Extreme Spirituality: Radical Journeys for the Inward Bound

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Summary: The Most Significant Book I Found This Year !!
Review: "Extreme Spirituality: Radical Journeys for the Inward Bound" is an open, honest book that took me completely by surprise. I picked it up because it looked `interesting'. I assumed from the title that the book would focus on oddities of the spiritual world. It brought to mind images of fakirs laying on spikes, or yogis going into a mystic trance. I thought it would be the metaphysical equivalent of looking at the bizarre in a circus side show.

Instead of simply gawking, however, I found Extreme Spirituality to be an interactive experience that challenged my long held beliefs. It is difficult (if not ridiculous) to read this book passively.

Although many of the `extreme' techniques described in the book are out of the question for most of us to implement, the activities described are merely analogies for attitudes that are helpful to cultivate. The author ( Tolly Burkan) points out that walking on a hot bed of coals has little practical value - but the principles that allow someone to fire walk can be applied in gentle ways each day of our lives with powerful effects.

In my own case, I realized that over the years I have developed a series of routines that are both comforting and mindless. I put my right shoe on before the left shoe. I take the same route to work each day. I assume that people will treat me today exactly as they did yesterday. Tolly's book showed me that my routines simply tricked me into believing that life is predictable and unchanging.

As I read the pages of Extreme Spirituality I was struck with the sheer courage that Burkan showed as he faced his routines - and his fears. The ways that he dealt with them were creative and most definitely extreme. For example, if I had a fear of heights (as Burkan did), I would have dealt with it by getting a ground floor apartment and perhaps a bit of psychotherapy. Burkan stared his fear in the eye and went skydiving. Radical, but amazing. And it worked for him! He teaches that it is better to deal with your fears in the moment, instead of taking a lifetime trying to understand the nature of those fears.

Reading Tolly Burkan's book left me both happy and hopeful. I am currently reading it for the second time. The first time was for the sheer enjoyment and amazement that I felt, marveling at the possibilities that it offers. The second time I rolled up my shirtsleeves and started the task of applying each concept into my own life.

Extreme Spirituality is a must read book for anyone who wants to make a major enhancement in their own life. If Tolly Burkan was a character in a Dickens classic, he would definitely be the Ghost of Christmas Future. Scary, full of Possibility and Hope, offering the promise of change and growth.

If you want a fun read that will both excite you and fire your spirit, Extreme Spirituality must find its way onto your bookshelf. If you are like me, you will compose a mental list of all the people you know who would benefit from reading it. Don't tell them about it - buy it for them! Good things are meant to share (another lesson from Burkan's book that I am putting into effect.

Rating:
Summary: Extreme!!!
Review: Extreme Spirituality is a "MUST TREASURE" for every serious seeker's library. It's powerful message of courage, wisdom, love and joy transforms you even as you read. Tolly's insights are simple and profound and have the energy of alchemy in them. As he shares his visionary concepts, he touches our hearts.

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Summary: How can individuals experience a spiritually-oriented life?
Review: How can individuals experience a more spiritually-oriented life? By accepting the author's challenge to an extreme spirituality which celebrates possibilities and worth. From overcoming false fears to living in the moment, this isn't about any one religion or movement so much as a changed way of perceiving the world, self, and belief. Extreme Spirituality presents intriguing and thought-provoking exercises.

Rating:
Summary: an inspired reader
Review: I first encountered Tolly when I watched a videotape of his work at a friend's house. I then saw him on TV and I must say he really opened my eyes on both occasions. Then I went to one of his presentations and bought his book on the spot. I stayed up all night and just could not put the book down for a minute. I have read a lot of self-improvement books, but never encountered ideas like this. Tolly's methods are radical and very different from anything else out there. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to develop their full potential. It is totally unbelievable. You will probably never read another book even remotely like this one.

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Summary: Tolly's book "Extream Spirituality"
Review: I, Rev. Frank D. Smith Doctor of Divinity am also a 'firewalker.'
In his book, Tolly goes beyond what I have ever experienced. As a Doctor of Divinity, I find that man is limited due to super-imposed negative beliefs handed down throughout the generations, by peers, parents, religions, and combined collective conscousness. I have also authored a book "The Souls' Quest for Celestial Empowerment" which will soon be available. It is my experience that man is 'locked' into believing that he is limited
and I found that 'firewalking' is one of the greatest steps in opening our potential - almost like a child taking its' first step. Firewalking has opened many doors for me, and I expect to reach greater heights because of using the things that Tolly presents in his book. It is an awesome experience, and I encourage everyone to go beyond your fears, and at least give it a try. It is more than just a book to be read, rather, a book to experience your own higher potential. I suggest it for all.

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Summary: Extremely Grateful, 6 March, 2002
Review: In April 2000, I found myself in the living room of an unassuming and humble man: his name was Tolly Burkan, and I was there with two of my colleagues to learn about Firewalking. What ensued for the next five days changed our lives forever, and I will always be grateful for that time with one of the greatest teachers in the world.
Extreme Spirituality is the closest thing to a guidebook of some of our experiences during those days. Do you have to be that extreme in order to be spiritual? Definitely not. Do you have to be spiritual to be that extreme? Definitely yes! And this is what Tolly taught us: how to be spiritual in a world of extremes, where all concepts are constantly tested and the pressures of modern living are far more dangerous than any of the activities presented in this book.
I have no doubt that this book will be regarded as a must read book in the years to come, and thoroughly recommend it to those who can be open-minded just long enough to see the extreme activities for what they are - metaphors to learn from. And it need not matter if you never take part in any of the activites written about in this book.

Rating:
Summary: an inspired reader
Review: What a wonderful, fresh, powerful and right-on collection of stories, insights and exercises. Extreme spirituality is not so extreme as it is grounding, practical hands-on spiritual practice from a guy who has at least 30 years of experience in teaching and living his talk. I imagine that this book is going to generate a lot of buzz and lively discussion about what it means (in the way of positive consequences) to make spiritual life a 24/7 endeavor, quite apart from the inside scoop about firewalking, sky diving, and snapping arrows from the throat as a means to learning the difference between ego reality and soul reality, and between fear and love.

I am happy this book has been printed -- that Tolly Burkan has added his voice and depth of experience to the increasingly global conversation about urgent spiritual lessons, while reminding us with precious, grounding and exotic examples and stories, that love is the greatest personal power of all. (Tolly Burkan is known as the father of the global firewalking movement, and one of Tony Robbins' early teachers) Oprah's likely to love Extreme Spirituality. I sure did. I ordered 5 copies to give to friends.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Subjects, Poor Writing
Review: Yes, some very extreme methods are described here. But, being lowered into a pit of dung and having a shaman shove more into your ears, nose and mouth?

There are numerous other exciting activities described. I've done firewalking and board breaking among others and thoroughly enjoyed it. To a great degree it seems we owe Tolly Burkan for this.

The premise is to break through fears, mind over matter. Excellent and empowering concepts.

I suppose it's a good thing to have someone exploring all these various avenues.

But walking on broken shards of glass, allowing an object to pass through your body? Sounds like a traveling show or some sort of magic trick.

It's a good thing they put a disclaimer at the beginning of this book. Don't try this at home, kids.