Boundless: A wayward entrepreneur's search for peace

by Greg Hopkinson

A near-death experience in an avalanche set Greg Hopkinson on a quest for happiness. He forged into the Soviet Union to make money, just as it collapsed. Ironically, the greater his business success the more he battled his inner demons. He caught a glimpse of what he'd become, and it wasn't pretty. As Greg stumbled out of Russia, his marriage failed and he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He soon found his soul mate, but realised that he was incapable of sustaining a loving relationship. Full of despair, he committed to finding peace and love within himself, and he did the most unlikely thing - he became a monk. As Greg became calmer and happier he was able to reconnect with his soul mate and to begin to live the life he had always dreamed of. This book will change your preconceptions about happiness and success. It may also change your life. "The most gritty, real, raw and honest book you will ever read about inner peace. Boundless is one hell of a story about life's greatest adventure." Bernard Steeds, author of Water.

258 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2014

About the author

Greg Hopkinson was born in 1958 on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. The West Coast is a rugged, dramatic place that tends to shape the lives of the small group of people who live there. Greg was attracted to the more adventurous characters at school - all of whom had a natural inclination to extend the envelope of acceptable behaviour. He studied engineering at the University of Canterbury by day and partied hard at night.

After graduating he worked as an engineer in a diverse range of industries and locations before co-establishing a construction business in the Soviet Union as things started to unravel under Gorbachev's stewardship.

This was a tumultuous time - a phase when every aspect of life appeared limitless. Few foreigners travelled and engaged with the Soviets as much as Greg did during this period of rapid change - as a consequence he appears to have an intimate understanding of the enigmatic Russians of that era.

Back in New Zealand he established a chain of retail stores with his wife and friends. Greg successfully exited the business and now lives in a remote location in the High Country of New Zealand's South Island. He lives there in a loving relationship with his partner Sally.

They are both monks of an ancient non-religious teaching. He convenes weekend meditation courses and retreats, enjoys travelling, skiing, walking in the bush, socialising and chipping away at a range of diverse projects.

Reviews

[Mary Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundless: A wayward entrepreneur's search for peace by Greg Hopkinson was an interesting experience for me. Each year I read many books including a large number of unpublished manuscripts. When this book was brought to my attention I found myself prejudiced against the subject: 'yeah, yeah, another book on how to find meaning and peace' went the dialogue in my head. Well I started reading the book and I couldn't put it down. Greg Hopkinson is not the typical profile of a person who would write a book like this; he's a hard man, an engineer, someone not really interested in finding answers to the deeper questions that life poses. That all changed after a near-death experience in an avalanche where Greg experienced perfect peace, contrasted with his frantic, out of control lifestyle.

The second half of the book is his journey to finding this peace. It moved me deeply. With this knowledge I took myself off to learn the meditation techniques that Greg writes about. I can't say I have experienced the depth of peace that he has but I'm definitely on my way. And I can truthfully say that this book has changed my life.

[Saranya Tarrant]

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. Its a raw honest story taking us through Gregs rocky life experiences from a near death experience leading to a desire for greater peace to finding that peace. I loved his ability to share his deeper thoughts and reflections about his life choices, his work in Russia and his relationships with workmates and partners. His appreciation and discovery of a meditation technique that helped transform his experience from angst and stress to deep peace and contentment coupled with his humour as he writes leads to a great read. He leaves us with hope and possibility that we can all experience a more peaceful life.

[Savitri Ishaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story of how a typical Kiwi bloke found real peace and transformed his life through the meditation techniques of the Ishayas. He's an inspiration and his story will no doubt appeal to many, sick of listening to those voices in their heads and always going back into the past or forward into the future. Greg explains how he found a path to true contentment in the present moment. And it's really a good read!

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it - very inspirational although I would have loved to read more on him when he finally made the change.