The Shattering: An Encounter With Truth

by Jessica Smith

A paranormal encounter with a psychic relative convinced Jessica of a spiritual reality outside the bounds of her Christian upbringing, projecting her on an intense quest for spiritual truth. As the mysterious realm of energies and meditation opened before her, she expanded her practice by seeking in–depth training at a Buddhist Center in California, a meditation retreat in South America, and an ashram in India. After a decade of passionately pursing spirituality, she became a certified yoga teacher and a master level Reiki practitioner. Jessica then moved forward with her dream to share these teachings with others, but strange things began to occur. Before her business plan for an instruction center was completed, a terrifying and profound spiritual encounter shattered not only Jessica's goals, but the very lens through which she viewed the world.

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2015

Reviews

[Chelsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read but shares the story of a woman’s exodus from yoga and the demonic underpinnings of the practice, encouraging bible believing Christians to stop practicing it. Having practiced yoga myself for ten years, this book was one of a few resources that had a sobering effect on my view and helped convince me that practicing it is not a healthy or helpful part of a believer’s life. I ignored Christian perspectives on yoga for ten years, rationalizing it as only a physical practice. This book helps the reader see how it is not.

[Kara Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read book for anyone who is practicing or even interested in spiritual practices such as yoga, reiki, or popular meditation. These are not just physical practices; they are spiritual, and do not invoke the God of the Bible. The author provides other resources in addition to her personal experience and testimony. It is a well-written but short book. The only problem I have with it is that she dances with “decision theology”, contrary to Ephesians 2:8-9 which tells us that we come to faith BY GRACE, And that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, lest any man should boast. That said, I am a WELS Lutheran. She is a member of a different denomination that does believe in the Trinity, that Jesus died and rose to redeem us from our sins, that preaches the whole Bible as the true Word of God. There are some doctrinal points on which we don’t agree. I expected that. It does not negate the value of this book nor her faith. She continues to search the Scripture for the truth, as do I.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica tells her story of how she leaves Christianity slowly by wearing down her belief in the Bible and prioritizing feels over truth. She liked the physical peace she got with meditation. She becomes a yogi and rekki master. Eventually she encounters Christians and realizes her "spirit guides" are her enemies and is in over her head. She comes back to the true God and is freed from them.

The last part she proves that all yoga is spiritual and not something Christians should practice.

Riviting and short chapters so easy to pickup and put down during the day.

It lined up perfectly with a Mormon turned Buddhist book was listening to at the time. Both decided eastern religions are true cause the liked the feelings they get from meditation.

This book is also a proof that eastern meditation (mindless focus on a word is person) is dangerous. It's something that's sneaking into the church. She goes into great detail on how biblical meditation (mindful focus) is completely different.

[Joelle Tamraz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something is missing in this book, leaving a gap too big to bridge.

The author hurries the narrative from dabbling with spirits after a friend’s sudden untimely depth to engaging in yoga, meditation and other New Age practices to intense daily fights with her boyfriend to feeling a need to return to Christianity and finally the frightening “shattering” of evil spirits’ hold on her.

Throughout, I felt like everything was being told without sufficient context and explanation, missing depth and detail.

As someone who lived in, then deconstructed, New Age spirituality cults for many years, I thought this memoir would be interesting, but it fell short. Neither the author’s adherence to the spiritualist path nor her return to Christianity convinced me.

[Kristin Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it because I wanted to get a Christian perspective of yoga. This book is written about a young lady's journey from teaching yoga to not practicing at all. She does a great job of documenting her sources and documenting the verses in the the Bible that support her perspective. It was a very interesting take on a subject that I previously did not know a lot about. I'm glad that I read it.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such an eye-opening testimony from someone who came out of the New Age movement! Jessica Smith is raw and real in sharing her exploration of eastern practices and her encounter with demonic forces. She warns of the spiritual dangers of these practices.

[Kristine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Very interesting. Especially relevant to teens.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating true account of one woman's journey from New Age to Jesus.

[Lynnette Lockwood-Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!! Would recommend to anyone who wants to learn about how simple things can be bad for you when it comes to faith.

[Leigh Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! This book is SO good!! Jessica's story and testimony is amazing and so insightful! A must read for Christ followers!!!

[Megan Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Incredible, I'm so thankful that Jessica was willing to write down and share her story. I had many no way, and that's not possible moments while reading but at the same time seeing all the dangers of doing yoga or meditation practices that after reading this as a Christian would never touch with a 10 foot pole. I'm so glad to have heard her speak at the Answers in Genesis Women's Conference and to have her book and website as a resource for any Christian friends who think "Christian yoga" is ok. Thank you so much for sharing your story Jessica. It was an eye opening read.