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JUMP!: An epic travel and soul adventure
In 2012 Lenerd Louw is living the life on Millionaires’ Row in Clifton beach, Cape Town. The successful CEO of an insurance company and part-time playboy, he appears to have it all – gorgeous women, threesomes, Ecstasy and cocaine on demand.
But something doesn't feel right. He tries to drown a deep inner voice urging him to change his career, life – everything – by partying harder. By the end of December 2012, a massive shift occurs. He resigns as CEO, sells all his worldly possessions and books a one-way ticket to Lima, Peru. With just a backpack and a heart full of questions, he embarks on what will become an epic five-year journey, covering five continents and 35 countries, in search of his soul and meaning.
"I was aware that my goal-less approach went against popular belief. So many motivational speakers and gurus expound on the virtues of ‘setting goals’ and ‘believing in yourself’, to ‘go, go, go get what you want’. But I was more interested in surrender rather than control. I wanted to fully see what existence had to offer. Once all the fearful internal chatter had died down, I was finally able to listen."
Jump! is a phenomenal true tale of personal expansion and awakening. Inspired by soul warriors' works like Gary Zukav's The Seat of the Soul and Robin Sharma's The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Louw follows his deeper calling, jumping off the cliff of comfort, into the deep unknown. What he discovers is magical.
But something doesn't feel right. He tries to drown a deep inner voice urging him to change his career, life – everything – by partying harder. By the end of December 2012, a massive shift occurs. He resigns as CEO, sells all his worldly possessions and books a one-way ticket to Lima, Peru. With just a backpack and a heart full of questions, he embarks on what will become an epic five-year journey, covering five continents and 35 countries, in search of his soul and meaning.
"I was aware that my goal-less approach went against popular belief. So many motivational speakers and gurus expound on the virtues of ‘setting goals’ and ‘believing in yourself’, to ‘go, go, go get what you want’. But I was more interested in surrender rather than control. I wanted to fully see what existence had to offer. Once all the fearful internal chatter had died down, I was finally able to listen."
Jump! is a phenomenal true tale of personal expansion and awakening. Inspired by soul warriors' works like Gary Zukav's The Seat of the Soul and Robin Sharma's The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Louw follows his deeper calling, jumping off the cliff of comfort, into the deep unknown. What he discovers is magical.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2019
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 14, 2019
I finished the book as I touched down in Athens from Skiathos, having started on my Skiathos bound flight from London. Having read the drafts I felt I owed it to myself to read and savour every word written.
To sit with the many parts that made me uncomfortable and to embrace the countless paragraphs that made my soul leap.
This hardcore Afrikaans party-animal businessman can write. Fuck. He can write. His “journey home” is epic. It’s beyond this earth, it’s universal, it’s deep, dramatic, it’s authentic, audacious.
I liken to it to my favourite travel book of all time “A fortune teller told me”. It is a travel book, into the soul and stars of his world, it is a soul book into the midnight and morning of his life.
It’s worth the read.
Buy it. Gift it. Share it. Love it. Hate it.
To sit with the many parts that made me uncomfortable and to embrace the countless paragraphs that made my soul leap.
This hardcore Afrikaans party-animal businessman can write. Fuck. He can write. His “journey home” is epic. It’s beyond this earth, it’s universal, it’s deep, dramatic, it’s authentic, audacious.
I liken to it to my favourite travel book of all time “A fortune teller told me”. It is a travel book, into the soul and stars of his world, it is a soul book into the midnight and morning of his life.
It’s worth the read.
Buy it. Gift it. Share it. Love it. Hate it.
December 16, 2024
What a great adventure I have just been on. This author holds nothing back, he makes himself vulnerable by sharing all, sometimes I couldn't believe the words I was reading but it is the honesty and authenticity that made this book hard to put down.
For a South African man (a well known businessman)to speak so openly about his sexuality, femininity and drug and plant consumption is truly admirable and I think in turn by Louws sharing(oversharing) it will help other men and women be more open about, and honest about their own lives. The profound lessons shared in this book made me feel like South Africa has found its very own Alchemist meets Jonathan Livingston Seagull ,but on steroids !
For a South African man (a well known businessman)to speak so openly about his sexuality, femininity and drug and plant consumption is truly admirable and I think in turn by Louws sharing(oversharing) it will help other men and women be more open about, and honest about their own lives. The profound lessons shared in this book made me feel like South Africa has found its very own Alchemist meets Jonathan Livingston Seagull ,but on steroids !
August 9, 2019
Lenerd’s authentic journey is as frightening as it is inspirational, it’s one thing to say I want to learn more about myself, it’s another to embark on a 5 year international journey of total selfless surrender and learning .This read is not meant by the author to teach one anything other than to observe one mans journey of self discovery and through such journey to experience in whatever way , some form of personal transformation . The rare exposure and the power of men and women’s sexuality ,is delicately yet directly detailed , the misinformation and conditioning of particularly the western world regarding sex , it’s drive , it’s relevance , it’s beauty as an intrinsic real and beautiful experience is fascinating and real .This is a read for every man and women that simply should be mandatory for anyone interested in embracing their journey in a more wholistic and enlightened manner . If I was women I would be giving my lover a copy of this book to read as a prerequisite to commence any sexual relationship .
August 18, 2019
I usually prefer fiction (escapism), but I guess that is my little “remote”, thank you for that teaching Lenerd... I experienced every emotion reading this book, from laughing out loud about the “sacred spot massage” with the sheep farmer, to balling my eyes out when reading about “where we go when we die” in your conversation with your father. I loved every page of this journey that you shared so deeply, totally from your soul....and even though it feels so incredibly “all over the place” most of the time, truly “jumping” from one continent and each learning experience to the next, it all just falls effortlessly into place in the end, just like it should. Truly inspiring. LOVE!
August 19, 2019
usually prefer fiction (escapism), but I guess that is my little “remote”, thank you for that teaching Lenerd... I experienced every emotion reading this book, from laughing out loud about the “sacred spot massage” with the sheep farmer, to balling my eyes out when reading about “where we go when we die” in your conversation with your father. I loved every page of this journey that you shared so deeply, totally from your soul....and even though it feels so incredibly “all over the place” most of the time, truly “jumping” from one continent and each learning experience to the next, it all just falls effortlessly into place in the end, just like it should. Truly inspiring. LOVE!
August 8, 2019
I couldn't put this book down! Took me all of thee days to read. Not your normal self-actualization/spirituality read that is a dime a dozen, but a truly incredible story that is not just inspiring and challenging, but a a journey that takes you along with it. Lenerd is captivatingly candid, a superb character and testament to what wonderful things are in store for men that are open to a more engaged, balanced and attentive approach to sexuality and meaning. This book made me laugh out loud and I was heartbroken when I hit the last page.
August 8, 2019
Lenerd Louw not only takes us on an international journey from exotic place to place, but on a soul seeking journey of discovery. Stripping himself of his many material possessions, he listens to his inner voice and spends months celibate (after an inordinate amount of previous undiscerning sexual encounters) he discovers his inner ‘female’ and what it takes to be authentic.
Interesting and entertaining - a travel journal and soul-seeking journal rolled into one - we get to meet some colourfiul and beautiful souls, and encounter esoteric teachings along the way.
Interesting and entertaining - a travel journal and soul-seeking journal rolled into one - we get to meet some colourfiul and beautiful souls, and encounter esoteric teachings along the way.
August 17, 2019
Calling JUMP the male version of Eat, pray, love is not giving it nearly enough credit. Where EPL is candyfloss, JUMP is the molten dark centre of a chocolate fondant. At time harsh, verging on almost too honest to my liking, this book will crack open previous taboos and hopefully bring it to mainline discussion. The honesty is riveting. My wish is that men and women will use this as a departure point for honest discussions, years to come. Loving the combination of travel journey and spiritual lessons. Well worth the read.. . Passing it on to my husband next!
June 28, 2020
Lenerd Louw, thanks for sharing your journey! Truly an inspirational, profound, thought- (& self-reflect) provoking journey, more than just a story.
You have a gifted, unique way of describing matters of the heart, soul and body in an honest, direct way, inward-out!
Below some meaningful notes highlighted that stood out for me, worth digging into deeper:
Intention is everything. If you operate from the heart space, if you really care, energetically it’s an entirely different world.
Resistance makes us feel dead while we’re still alive. Embracing change and embracing uncertainty is embracing life fully.
Completeness can only ever be attainable within yourself.
“Destination” belonging to the ego and “direction” belonging to life and to being, and that to move in the world of direction one needs tremendous trust because one is moving in the realm of insecurity and darkness.
Market research could often be more harmful than helpful and that processes are not always important because it’s the solution that ultimately matters, not how you got there.
The 9 personality types:
The Reformer, The Helper, The Achiever, The Individualist, The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast, The Challenger, The Peacemaker.
You either operate from fear and doubt or from love and trust.
About external sources of attachments:
Apparent remedy for stress, social unease, feelings of inadequacy and fears of being judged, rejected or humiliated. In other words, an effective way of avoiding your emotions.
Authentic power, says Zukav, is the alignment of the personality with the soul.
Whatever we want, we must give to others first.
You have a gifted, unique way of describing matters of the heart, soul and body in an honest, direct way, inward-out!
Below some meaningful notes highlighted that stood out for me, worth digging into deeper:
Intention is everything. If you operate from the heart space, if you really care, energetically it’s an entirely different world.
Resistance makes us feel dead while we’re still alive. Embracing change and embracing uncertainty is embracing life fully.
Completeness can only ever be attainable within yourself.
“Destination” belonging to the ego and “direction” belonging to life and to being, and that to move in the world of direction one needs tremendous trust because one is moving in the realm of insecurity and darkness.
Market research could often be more harmful than helpful and that processes are not always important because it’s the solution that ultimately matters, not how you got there.
The 9 personality types:
The Reformer, The Helper, The Achiever, The Individualist, The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast, The Challenger, The Peacemaker.
You either operate from fear and doubt or from love and trust.
About external sources of attachments:
Apparent remedy for stress, social unease, feelings of inadequacy and fears of being judged, rejected or humiliated. In other words, an effective way of avoiding your emotions.
Authentic power, says Zukav, is the alignment of the personality with the soul.
Whatever we want, we must give to others first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2020
Wow! What an adventure to read. Very entertaining and I highly recommend this book.
September 22, 2020
Jaw dropping
Amazing journey. Raw honesty. Much to ponder.
Read it if you want to see yourself.
Then pack a bag and jump!
Amazing journey. Raw honesty. Much to ponder.
Read it if you want to see yourself.
Then pack a bag and jump!
October 30, 2020
Reading this book is a kind of a journey by itself.
I have found it to be very delightful, awakening and vision opening. I felt that the author tells the story from a very authentic way.
I have found it to be very delightful, awakening and vision opening. I felt that the author tells the story from a very authentic way.
January 24, 2020
Quite a surprising read
Quite a surprising read. It was not at all what I was expecting. I was pleasantly surprised.
Lenerd takes quite the emotional, spiritual, adventurous journey. Lots of travel and amazing places mixed in. Great pictures.
Quite a surprising read. It was not at all what I was expecting. I was pleasantly surprised.
Lenerd takes quite the emotional, spiritual, adventurous journey. Lots of travel and amazing places mixed in. Great pictures.
Read
October 6, 2019~It soon became clear to me that a number of these guys were bisexual and that I was the topic of some of their secret conversations. I have never judged or held any prejudice towards bisexual or gay people. I grew up in a very liberal, open-minded home where my mother - involved in the television and movie industry -often had gay friends and colleagues over...So I had no problem with these guys being bisexual; it was just that I felt like I was being secretively preyed upon...~
~There was almost a childlike innocence in a lot of the people I encountered.~
~I became Colombian.~
~As a male growing up in apartheid South Africa, we were taught to suppress our emotions. Boys were told it was not okay to cry; girls were taught to suppress anger. If a boy cried he was a baby or a sissy and was told to man up; if a girl showed anger she was a bitch.~
~Men had been starved of bonding with other men. I realised that, at a deep level, most men might actually be scared of other men.~
~As I wrote, I realised that trust was key to my journey and that it was to play an even bigger part in the future. Trust in existence, trust in myself.~
~Don't try to write a best-selling book...don't even try to write a good book - just write an authentic book.~
December 2, 2019
Lenerd Louw’s book JUMP! has given me both solace and inspiration. It’s a powerful reminder that I’m not the only one who took a deep dive into spirituality and broke free from society after a chaotic life on Wall Street and training as a Harvard lawyer. And that I’m not alone!
JUMP! takes you on a ride full of ecstasy, heartbreak and profound revelations. Lenerd offers his raw candor and humor as he confronts societal taboos & human struggles. Once a playboy in Cape Town, he explores his own relationship with sexuality with easeful candor and heartfelt reverence.
He’s a voice of our times as we explore our shadows and risqué topics often pushed into the dark. This book is a precious gift from the heart and reveals the power of love and one’s fortitude for personal growth.
JUMP! takes you on a ride full of ecstasy, heartbreak and profound revelations. Lenerd offers his raw candor and humor as he confronts societal taboos & human struggles. Once a playboy in Cape Town, he explores his own relationship with sexuality with easeful candor and heartfelt reverence.
He’s a voice of our times as we explore our shadows and risqué topics often pushed into the dark. This book is a precious gift from the heart and reveals the power of love and one’s fortitude for personal growth.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews