Spiritual Journeys Along (P)

I don't know what he was trying to do here. Comparisons and metaphors are useful but these are so rudimentary it literally made my students call me out on treating them like morons. Moreover it's a bit reaching that he found some sort of meaning in the colors of Dorothy's dress. Give me a break. Also I love the part about the first chapter being based on killing the ego yet his name is at the top of every page of this book. He needed people to know that he wrote this and had these thoughts. That was clearly the only salient impact this book was supposed to have. Honestly and unless you're really just beginning yoga this is going to be so far beneath you you'll be mad you spent the money.

Darren John Main is a Yoga teacher from the West Coast who has a gift for putting complex ideas into simple, down to earth language. I have downloaded all of his available talks (which are presently available for free from his web site http://darrenmain.com/)and have listened to them countless times and have read his "Yoga And The Path Of The Urban Mystic as well. This book, which I believe was his first, uses the "Oz" characters as metaphors along the spiritual journey. I found his analysis of the characters to be believable and useful in terms of being able to apply them to my own understanding of the complexities of life. Darren uses examples from his own and other's lives to illustrate the points throughout the book. This makes it a very "real life" type book rather than just philosophical speculation. Though this is a fairly short book it is filled with endless treasures of insights. Highly recommended!!!!! Namaste

I first read the author's other book, "Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic" and was totally blown away by his insight and wisdom. I've read (and continue to read) as much as I can on subjects of yoga and spirituality and was so impressed by this book that I wanted to find another by the same author. I was frankly not too excited when I saw that his other book was entitled "Spritual Journeys along the Yellow Brick Road." I'm probably the only former kid in America who didn't like "The Wizard of Oz" and had to force myself to see the whole movie from beginning to end. I'm also a fussy reader, and had to decide if I really wanted to read this book. The other reviews posted on this site were so positive I decided to give it a chance. I was not in the least disappointed!! I would never have thought of the "Wizard of Oz" as a spritual journey, but the author clearly and capably demonstrates this for his readers. This book was not only highly entertaining and a very enjoyable reading experience, but it teaches many valuable lessons without seeming to do so. Whether or not you are a fan of the movie or the Frank Baum book, I would highly and unquestioningly recommend this book to anyone who is on his/her own spiritual journey, or to anyone who just wants to have a good time enjoying a great book.

I found Darren's honesty in telling his stories and relating them to another story that we all know and love a wonderful way to bring spiritual principle to daily living. I have always loved The Wizard of Oz, has have so many millions, but I love the connection of the characters to deeper aspects of myself. A great and fun read for all.

The Wizard of Oz was a story that both captivated and terrified me as a child (I always cried at the monkeys). Now I can see that the richness of emotion and meaning that I felt then was founded in something deeper than I could then understand. This very wise book takes a classic, mythical tale and transforms it into a journey of the soul. As a counselor who works with spirit-seeking people, I now recommend Spiritual Journeys Along the Yellow Brick Road to anyone on the path. In reading this book you come to see all the story's characters in a different light - not simply as delightful technicolor creations, but as parts of the human experience to be understood and healed.

"Spiritual Journeys Along the Yellow Brick Road" brings new perspective and insight to an American classic. The spiritual interpretation of the Oz characters and places give new life to ancient Truths. Anyone who enjoys the movie will delight in this well written book as will the earnest Truth-seeker. Darren's insights add depth and meaning to a perennial favorite. This is a thought-provoking "must-have" for any spiritual library.