Spirituality For the Rest of Us!

New expanded 2nd edition, February 2008

Humorous, edgy, profound, and enlightening, Spirituality For Dummies brings modern-day spiritual seekers a view and approach to life that is universal, personal, and optimistic, with the dependable style and clarity of the “For Dummies” series. User-friendly descriptions of spiritual teachings, principles and practices are brought to life with humorous anecdotes and insightful quotes from great thinkers, scriptures, and texts from many traditions. With a friendly and conversational tone, Spirituality For Dummies gives readers tools to find and enter the spiritual dimensions of their lives. Author Sharon Janis explains, “A lot has happened in the world since the first edition

of Spirituality For Dummies was published in 2000, and this new 2nd edition reflects those changes. New chapters give suggestions and tips on finding the right paths for your journey, give a dummies-style view of an amazing philosophy of universal creation called Kashmir Shaivism, and explain the basis of co-creation and law of attraction principles, along with tips and warnings about using manifestation techniques without first developing the spiritual maturity to use them properly. Those who don’t already have a strong spiritual foundation can be led astray from true spiritual growth by mixed offerings such as those that keep practitioners focused mainly on material desires; therefore I focused on creating a book/CD set that gives readers a strong spiritual foundation and an extensive buffet of delicious teachings, stories, quotes, and tips that will empower readers to find wisdom and guidance within themselves.”

A full-length music CD in the back of every book gives a delicious taste of inspiring spiritual music, including Gregorian chanting, Buddhist texts, Jewish prayers, Christian songs, Hindu chants, Latin hymns, and gospel music sung by the author and other artists.

For Dummies, and all related trademarks and trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

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Praise for SPIRITUALITY FOR DUMMIES

“This book bridges the gap between conventional experience and the spiritual life. Spirituality for Dummies gives practical advice for entering the path of spirituality, borrowing wisdom from a host of religious, philosophical, and comedic traditions. Insightful, wise, and humorous, this book can and should be read by all, from novice to saint!" —Dr. Christopher Key Chapple, Loyola Marymount University “Spirituality For Dummies is a Mecca for those who are sincerely seeking the genuine meaning and practice of spirituality. Sharon Janis fuses mystical insights drawn from the east/west approaches, resulting in a volume that opens the heart, exhilarates the mind, and inflames the soul. No matter upon which rung of the spiritual ladder you now stand, expect to be catapulted to the next level of awareness through practice of the wisdom-offerings in this scripture of Truth.” — Michael Beckwith “If you feel empty inside (and not because it's been six hours since your last burrito), it might be time to search for the meaning of life in Spirituality for Dummies… Even skeptics can gain self-knowledge from the thought and visualization exercises strewn throughout the book, which demonstrate how to take a positive view of negative experiences and let go of emotional baggage—like going to a therapist, but cheaper. Janis explains meditation, yoga, and other practices in a chipper, down-to-earth style, using everyday analogies and many an exclamation point, that won't scare off the novice.” —The Village Voice “You can be sure you will no longer be a dummy if you finish reading Spirituality for Dummies. This 330-page primer provides a general overview of spiritual knowledge and awareness, and offers specific spiritual exercises and principles designed to expand one's universal consciousness. Author Sharon Janis fuses mystical traditions with "new thought" to encourage individuals to see beyond mere appearances and use intuitive perceptions to comprehend the spiritual laws at work behind the outer conditions in their lives." —The Sacramento Bee “Wise, witty, wide-ranging — Sharon Janis' introduction to spirituality is for everyone, dummies and wizards alike. And we are all both simultaneously dummies and wizards. I highly recommend it." —Dr. Nathan Katz, Florida International University

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Spirituality For Dummies 2nd Edition

By Sharon Janis

From Chapter 1: Finding Authentic Spirituality:

Today’s topsy-turvy world brings a unique array of spiritual challenges. Religions east and west stand accused of indiscretions and violations, while spiritual teachers who should be lifting seekers into higher wisdom are more often concerned with uplifting their own bottom line. Modern prophets cater to desire-obsessed audiences by teaching a kind of “Santa Claus” theology that is guaranteed to get you that new car you want, or if nothing else, that will get these prophets the new cars they’ve always wanted. Newsflashes warn about small and large apocalypses that could happen at any moment in-between investigations about which star has revealed which bad quality to the paparazzi. Countrymen don’t trust their leaders; family structures are crumbling; autism rates are climbing, children are being overmedicated, and people feel cut off from their divine spiritual heritage. The key to turning things around and bringing greater light and healing into this world is through authentic spiritual knowledge, awareness, and blessings. What the world needs now is the kind of spiritual love, wisdom, and practices that provide an anchor into the peaceful, sublime happiness of the eternal universal soul. People today need authentic, intelligent explanations of higher-consciousness spiritual principles that honor, support, and guide them right in the midst of their lives. The goal of Spirituality For Dummies is to be a helpful guide for your journey — a friend on your path that opens new doors of awareness, understanding, and experience. SPIRITUALITY FOR DUMMIES, By Sharon Janis Book and Music CD Set, Pub. February 2008 Wiley, 0470191422, 978-0470191422 384 pages $24.95/paperback For more information on SPIRITUALITY FOR DUMMIES, please visit www.wiley.com, or www.spiritualityfordummies.com.

Wiley Contact: Lindsay MacGregor Associate Director, Publicity 201-748-5630, lmacgreg@wiley.com

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The SPIRITUALITY FOR DUMMIES 2nd Edition Devotional Music CD A full-length Spirituality For Dummies 2nd Edition music CD comes in the back of every copy of the book and gives a delicious taste of inspiring spiritual music, referenced in the text to enhance appropriate sections and topics. The CD includes Gregorian chanting, Christian songs, Buddhist texts, Jewish prayers, Hindu chants, Latin hymns, and gospel music, sung by artists including Erik Peterson, Cantor Kathy Robbins, The Eternal OM, the Desert Fathers, Kali Mandir, Premanand Trikannad, Swami Nirvanananda, and the author.

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ABOUT AUTHOR SHARON JANIS Sharon Janis is an award-winning filmmaker, musician, and author of Spirituality For Dummies, Secrets of Spiritual Happiness, Conscious Evolution, and Never to Return: A Modern Quest for Eternal Truth. Sharon’s talks and writings are filled with colorful and entertaining stories that always have a touch of humor and a spiritual teaching about life. Janis was brought up by psychology-teacher parents and studied neuroscience and film at the University of Michigan, before spending ten years living a monastic life – studying, chanting, and serving in deep spiritual immersion, while

producing and editing hundreds of videos for the worldwide Siddha Yoga spiritual movement (this is the ashram and gurus that are featured in the “Pray” section of Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling book Eat, Pray Love). After a decade of monastic life, Janis moved to Hollywood for a career as film editor, director, and producer of popular television shows and films – including many evening news and news-feature shows, Hard Copy, X-Men, and The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers – winning a Los Angeles Emmy, an Associated Press National Board of Directors award, and many other accolades. With her combination of monastic life and Hollywood creativity, Sharon Janis offers a fresh view and style that motivates, entertains, educates, and enlightens with a down-to-earth intimacy, touches of music and singing, and a generous dose of humor. Her online press kit is at: http://www.spiritualityspeaker.com. Janis offers speaking and singing presentations with humorous and insightful discussion about the spiritual perspective, powerful guided meditations and visualizations, musical meditations with drums, devotional singing, and kirtan chanting. Her presentations at the Golden Door Spa have included topics such as "Inner Makeover," "How to be Spiritual in a Material World," and "Transforming Yourself From the Inside Out," and has offered sacred music concerts (gospel, kirtan, chanting, hymns, etc.) at many venues, including the Sun Valley Opera House.

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Interesting Facts and Tales from Sharon’s Eclectic Journey

• Sharon Janis was born Jewish, brought up atheist, and then spent a decade living in an Indian Ashram. She now follows a universal spirituality that includes all faiths, and spent several years going to a different denominational service every week.

• The ashram where Sharon lived, studied, practiced, and served for ten years is the

ashram of the same gurus described in the “pray” section of Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling book, Eat, Pray, Love, except while Elizabeth spent 6 months there without the gurus being present, Sharon spent a decade with many amazing interactions with both Muktananda and Gurumayi.

• After ten years of monastic life, Sharon moved to Hollywood, where she edited

and produced many popular television shows and movies, including X-Men, the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Candid Camera, Hard Copy, and many news and news feature programs, winning local, national, and international awards for her work.

• Sharon’s parents were both psychology teachers, and she was reading books by

Freud and taking a 3-month course in hypnosis at age seven, and lecturing in her mother’s class about dream symbolism at age 9.

• During college, Sharon studied neuroscience and film/video, and used the self-

hypnosis techniques she’d learned during childhood to do what she called “Exploring the Unconscious,” tapping into insights and powers including the ability to faith heal.

• Sharon has helped many people to find or uplevel their careers – including sneaking

into Fox studios with Charlie Rose to get him “The Charlie Rose Show,” and helping to start Suze Orman on the road to her success.

• Sharon offers a popular and extensive website of free multimedia spiritual

resources – videos, music, writings, photos, and more – often on a shoestring budget, believing that spiritual teachings and blessings should be offered as freely as possible.

• Sharon produced a powerful documentary about the American sage Peace Pilgrim

for her foundation, and found great inspiration in Peace’s story about living a simple life that is in harmony with your life’s mission.

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Sample Questions for Sharon Janis Author of Spirituality For Dummies

1. What is spirituality and why is it important to have in one’s life?

2. How can someone find their way through the labyrinth of choices to find the right spiritual path for his or her personal nature and needs? How can someone get started on a spiritual journey?

3. What are some of the opportunities and pitfalls in today’s spiritual climate?

What concerns do you have about modern spiritual “law of attraction” fads such as “The Secret”?

4. What do you mean when you talk about the importance of embracing the

inherent mysteries of life and how does this relate to your writing a title “For Dummies?”

5. How did you end up living in an Indian-based ashram after growing up

atheist?

6. What was it like to spend your 20’s living a monastic life?

7. After a decade of monastic life, why did you leave the ashram and go to Hollywood? Were you able to keep your spiritual principles and practices up while working in the television and film industry?

8. How did you help Charlie Rose find his destiny and get his interview show?

What are your concerns about having helped start Suze Orman’s career? Were you really groped by Arnold on Valentines Day?

9. How can someone find and achieve the deep calling of their soul while living

in today’s commercialized society?

10. What did you learn while creating a documentary about Peace Pilgrim: An American Sage Who Walked Her Talk?

11. How can someone find and experience the kind of constant spiritual

happiness and ongoing optimism that you describe in your books?