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The Journey Beyond: Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World
Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World
Each morning we awaken to a new day, only to be assailed by news of a world gone wrong. The divisions, the greed, the anger, and the despair leave us worn out before the day even begins. We long to live a life of meaning, a life that makes our world a better place, yet our attempts to do so often seem to have the opposite effect.
The Journey Beyond invites us to take a fresh look at ourselves and our society, to move beyond the aggressive and polarized culture that keeps us trapped in a stalemate of hate and division. The deep-rooted challenges that we collectively face cannot be solved through partisan politics. To move forward, we must engage with each other outside the blinding and confining boundaries of party, recognizing the humanity of one another and identifying together the direction of our common health. This is not a simple self-contained action that we do; rather, it is part of our lifelong journey of becoming whole. This book is an invitation to journey beyond the propaganda, beyond the easy solutions, and beyond our own self-interest, where there is another way of being that we and our society desperately need.
The Journey Beyond is the second book in the WHISPERS series. In these books, professional photographer and award-winning author Erik Stensland explores what it means to pursue goodness, wholeness, and meaning, following the voice that whispers deep within all of us. He has written these books in the form of easy-to read daily reflections that look at life from a different perspective. Each of these readings is paired with one of his stunning photographs of the natural world, chosen to emphasize the message of the day.
If you are ready to open yourself, to take an honest look within, and to pursue the way of goodness, you will find this book to be a delightful and encouraging companion on that journey to personal and societal wholeness.
Each morning we awaken to a new day, only to be assailed by news of a world gone wrong. The divisions, the greed, the anger, and the despair leave us worn out before the day even begins. We long to live a life of meaning, a life that makes our world a better place, yet our attempts to do so often seem to have the opposite effect.
The Journey Beyond invites us to take a fresh look at ourselves and our society, to move beyond the aggressive and polarized culture that keeps us trapped in a stalemate of hate and division. The deep-rooted challenges that we collectively face cannot be solved through partisan politics. To move forward, we must engage with each other outside the blinding and confining boundaries of party, recognizing the humanity of one another and identifying together the direction of our common health. This is not a simple self-contained action that we do; rather, it is part of our lifelong journey of becoming whole. This book is an invitation to journey beyond the propaganda, beyond the easy solutions, and beyond our own self-interest, where there is another way of being that we and our society desperately need.
The Journey Beyond is the second book in the WHISPERS series. In these books, professional photographer and award-winning author Erik Stensland explores what it means to pursue goodness, wholeness, and meaning, following the voice that whispers deep within all of us. He has written these books in the form of easy-to read daily reflections that look at life from a different perspective. Each of these readings is paired with one of his stunning photographs of the natural world, chosen to emphasize the message of the day.
If you are ready to open yourself, to take an honest look within, and to pursue the way of goodness, you will find this book to be a delightful and encouraging companion on that journey to personal and societal wholeness.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Erik Stensland
21 books33 followersWhen I was five years old my dad told me that if I sprinkled salt on the tail of a bear that it would follow me home. As a result of his dubious advice, much of my early childhood was spent exploring the mountainous terrain around our Montana home with saltshaker in hand. During these years the wilderness found its way into some deep place within me and became a central part of my life. The solitude, the silence and the sense of connection with something much greater than myself has drawn me ever since.
After college I spent about a decade living in Europe's Balkan Peninsula with my wife Joanna. Years of high stress during this period led to severe burnout. In pursuit of restoration I jumped at an opportunity to move to the mountains of Colorado at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. There, on quiet trails, surrounded by beauty and solitude, my soul began to recover.
I decided to make a career of hiking and so became a professional nature photographer. As I hiked the many trails of the national park both day and night in pursuit of unique images, I came back to life and found myself overflowing with things I wanted to write about. With every passing year I become more and more convinced that we all need more solitude, stillness, silence and beauty in our lives.
To learn more about me, my photography and my writing visit my website: https://ImagesofRMNP.com.
After college I spent about a decade living in Europe's Balkan Peninsula with my wife Joanna. Years of high stress during this period led to severe burnout. In pursuit of restoration I jumped at an opportunity to move to the mountains of Colorado at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. There, on quiet trails, surrounded by beauty and solitude, my soul began to recover.
I decided to make a career of hiking and so became a professional nature photographer. As I hiked the many trails of the national park both day and night in pursuit of unique images, I came back to life and found myself overflowing with things I wanted to write about. With every passing year I become more and more convinced that we all need more solitude, stillness, silence and beauty in our lives.
To learn more about me, my photography and my writing visit my website: https://ImagesofRMNP.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 19, 2021
I’m not into soul searching, self growth, or whatever it’s called these days so I’m going to refrain from commenting on the text in this book. Suffice to say it doesn’t resonate with me. The photography is excellent, however. There are some truly beautiful images in this book and I’m glad I read it for that reason alone.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
March 15, 2021
An absolutely stunning photography book filled with insightful musings & poetry from the author. The Journey Beyond takes its readers on a journey of self-reflection & encourages a deeper way of viewing society & nature. The photography is breathtaking & provides stunning views of various locations across the United States & Europe.
"The path to wholeness always begins with an honest look within" ~Erik Stensland
*I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions included herein are my own.*
"The path to wholeness always begins with an honest look within" ~Erik Stensland
*I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions included herein are my own.*
April 5, 2021
The Journey Beyond allows you to revel in your imagination as it takes you to places your heart and soul yearn to travel to. In this exquisitely produced book, Erik's extraordinarily beautiful photographs are displayed alongside compelling and contemplative prose, reflections, and introspective thoughts.
"A whisper beckons me onward, beyond myself, beyond my control, beyond my comfort, into Goodness, into Beauty, into Mystery, into the very heart of all things."
Remote wilderness areas, high mountain peaks, meadows and valleys bursting with wildflowers, castles, temples, waterfalls, the Milky Way, alpine lakes -- these photos allow you to explore your Self, your Goodness, your Mystery as they speak to the inner struggles sometimes felt while also "bringing the treasure we find there into the chaos ... ".
I recommend this book, not only for yourself but to give as a gift to friends, family, even colleagues, who may feel challenged by their own inner struggles.
As Erik writes, "We won't find our place within this world until we deeply love it."
"A whisper beckons me onward, beyond myself, beyond my control, beyond my comfort, into Goodness, into Beauty, into Mystery, into the very heart of all things."
Remote wilderness areas, high mountain peaks, meadows and valleys bursting with wildflowers, castles, temples, waterfalls, the Milky Way, alpine lakes -- these photos allow you to explore your Self, your Goodness, your Mystery as they speak to the inner struggles sometimes felt while also "bringing the treasure we find there into the chaos ... ".
I recommend this book, not only for yourself but to give as a gift to friends, family, even colleagues, who may feel challenged by their own inner struggles.
As Erik writes, "We won't find our place within this world until we deeply love it."
April 5, 2021
I found "The Journey Beyond" to be highly relevant in these divisive times we live in today. It's hard to escape all the instances of Us vs Them that we face online and in reality. We certainly need to contemplate any way to come together rather than fall into traps of divisiveness. I was delighted to read Erik Stensland's insights and poetry as it resonated with my own inner voice longing for more peacefulness and unity among humanity.
I took my time reading this book so I could contemplate on what I read throughout each day of reading. This book encourages you to understand others, and evaluate yourself, so that you'll be better equipped to relate in a healthy way with others. I enjoyed how his photographic art was paired with his writing. The photography is so beautiful!
If you're interested in participating in making the world a better place, this book will resonate with you. I highly recommend this book and taking your time with it.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I took my time reading this book so I could contemplate on what I read throughout each day of reading. This book encourages you to understand others, and evaluate yourself, so that you'll be better equipped to relate in a healthy way with others. I enjoyed how his photographic art was paired with his writing. The photography is so beautiful!
If you're interested in participating in making the world a better place, this book will resonate with you. I highly recommend this book and taking your time with it.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2021
The Journey Beyond is a book showcasing breath taking photograph captured by the author paired with inspirational poems and short paragraphs. The topics covered within the boom perfectly match the corresponding photographs and engage the reader to consider various topics that they could be facing or struggling with at that particular moment. The saying “food for thought” is highly appropriate for this novel. This book is perfectly timed given the current climate and I recommend it to everyone, but in particular those interested in helping their mental health or those interested in the natural world.
February 26, 2021
"Once again Erik has produced a photography book that is so much more than just beautiful images. He has a thoughtful and mindful approach to his art that I can always recognize, as his images cause me to stop, think, and wonder. His short essays, thoughts, and poems in The Journey Beyond, help remind us to slow down, breathe, and appreciate all of the priceless joy that can be found in the small things that are present in everyday life. In the busy, noisy, turbulent world we live in today, this is a book that will benefit us all."
March 26, 2021
Sit. Take a deep breath in, then out and just be. Allow the stunning photography and poignant reflections to help usher you into a mindful, peaceful place. Take them one day at a time and allow the beauty to captivate and restore your frenetic soul. When I first picked up this book, I was drawn to the photography, then I realized I had been to many of the places captured. I poured over the sheer beauty of my home being captured so aptly, then I allowed myself a reread to absorb the simple call to peace. I highly recommend this beautiful work of art. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
March 1, 2021
A wonderful book that deserves a place on your coffee table.
Beautiful pictures and thoughtful prose work together to inspire and bring contentment,acceptance and feelings of joy and awe.
Would make a fantastic gift - but why not treat yourself to one as well?
Beautiful pictures and thoughtful prose work together to inspire and bring contentment,acceptance and feelings of joy and awe.
Would make a fantastic gift - but why not treat yourself to one as well?
April 14, 2021
This book is beautifully presented with stunning photographs of our world l. There’s almost 200 pages to feast your eyes on and quench your thirst for beautifully written pieces to accompany the photographs. A definite coffee table book which I enjoyed browsing through.
March 25, 2021
“The path to wholeness always begins with an honest look within.” Erik Stensland’s The Journey Beyond guides the reader on this path. Take a daily walk through the pages and discover many ways to go within. Astounding images with thought-provoking expressions will help guide your way.
This book deserves a permanent spot on the coffee table.
This book deserves a permanent spot on the coffee table.
February 27, 2021
Anyone who has ever hiked in nature appreciates the ebb and flow of a good trail: it twists and turns; it bends; it has difficult passages that test our mettle punctuated by the serene moments of absolute beauty, moments of complete release and exhalation.
Erik Stensland’s sophomore book The Journey Beyond - Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World (Rocky Trail Press, (c) 2021), splendidly follows the arc of a good trail. His writing challenges our thinking, illuminates our darkness, exposes our vulnerabilities, and encourages us to embrace these new self-revelations as ways to learn “deeper ways of seeing,” “healthier ways of engaging,” and how to “become agents of healing” for ourselves and our world.
But this is no ‘self-help’ book. This is a journey of discovering how honesty with ourselves and authenticity with others births goodness. And bit by bit, this goodness creates a new and better reality.
As I read Stensland’s wisdom, offered through prose and poetry in easy-to-read journal-style entries, I found myself murmuring “Yes!” and “Wow!” as I gained inspiration from his insight. These readings are the perfect way to start each day. And beyond the words are Stensland’s museum-quality photographs of the natural world, carefully selected to bring into living color the ideas on the page. I became transfixed by words and beauty.
Stensland writes, “We are either joining the song of creation or missing it altogether.” The Journey Beyond - Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World is a journey exploring our own creation and one you surely will not want to miss.
Erik Stensland’s sophomore book The Journey Beyond - Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World (Rocky Trail Press, (c) 2021), splendidly follows the arc of a good trail. His writing challenges our thinking, illuminates our darkness, exposes our vulnerabilities, and encourages us to embrace these new self-revelations as ways to learn “deeper ways of seeing,” “healthier ways of engaging,” and how to “become agents of healing” for ourselves and our world.
But this is no ‘self-help’ book. This is a journey of discovering how honesty with ourselves and authenticity with others births goodness. And bit by bit, this goodness creates a new and better reality.
As I read Stensland’s wisdom, offered through prose and poetry in easy-to-read journal-style entries, I found myself murmuring “Yes!” and “Wow!” as I gained inspiration from his insight. These readings are the perfect way to start each day. And beyond the words are Stensland’s museum-quality photographs of the natural world, carefully selected to bring into living color the ideas on the page. I became transfixed by words and beauty.
Stensland writes, “We are either joining the song of creation or missing it altogether.” The Journey Beyond - Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World is a journey exploring our own creation and one you surely will not want to miss.
May 4, 2021
This was a most interesting and fascinating book. And the fabulous photographs add even more to it. Mr. Stensland's essays on life were most interesting and contemplative. Some I read more than once. What makes them even more interesting is they are given from a first hand account as the author sees it and has experienced it. In doing so you can most relate to it as you think that it is the way I see it and have experienced it. He also gives his views on life itself and the world, the current situation and how other people see it. But we have a choice as to how we perceive and accept it. By making the right choices and perceptions we can not only help ourselves but those around us in making the world an even better place. I highly recommend this book.
May 5, 2021
Erik Stensland's new book, “The Journey Beyond: Learning to Live Beautifully in a Troubled World” is filled with wisdom and insights with nature as the teacher! Erik’s beautiful photos and words of wisdom fill his book with joy and reflections. Each page spoke to me and I feel like I can come back to it again and again when I need understanding. I find that I am drawn back to read excerpts over and over and I find something different each time. There are so many ways that nature is a mirror to our lives and inner worlds and Erik knows just how to put words and thoughts to it. I love this book and highly recommend it! Thank you, Erik, another winner!!
May 25, 2021
Erik Stensland has given readers a book filled with his amazing photographs of nature around the globe combined with his introspective contemplation of the divisiveness of our times. The pictures stress the beauty of our world even as his gentle words urge us to remember that we as people are indeed more alike than different, and that we must each be ready to take action to heal our hurting yet beautiful world.
Well done!!!
My sincere thanks NetGalley and Rocky Trail Press for permitting me to read a review copy of this book. All opinions express in this review are my own and and freely given.
Well done!!!
My sincere thanks NetGalley and Rocky Trail Press for permitting me to read a review copy of this book. All opinions express in this review are my own and and freely given.
March 20, 2021
Stunning!
The clarity, depth, and detail in the photographs are incredible.
With vulnerability and grace, Erik gently invites us into a deeper connection to the wonders and healing of the natural world. His ability to put into words the emotions evoked by certain scenes is uncanny. The Journey Beyond can be read as a whole, cover to cover, or it can be read one page at a time, allowing you the space for deeper contemplation.
This is a book not to be missed! The photographs and message are both timely and timeless. Enjoy!
The clarity, depth, and detail in the photographs are incredible.
With vulnerability and grace, Erik gently invites us into a deeper connection to the wonders and healing of the natural world. His ability to put into words the emotions evoked by certain scenes is uncanny. The Journey Beyond can be read as a whole, cover to cover, or it can be read one page at a time, allowing you the space for deeper contemplation.
This is a book not to be missed! The photographs and message are both timely and timeless. Enjoy!
April 29, 2021
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!
This book had some absolutely stunning nature photography. I would love to have some of these as prints hanging on my walls at home because they were captivating.
This book also takes the reader through a journey of self-reflection and encourages you to think deeper about your views of society and nature. I felt the reflections were paired beautifully with the photographs. I really enjoyed the few reflective poems that were in this book and wish there had been more.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
This book had some absolutely stunning nature photography. I would love to have some of these as prints hanging on my walls at home because they were captivating.
This book also takes the reader through a journey of self-reflection and encourages you to think deeper about your views of society and nature. I felt the reflections were paired beautifully with the photographs. I really enjoyed the few reflective poems that were in this book and wish there had been more.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
April 2, 2021
Erik Stensland’s new book, The Journey Beyond, is filled with thrilling photos of my favorite places - mountains, woods, waterfalls, streams, valleys, flowers and more. Through his photos and writings Erik gently invites us to join him in living life with goodness. He encourages and challenges us to explore approaching life in another way - the path of stillness and the wild beauty found in nature. You will be deeply moved as you accompany Erik on this Journey.
April 29, 2021
This recent book is outstanding! From the inspiring images to the messages from each page, each contribute a tranquility and peace. I can find myself traversing the area without actually being there. To me it becomes a sort of daily devotional. It’s a perfect continuation of the previous book “Whispers in the Wilderness” The craftsmanship of the book is outstanding!
May 4, 2021
The Journey Beyond is a wonderful book. Erik’s photography is stunning; his musings are thought provoking, encouraging, and relevant for what we are facing in the world today. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful photos and found myself reflecting throughout the day on what I had read. The Journey Beyond is a perfect book for the coffee table or nightstand, and it would make a great gift too.
August 4, 2021
This book is breathtaking! The pictures are awe-inspiring and you just need to sit and view them. Reading this book is a very mindful exercise. The book has been created by a master craftsman at the top of their profession. Thank you.
August 31, 2021
Beautiful photos. Precious reflections and shared thoughts. I read one entry every day for the past several months. Wonderful!
April 20, 2021
The main theme is nature, the backdrop is (for the most part) the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, but there are various pictures taken elsewhere in the world. Iceland, Italian Dolomites, Scotland, Croatia - they all merge in a beautiful way. I checked the actual locations after I was done reading, that’s how I know; without it, I could have sworn they all came from the same park. The word ‘seamless’ was invented for TJB.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews