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A Brightly Guided Life: How a Scientist Learned to Hear Her Inner Wisdom
From the moment she nearly drowned in a tank of cold water at the age of three, Ingrid Honkala was aware of other dimensions of life than those most of us normally experience. She was also gifted with the wise input of mysterious “Beings of Light” who gave her invaluable insights and assistance as she faced the challenges of growing up, falling in love, and finding her professional destiny as a research scientist and oceanographer. In a compelling life adventure that journeys from her native Colombia to Europe and her eventual home in the United States — and from a deadly war zone to underwater explorations and a NASA research center — the author reveals how any human experience can be illumined from within. If we are willing to pay attention to subtle signals, take our intuition seriously, and forgive our most challenging difficulties, anyone can experience
a brightly guided life.
a brightly guided life.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2017
86 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 31, 2019
While this book’s title, cover, and main subject, Beings of Light, might promise something more ethereal than a gripping tale of personal and spiritual challenge under heavy fire, Dr. Ingrid Honkala’s A Brightly Guided Life: How a Scientist Learned to Hear Her Inner Wisdom is a survivor’s story on every page.
An easy-reading personal memoir of a talented but pained young Colombian woman, it is one of those books that might be passed over for a creative spiritual fairy tale were it not for its detailed examples of hard-hitting events that require extraordinary resilience and give birth to gems of universal wisdom.
After I had a brief chat with Ingrid after a local NDE event—she, by the way, brims with the brightness of her Beings of Light—I purchased and read her book with considerable curiosity. While her Near Death Experience at age 3 initially had me wondering how one so young could have an experience that it so radically changed her life, I was not disappointed with her way of telling how this almost-tragic incident played out over the several decades of life so far. She discovers that the other-worldly entities that initially saved her from drowning and from disaster in several later situations, were not to be trivialized. When she wanders from her balanced center, as happens several times during her story, she loses her connection to them and must consciously regain it, just as anyone on a spiritual path, NDE or not, must do. Eventually, she warmly embraces the idea that the Beings of Light have made her life extraordinary, even special, all the maintaining, though, that everyone else’s life is equally special; we have only to recognize that it is so for it to start working as such.
I also must congratulate her courage as an academic (she has a PhD in Oceanography) in revealing so much detail about her personal and spiritual life, all humbly put and without attempting pseudo-scientific rationalization for her extraordinary experiences and ideas. She lets them stand on their own, bright guidelines for others to follow to a more fulfilled human experience.
An easy-reading personal memoir of a talented but pained young Colombian woman, it is one of those books that might be passed over for a creative spiritual fairy tale were it not for its detailed examples of hard-hitting events that require extraordinary resilience and give birth to gems of universal wisdom.
After I had a brief chat with Ingrid after a local NDE event—she, by the way, brims with the brightness of her Beings of Light—I purchased and read her book with considerable curiosity. While her Near Death Experience at age 3 initially had me wondering how one so young could have an experience that it so radically changed her life, I was not disappointed with her way of telling how this almost-tragic incident played out over the several decades of life so far. She discovers that the other-worldly entities that initially saved her from drowning and from disaster in several later situations, were not to be trivialized. When she wanders from her balanced center, as happens several times during her story, she loses her connection to them and must consciously regain it, just as anyone on a spiritual path, NDE or not, must do. Eventually, she warmly embraces the idea that the Beings of Light have made her life extraordinary, even special, all the maintaining, though, that everyone else’s life is equally special; we have only to recognize that it is so for it to start working as such.
I also must congratulate her courage as an academic (she has a PhD in Oceanography) in revealing so much detail about her personal and spiritual life, all humbly put and without attempting pseudo-scientific rationalization for her extraordinary experiences and ideas. She lets them stand on their own, bright guidelines for others to follow to a more fulfilled human experience.
December 13, 2020
Reading Ingrid’s experience as a a spiritual being and a human being was profound. I found this book quite by accident - or rather, it found me. I hope to read more of her books to understand her teachings.
November 17, 2020
Eye opening
This book was so interesting and insightful. It is packed full of spiritual teachings, phrases and words that will really make you think and understand more deeply, the purpose of life.
This book was so interesting and insightful. It is packed full of spiritual teachings, phrases and words that will really make you think and understand more deeply, the purpose of life.
October 23, 2019
A wonderful read, beginning to end in one sitting. What a life!
Ingrid writes... "After this awakening, incredible people, beautiful books, and many more amazing experiences regularly appeared on my path. It was like the light of a candle had been lit, and that sole flame had brought clarity to my blinded mind. With every new discovery a deep state of gratefulness began to develop within me."....
This epitomizes my experience, especially over the last 2 years. This book is one of those 'beautiful books.
Ingrid writes... "After this awakening, incredible people, beautiful books, and many more amazing experiences regularly appeared on my path. It was like the light of a candle had been lit, and that sole flame had brought clarity to my blinded mind. With every new discovery a deep state of gratefulness began to develop within me."....
This epitomizes my experience, especially over the last 2 years. This book is one of those 'beautiful books.
October 12, 2019
A scientist seeker
As a perpetual seeker of divine awareness I always enjoy stories of others' efforts to understand why we are in this world. Ingrid Honkal's lifelong connection to her spiritual guides and her work as a scientist seem to ground her messages of universal love in deep reality. Such messages fortify those who choose to hear them and I enjoyed, as I always do, reading about another's search for meaning.
As a perpetual seeker of divine awareness I always enjoy stories of others' efforts to understand why we are in this world. Ingrid Honkal's lifelong connection to her spiritual guides and her work as a scientist seem to ground her messages of universal love in deep reality. Such messages fortify those who choose to hear them and I enjoyed, as I always do, reading about another's search for meaning.
October 28, 2020
A Brightly Guided Life is healing work that speaks to the heart of every human being.
We all want to experience love, happiness, a sense of purpose, and peace.
Ingrid’s NDE and life story teach us to trust our spiritual guides, to overcome fear, and to understand the meaning of suffering.
A wonderful work that brings to Earth the infinite reality of Love.
It was a joy to have had a conversation with Ingrid Honkala during a podcast interview! Her loving presence and cosmic wisdom reflected her commitment to healing lives.
We all want to experience love, happiness, a sense of purpose, and peace.
Ingrid’s NDE and life story teach us to trust our spiritual guides, to overcome fear, and to understand the meaning of suffering.
A wonderful work that brings to Earth the infinite reality of Love.
It was a joy to have had a conversation with Ingrid Honkala during a podcast interview! Her loving presence and cosmic wisdom reflected her commitment to healing lives.
November 1, 2019
Excellent book and very inspirational.
I love reading about NDEs. I couldn't put this book down. This book went through her entire life and what she went through with the people and things in her life. She made knowing Source so much enjoyable to understand, even though I don't understand him sometimes. I have learned that I need to do more meditation so I can become closer to Source.
I love reading about NDEs. I couldn't put this book down. This book went through her entire life and what she went through with the people and things in her life. She made knowing Source so much enjoyable to understand, even though I don't understand him sometimes. I have learned that I need to do more meditation so I can become closer to Source.
March 10, 2018
A Surprise!
I thought this book would be interesting, after hearing the author in a YouTube video. It was much better than I expected. I really felt a kinship with Ingrid, because I too have been immersed in resistance many times in my life. You won't regret reading this one.
I thought this book would be interesting, after hearing the author in a YouTube video. It was much better than I expected. I really felt a kinship with Ingrid, because I too have been immersed in resistance many times in my life. You won't regret reading this one.
November 23, 2018
Beautiful messages
Through the course of time, I could read lot of good books on spirituality like books from Ekhart Tolle, Anita Moorjani, Dr Wayne Dyer and numorous others and like them this book also gives a message of love and belief, and the importance of staying centered..
Through the course of time, I could read lot of good books on spirituality like books from Ekhart Tolle, Anita Moorjani, Dr Wayne Dyer and numorous others and like them this book also gives a message of love and belief, and the importance of staying centered..
October 19, 2019
beautiful book that is full of heart!
i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which is truly a story of each one of us. It is a reminder that we are all one and the same and that is all we need to know as we live this life! love always!!
i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which is truly a story of each one of us. It is a reminder that we are all one and the same and that is all we need to know as we live this life! love always!!
August 4, 2020
Wonderful journey of enlightenment!
Fantastic memoir that spans the globe from Colombia to Europe, the US and India, Ingrid's spiritual quest remains constant from her childhood NDE to her life as a scientist, wife, and mother. Could not put it down!
Fantastic memoir that spans the globe from Colombia to Europe, the US and India, Ingrid's spiritual quest remains constant from her childhood NDE to her life as a scientist, wife, and mother. Could not put it down!
January 19, 2023
excellent book!
I truly enjoyed reading about Ingrid life journey. She has reminded me that we are all one and this life is about enjoying the experience. It’s all about perception. I’m not a victim in my life but the creator of experiences!
I truly enjoyed reading about Ingrid life journey. She has reminded me that we are all one and this life is about enjoying the experience. It’s all about perception. I’m not a victim in my life but the creator of experiences!
February 22, 2018
The story catches you since the beginning. Easy/ light reading that makes you go within yourself and question actions, feelings and thoughts. Hope to read more books from Ingrid in a near future!
April 11, 2021
Excellent book by scientist who still can see the light
July 11, 2022
Wonderful spiritual memoir
Inspired. Amazing story of a woman's experience of coming back to life and being connected to spiritual guides as well as navigating a traumatic world.
Inspired. Amazing story of a woman's experience of coming back to life and being connected to spiritual guides as well as navigating a traumatic world.
December 29, 2025
Not my usual book pick, this was gifted to me. As someone who isn’t spiritual, the story was still enjoyable but I wouldn’t reach out for it again.
January 13, 2022
I found this book in a free little library--and it was odd. 2.5/3 and that is generous--im puzzled by all the 5*reviews. Instead of it being about a scientist who learned spirituality, it's a Spiritual person who learned to be a scientist, who learned to be spiritual again. It is a biography of one person's journey, and Honkala doesn't hide her biggest mistakes. There are a few gems in this book, but if you are wanting to grow, there are better guidebooks out there.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews