What do you think?
Rate this book
Golden Keys To Open Doors: About spiritual cotton candy
The Japanese have an old “If you see Buddha on the road, kill him.” It’s a reminder we all take our own path to enlightenment—a lesson the modern spirituality marketplace has conveniently forgotten. Modern spirituality is big business, with gurus, shamans, spiritualists, and others plugging feel-good phrases and recycled, simplistic ideas. The marketplace holds out the promise of a trouble-free life, paradigm-changing insights, and simplified secrets of enlightenment—all for a modest fee, of course. Harry Meier has traveled through the morass of modern spirituality for forty years—and killed his share of Buddhas along the way. Meier argues the industry sells spiritual junk food that is designed to make you feel good but ultimately lacks any real nourishment. To truly advance, Meier believes we must abandon the pleasant but unhelpful comfort zone of mass-market spirituality and forge our own paths. The enlightenment industry sells pretty golden keys to doors that are already standing wide open. It’s time to throw away the keys and start your own journey. And should you meet Buddha on the road, well…
74 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2017
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 12, 2018
This is a short book filled with golden nuggets of inspiration and truth. I enjoyed it very much. Highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 19, 2018
This is a bit of an odd booklet. While I understand and often agree with the author's points, it does read like a bit of a ramble. I understand that he is trying to emphasize his thoughts that marketed spiritual experiences and tools are for the most part pure nonsense, I think that this information or thoughts aren't really all that unique. The people who agree with him will agree with me, and the people who lean into commercial spiritual and wellness ventures won't be interested. I don't think it will really change minds. It's interesting because the author felt it was important enough to discuss to publish these thoughts (although he does make light of this in the book). I'm just not sure how I feel about this as a whole. It's not that I disagree with the content, but I'm not sure that it was worth reading. Having said that, it was a quick and mildly entertaining read.
September 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this book.
The author went about presenting his ideas in a way that was more like dropping knowledge; he laid out these ideas and the reader can take from it what they liked. He broke down what has happened to spirituality with the rise of the digital age, and the issues around the idea of spirituality as a whole. I actually took quite a lot from this book, as the author and I seem to have many similar views.
I hope he writes something else like this. I think this type of book is needed for people who have become jaded by all things spirituality.
The author went about presenting his ideas in a way that was more like dropping knowledge; he laid out these ideas and the reader can take from it what they liked. He broke down what has happened to spirituality with the rise of the digital age, and the issues around the idea of spirituality as a whole. I actually took quite a lot from this book, as the author and I seem to have many similar views.
I hope he writes something else like this. I think this type of book is needed for people who have become jaded by all things spirituality.
March 21, 2018
Golden Keys To Open Doors: About spiritual cotton candy, by Harry Meier, is a novella about the author's search to find deeper meaning in life. The book is short but grabs the reader's attention due to the author's unique style of writing.
For example, the author speaks about one of his near death experiences- almost drowning as a teenager- and doesn't tell the reader about what happened but explains the questions his experience created within himself. He also focuses on issues we can all relate to, making it easier to connect with his words.
The book is nothing new in terms of the information given, but the presentation is from personal experience, speaks about what many of us think but don't share. The author never makes a claim that he is an expert, just challenges to reader to think outside the box, question what they see. He touches on the ideas of meditation, gurus, and how in the end nothing really becomes clear as once we find out one answer for ourselves, others open up. This was quite an enjoyable read.
For example, the author speaks about one of his near death experiences- almost drowning as a teenager- and doesn't tell the reader about what happened but explains the questions his experience created within himself. He also focuses on issues we can all relate to, making it easier to connect with his words.
The book is nothing new in terms of the information given, but the presentation is from personal experience, speaks about what many of us think but don't share. The author never makes a claim that he is an expert, just challenges to reader to think outside the box, question what they see. He touches on the ideas of meditation, gurus, and how in the end nothing really becomes clear as once we find out one answer for ourselves, others open up. This was quite an enjoyable read.
February 27, 2019
In this brief book, author Harry Meier speaks about his lifetime of spiritual searching and all the different outlets he tried to channel his restlessness and satisfy his curiosity about the universe. He makes some good points about the commodification of spirituality these days. I know I've seen no shortage of Instagram gurus selling the journey of enlightenment instead of the destination.
After some ranting about the business of spirituality, he fills the rest of the book with lots of pithy quotes about existence. I personally liked the chapter on our perception of time the best and thought it was the most interesting.
Golden Keys to Open Doors has its fair share of wordplay and talking in circles, and at times the writing style can be a bit off-putting. However, there are some thought-provoking lines when you dig in. This book did not teach me the meaning of life, but gave me a lot to ponder and warrants a reread in the future.
After some ranting about the business of spirituality, he fills the rest of the book with lots of pithy quotes about existence. I personally liked the chapter on our perception of time the best and thought it was the most interesting.
Golden Keys to Open Doors has its fair share of wordplay and talking in circles, and at times the writing style can be a bit off-putting. However, there are some thought-provoking lines when you dig in. This book did not teach me the meaning of life, but gave me a lot to ponder and warrants a reread in the future.
March 21, 2018
At 75 pages long, I couldn’t imagine what it might but that I could learn from this small book by Harry Meier. But, had I assumed too quickly. From the beginning when Meier explains a little about himself and why he was writing the book, I felt as if there was something very different about the book. The first few pages in, I was completely shocked at the depth of knowledge and new insight I was gaining because of this book. Yes, spirituality can be found on every corner and every marketplace and they are constantly selling what feels good, not necessarily what’s the best thing for you. Meier does a fantastic job explaining that we get ourselves into trouble a great deal by not seeing and enjoying life as a whole and trying to break it down into too many parts. It’s a super short and quick read but that doesn’t change the power that’s contained within these pages.
August 26, 2017
After reading this booklet for the first time, I was partially not very amused. The author has its own style which you may like or not. I rarely read a book a second time and when I do so, it must have some deeper meaning. It was an amazing experience to find out that in this booklet is hidden much more wisdom between the lines after reading it one more time. Quite sure I will read it in the future again. I don't know why.Highly recommended!!
March 22, 2018
Very insightful
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. It opened my eyes to new perspectives. There are many thoughts that the author has written that I will read again as I relate them to my life.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. It opened my eyes to new perspectives. There are many thoughts that the author has written that I will read again as I relate them to my life.
May 25, 2019
Sometimes guide books want to help you by using uplifting phrases, visualizations of a perfect life, and taking all of your problems to a Higher Power. They try to be cheerful and build you up with sweet thoughts and positive words. Others just want to slap you in the face with cold reality, shake you out of your complacency, and be as direct as possible.
Harry Meier's Golden Keys to Open Doors is an example of the direct kind of book. Meier's book forgoes the feel good spiritual advice of others and goes right for the plain honest truth. It can be a difficult book to read. Sometimes you want the pleasant words, but sometimes you want the plain ones too. Meier delivers just that.
It is similar to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F&$k in that it uses advice that is solid and upfront that runs contrary to other books of its kind. However sometimes we need that author to say “Okay this way didn't work out for you, tough luck. Try it like this.”
You have to hand it to anyone who begins their book with “Read it or not/Understand it or not/Enjoy it or not/I don't care.” You can't be more honest than that. Meier uses a metaphoric mountain and suggests the Reader bought the book to climb that mountain. This book, Meier says is not the book to help you climb it. (Thanks if I'm ever on Everest, I will be sure to note what book I am not bringing.)
The introduction introduces the concept of spiritual cotton candy. That term appears to refer to metaphors that gurus use that make their followers feel good but have no real meaning. This book is definitely free of that.
Many of the chapters contain bits of advice that hearken to Benjamin Franklin by way of Mark Manson (author of Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#$k). These sentences like “You do not need to be wise. Simply look for what men search for. That should be enough” are common sense, practical, and somewhat forceful in their approach.
In a chapter about achieving enlightenment, Meier scoffs at the dramatic search for enlightenment of other gurus. He preferred more concrete means like “There is nothing to do. Let's do it” and “You read too quickly and only understand particles.”
The meditation chapter provides interesting thought provoking words like “What does it mean when you see a blue stone during meditation? That you are meditating and you see a blue stone.” Not exactly a puzzler.
Golden Keys to Open Doors is a book that makes the Reader pay attention to every word even to the point where the text draws them in by saying they are reading too quickly. Sometimes the text says “Again, you are reading too quickly. Have you really read what (Meier) has written?”. Like a parent who lectures their kid and, when the kid has zoned out, asks “what did I say?” It makes the Reader sit up and take notice which is what this book is meant to do.
Golden Keys to Open Doors is the kind of book that makes you pay attention by slapping you a bit with reality. That's what makes it ideal for self-help, because it asks for the Reader to help themselves.
Harry Meier's Golden Keys to Open Doors is an example of the direct kind of book. Meier's book forgoes the feel good spiritual advice of others and goes right for the plain honest truth. It can be a difficult book to read. Sometimes you want the pleasant words, but sometimes you want the plain ones too. Meier delivers just that.
It is similar to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F&$k in that it uses advice that is solid and upfront that runs contrary to other books of its kind. However sometimes we need that author to say “Okay this way didn't work out for you, tough luck. Try it like this.”
You have to hand it to anyone who begins their book with “Read it or not/Understand it or not/Enjoy it or not/I don't care.” You can't be more honest than that. Meier uses a metaphoric mountain and suggests the Reader bought the book to climb that mountain. This book, Meier says is not the book to help you climb it. (Thanks if I'm ever on Everest, I will be sure to note what book I am not bringing.)
The introduction introduces the concept of spiritual cotton candy. That term appears to refer to metaphors that gurus use that make their followers feel good but have no real meaning. This book is definitely free of that.
Many of the chapters contain bits of advice that hearken to Benjamin Franklin by way of Mark Manson (author of Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#$k). These sentences like “You do not need to be wise. Simply look for what men search for. That should be enough” are common sense, practical, and somewhat forceful in their approach.
In a chapter about achieving enlightenment, Meier scoffs at the dramatic search for enlightenment of other gurus. He preferred more concrete means like “There is nothing to do. Let's do it” and “You read too quickly and only understand particles.”
The meditation chapter provides interesting thought provoking words like “What does it mean when you see a blue stone during meditation? That you are meditating and you see a blue stone.” Not exactly a puzzler.
Golden Keys to Open Doors is a book that makes the Reader pay attention to every word even to the point where the text draws them in by saying they are reading too quickly. Sometimes the text says “Again, you are reading too quickly. Have you really read what (Meier) has written?”. Like a parent who lectures their kid and, when the kid has zoned out, asks “what did I say?” It makes the Reader sit up and take notice which is what this book is meant to do.
Golden Keys to Open Doors is the kind of book that makes you pay attention by slapping you a bit with reality. That's what makes it ideal for self-help, because it asks for the Reader to help themselves.
May 14, 2019
Meier discusses what he describes as ‘spiritual cotton candy’; statements made by spiritual or enlightenment gurus that sound pretty but are actually worthless. Meier also looks at teachers, namely those found online, who seem more concerned about selling their latest DVD than helping people.
This was a really interesting booklet, looking at the spirituality ‘industry’ if you like and how its ideas might not be helpful. Meier also addresses the notion that his own opinions might be considered useless by a reader and he repeats this a couple of times throughout. There is a point in the booklet where he looks at the monetary gain of a prominent online guru which was fascinating and also quite horrifying. The idea that there are people forking over $1,000 to attend a 24-hour online course when there are plenty of free articles about spirituality and enlightenment available highlights how massive these business ventures can be, something I had never contemplated until now. Meier provides a lot of food for thought, especially in relation to these businesses, and their relationships with their clients.
However, I would have liked if Meier had expanded upon on the booklet, most notably in his own background on the subject. He writes that he had a near death experience, almost drowning as a teenager, and afterwards going to an esoteric shop and purchasing a book. This segment is only given a paragraph in the booklet, but I really wanted to know more. Did he learn anything from the book? How did it affect how he viewed the world? Did his thoughts on spirituality change over time? There are a lot of questions that, if answered, would give a fuller picture of Meier’s relationship with his own enlightenment, and also show the reader the journey he has taken to reach his conclusions. At the moment, it feels very much skimmed over.
Overall, I did like Golden Keys to Open Doors. It is a really short read but a very interesting topic; especially to those who have some knowledge of online gurus that Meier mentions but never names. He is also an engaging writer, often using scenarios to explain his thought process, making it much clearer for the reader. Short, punchy read about a topic that I didn’t know interest me until now.
This was a really interesting booklet, looking at the spirituality ‘industry’ if you like and how its ideas might not be helpful. Meier also addresses the notion that his own opinions might be considered useless by a reader and he repeats this a couple of times throughout. There is a point in the booklet where he looks at the monetary gain of a prominent online guru which was fascinating and also quite horrifying. The idea that there are people forking over $1,000 to attend a 24-hour online course when there are plenty of free articles about spirituality and enlightenment available highlights how massive these business ventures can be, something I had never contemplated until now. Meier provides a lot of food for thought, especially in relation to these businesses, and their relationships with their clients.
However, I would have liked if Meier had expanded upon on the booklet, most notably in his own background on the subject. He writes that he had a near death experience, almost drowning as a teenager, and afterwards going to an esoteric shop and purchasing a book. This segment is only given a paragraph in the booklet, but I really wanted to know more. Did he learn anything from the book? How did it affect how he viewed the world? Did his thoughts on spirituality change over time? There are a lot of questions that, if answered, would give a fuller picture of Meier’s relationship with his own enlightenment, and also show the reader the journey he has taken to reach his conclusions. At the moment, it feels very much skimmed over.
Overall, I did like Golden Keys to Open Doors. It is a really short read but a very interesting topic; especially to those who have some knowledge of online gurus that Meier mentions but never names. He is also an engaging writer, often using scenarios to explain his thought process, making it much clearer for the reader. Short, punchy read about a topic that I didn’t know interest me until now.
April 22, 2019
‘Shaking the walls of the current spiritual comfort zone’
Swiss author Harry Meier is a consultant for parents and their children and his background includes membership in spirituality secret societies meeting mediums, shamans and has practiced yoga, tai chi. His interest in Native American shamanism is evident in his books and in his business of owning an Indian arts and crafts shop.
In this very brief but entertaining book Harry Meier proves to be a fine writer of humor as well as a man with a mission – to disprove the concept of seeking ‘keys’ to spirituality. Or as he states, ‘Keys to open doors? Actually, there are no doors or gates in this booklet; no keys needed.’
‘We live in a time in which anything is possible and everything is for sale. Even mysticism and enlightenment are available on the shelves of spiritual shopping centers. A lot of cool, colorful wrapping around nothing. This spiritual materials, this self-obsessed spiritual selfie culture, is what kills my nerves and patience.’ And given this aptly contemporary analysis, this book points our the need for individual journeys to search for meaning in life, that spirituality is a personal discovery, just as the author’s has been.
Because of the lighthearted tone of the book, the author’s ideas and experiences at once entertain and stimulate questions about the path toward discovering spirituality. A quick but thoughtful read – and one that offers a different view of many contemporary gimmicks that promise much and deliver less.
Swiss author Harry Meier is a consultant for parents and their children and his background includes membership in spirituality secret societies meeting mediums, shamans and has practiced yoga, tai chi. His interest in Native American shamanism is evident in his books and in his business of owning an Indian arts and crafts shop.
In this very brief but entertaining book Harry Meier proves to be a fine writer of humor as well as a man with a mission – to disprove the concept of seeking ‘keys’ to spirituality. Or as he states, ‘Keys to open doors? Actually, there are no doors or gates in this booklet; no keys needed.’
‘We live in a time in which anything is possible and everything is for sale. Even mysticism and enlightenment are available on the shelves of spiritual shopping centers. A lot of cool, colorful wrapping around nothing. This spiritual materials, this self-obsessed spiritual selfie culture, is what kills my nerves and patience.’ And given this aptly contemporary analysis, this book points our the need for individual journeys to search for meaning in life, that spirituality is a personal discovery, just as the author’s has been.
Because of the lighthearted tone of the book, the author’s ideas and experiences at once entertain and stimulate questions about the path toward discovering spirituality. A quick but thoughtful read – and one that offers a different view of many contemporary gimmicks that promise much and deliver less.
September 24, 2018
Golden Keys to Open Doors reads in many ways like a pleasant conversation had at the dinner table between passionate friends - it is entertaining, challenging, and clearly written out of a desire to reveal something about the world. Meier seems to be calling the reader out and asking us to join him, listen to him, even disagree with him if necessary, in order to bring light to something he clearly feels is not talked about. This is, in a sense, the book at its best. It is genuinely an amusing read, but I hesitate to say that Meier achieves any of the rest of his aims as fully as this.
Although I enjoyed the style of this book, I found it quite difficult to gain any momentum in my reading of it, as much of the content seemed to lack direction - at times was even more about the author than about the issue. This is both a charm and flaw of the book. I thought it was an interesting way to approach a subject that some people may find uncomfortable to broach, but I wonder whether any of those people would bother picking it up in the first place.
Overall, I thought Meier did well to construct an interesting and occasionally enlightening text about this idea of 'spiritual cotton candy', and while the relational style of the text was effective and charming, the text failed to make any real breakthrough in its material.
Although I enjoyed the style of this book, I found it quite difficult to gain any momentum in my reading of it, as much of the content seemed to lack direction - at times was even more about the author than about the issue. This is both a charm and flaw of the book. I thought it was an interesting way to approach a subject that some people may find uncomfortable to broach, but I wonder whether any of those people would bother picking it up in the first place.
Overall, I thought Meier did well to construct an interesting and occasionally enlightening text about this idea of 'spiritual cotton candy', and while the relational style of the text was effective and charming, the text failed to make any real breakthrough in its material.
September 22, 2018
Harry Meier's Golden Keys To Open Doors: About spiritual cotton candy is a short novella meant to share the writer's experiences of his own journey to discover his spirituality. Meier does share some personal stories that are heartwarming and cause the reader to think, but unfortunately that is not the majority of what the book is about.
Instead, it feels as though over half of the book is spent with Meier attempting to justify why the reader should be listening to what he has to say. So much is spent in an attempt to convince the reader to as to why they should continue on reading, that the book itself lacks actual content leaving the reader to feel cheated.
There was a bit of valuable information obtained from reading what Meier has to share, but overall it just feels like the book is filled with propaganda to sell the book, which doesn't really make much sense. For the price it's not a bad read, but really if someone is looking for a true book on discovering their spirituality, there's not much here to help.
Instead, it feels as though over half of the book is spent with Meier attempting to justify why the reader should be listening to what he has to say. So much is spent in an attempt to convince the reader to as to why they should continue on reading, that the book itself lacks actual content leaving the reader to feel cheated.
There was a bit of valuable information obtained from reading what Meier has to share, but overall it just feels like the book is filled with propaganda to sell the book, which doesn't really make much sense. For the price it's not a bad read, but really if someone is looking for a true book on discovering their spirituality, there's not much here to help.
January 23, 2019
This is a rambling read, written to be digested in short bursts, and mulled through with thought and insight. The author has ventured into many different spiritual realms. He has studied them, experienced them, and returns disillusioned. Indeed, he asks, are all spiritual experiences just cotton candy? Do they all melt away when the 'real' world brings rain? Do the leaders and mentors just want financial gain, and so offer no real help to those who seek? Is all "vanity" to quote the preacher of Ecclesiastes? Indeed, the world of the Bible and Christianity is one place this seeker has not been or experienced. Would there be the disillusionment if he had?
November 4, 2018
This was quite an unusual book, a short read where it seems that the author is in a conversation with the reader, as he presents his ideas about spirituality and what it means to him. He gives his point of view about commercial spirituality and it's various components. It is quite a critical book on a subject that is very popular today.
The thing that is a little bit disturbing is that the author seems to be rambling about.
The thing that is a little bit disturbing is that the author seems to be rambling about.
December 6, 2018
An interesting read if you want to know the authors perspective on spirituality and other related topics. There are few pages in the book which left me confused about the authors perception on spirituality, few more which made me stop and read twice as there was so much depth in those phrases or sentences.
May 11, 2019
There were occasions where the author made some interesting observations; though I do feel that this book could use an editor just to lightly go over it and maybe bring a little bit more clarification to some of the more unclear statements. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews