Return to The Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening [Hardcover]

Jonathan H. Ellerby Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

        Are you looking for inner peace? Do you seek a deeper understanding of yourself and the spiritual world? Have you followed the popular prescriptions for enlightenment and still found yourself unsatisfied? Return to The Sacred is a fascinating guide that will help you understand the importance of spiritual practice and the great diversity of paths that are available to you. This is a book that does more than provide philosophy and inspiration; it gives you the freedom to find a path that works for you and the knowledge to experience the answers for yourself. You’ll learn about the time-tested tools of spiritual growth that will help you discover extraordinary depths of wisdom, power, and peace.

        Return to The Sacred will introduce you to the 12 Master Paths and Practices that have transformed the lives of countless saints, mystics, masters, and sages since the beginning of history. In this book, you’ll find what you need to discover your spiritual personality and choose the path that will lead you toward the realization of boundless joy and a lifelong journey of meaning.

        Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D., weaves threads of personal growth and comparative religion into captivating true tales of spiritual adventures with teachers and healers around the world. Through colorful stories and clear reflections, he presents a perspective that reveals the rewards of spiritual practice, and a realistic understanding of the deep commitments and challenging steps along the way. Return to The Sacred is an inspiring journey around the globe and into the furthest reaches of Spirit. 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D., has spent more than 20 years dedicated to the personal, professional, and academic exploration of spirituality, healing, and consciousness. Throughout his journey, he has traveled the world meeting and studying with spiritual teachers from more than 40 cultural traditions. Jonathan has a doctoral degree in comparative religion and an ordination as an interfaith minister. He has worked as a healer, teacher, and consultant with individuals and groups in settings as diverse as hospitals, major corporations, prisons, community groups, conferences, and some of the world’s leading holistic health resorts. His work and training have taken him deeply into the worlds of Indigenous healing, corporate culture, and integrative medicine. Currently, Jonathan is the Spiritual Program Director for the acclaimed Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucson, Arizona.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Hay House; 1st ptg edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401921558
• ISBN-13: 978-1401921552
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Featured as an expert in films, print, television, and radio, Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D., is the author of the new release Inspiration Deficit Disorder: The No Pill Prescription To End Bad Habits, Low Energy and High Stress. He is also the author of "Return to the Sacred," "Your Spiritual Personality" (audio) and is the Spiritual Program Director for the internationally acclaimed Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Jonathan has over 20 years of experience in the fields of holistic healing, spiritual counseling, integrative medicine, and corporate consulting. Drawing from a PhD in comparative religion and travels to meet and study with healers and teachers in more than forty cultures around the world Jonathan makes spirituality simple and every day inspired.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Practical Spiritual Guidebook, January 14, 2009

By 

Jonathan D. Messinger "JD" (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return to The Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening (Hardcover)

As the host of Global Evolution which aired in Houston on CNN radio, I have been honored to read the works of the worlds greatest spiritual authors prior to my interviews. Return to the Sacred by Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D, is one of the absolute best books I have ever read on spirituality (and I have read dozens!). There are many out there but none like this that I can think of. Jonathan's writing is divine, his stories beautiful, his prose poetic. This book radiates kindness, compassion, and respect for all. His pen was clearly guided by grace. Jonathan's description on the difference between religion and spirituality is the best I have found. But perhaps best of all, what I enjoy most is the practical stories and dare I say ... down to earth explanations ... that separate this from other purely philosophical, theological or "how to" guides. The step by step advice is seamlessly woven into the text. In this regard, the book reads more like a memoir or even a well crafted novel. I highly recommend this book as a wonderful starting point for anyone beginning their spiritual journey. JD Messinger, Host, Global Evolution.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nourishment for the soul, January 23, 2009

By 

Lisa Redstone (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return to The Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening (Hardcover)

Return to The Sacred is nourishment for the soul. People are hungry for depth and meaning in this day and time and Jonathan Ellerby's book offers a beautiful invitation to step in with both feet into a world of meaning and spirit. His journey has taken him into many exciting and unusual adventures and his expert storytelling leads the reader to travel to places far and wide. More than this however, Ellerby's book offers a deeper understanding of the spiritual journey and inspiration that wakes up the soul and calls for it to stay awake. He is a rare and gentle teacher of our time. An amazing book!

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Was Hoping For, March 22, 2009

By 

NatchitochesLa (Sunny Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Return to The Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening (Hardcover)

Although all the other reviewers seem enchanted with this book, it was not what I was expecting. It's primarily descriptions of Dr. Ellerby's many episodes of enlightenment. Not only has he practiced each of the spiritual paths, he has also mastered most of them and experienced enlightenment too many times to count. Yoga, meditation, death practice, sacred service--you name it, and he's done it and experienced amazing spiritual insights while doing so. I was looking for more specific instruction, weighing of pros and cons, advice on which paths are more suited to which personality types, etc. As far as thoughts on how to live, I'd recommend something like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Peace Is Every Step" before this book. It did virtually nothing to enlighten me.