God Outside the Box: A Story of Breaking Free (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: airport vortex, spiritual mind treatment, rebirthing session, San Diego, The Light Spot, Higher Self (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Born of a Catholic mother and Moslem father, Patti is never sure what religion to follow, or any at all for that matter. In her youth and early twenties, she explores numerous religions, but none speak to her soul. She can't accept the idea that one group has the whole truth and everyone else is wrong, or confused, or infidels, or a cult, or going to burn in hell for all time. To limit her thinking for religious purposes is like living in a cubicle and not being allowed to look over the wall and see what is going on outside. She wants to think for herself, to study, to analyze and to practice without inhibitions. Why would God only accept the practices and prayers of one particular group and not others? An omniscient God can't be that petty, can he-or she? She finally concludes that she just doesn't know and flounders in a spiritual void for a time. But when she is diagnosed with a serious illness and haunted by inner demons of her past, she cracks and falls apart. Deep, buried emotions erupt to the surface, shaking her to her core. Propelled to seek answers and find inner peace, she cries out to the heavens for help. Consequently, she tumbles into a spiritual adventure that explodes her concepts of reality and opens her to a brave new world where souls talk, trees emit energy fields, rocks have life, and God is everywhere.

About the Author

Patricia Panahi holds a BA in English and an MA in Linguistics from San Diego State University. She spent twenty years teaching English to international students in Iran, California, and Hawaii. She also directed ESL programs for Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. In the mid 1980's, she owned and operated The Light Spot, a metaphysical bookstore and coffeehouse in San Diego. She also managed the Inner Visions Center which offered classes and workshops on personal transformation. Patricia currently devotes her time to writing and her spitirual path. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and one mischievous feline.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (April 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434367754
• ISBN-13: 978-1434367754
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,094,979 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightenment 101!, June 12, 2008

By	Susan K. Dorety "Susan K. Dorety, C.Ht." (Sedona, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Patti Panahi's story of her spiritual journey is truly an inspirational guide into "Enlightenment 101". She has overcome so many personal trials and challenges in her life and still she chose to trust God and follow her heart. Her heartwarming, uplifting story shows us that it is possible to create the kind of life that brings us peace of mind, joy and freedom to be who we really are. And Patti's story is written in an easy to read style that will surely bring a smile to your face and warm your heart. I loved this book and look forward to her next novel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Outside The Box God Is Within You, November 18, 2008

By	F. Miller "amazon lover" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The author describes how she learned to depend on the small voice within. She learned that we can no longer depend on DOGMA or the ego's dictates. She demonstrates how we need to contact the GOD WITHIN. Life becoms more full and joyful when we do that. Another perspective on this is "The Healing Light" by Agnes Sanford.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Spiritual Journey of Personal Discovery, July 21, 2008

By	D. Salerni (Chester County, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

An ordinary woman finds extraordinary potential within herself in this narrative of spiritual awakening and exploration. Feeling constrained and unsatisfied by religions that confined God in a box and presented him to believers as a "package deal," Patricia Panahi pursues an alternate path to enlightenment which begins with the Church of Religious Science and branches out into psychic explorations, visits to the Aquarian Foundation in Hawaii and the electromagnetic hot spots at Sedona in Arizona. During the course of her decades-long journey, Panahi learns surprising lessons in self-awareness from ministers, healers, shamans, and many ordinary people who help her along the path of self-discovery. Panahi believes that God is an "imminent, spiritual energy, a divine consciousness that permeates all of creation." She writes, "It's like God is an ocean and we're each a drop."

God Outside the Box presents Panahi's personal experiences in an uplifting and also sensible manner. She never hesitates to share her doubts, her moments of skepticism, and the obstacles to personal understanding and fulfillment which she had to work through in order to make progress in her spiritual development. Disappointments in careers and friendships, a stagnated marriage, bouts with physical illness and self-doubt - all of these things were trials which Panahi had to overcome, and in most cases she discovered that what appeared to be an obstacle was actually a necessary experience for her personal growth.

If you are interested in alternative avenues to spirituality, in learning the role of synchronicity and discernment in choosing your life's path--if you want to listen to the small voice inside you but aren't sure you can really hear it--then I recommend Panahi's book as a first step and a positive beginning to your own journey.

Reviewed by Dianne Salerni
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