Journey to the Ecstatic Self

by Kae Strouse

What would it be like to be emphatically you? What if you owned yourself in your entirety—your bold heart, your hidden wounds, your untamed spirit?

This guidebook walks you through the realms of soulfulness, shadow exploration, and identity dreaming to arrive in a land of wholeness. Through exploring these exercises, stories, and meditations with Kae, you will uncover your wild, radiant self — the intrinsically aligned person that you were always meant to be. The “you” that already exists deep down at your core. Lace up those boots and get ready to Journey to the Ecstatic Self.

Genres: Nonfiction

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2020

Reviews

[Rainbow Reviewss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey to the Ecstatic Self is a self-help workbook and a guide to help you to reconnect with your true self, understand your purpose, and be comfortable in your own skin. The wonderful thing about this book is that the author suggests you things not just out of knowledge but also out of his own experiences which makes all the guidance and suggestions offered very relevant to many readers. The first time I read the synopsis and the excerpt from the book I thought this was my own story! It felt that this book was specifically catered to me! Yes, that much how it felt relevant to me. Like the author himself, I have always thought that I was different from everybody else, disconnected from the world around me. Just like an alien! I feel for a person to understand and find himself it will need lots of time and effort to invest in but I am sure the end result is totally worth it. I think this workbook will be a great tool to help you with all that. Read the synopsis and the introduction first and see if you can relate to what the author is trying to say. I think many readers will be able to relate.

I always appreciate a well-structured book. Kae Strouse has neatly structured his book into chapters with each one being focused on a specific subject of interest. One of the many things that I enjoyed reading was the excellent quotes by many famous people. These quotes were not randomly distributed but were all relevant to the subject of the discussion which added a lot more value to them. Throughout the book, you will see numerous different exercises. These exercises have different purposes based on the subject and the point the author wants to make in practice. Then there are a lot of meditation techniques which I find extremely fascinating and helpful. I have not tried all of them yet but those I have tried gave me a state of inner peace and grace. My plan is to keep practicing on the ones I tried and eventually try all the different techniques.

The book belongs to the self-help genre but it also reads as a semi-autobiography because a lot of the author's life experiences are there to give you an insight into his life, where he was and how he felt and where he reached and how he feels now. This is Kae's journey into understanding spirituality, self-realization and awareness, reconnecting with the natural world, being accountable for own's actions, and self-acceptance. Everything is presented with lots of depth and passion. There are many subjects that I found fascinating that the author has tackled like the importance of being in the company of those people who are important to our spirits and that the online interaction with them should not substitute the importance of being together physically. He also shows the readers how physical touch is important and can make people happier. One of the many important lessons in this journey for everybody is to understand that every human being has many faults so instead of envying others for what they have, it is always better to accept yourself and find perfection in the imperfections within yourself.

I came to know the author through his YouTube channel. Kae is a person who presents himself very genuinely and his videos and the subjects he talks about are entrancing and extremely relevant so I jumped to the idea to discover his writing and his book when the opportunity came. I feel Journey to the Ecstatic Self is that kind of book I will keep going back to whether to use the exercises and meditation techniques or to reread and be inspired by the many lessons and advice it has. I highly recommend it to everybody. A must-read.

Many thanks to the author Kae Strouse for providing me an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.

The Review

[Tyler Broadwell]

A push back on Instagram culture.

When reading this book, I was impressed by the author’s use of self. Kae has had a wide range of lived experiences. In this book he has been able to pull from these experiences to create a path towards knowing yourself deeper. Kae has developed a variety of exercises that lead you step by step through a journey of inner discovery. The exercises prepare you to sit with and tending to yourself. He has seamlessly blended an autobiography and a self-help book to help readers understand themselves deeper. He gives examples and stories that allow the reading to gain inner perspective and deeper insight. The author highlights the importance of kinship, finding a community of people who will be supportive of your path towards self-discovery. What I found helpful and pertinent was how the book attempts to disrupt hardline black and white thinking; a trait I often find myself in. Instead, the reader is welcomed into new ways of embracing empathy and finding ways of connection. Overall, I found the book to set realistic expectations for the reader. It sets up exercises that help denature the barriers that we set up inside ourselves. This book will help the reader find their inner self. I would recommend it to anyone who feels disconnected from themselves or feels that they have strayed from who they truly are.

[Roberto Carrasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poderoso, honesto y profundamente liberador. Journey to the Ecstatic Self celebra el cuerpo, el placer y la autenticidad con una espiritualidad sin censura. Si solo vas a leer un libro sobre desarrollo espiritual, que sea este.

[Kayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey to the Ecstatic Self Review

Journey to the Ecstatic Self by Kae Strouse is a full mind, body, and soul approach to self-help, and should be read by anyone who is ready and willing to do the deep spiritual work it takes to become whole. I am lucky enough to know Kae professionally, but more importantly, I get to call him my friend. That being said, I am not one to give a false review simply because someone is dear to me. The written word is too important to me for that.

Up front, I’d like to say that this book is geared toward intuitives, HSPs, and generally sensitive people. That does not mean other types of people won’t enjoy it, and I will be recommending it to everyone regardless of personality, but some may get more out of it than others. Also, it requires a level of openness and willingness to receive guidance that may feel uncomfortable at times. If you are not ready for change, not even the most well-written book on Earth could bend you to its will. So, go in with an open mind and take what you will from it.

I did have advanced access and several thorough readings of this book. Each time, it taught me something different and added depth to its layers. I was going through a particularly rough time when the manuscript came to me, and I admit it couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. He has a way of approaching things with a gentle and calming energy, creating a safe space for you to just…be. Shared experiences from his own life give perspective and show you he is willing to open up just as much as he asks you to do. He eases you into being present with your inner-self and gently helps pull away all the stressful, painful, and useless layers we’ve all adorned ourselves with in order to appease others or hide from the world.

This book is exactly as it says—a journey. There are meditations and exercises to help you along, and I highly recommend the recorded meditations in Kae’s own relaxing voice, which can be found on the website. You will move through space and time, to galaxies within and outside of yourself, in order to find yourself. Best part? You don’t even have to leave the house. Don’t be fooled by the undeniable beauty of the prose in this book, the trek across your soul will be a difficult one. But then, Kae warns you of the hard work required from the very beginning and is there to give you a hand when things get tough.

Thank you, dear friend, for an unforgettable and invaluable experience.

[Eli Creeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In exchange for an honest review, I received an ARC copy of this title.

This is a WORKBOOK. If you have the option to buy a physical or digital copy, I would strongly suggest the physical copy. This is a book that is meant to be written in, drawn in, cried all over, and dropped twenty times while walking to class. When you read it, you should consider it a companion, or older brother guiding you through the lessons of an examined and well lived life.

That being said, this isn’t a book to rush through or read over a weekend. The chapters consist of writings, meditations, and exercises. Some of these chapters should be digested slowly over an entire week and really worked through. The book is meant to be a journey- so take it easy and really give into the experience this book wants to take you through.

The content of the book covers a variety of topics ranging from social media addiction, gender and sexuality, self love and acceptance, as well as karma, meditation, and the spiritual side of everyday life. The book's main focus is the exploration of unique identity. The author does this through a semi-biographical lens, which gives it an intimate feel.

Admittedly, some of the exercises feel very… corny? I occasionally rolled my eyes or laughed, then begrudgingly completed them and had to eat my pride because- Shit, he got me. I was reminded over and over again while reading this book that no matter how much junk you think you’ve dug out of your closet there are always more skeletons. I would complete a task, thinking it was a waste of time until- BAM. I’m writing about something that has been bothering me, that I didn’t ever realize was bothering me, and now I’m crying, or laughing, or a bit of both.

I would recommend this book for younger adults about 18-27 depending on your own personal journey. This book has a lot to offer everyone, but the voice and topics seem most impactful for that demographic.

Happy reading everyone! :]

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received an advanced copy of the book upon which I am basing this review.

2020 has been a challenging year to be sure, but if there’s one positive thing the quarantine has provided many of us, it’s the time to be more introspective. What better way to spend the surplus seconds and abundant “me” time during the pandemic than devoting oneself to self-improvement? Kae Strouse’s book, Journey to the Ecstatic Self, emphatically fits this bill, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore their inner life and what it means to be human.

What works so well in Journey is that it treats the self-improvement process as exactly that: a journey. Kae’s holistic approach leaves no mental nor physical stone unturned. Through provocative questions, creative exercises (handily denoted with shaded sidebars), real-life examples, cultural analysis, personal anecdotes, and tough but fair challenges, he aims to peel back the layers of your internal onion. He’s your Sherpa of the self, a partner and guide on a complicated expedition to climb the mountain of you. He doesn’t ask you to do anything he hasn’t already done, and by the end of the book your relationship is more mentor/mentee than author/reader.

The book is dense. It is not something you will plow through in a weekend. Or even a handful of weekends. Kae has a lot to say; and while it’s all relevant and well-written, the sheer volume of content can be daunting.

But it is well worth the climb. It is impossible to experience Journey and emerge on the summit unchanged for the better. I can’t think of higher praise to give this book.

[Daniel Kubes · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start off with full disclosure, I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. However, I enjoyed it so much, and wanted to support the author and ended up purchasing a copy as well. Like many of us, I have read my fair share of "self-help books" to seek perspective and guidance on how to become the best version of myself and a more self-actualized person. Though it is rare to find one created with such authenticity and genuine care for the readers as Kae has done with this. They can often come across as preachy or dismissive with their suggestions, or discuss lessons to learn, but leave little direction on how to put in the work to get there. That is not an issue with Journey to the Ecstatic Self, as it truly is a workbook with many quotes, activities, and reflections to help the reader reflect and orient themselves. Like many things in life, you will get out what you put in.

Truthfully, who doesn't want help understanding themselves, what they are experiencing and feeling, and how to be a happier, more authentic, and fulfilled person? Especially when the guidance comes from an author who has put in the work himself. The book has many personal notes and connections that let the reader know this isn't a lecture or someone's studies, but a true storytelling experience and a deep dive instead into someone's life. For these reasons, I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in taking another step in their journey forward, just know you are not alone.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first the length seems long when you're thinking the book will simply be a self-help workbook, but when you delve into the pages, you can see that so much of the book is comprised of very personal insights, funny stories, inspiring quotations, and a lot to chew on.

The memoir aspects of the book were compelling to read, and there's something for everyone to relate to on a personal level. Kae has lived a lot of in his thirty-something years, experienced a lot, and has something to say to anyone who opens the book. As they say: you'll laugh, you'll cry! The stories are exciting in the sense that they make you want to delve into the exercises peppered generously throughout. Memories come up, things you want to jot down about them and yourself, things you want to remember. There's plenty of room to do some real work on yourself and keep the ideas of betterment and realizations coming.

The memoir aspect of the book is balanced well with these opportunities to reflect right into the book, and there are useful meditations to learn from and begin practice with, if that is your cuppa tea. The quotations are well-chosen and well-placed, and you'll surely find yourself wanting to keep turning pages through the journey with this upbeat, honest, talented writer.

Kae Strouse's first book is a wonderful start to what I'm sure will be a commendable writing career, and "Journey to the Ecstatic Self" will want to make you keep an eye on his future in the industry - and improve your own future!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Journey to the Ecstatic Self, Kae Strouse delivers a relatable and inspiring dive into what it means to live authentically. I received a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review, but I will be purchasing a hard copy as well.

This book is very interactive with plenty of opportunities for lists, drawings, and other introspective activities throughout. I found some of these more useful than others, but I’m sure it depends where you are in your own headspace at the time you’re reading. I particularly enjoyed the meditation exercises, and I highly recommend visiting the website for the audio versions of these.

This is not a breezy self-help book to read over a weekend, so if that’s what you’re in the market for, look elsewhere. This is something to really sit down and take the time to digest. I read it across a couple months, and I still feel like I rushed through some parts that I will need to revisit.

That being said, if you do work through the activities and absorb the material, you’ll be better for it. Strouse does not profess to be an expert in all fields - in fact, he openly tells you the limits of his knowledge. But what he does incredibly well is provides a deep sense of vulnerability as he relays his personal experiences, encouraging you to examine yourself in a similar way. He is an intelligent and compassionate guide, and this is a journey you don’t want to miss.

[Ben Schlotfelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received and advanced copy of the book.
I do not read much self-help books. In fact, I do not recall ever reading a self help book in my life. I tend to lean towards fiction and allegories to help me understand myself and the world around me. However, sometimes it is nice to cut the bull and get right to it; tell your own story to yourself. The author uses his story and, in turn, gives you permission to use yours, and it will not be easy. Self-improvement is hard and you only get out what you put in. This book gives chapters and exercises to assist you in making it less daunting though. This stuff takes time and effort, and the author knows that. The exercises throughout the book, help break up the text and make the experience interactive (as interactive as a book can be!) It also gave me a sense of accomplishment. “I got an exercise done, yay! What’s next!”
While his story may not be exactly yours, we can all find ourselves somewhere in it. Whether you feel comfortable and happy in your skin, or insecure and anxious; there is something in the book for you. Think of it as a toolbox that you can revisit, because some days you may feel confident and the next day you may not. It is good to have this resource to remind you to take a breath, walk away from your desk, and tell yourself that you’re enough.

[Cornelius Bethea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In reading Journey to the Ecstatic Self, I felt that I had met a kindred spirit. Kae’s story of becoming an actor, seeking a meditative spiritual path and then making the journey to embracing and loving himself mirrors my life experience. While I’m still in the latter portion, learning to embrace myself, I’m grateful to have this workbook to continue to refer to. This workbook is your guide to becoming the “privileged who can be ordinary” with the added bonus of getting to follow along Kae’s journey.

Part memoir, part self help book, part workbook; this is not a passive reading experience. Kae coaches you through a full 360 review of yourself and life, walking step by step with you and sharing his own experiences of the moments of his life that provided the lived experiences and insights. It’s like having a climbing friend who has stopped and turned around to lend you a hand and lift you up.

The publisher provided me with an advanced copy, upon which I am basing this review and am looking forward to my second time walking through this workbook.

[Taylor P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey to the Ecstatic Self is written with the sort of empathy that only comes from personal experience and deep reflection. Many self-help books set out to supply easy answers and feel-good fluff. This is not one of them. It stresses the importance of the hard work required throughout the journey towards realizing one's true self.

This book is also not a lecture. It features many interactive exercises that offer opportunities for reflection and insight. Change is not something that anyone else can do for you. It must come from within, and this is a book meant to help that process. It is supportive, rather than prescriptive.

I am not the sort of person who would usually read a book like this. On the other side, I'm quite pleased I did. Note: I received a digital copy of this work in advance in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Keyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Journey to the Ecstatic Self was so in-tune with human nature, I was beginning to think Kae Strouse knew my life intimately. The opening rhetoric questions spoke to my soul and poked at my insecurities, only to lead me through a path of healing and empowerment as I continue on my own Journey. I highly recommend making a commitment to yourself to not only read this book, but to embrace it and use it as a tool for times to come.

In full disclosure, I was able to kick start my Journey through a free advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review, and I am most certainly thankful for this gift! I enjoyed it so much, I will be purchasing a copy anyways!

[Gideon Wayword-Toynbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to acquire a free advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with enjoyable exercises and meditations, it helped me to connect with myself in ways I hadn’t considered before and to accept the various ways my beauty presents itself, even in the parts I usually find fault with.
A useful book for anyone who doesn’t have much experience of using self-help books, or isn’t sure where to start, as well as anyone with little experience of spiritual practices, and is trying to start their own.

[Delucious Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey to the Ecstatic Self is a wonderful book that allowed me to take a close look within through guided meditation. I have tried to meditate for years, but was never really able to get the point. This book added a lot of color around meditation, and I feel calm within my soul.