How to Achieve Total Enlightenment: A Practical Guide to the Meaning of Life

by Sam Martin

If you've ever wondered where to find a wise man on a mountain or how to act if God appears to you, look no further. You can build a backyard water element, practice Tantric sex, or even just find out why there are over 300 million Hindu gods in this lighthearted and useful manual to all things spiritual."How to Achieve Total Enlightenment" is both a humorous and inspirational guide for the soul searcher in all of us. From organized religion to surfing, from alms-seeking to Zen rock gardening, it demystifies various spiritual paths and practices and proves that the quest for meaning can be entertaining as well as enlightening. Author Sam Martin offers a no-nonsense, lighthearted approach to finding Truth in some of life's most common pursuits. You might . . .

* Learn how to build a shrine to Buddha

* Sign up for a pilgrimage in the Pyrenees

* Make your own communion wafers

* Get the perfect abs through yoga

* Learn the basic techniques of the Whirling Dervish

With unique, step-by-step instructions, illustrations, informative lists, and practical advice, "How to Achieve Total Enlightenment" is the divine guide to the meaning of life that no one should be without.

210 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly irreverent look at the pursuit of enlightenment through a variety of faith traditions and none. It answers some of the need of a person who would quickly describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious". Some would say it's too flippant and likely even quite offensive in parts - but I liked this book because it helped me to remember that I can get too serious about "my" spirituality, which is really a barrier to spiritual growth and depth. An occasional bit of levity, and nurturing the ability to laugh at oneself, can be a huge relief in living a spiritual life. :)

Sam Martin is nothing like Anthony de Mello in his writing style, but if de Mello had been a child of the 70s and 80s, he might have ended up writing this book.