Customer Reviews

A Spiritual Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe: Travel Tips for the Spiritually Perplexed

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In most books on transpersonal states of consciousness and spirituality, the tone is understandably serious, sometimes a little mystical in tone, even scholarly. As a reader, I pay respectful attention to the depth and quality of the narrative, and when I'm finished, I'm left with varying degrees of satisfaction that the book was written in the first place. On rare occasions, a book emerges that combines all the best elements of this genre, and then some. Such a book is Paul Rademacher's A Spiritual Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe, published by Hampton Press.

The author tackles a difficult subject - his slow process of disillusionment within the confines of traditional religion and his quest for spiritual growth and enrichment that could not be realized within the church. He courageously evaluates his life as a Presbyterian minister along with the events that impel him to move away from the ministry after fifteen years of service. Significantly, he uses humor that plays with the absurdities inherent in the mundane and what philosophers have labeled the realm of "deadly everydayness." Many passages are suffused with this delightful humor. Through his use of the ordinary as a baseline, his mystical experiences take on even greater luminescence and credibility. In addition, interspersed throughout his narrative, he re-examines some major Biblical events so that the psychological significance of the stories opens up in a revelatory way for the reader, taking on a new freshness and relevance.

Ultimately, Paul's quest leads him to The Monroe Institute, in Faber, Virginia, which he likens to a modern-day mystery school. There, amidst the beauty of nature at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, he discovers that nonphysical reality is accessible outside the context of painful physical mishaps or near-death experiences. As he is safely guided through sessions that delve into the various focus states of non-physical consciousness, he experiences a new kingdom of rich imagery and light. In these focus states, images become one's reality, and the ordinary day-to-day consciousness (C1) is radically expanded in the process. The inevitable conclusion is that one is definitely, "more than one's physical body," the only credo promulgated by The Monroe Institute.

In many ways, Paul's journey mirrors the traditional stages of the hero's journey represented in Joseph Campbell's classic, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Beginning with his disillusionment as a minister within the Presbyterian church, a "call to adventure" is awakened within him. Consequently, he begins a search for a more meaningful set of values by which to live. During his ministry, although he battles growing doubt and dissatisfaction, he transcends the strenuous demands of his profession and makes himself incredibly accessible to those in need. He is eventually led to discover his life's true mission after experiencing the light of his own soul's reflection in non-physical states. And in his return to society, he has become an enlightened leader who can speak with authority, at last using his own authentic voice to convey important messages and tips for other travelers and seekers. Having turned his beliefs into "knowns," as Robert Monroe would have put it, he is well positioned to change the society in which he lives.

I highly recommend A Spiritual Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe to anyone who has experienced frustration within the confines of traditional religion and who wishes to learn more about the "sacred calling" of one man who, in some respects, represents everyone's journey. Furthermore, the narrative illustrates how The Monroe Institute is capable of facilitating a rapid growth in consciousness through the use of the Hemi-Sync technology, a scientifically-based method of achieving altered states of consciousness. As a graduate of the Gateway Voyage and Lifeline residential programs, I can attest to the safe, accepting, serene, and completely non-judgmental environment that a week-long residential program at TMI provides. And lastly, I would like to thank Paul Rademacher for serving as a wonderful facilitator during my Gateway Voyage in 2005 before he became the Executive Director of TMI.

I'm 71 years old and have been "searching" since I was about 30. OK, so I'm a bit slow.... but getting there is supposed to be half the fun, right?
I have had very few "experiences" similar to Paul's, but they all stick in my mind like flypaper. I attended the Monroe Institute for my 60th birthday (gift from my sweet wife) and was very impressed by the results that OTHER people were getting, but I wasn't having the experiences I EXPECTED, so after a feeble effort to continue practicing what I had learned, I let it go completely a few months after I got home.
However, after I ordered and received Wave I-VI of the Monroe Gateway Voyage and started "hemi-syncing" again, I began noticing some synchornicities in my life (like Paul's book). I also noticed some synchronicities that I hadn't noticed in the past, like a small, background voice occasionally saying to me, " ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE" LITERALLY A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

As a retired Physicist I know some of the implications of quantum mechanics and such. Everything seems to be tied together and pointing to a reality that Paul experienced and Jesus described. Only now it seems to be quite literal and more real than anyone imagined. THANK YOU PAUL!

Paul Rademacher, Executive Director of the Monroe Institute, has brought so much of his diverse background, intuitive observations and wisdom to this book, it is a joy to read. With wonderful humor, and the enlightened universal message of Jesus (at last), he provides a real contribution to the understanding of life's purpose to a general audience.

Rarely have I enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed this one. It was like a sumptious feast that I needed to read and digest in small amounts on a daily basis. I usually read very fast and devour whole books in one or two sittings. This book stopped me in my tracks so many times that I read it very slowly and lovingly. Not only is Rademacher an entertaining writer, he presented so many new ideas to me about the biblical stories that were wonderful. I laughed out loud; I cried. But, most of all, I thought and thought. For a week, I read for 45 minutes to an hour before going to sleep each night. Consequently, my dreams were vivid and alive in a way that I have not experienced in a long time. I never wanted it to end, so I would reread some stories over and over. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy of the wonderful book. You will not regret it.

I purchased this book with high hopes and I did find, in between the religious overload, a few gems that spoke to me, but overall I was disappointed. I was not searching for religion, I was looking for spirituality, I was hoping for some insight from someone who might have made a difficult journey before me, and had road mapped some of the helpful points.

The truth is I've never been a big fan of the Bible because I've been fairly A-religious most of my adult life. That's not to say that I don't see value in certain parts of it, because I surely do. I was just never inspired to look for deeper meaning in it beyond its basic stories. I really didn't know there were such mystical aspects to many of the stories, but thanks to Paul Rademacher now I do. As a person who once served as Presbyterian minister, and now is the Executive Director of the highly metaphysical Monroe Institute, Paul really "gets" how to bridge the gap between conventional religion and the topic of spirituality.

If you're fairly new to the spiritual path, or like me and have read numerous titles in this category, either way I feel you'll find this to be a great book.

Rademacher's book is very readable. Although it's more an autobiography with religious overtones he does eventually get to the subject implied by the title which is out-of-body exploration. After finishing the book I wanted to learn more, especially about Robert Monroe and The Monroe Institute, so my review may be generously positive because it led to the excellent books written by Monroe, which I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning how to experience OOBEs.

I enjoyed this book very much. I could relate with many of the things that the author talked about. Though I wish that there had been more information about his experiences at the "Monroe Institute", what he did talk about was quite interesting. I will be looking forward to his next book, if there is one.

This is a book that you will journey with. Paul's writing style is wonderful, and it is truly a beautiful read! I am so thankful for this book, and for Paul. Each chapter will move you whether it be smiling, laughing, crying, wondering. Be prepared to be touched deeply and to have insights and contemplation invoked deep within. Refreshing to the soul and inspiring, you will experience and drink Truth. Paul does a wonderful job touching realms of Truth in regards to religion, social conditionings, higher awareness, and much more. His personal journey is an insightful and brilliant overlay to our individual and collective journeys that are taking place, and his sharing provides a helpful guide for us to utilize. I once again extend sincere and heartfelt gratitude for this book and for Paul's beingness.

A wonderful read! Paul has a way of reaching out to the reader on such a personal level. His honesty and ability to bridge the spiritual world with his stories of being a pastor and what he learned along the way are inspiring. His book can help others who have had that relgious struggle when finding ones own spiritual path. I enjoyed every page!