Higher: Awaken to a More Fulfilling Life

by Charles Hanna

The world’s great philosophers and spiritual leaders teach us that happiness depends on how we look at life. In Higher, Charles Hanna explores why and how we can create the best possible outlook. By finding our Higher Perspective, Higher Power, and Higher Purpose, he demonstrates how we can challenge our demons and become our best selves. His experience of physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery and his applications will resonate powerfully with all readers.As a young man, Hanna emigrated from Egypt to Canada where he got an education and followed his dreams. From one perspective, his life was perfect-his family grew, his businesses flourished; yet, his doubt and addiction quietly destroyed him. It was not until Hanna finally hit bottom that he discovered the tools to achieve true personal freedom and happiness-a Higher life. Through his firsthand experience and his understanding of human nature, neuroscience, and life management, Hanna provides readers with practical and practicable techniques and ideas so that everyone can apply the Higher way to their daily routines and to their dreams.Hanna’s engaging voice, fascinating realizations, and depth of understanding make Higher a valuable book for anyone, religious or otherwise, who wants to find greater meaning, beauty, and success in their lives.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2016

Reviews

[PeaceLily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am greatly enjoying reading this book. The cover is beautiful and unique and the insights are fascinating and true to my experience. The author bravely speaks from his own life experience and offers illuminating examples and excellent insights. Through his life story, he shows how being successful (married and having a family and business and career success) does not guarantee happiness. Instead, he shares how at the height of his successful business career, he was struggling with a severe cocaine addiction that nearly cost him his life. He continued to struggle with recovery until he had a realization of having "a higher awareness". I found it particularly helpful that he shares the tools and attitudes that have helped him sustain recovery and to have a more fulfilling life. It was deeply inspiring to read about his honestly accounted struggles and how he turned his life around, learning to be mindful and to surrender to a higher power to find peace in all situations (note: this is not a "religious" book at all and he mentions that you can apply the principles no matter what your religion or spiritual orientation). I have already starting implementing what I've learned from this book as an experiment in my own life.
Disclosure: I received an copy of this book from Netgalley and Smith Publicity in return for an honest review.

[Syl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe I won this in a giveaway. Grateful. Things always work out for the best. I was so happy to read this because I felt like I really needed this book when I started reading it at the time that I did.

I felt like I purposely dragged it out this long because I didn't want this book to end. I read and took in every single word. Tried to process every single word. I really recommend this book to anyone trying to stop living distractedly, anyone who wants to change their perspective on life, anyone who wants to find greater meaning, beauty, and success in life.

The past year, things have changed so much for me, I have seen myself fall and become someone I never thought I'd become. And I'm finally making peace with who I am, what I want, what I need, and take deep breaths while doing so. To love myself for all that I am. To appreciate everything instead of expecting everything. To want what I already have rather than pray and wish for more, more, more.

Love love love it. I find myself going back to parts of the book when I feel like I need a pick-me-up or a reminder. This book speaks to me on so many levels and there are so many parts where I feel like I cannot express in words, but Charles Hanna did for me. Very inspiring, uplifting, and encouraging. Thank you.

[giftedteacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about addiction! Although I have no personal experience, I think that it could help someone with addiction problems find their way.

I received an electronic advance review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Clark Roush · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed “Higher” - it was a quick one-day read. It reads like a combination of journal entries, self-help bullet points, and reflections of lessons learned from mistakes of the past. He weaves a personal tapestry and road map through his addiction recovery and describes the light at the end of the tunnel. This could prove a beneficial resource for any addiction. There were a few nuggets enclosed, but many of the thoughts and statements were repetitive, and I can away thinking “he doesn’t want life to be about money, yet seeing all the places he’s been and the benefits of a schedule he can arrange have the appearance of having enough money to do that.” I think it is philosophically sound, but not as easy for the average person to practice as is implied. I like his attention to spiritual matters, and chapter 7 is really good.” He also has a very good section on what it means to truly listen. I’m glad he’s in a better place and glad he wrote so transparently about his life and his self.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but this wasn’t for me, I just couldn’t get past the first couple of chapters. It may come under the heading of self help but I couldn’t see where it was going.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for turning on my light again. Post brain injury is complicated but not as complicated as my life had been prior to the aneurysm. Sometimes it's take a mountain to move people and this book did that.