a miracle.

I look forward to his next book.

"Initiation Into Miracles" is written with astounding honesty and heartwarming humor. As Nigel Taylor walks his path, he invites us to observe. He shares his life experiences and offers insights which help us find the divine connection between our everyday life and our soul growth. On the path, he introduces us to Sai Baba, an Avatar, a special teacher and guide.

Above all, this book brings us a message of hope and love. Whatever the test in the face of despair, when the heart is aching, always there is HOPE.

It drew me in and held me from the first page to the last word. I could barely put the book down and just felt sad as I neared the last page. I wanted more! This book is a must read, is definitely a re-read. One reading isn't enough!

After attending some Nigel Taylor seminars and listening to his meditation tapes, I had high expectations for his book. It exceeded all my expectations! It made me laugh, it made me cry. It touched my heart and has changed my life.

I met Nigel briefly and didn't realize the depth of the search that led him to Sai Baba -- the Dreamer as he terms Him, until I read this book. I did not rest until I finished the book. When I did, I had a rather interesting insight into a dream of mine regarding Sathya Sai Baba, eight years prior. Reading this book was a sort of "tapasya"(spiritual discipline) for me. I admit I'm biased because I was looking for a perspective on Sai Baba, about whom I've read a lot. But it turned out to be a great addition to the pantheon of spiritual books because it is definitely not a hagiography, but rather an account of a skeptic whose rational mind never ceases questioning the mystery of spiritual pursuits and phenomena, and in the process continually reaffirming them.

As an Indian immigrant to the USA, I have my personal battles with spirituality vs. "making it" and "living the American dream" and all the issues that go along with blending(or at least coexisting with) East and the glitter of the West. I am familiar with 70's hedonism and his life's arc fits the Oil-crisis 70's and Greedy '80s. Nigel approaches the subject from West to East, so to speak. He is quite articulate and blessed with a vivid spiritual vocabulary. I could relate to his story of emigration out of the UK, into Australia, and eventual arrival in the "New World" and the upheaval that can cause. You have to give the author credit for his frank admission that the lessons he learned didn't seem obvious at the time. This is a very HUMAN touch the book has that I find is the key to understanding it. He totally admits his flaws and his ill-preparedness to be an author. That kind of ego-effacing is necessary for anyone trying to be of service to people through the sharing of his own personal spiritual experiences.

He is not Deepak Chopra or Yogananda -- but that doesn't invalidate this effort. That's *not* whom I was expecting. My analogy would be that one doesn't need to be a great director to make a great film. His workman-like, rational, bewildered approach as he slowly unravels the spiritual mystery of his life rather uplifts the book precisely because of the lack of polish! This book is filled with joy and awe about the Light that is refreshingly accessible but no less potent!

I did not give the book 5 stars because it needs tighter editing, in addition to some explanation of Aussie-speak. Perhaps in the next edition? :-) These don't detract from the value of the book, but merely indicate what a perfectionist I am. Forgiveness, love, and the potential to unknowingly give rise to dark energy from our own ignorance and attachments. These are the lessons I took away from the book. He also presents spiritually informed theories regarding the quickening of tragedies and horrors that seem to be enveloping the world these days. You may not agree, but it's about time these views were presented for due consideration.

Not everyone could simply bare the embarassing depths of his soul like he did in this book. His phrasing is quite useful, the notion that we must "dream into the Dreamer..." (to paraphrase) speaks to my imagination and visualization faculties. This book could serve as a college text for preparing to face our dawning age of disillusionment with hoary institutions that seem to be letting us down regularly.

After first meeting Nigel and Regina Taylor in October 2000, in Connecticut, I purchased Initiation into Miracles. Being very busy, it took me a week or so to even open the book up. However, once I read the first chapter, it seemed I could not put the book down! I eventually limited myself to one chapter per night, which became the thing I most anticipated each day!

Incredibly, as I read on, it seemed as though Nigel's words were actually alive and speaking to me personally, in a way I had never before heard. Many concepts he shares about himself and his journey are things I have thought of and considered, yet never heard from anyone before. With great humility, Nigel was willing to speak the truth in the most honest way, as to confirm my own feelings and gently enlighten me to even more profound concepts, some foreign to me! With each teaching, there was a unique and special resonance to my core which I can only describe as truth.

I highly encourage anyone who has ever thought that there was more to life than what they have been told is truth, to investigate this book. Perhaps let it challenge your existing paradigms and, one way or another, you will experience a unique and healing growth. I feel like this complete and thourough book is still just the beginning, as though the door has been cracked open a bit and I have just seen something I need to explore more.

You will not regret reading Initiation into Miracles!

Sincerely, Ken Reiss (kenreiss@ourbest.com)

I met with Nigel in April of 2001 and fell in love with him instantly. A kind and generouse soul whose work has inspired all the people he has come in contact with. He has this aura of warmth that you receive as soon as you meet him for the first time. His book is inspiring and genuine. He reaches into himself with humor and honesty and I felt you can really trust what he is saying. Sharing his experiences as he does everyday of his life along with his wife Regina who is just as heartwarming is where God has lead him. I am just exploring about Sai Baba and am enjoying this journey that I am set on right now. I encourage you to read this book with an open mind and heart. He really is who he says he is. God bless you and read on.

Nigel Taylor's energy truly eminates from his book. It is a wonderful and thought provoking writing. If you aren't interested in probing deeper into your "beliefs", don't read this one. It's been a while since an author's story and sharing "wowed" me..this book did. The book is very much like Nigel - honest - no apologies for who he is - real. I highly recommend it as a great read! Namaste~

With great honesty and compassion Nigel Taylor invites us along on his journey of faith. I could not put this book down. It reads like a good novel. Now I am going back through the book and studying the insights offered in the footsteps. I believe this book will be of value to any spiritual seeker.

After first meeting Nigel and Regina Taylor in October 2000, in Connecticut, I purchased Initiation into Miracles. Being very busy, it took me a week or so to even open the book up. However, once I read the first chapter, it seemed I could not put the book down! I eventually limited myself to one chapter per night, which became the thing I most anticipated each day!

Incredibly, as I read on, it seemed as though Nigel's words were actually alive and speaking to me personally, in a way I had never before heard. Many concepts he shares about himself and his journey are things I have thought of and considered, yet never heard from anyone before. With great humility, Nigel was willing to speak the truth in the most honest way, as to confirm my own feelings and gently enlighten me to even more profound concepts, some foreign to me! With each teaching, there was a unique and special resonance to my core which I can only describe as truth.

I highly encourage anyone who has ever thought that there was more to life than what they have been told is truth, to investigate this book. Perhaps let it challenge your existing paradigms and, one way or another, you will experience a unique and healing growth. I feel like this complete and thourough book is still just the beginning, as though the door has been cracked open a bit and I have just seen something I need to explore more.

You will not regret reading Initiation into Miracles!

Sincerely, Ken Reiss (kenreiss@ourbest.com)

Perhaps Mr. Taylor should take a few writing courses after he "survives" yet another "near death experience." A previous reviewer said it best. He is no Depak Chopra. I would suggest reading something with some substance by an author who is not only trust worthy, but educated. "Autobiography of a Yogi" is a good place to start. At least this "Master" was never vain or felt it necessary to drive a red Mercedes called Love.

Perhaps this "enlightenned" writer should leave his pen to the professionals. The poorly constructed ramblings of a ..., ...should I say wallabe, guy jumping on the coat tails of anything that will drag him up the monetary ladder. Nothing rings true except perhaps that Nigel profoundly produced yet another peice of vanity press. Save your money!!