The End of Your World

Adyashanti

In my opinion, Adyashanti’s book is a cut above the rest of the modern day advaitists' writings, and seems to signify the next stage of the awakening process that people are moving into. I’m finding in sitting with people as a guide these days that many are no longer concerned with merely awakening - that shift has occurred -but are more interested in the process AFTER the awakening has occurred but BEFORE they are resting in the Self completely. The book is explicitly written for them, although anyone in any stage might enjoy it.

Adyashanti clearly distinguishes between awakening and enlightenment - which he calls non-abiding awareness and abiding awareness. This has been a source of some confusion for many on the path. He also speaks to the many pitfalls on the road such as ego inflation after awakening—the ME that sometimes survives the wake up and thinks it’s enlightened—as well as the traps of this ME, such as getting stuck in emptiness or meaninglessness along the way. He speaks with ruthless honesty and openness about his own process and its subtle machinations which are personal, but yet universal, in their manifestation. Not much has been written about the after-the-fact, subtle process of deconditioning and dissolution that continues on sometimes for years, so this is clearly addressing that need.

I loved this book and applaud Adya’s wisdom and love in sharing it. I never met him but after having read hundreds, if not thousands of books in this area over a 40 year period, and having been through all that he speaks of, I really resonate with his writing. I can honestly say, he’s one being I’d like to meet someday to thank him for his clarity.

Review by Jill Spangler