God on Your Own : Finding A Spiritual Path Outside Religion (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this book—part memoir, part self-help guide designed to shepherd readers from "religion to personal spirituality"—Dispenza, a former Roman Catholic monk, recounts his decades-long search beyond institutional religion. Weaving back and forth between memories of his journey into and out of the monastic life and his subsequent meanderings as a "Seeker" who has embarked on "a sacred quest for spiritual truths," Dispenza uses a wide variety of traditional religious and philosophical sources (Teilhard de Chardin, Aristotle, Jung, Zen meditation) as springboards beyond the trappings of not only traditional Catholicism but any institutionalized form of religion. Dispenza's story will appeal primarily to those spiritual seekers who are not interested in the New Age movement, yet are looking for something substantial outside organized religion. However, whether or not this particular audience will be able to stomach some of his more cringe-inducing moments (including accounts such as a "perfectly spherical soap bubble" out-of-body experience and the Rolling Stones' simplistic "Satisfaction" lyrics offered up for serious dissection) is difficult to judge, though Dispenza consistently manages to follow up the fantastic-sounding and the ridiculous with sound, intelligent reflection. (May)
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Review

In this book—part memoir, part self-help guide designed to shepherd readers from "religion to personal spirituality"—Dispenza, a former Roman Catholic monk, recounts his decades-long search beyond institutional religion. Weaving back and forth between memories of his journey into and out of the monastic life and his subsequent meanderings as a "Seeker" who has embarked on "a sacred quest for spiritual truths," Dispenza uses a wide variety of traditional religious and philosophical sources (Teilhard de Chardin, Aristotle, Jung, Zen meditation) as springboards beyond the trappings of not only traditional Catholicism but any institutionalized form of religion. Dispenza's story will appeal primarily to those spiritual seekers who are not interested in the New Age movement, yet are looking for something substantial outside organized religion. However, whether or not this particular audience will be able to stomach some of his more cringe-inducing moments (including accounts such as a "perfectly spherical soap bubble" out-of-body experience and the Rolling Stones' simplistic "Satisfaction" lyrics offered up for serious dissection) is difficult to judge, though Dispenza consistently manages to follow up the fantastic-sounding and the ridiculous with sound, intelligent reflection. (May) (Publishers Weekly, February 27, 2006)

"Dispenza … offers encouragement to all those seeking independence from the secure confines of traditional religious doctrine by detailing his own courageous journey."
"The prospect of relinquishing codified church dogma and community to travel an uncharted, unconventional path can be daunting. In his latest book, Dispenza (founder, LifePath Retreats; The Way of the Traveler) offers encouragement to all those seeking independence from the secure confines of traditional religious doctrine by detailing his own courageous journey. Through thoughtful reflection, he relates the crisis of faith he experienced as a young monk in the Roman Catholic Church, which manifested itself in the inability to reconcile his emerging beliefs with the rigid tenets of catechism. Taking enormously uncertain steps, he left the faith in search of more experiential alternatives that would grant him a more fulfilling relationship with his 'Source' (or God). The resulting narrative richly illustrates both the challenges and the rewards of embarking on such a journey and 'provides a wealth of relevant discussion material and welcome support for anyone contemplating this course.' This 'survival guide' by someone further along 'the road less traveled' is appropriate for public and academic libraries, especially those with traditional and alternative spirituality collections." (Library Journal, 2006)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (June 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787983128
• ISBN-13: 978-0787983123
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #204,297 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finaly, a book that understands me!, November 24, 2006

By	John R. Minton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been on a spiritual journey for many years now, turned way off by organized religion. I knew that religion was doing more bad than good in this world and this book helped me verbalize and put into context ideas inside of me that have been clawing at me to reveal themselves. The author presents the information without overt religion bashing, but does take shots at all three "Big Religions" and their antiquated ideas and power schemes. He gives the reader a sense that it is OK to go thru life without having to succumb to ancient and flawed dogmas and rules of another time. He further leads one to start their own spiritual journey, thinking for themselves and discovering the pure love and energy that is the Source. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and promptly ordered 2 more of his books.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recovering Catholics and Spirituality, October 22, 2006

By	Karen Person "karen" (Vashon Island, WA) - See all my reviews

At first reading, Joseph Dispenza's book struck me like the few critical books that left me with that "aha" experience. Like Silent Spring, Future Shock, The Hidden Persuaders, my generation's wakeup calls, God on Your Own spoke to me in an almost organic way.

When I was growing up, my status now in the Catholic Church would be one of "fallen away Catholic" or, as some would say, a "recovering Catholic". Given that history, Dispenza's book has been, for me, a definitive commentary in a long search for spirituality outside the Catholic religion. Understanding Dispenza's reference to humanity as "spiritual beings on a human journey" really allowed me a release from years of dogma and doctrine, initiating the paradigm shift necessary to jump start my own spiritual search outside of religion.

I was able to make connections to so many other facets in my life from reading this book. I could see clearly the paradigm shifts in the other careers I have had as a fashion model and educator: from the sixties models who were vacuous, unsmiling mannequins to the savvy career minded business women models of today, or the pedantic lecturers who have become fosterers of critical thinking in their students. How had I missed that shift in religion? I had also spent many months in European countries, especially Scandinavia, and seen the churches as the museums they have become and still the people are incredibly enlightened and very spiritual. Somehow I had missed that shift until reading God on Your Own.

It's obvious that organized religion hasn't been able to bring about peace in the world. Perhaps if we truly could view ourselves as spiritual beings on a human journey, Joseph Dispenza just may have found a key to peace on both a personal and a global level.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Human Life, a Spiritual Journey, June 14, 2006

By	Gregory A. Kompes "Author of 50 Fabulous Gay-... (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you know you're a spiritual being, if you've discovered that you don't believe what organized religion teaches, if you've questioned your spiritual life, if you've questioned religious myths, if you've searched from eastern philosophies to western dogma for your personal spiritual path, you're not alone. This is proven in the clear, readable prose of Joseph Dispenza as he takes us along on his personal, spiritual journey.

One of my favorite things about "God on Your Own" is Mr. Dispenza's ability to weave the history of western religious teaching and beliefs, a multi-millennium long history, into his personal story in an approachable and understandable way.

Be warned, this isn't a follow the steps to enlightenment guidebook. Your western religious beliefs aren't going to be replaced mindlessly with a new set of beliefs because you've read this book. This isn't a fire and brimstone, fist-hammering-on-the-pulpit text. Instead, the spiritual concepts presented are thought provoking ideas and ideals that will help you explore your own spiritual path and discover god on your own.


Mr. Dispenza also provides his prophecy for the end of the world; it isn't a world-wide apocalypse, but rather a vision of reclaimed positive possibilities for a spiritual human race.

If Mr. Dispenza's prediction of our future is true, there is still hope for humanity and it will come from us finding a spiritual path outside religion.