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More: Journey To Mystical Union Through The Sacred And The Profane
AWARD-WINNING SPIRITUAL 2016: LIVING NOW BOOK AWARDS; 2017: USA BOOK NEWS BEST BOOKS; 2018: ELIT BOOK AWARDS!
Have you ever wanted More ? Not more stuff . . . or success . . . or fame . . . but more intimacy, more connection, more mystery, more awe. When Mariah McKenzie finds her husband and best friend in bed together, she is launched on a forbidding and transcendent journey.
Reeling from a life turned upside down, Mariah and her husband, Jake, resolve to search together for a deeper connection--for more. They decide to participate in Margot Anand's Year-Long Love and Ecstasy (aka "Tantra") Training. As they delve into sacred sexuality together, they learn sex is a doorway not only to physical and emotional intimacy, but also to the divine mystery of life. Mariah glimpses a different reality, which includes wildly mystical moments replete with astounding visions and prophetic dreams. The awakening, however, also releases repressed memories of childhood trauma. As Jake helps her navigate these experiences, they open more fully to one another and rekindle their trust.
Mariah begins to see life from a deeper perspective. Mariah's inner journey becomes a kind of striptease, at first exposing fear, anxiety and victim identity, but ultimately revealing a woman, who revels in saying, "yes" to Life with its sacred as well as profane moments.
More is a love story, a healing story, a spiritual adventure.
Have you ever wanted More ? Not more stuff . . . or success . . . or fame . . . but more intimacy, more connection, more mystery, more awe. When Mariah McKenzie finds her husband and best friend in bed together, she is launched on a forbidding and transcendent journey.
Reeling from a life turned upside down, Mariah and her husband, Jake, resolve to search together for a deeper connection--for more. They decide to participate in Margot Anand's Year-Long Love and Ecstasy (aka "Tantra") Training. As they delve into sacred sexuality together, they learn sex is a doorway not only to physical and emotional intimacy, but also to the divine mystery of life. Mariah glimpses a different reality, which includes wildly mystical moments replete with astounding visions and prophetic dreams. The awakening, however, also releases repressed memories of childhood trauma. As Jake helps her navigate these experiences, they open more fully to one another and rekindle their trust.
Mariah begins to see life from a deeper perspective. Mariah's inner journey becomes a kind of striptease, at first exposing fear, anxiety and victim identity, but ultimately revealing a woman, who revels in saying, "yes" to Life with its sacred as well as profane moments.
More is a love story, a healing story, a spiritual adventure.
272 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2016
14 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Marijke McCandless
2 books9 followersMarijke McCandless is an award-winning writer, mindfulness coach, and playfulness instigator who helps people shed their inhibitions and skinny dip in the present moment. Her latest book is Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present. Visit her at marijkemccandless.com. Connect with her on Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn: @marijkemccandless.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 9, 2017
This is a fascinating tale of one couple's journey to a deeper spiritual experience through intimacy. This is a great book for "believers" and skeptics alike. For those familiar with the subject matter, the heartfelt, personal nature of the narrative gives it a fresh, autobiographical immediacy. Skeptics will be interested to learn how widespread the concept is. Far from being a modern invention of "the New Age," the idea of connecting to the Sacred through the "profane" experience of human sexuality is extremely common. The author guides readers through many of these traditions in detail, all in a relatable, first-person tale that is beautifully, unapologetically personal. I highly recommend it!
June 3, 2016
The author tells a compelling story of her search for healing and intimacy. Together with her husband, Mariah embarks on a journey of self-discovery through meditation and sensual exploration helping her understand her own history, overcome a painful past and find joy in the present. This frank and revealing memoir of a woman's search for 'More' love, 'More' meaning, reveals what it takes to get 'More' joy out of life. I found this to be a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking memoir helpful for anyone seeking connection, meaning and fulfillment. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2016
This inspirational story demonstrates the transformational power of healing within a marriage, where each one finds his/her own path, and at the same time, forge a path together. This healing transpired over many years, and through a variety of methods, including meditation, tantric sexuality training, journaling, and shamanic work. The commitment to individual spiritual growth, as well as mystical union, becomes the foundation for enlightenment and the experience of unconditional love. An unforgettable journey!
August 5, 2016
Great read!
It was love at first sight when I saw the cover. Both the cover and title were an invitation I couldn’t decline.
The book itself holds much information on many different levels. Mariah’s openness and raw sharing enlightened me no end about taking sexual self-discovery and love making to a different level. By the end of the book I felt Mariah as a friend I had known for years. Thank you Mariah Mckenzie for writing ‘More’
It was love at first sight when I saw the cover. Both the cover and title were an invitation I couldn’t decline.
The book itself holds much information on many different levels. Mariah’s openness and raw sharing enlightened me no end about taking sexual self-discovery and love making to a different level. By the end of the book I felt Mariah as a friend I had known for years. Thank you Mariah Mckenzie for writing ‘More’
October 2, 2017
Intimacy, healing, love—it’s what author Mariah McKenzie searches for in this beautifully written and intriguing memoir. Not only does she find these, but she travels farther than most people would to taste truth. Well done to McKenzie for her willingness to be vulnerable, not just in this book, but in her life. Reading this book will inevitably inspire readers to be more curious, more forgiving, and to strive for more – in all aspects of our humanity and beyond it.
June 25, 2016
Wow! This woman is a courageous beacon for truth, not the garden variety, but the kind that requires traversing the depths of yourself to find personal truth, the only enduring kind.
Bravo! I look forward to More!
Bravo! I look forward to More!
November 17, 2017
I loved this book! An amazing story of resiliency and reward, and Mariah McKenzie nailed it. Her story is profound and universal and exactly what I needed to read. Thank you for writing this!
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November 10, 2024I had the great fortune of meeting the author during a writing workshop and was immediately drawn to her energy and giving spirit. So, of course, I had to read her first book! Wow, "More" was more vulnerable and honest than I expected. I found myself often staring wide at the page, not believing that the author had so honestly told me about parts of herself, her marriage, and her journey of healing that most of us would hide. Her story was an inspiring example of how beautiful we can be as human beings when we accept ourselves entirely, including the parts that society makes us feel ashamed about, like our bodies and sexuality. I applaud Marijke for opening the door to readers to witness her journey of self-discovery and growth as an individual and as a partner to someone else. I walked away with a lot to ponder about my own inner knowledge, ability to forgive others, and how present I am for myself and my husband. I'm already enjoying the author's second book ("Naked in the Now") and am so grateful to have crossed paths with such an introspective, generous, and also very playful human being!
April 26, 2023
nakedly inspirational
Naked, raw, intense, crushing, and actually scary… but brilliant, inspiring, and effervescent! Her memoir speaks to me… has found places that I didn’t even know existed. Thank you for sharing and enriching our world.
Naked, raw, intense, crushing, and actually scary… but brilliant, inspiring, and effervescent! Her memoir speaks to me… has found places that I didn’t even know existed. Thank you for sharing and enriching our world.
August 24, 2018
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: More . . . Journey to Mystical Union Through the Sacred and the Profane
Author: Mariah McKenzie
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 5/10
Of the 17 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A rather different story this. It starts off rather lively, almost innocent. Then there’s a switch of gear as the author discovers her husband in bed with another. From then on, it’s more about self-discovery. All in all, I thought it was fascinating. You will need to be a little open-minded, but there’s a lot to learn here, particularly if you and your partner are no longer connecting – in or out of the bedroom.’ Female reader. aged 43
‘This book looks at many aspects of relationships, from sexual intimacy to developing a strong bond and love for another. The writing style is a little clumsy in parts but, all in all, it’d vividly written. This author is full of promise.’ Female reader, aged 37
‘This might very well be of help to any couple trying to balance the madness of modern life with a fulfilling sexual relationship.’ Male reader. aged 36
‘Trying to be accepted for who we are can be very difficult. This author works hard to help the reader find a way to be accepted in a loving and physical relationship. Interesting, mind-opening and a little bit sexy.’ Female reader, aged 66
To Sum It Up:
‘A deeply personal journey of a woman trying to find ‘more’ of what’s important in life. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: More . . . Journey to Mystical Union Through the Sacred and the Profane
Author: Mariah McKenzie
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 5/10
Of the 17 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A rather different story this. It starts off rather lively, almost innocent. Then there’s a switch of gear as the author discovers her husband in bed with another. From then on, it’s more about self-discovery. All in all, I thought it was fascinating. You will need to be a little open-minded, but there’s a lot to learn here, particularly if you and your partner are no longer connecting – in or out of the bedroom.’ Female reader. aged 43
‘This book looks at many aspects of relationships, from sexual intimacy to developing a strong bond and love for another. The writing style is a little clumsy in parts but, all in all, it’d vividly written. This author is full of promise.’ Female reader, aged 37
‘This might very well be of help to any couple trying to balance the madness of modern life with a fulfilling sexual relationship.’ Male reader. aged 36
‘Trying to be accepted for who we are can be very difficult. This author works hard to help the reader find a way to be accepted in a loving and physical relationship. Interesting, mind-opening and a little bit sexy.’ Female reader, aged 66
To Sum It Up:
‘A deeply personal journey of a woman trying to find ‘more’ of what’s important in life. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
February 11, 2020
This book took me forever to get through, not because the subject matter was difficult or painful, but because the writing was so flat. I bought the Kindle version because the author had been invited to speak at a class I was taking, and I was intrigued by her personal journey. I brought it with me on my iPad on a day I had to sit in court for six hours doing nothing (escorting someone else), and if it weren’t for the fact that I had nothing else to read I probably would not have been able to reach critical mass enough to bother finishing the book. As it was it took me almost a year to pick it up again and finish it. There was so much tell, tell, tell, and not enough scenes that had emotional resonance. The author describes scenes but doesn’t make them come alive. She tells the reader, over and over, what she’s thinking, even adds journal entries (rarely a good idea IMHO) but never makes me feel it. I did not get a sense of a cohesive narrative arc or that the story was leading me to feel what it was like to be endlessly searching through all these different spiritual traditions. It felt more like a spiritual travelogue, and a dry one at that—even the sex scenes. The only reason I give it two stars is for the vulnerability in attempting to tackle such charged subject matter as the conjunction of spirituality and sexuality, which is difficult. I give her props for that, but I felt that the book could have used at least several more drafts before going out into the world.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews