Customer Reviews

Return to The Sacred: Ancient Pathways to Spiritual Awakening

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Where do I start. This book has been such an inspiration to me. I couldnt really get into the whole spirituality thing until this book came along.Jonathan is such an amazing person that words can describe how good he really is. These 12 tools that are provide in the book actually helped me in a huge way in my everyday life. I recommend this book to everyone that is stuck on where to start with their spiritual path. I think this book is worth more than 5 stars. Jonathan thank you so much for this gift.

This is truly a rare book. I consider myself a well travelled spiritual seeker and this book was not only a validation, but helped me see old things in a new light, and new things I have not yet considered. It describes the nature of spiritual experience from the inside out - it was often like having a spiritual experience while reading it!What more can I say: it was easy to read, I didn't want it to end and I know I'll read it again. I'd say this is a must read! If you consider yourself interested in new thought, spiritual awakening, or having a better understanding of the human soul and the universal nature of the sacred, this book is for you... please read it and get started on the next level of your path! Return to the Sacred!

An introduction to 12 Master Paths. What a great way to find a spiritual practice OR maybe one that is just a better fit. His personal life experiences, as well as training, make this author the perfect guide in helping you find your own spiritual practice. Great book...wherever you are on your spiritual journey. It offers countless new fresh insights. I really loved reading this book!!

This book was recommended by a friend who is Hindu in her religious orientation. I am a Christian with Buddhist sensibilities, if you will, finding new insights in the Gnostic gospels that open the door to a better understanding of the core message of Jesus Christ. This book shows us what we all have in common while warning us of the pitfalls of taking pride in our spiritual pursuits. I like what Denis Johnson wrote in "Tree of Smoke": "There is only one God, but He has many administrations." "Return to the Sacred" shows us how true this is. If there ever is going to be a harmonious human civilization on this planet, we must return to the basic spiritual teachings of our ancestors while rejecting the claims of organized religions which is precisely what fuels many of the world's conflicts. If we truly understand the Scriptures, we can then transcend the economic and political trappings (which cloak themselves often in religious garb) that reduce humankind to the level of tribal beasts. Love your neighbor, love God...it's that simple! Peace be with you all.

With his book, Return To The Sacred, Jonathan Ellerby takes his rightful place among a wave of what I'd call "The New Spiritualists" - authors who write about spirituality from experience instead of theory. In this book, the author bravely speaks in open terms about his own spiritual experiences stretching back to his childhood. It is these direct encounters with the divine that lend true authority to Ellerby's words - above and beyond his impressive credentials.

Many spiritual books have been born, seemingly, from the minds of authors who have never had a direct experience of the divine themselves. Then sadly, their readers take this speculation for true insight into the Sacred. The result is millions of misguided readers following fellow seekers who happen to have a gift for words. In the end, all are lost in the smoke and mirrors of theory and conjecture.

You'll get none of that from Ellerby. He's the real deal. Humble, honest, insightful and wise, Ellerby is a teacher worth learning from. His work is guided by the same divine source that he speaks of in this book. If you are looking for a book that will give you a glimpse of the divine experience as well as a wealth of inspiring stories and insights into various spiritual traditions from around the world, this just might be it.

Move over Deepak, its time for us all to make room for Jonathan Ellerby in our lives.

This is a very thoughtful and practical book, I think, for anyone who is actively pursuing a closer relationship with the Divine, or who is seeking a clear and right-feeling spiritual practice. Ellerby will not tell you what you should believe or who you should believe in. Rather, he very logically lays out age-old practices and principles that have helped people in all kinds of religious traditions (not just the biggies, but less-well-known indigenous belief systems, too), and then he guides you in systematically choosing what's right for you. And certainly there is no indication that one must cling to anything that does not feel right or work for them, but rather that one's spirituality is a work in progress. This does not mean that he does not ask you to work hard--he makes it clear that dedication and time to practice your plan are critical. The anecdotal nature of the writing makes this book engaging as well as instructive. Ellerby comes across as a truly genuine spiritual seeker--one of those very special people who was blessed with a hunger for God even as a child. He reminds me a little bit of Paramahansa Yogananda, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI. I highly recommend this book as an important part of the spiritual seeker's library.

An eminently readable book for those already on a spiritual path and for anyone endeavouring to find a path for their own spiritual awakening. Ellerby, having travelled the world as a spiritual seeker for more than two decades, has a real understanding of the meaning of the Biblical quotation (paraphrased) that my Father's house hath many mansions. A real page turner from one who is a very fine story teller.