Book: The End of Your World by Adyashanti

Uncensored Straight Talk on the Nature of Enlightenment Hardback, 2008. Used, like-new condition. Dust jacket shows the slightest sign of having been handled. "Adyashanti points out the pitfalls and cul-de-sacs that "un-enlighten" us along our journey to awakening, including the trap of meaninglessness, how the ego can co-opt realization for its own purposes, and the illusion of superiority that often accompanies intense spiritual breakthroughs. "Full awakening comes when you sincerely look at yourself, deeper than you've imagined, and question everything," Adyashanti says. The End of Your World is your invitation to engage in an honest investigation of what you really are--and how to live once you discover it." Your mileage will obviously vary, but Adyashanti's approach pretty much blew my mind when I discovered it. Years ago when I was studying these things, it finally occurred to me that too many philosophies around Enlightenment were being interpreted badly by small-minded bullying teachers who emphasized self-denial and self-hatred, and ultimately squashed people's minds into striving for a state of rigidity and perfection--or, effectively, one teacher's approval. This book basically helped me break through the bullshit of trying to find a magical non-existent "State of Bliss" and offered me a very different interpretation of how to understand my life and make meaning. Anyway, it now needs a new home, and maybe it will speak to someone else. :)