Customer Reviews

The Would Be Saint

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"The Would-Be Saint" is an enormously valuable spiritual document, one of a growing number of books by spiritually committed individuals who are willing to share--without setting themselves up as "gurus"--what actually worked for them in their quest for the Divine. Jo Leonard demonstrates, in a series of very short anecdotes--rooted in personal experience without being autobiographical--that the great spiritual experiences once thought to be available only to saints are in fact available to us all. What is most refreshing is that these pointed spiritual messages are laid out in simple straightforward language, without any special pleading from the mind level, and without any ideological or religious axes to grind; nothing is being sold here. I was deeply moved by the book--as much by its tone as by its content--and inspired by its example.

I've never read anything quite like The Would Be Saint. It's an amazing collection of stories about an every day person with a not-so-everyday dream: to become a saint. Raised a Catholic, the author later turned to Eastern meditative practices, and devoted herself so completely to her search for God, that God began speaking back through a series of profound mystical experiences.

Each essay in this book takes you on a journey of spiritual awakening, and I mean this quite literally. For some reason, as I read these stories, it seemed as if I were having the experience myself, standing on absolutely holy ground, receiving the mysteries of God. This book inspired me deeply, and made me realize yet again that ordinary people can receive extraordinary spiritual experiences when they devote themselves fully to a heartfelt spiritual goal. Jo's goal was to see as God sees, to love as God loves, to live as God lives. Her book will help all of us to do the same.

Sainthood is certainly a high aspiration. "The Would Be Saint: A Collection of Experiences on the Way Home to God" is a memoir by Jo Leonard, recalling her early desires to become a saint to enrich her relationship with God. Reflecting on this certainly daunting childhood desire from an adult perspective, she speaks wistfully of her Christian childhood. Highly recommended.

I loved this book. I bought it because I'd read a couple of the stories on the spiritual dialogues website & found them inspiring. The book surpassed all my expectations. If you want inspiration for your life's journey, definitely read this book.

I've read so many books that claim, "This book will change your life". This book makes no such claims. But, as I read, I noticed that I was 'letting it in' at the deepest levels. As I went about my daily life, I found that things I had read in "The Would Be Saint" had risen to the top of my standard mental programming, and were guiding me to see things in a new way - a better way - a way that I couldn't have expected. I intend to read it again and again. This is not a textbook or a dreary litany of "do's and don'ts". It is stories. Wonderful stories. Stories about me.

This astonishing book is a must-read for anyone interested in the spiritual life. I couldn't stop reading! Jo Leonard is a spiritual adventuress with great stories and valuable insights.

What a thought-provoking, wonderful book filled with the author's true experiences complete with 'how to' guidelines for each of us should we want to experience and know for ourselves. I was so enthralled I checked out her website and found ever so much more information that I am certainly going to be looking into. What a gift she has given us.

My husband and I highly recommend reading "The Would Be Saint". This is an amazing story of one woman's incredible continuing spiritual journey toward God.