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When Thought Turns to Light: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Transformation
*2017 Living Now Spirit Book Award*
*2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Finalist - Religion*
A concise guide to connecting with the ultimate source of unconditional love.
We are all connected to the Light--the source of all life. That connection is our birthright, and it can never be lost. But our egos say otherwise, telling us we are unworthy or unlovable. When we relinquish the ego, we renew our innate connection with the Light and return to our natural state of unconditional love.
When Thought Turns to Light is a lucid exploration of the ways to transcend the human ego.
- Gain a new understanding of human consciousness, karma, and the Divine.
- Learn to replace your thoughts of unworthiness with feelings of love, gratitude, and trust.
- Open to a future of peace, joy, wellbeing, and abundance.
With clear explanations, practical tools, and thought-provoking questions, When Thought Turns to Light is a powerful blueprint for a more fulfilling life.
*2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Finalist - Religion*
A concise guide to connecting with the ultimate source of unconditional love.
We are all connected to the Light--the source of all life. That connection is our birthright, and it can never be lost. But our egos say otherwise, telling us we are unworthy or unlovable. When we relinquish the ego, we renew our innate connection with the Light and return to our natural state of unconditional love.
When Thought Turns to Light is a lucid exploration of the ways to transcend the human ego.
- Gain a new understanding of human consciousness, karma, and the Divine.
- Learn to replace your thoughts of unworthiness with feelings of love, gratitude, and trust.
- Open to a future of peace, joy, wellbeing, and abundance.
With clear explanations, practical tools, and thought-provoking questions, When Thought Turns to Light is a powerful blueprint for a more fulfilling life.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2016
2 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 8, 2016
This is a book about love, but not in the traditional sense. It is about a pure, unconditional and infinite love we can all experience, which the author refers to as "The Light." Through descriptions of everyday spiritual practices, perspectives on the virtues of gratitude and forgiveness, and even the role of nutrition and environmental responsibility in how we care for ourselves and others, the book offers a framework for a way of life that can put us more in tune with the energy of The Light, and more in touch with the Divine love that is our birthright.
This book helped me to take a closer look at my negative thoughts and emotions, and to see how they affect the way I relate to the world. Being self-aware and mindful is a lifelong practice with no real finish line, but a lot of the advice in this book has already helped me to let go of some of the fear, judgement and anger that have colored my outlook on life.
This book helped me to take a closer look at my negative thoughts and emotions, and to see how they affect the way I relate to the world. Being self-aware and mindful is a lifelong practice with no real finish line, but a lot of the advice in this book has already helped me to let go of some of the fear, judgement and anger that have colored my outlook on life.
April 8, 2017
This book is the self-proclaimed guide to spiritual transformation sharing the traditional practices of enlightenment through Hinduism but in layman's terms. The ten chapters go into depth about the fundamental light or "frequency" that is in all of us and how different circumstances and mindsets affect this light. It also provides tips for meditation, devotion, and self-acceptance.
One particular section that stood out to me was the one on unconditional love, which this book equates to enlightenment. "Imagine how your world would be if every thought, word, and deed were motivated by love rather than fear or anger." ...and even goes on to say that we should accept everything that happens to us - both good and bad - as a stepping stone in our path. That everything happens for a reason and when we accept these things in that manner, our outlook and therefore our lives will be better for it.
It was a very interesting read. Before picking the book up, I was concerned about how, as a Christian, I could relate to the content in it, but even if you don't subscribe to the idea of "the light" or even becoming the light yourself, you can apply most of the principles shared in the book to your life, no matter what your spiritual background is.
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
One particular section that stood out to me was the one on unconditional love, which this book equates to enlightenment. "Imagine how your world would be if every thought, word, and deed were motivated by love rather than fear or anger." ...and even goes on to say that we should accept everything that happens to us - both good and bad - as a stepping stone in our path. That everything happens for a reason and when we accept these things in that manner, our outlook and therefore our lives will be better for it.
It was a very interesting read. Before picking the book up, I was concerned about how, as a Christian, I could relate to the content in it, but even if you don't subscribe to the idea of "the light" or even becoming the light yourself, you can apply most of the principles shared in the book to your life, no matter what your spiritual background is.
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
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March 15, 2017I would love to share my opinion on this book however, I never received it. My home burned down and the book must not have made it to the forwarding mail. :( I hope whomever did receive it enjoyed reading it!
February 23, 2017
This book by Patrick was so brilliantly written. It was a fresh perspective on a topic that we have all probably read many books about. It brings spirituality and science and blends them into one entity. I love the way He refers to a higher being as "the light". It takes out the judgments about our religions and personal opinions. As he touches on our "True State of Being" as one of Unconditional love, I was enthralled. Then Patrick moves to addressing our "Separation" or as we term it "The Ego". The Ego is something we all struggle with and Patrick brings it into the light and helps us understand how it affects our relationship with a higher being. The book is filled with stories and strategies, life lessons and thoughtful reflections. I literally could not put this book down.
As soon as I started reading this book I knew my husband would love it. He quickly took the book from me and started reading. I then had to buy us each a copy, so we could highlight and keep it as a reference to refer to time and time again. I connected with Patrick on facebook because I just had to let him know how his perspective brings our spirituality into a whole new light. I believe I found this book at just the right time in my journey of faith. You will not be disappointed in this book, you will see things in a whole new light, I promise you.
I was so graciously gifted this book by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
As soon as I started reading this book I knew my husband would love it. He quickly took the book from me and started reading. I then had to buy us each a copy, so we could highlight and keep it as a reference to refer to time and time again. I connected with Patrick on facebook because I just had to let him know how his perspective brings our spirituality into a whole new light. I believe I found this book at just the right time in my journey of faith. You will not be disappointed in this book, you will see things in a whole new light, I promise you.
I was so graciously gifted this book by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 6, 2017
Do you need a spiritual tuneup? If so I highly recommend Patrick Paul Garlinger’s When Thought Turns to Light. The author gives helpful insights on a number of familiar topics for spiritual seekers, such as the value of meditation, forgiveness, gratitude, prayer, and more.
If you have read my past reviews you know I like books that affirm the unconditional love we receive from God/Spirit/The Universe or whatever your preferred label is for the Divine. When Thought Turns to Light emphasizes unconditional love on every page. “The Light—the energy of unconditional love—flows through all of us,” writes Garlinger. “We are always connected to the Light, and we are all capable of feeling and expressing unconditional love.” As I let those words sink in I wanted to read more.
Why don’t we always feel this unconditional love if love is our very nature? “We’re constantly thinking about the past, projecting onto the future, and completely missing the present based on things that happened to us that we misunderstood in the first place,” says Garlinger. These words reminded me of the teaching in Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. Yet I found Garlinger’s approach to “living in the now” easier to understand than Tolle’s work.
Love is always working for our highest good according to the author. “The ways in which the Light heals are not always clear to us, nor do they unfold in the way we might expect,” the author feels. I liked how each chapter had questions to ponder at the end, such as “Can you think of examples where you thought something was terrible, and later quite fortunate? What changed?” Thus When Thought Turns to Light is a good book for group study, as questions like this are sure to lead people to share experiences from their own lives.
I also liked how the book took a realistic view of positive thinking. I value positive thinking, but there are limits to being positive all the time. “The problem is when (positive thinking) perpetuates a paradigm of materialism over spirituality, or worse still, creates a sense that the Divine is nothing more than a cosmic Amazon.com, ready to ship us what we want as soon as we ask for it with enough positivity,” Garlinger writes. The phrase “cosmic Amazon.com” made me laugh at first, before I realized some of the prosperity philosophy around these days teaches exactly that.
“When you have little practice at responding with love but a lot of practice at responding with fear, it is easy to fall prey to fear. For most of us, it will be the practice of a lifetime,” says Garlinger. When Thought Turns to Light encouraged me to look at the areas in my life where I respond with fear, and motivated me to continue to work on seeing all circumstances and people through the eyes of love.
I received a complementary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
If you have read my past reviews you know I like books that affirm the unconditional love we receive from God/Spirit/The Universe or whatever your preferred label is for the Divine. When Thought Turns to Light emphasizes unconditional love on every page. “The Light—the energy of unconditional love—flows through all of us,” writes Garlinger. “We are always connected to the Light, and we are all capable of feeling and expressing unconditional love.” As I let those words sink in I wanted to read more.
Why don’t we always feel this unconditional love if love is our very nature? “We’re constantly thinking about the past, projecting onto the future, and completely missing the present based on things that happened to us that we misunderstood in the first place,” says Garlinger. These words reminded me of the teaching in Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. Yet I found Garlinger’s approach to “living in the now” easier to understand than Tolle’s work.
Love is always working for our highest good according to the author. “The ways in which the Light heals are not always clear to us, nor do they unfold in the way we might expect,” the author feels. I liked how each chapter had questions to ponder at the end, such as “Can you think of examples where you thought something was terrible, and later quite fortunate? What changed?” Thus When Thought Turns to Light is a good book for group study, as questions like this are sure to lead people to share experiences from their own lives.
I also liked how the book took a realistic view of positive thinking. I value positive thinking, but there are limits to being positive all the time. “The problem is when (positive thinking) perpetuates a paradigm of materialism over spirituality, or worse still, creates a sense that the Divine is nothing more than a cosmic Amazon.com, ready to ship us what we want as soon as we ask for it with enough positivity,” Garlinger writes. The phrase “cosmic Amazon.com” made me laugh at first, before I realized some of the prosperity philosophy around these days teaches exactly that.
“When you have little practice at responding with love but a lot of practice at responding with fear, it is easy to fall prey to fear. For most of us, it will be the practice of a lifetime,” says Garlinger. When Thought Turns to Light encouraged me to look at the areas in my life where I respond with fear, and motivated me to continue to work on seeing all circumstances and people through the eyes of love.
I received a complementary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
February 7, 2017
The author explains in simple terms, the deeper issue of awakening or enlightenment in the tradition of Hinduism, experienced by a Westerner. The author tells us about our ego and how the perception of reality and its interplay separates us from our transcendental essence and the true nature of life; and then explains the practices through which he prepared for his transformation. Much of what is said in it is a recurrent theme of many other authors, however what is very valuable is that the author shares his evolution and his personal awakening from having received the blessing of darshan; He describes a process of personal discovery, the similarities he finds in his Western culture, giving us diverse references, including some of Jesus the Christ.. In summary it provides a practical guide that may be able to guide others who identify with this path.
The search and spiritual awakening is a unique, individual way, with very personal nuances according to the cosmogony of each person. We must not copy the path of others in detail, but we can accompany ourselves and reflect on the example of others, for the fact that we share a collective human essence, a need for inherent transcendence, we humanize ourselves through our relationships, empower ourselves when we become aware of our interactions with others, and we can simply honor their efforts and achievements.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book
The search and spiritual awakening is a unique, individual way, with very personal nuances according to the cosmogony of each person. We must not copy the path of others in detail, but we can accompany ourselves and reflect on the example of others, for the fact that we share a collective human essence, a need for inherent transcendence, we humanize ourselves through our relationships, empower ourselves when we become aware of our interactions with others, and we can simply honor their efforts and achievements.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book
February 10, 2017
The author takes the reader on a pathway to enlightenment and provides a guide to a fuller, more enriched life. Spiritual awakening is an individual journey of personal discovery and growth. This book makes the reader reflect and gain understanding of that journey.
I was provided a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
I was provided a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
January 31, 2017
First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. It is a practical guide to spiritual transformation. Light for the beginners and a refresher type for the more experienced. If you need a spiritual tune up. This book might just help you. The author gives helpful insights on a number of familiar topics for spiritual seekers. The value of meditation, forgiveness, gratitude, prayer, and more are covered in this book. It is one I would suggest for anyone interested in this type of thing. I really enjoyed this book.
July 26, 2019
I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
I found this to be a good book. Not one I'll read again, but not one I wanted to throw in the trash. The author describes a path to spiritual enlightenment. Some parts I had a trouble with, but others spoke deeply to me. The entire chapter on self love had me going "woah". The book was worth reading to me for that one chapter alone.
What I didn't care for is every now and then I'd read something that's rub me wrong. I'm all for enlightenment, love, peace, etc. Some of the writing just took being a follower too far for me.
I will be giving this book to my therapist as some of the things in it resonate with things she has said.
I found this to be a good book. Not one I'll read again, but not one I wanted to throw in the trash. The author describes a path to spiritual enlightenment. Some parts I had a trouble with, but others spoke deeply to me. The entire chapter on self love had me going "woah". The book was worth reading to me for that one chapter alone.
What I didn't care for is every now and then I'd read something that's rub me wrong. I'm all for enlightenment, love, peace, etc. Some of the writing just took being a follower too far for me.
I will be giving this book to my therapist as some of the things in it resonate with things she has said.
November 12, 2017
Beautiful book...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews