Anne Bokma - My Year of Living Spiritually: From Woo-Woo to Wonderful—One Womans Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life

Anne Bokmas book serves first as a moving personal story, that essential mechanism by which we all seek and find meaning in this thing we call life. It is a reassuring balm for those of us who have been scarred by the obstinate structures and people in our lives, and reminds us that we can be stronger because of the struggle. Anne also shows us that we are not alone, and that how we connect with whats important in our own lives cannot be separated from what we cherish in the lives of others. Above all, this book is an honest attempt to identify what it means to be a part of something bigger than ourselves; a brave work that points to lifes inherent value, and our calling to connect with ourselves, each other, and the world aroun d us. Brent van Staalduinen, author of Boy and Saints, UnexpectedWhat begins as a light-hearted quest becomes a tenderly beautiful and insightful search for connection in a fractured world. Anne is fun-loving, adventurous and sensitivejust the sort of person you want to follow around as she seeks answers to the questions many of us have. What does it mean to live a spiritual life in a secular world? When what we know and care for is pulled from us, who does that make us and how do we make ourselves? And, most importantly of all, how do we live a meaningfu l life? Alison Wearing, author of Honeymoon in Purdah and Confessions of a Fairy s Daughter Anne Bokmas tour through the garden of spiritual delights is earthy and entertaining, grounded and informative.Its all about the journey, and its al l good. John Terpstra, poet and author of Skin Boat: Acts of Faith and Othe r Navigations In one experimental, life-changing year, Anne Bokma sets out on a series of spiritual adventures that range from taking magic mushrooms and hanging out with witches to hosting a death dinner. In the process she discovers new truths about herself, her childhood, and her complicated relationship with her mother. Her writing is fearless and honest, never settling for easy answers. Bokma gives us a model for how to seek a more authentic and grounded spiritual life with curiosity, openness, and passion. Read My Year of Living Spiritually for inspiration and tips on how you can take a walk on the wild side in your own spiritua l life. Lori Erickson, author of Near the Exit: Travels with the Not-So-Gri m Reaper My Year of Living Spiritually explores a cornucopia of all things spiritual and new age. But what elevates this tale from the trivial, is the memoir Bokma so deftly weaves throughoutthe story of her painful break from the rigid religion of her childhood, and subsequent search to find a spirituality of her own. Along the way Bokma wins our hearts. This memoir is more wonderful than woo woo, and you wont want to put it down. A moving and inspirin g read! Kelly Watt, author of Camin o Meditations If you liked Eat, Pray, Love, you will go wild for My Year of Living Spiritually. Bokmas adventures, from the carnal to the sacred, from the divine to the outrageous, will take you to the centre of yourself and the outreaches of your imagination, leaving you enriched, enlightened an d invigorated! Tracey Erin Smith, founder of SOUL O Theatre Reading this book is a spiritual journey in itself...full of knowing laughs, tears, aha moments, and a non-dogmatic invitation to a life more truly and deepl y lived. Kimberly Carroll, coach fo r Changemakers For everyone who has ever wanted to explore the many avenues to spirituality, Anne Bokma leads the way with empathy, wisdom, and an open heart and mind.Diane Schoemperlen, author of This is Not My Life

My Year of Living Spiritually

From Woo-Woo to Wonderful

One Womans Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life

Copyright 2019 Anne Bokma

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the publisher or, in the case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from Access Copyright, .

Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Ltd.

P.O. Box 219, Madeira Park, BC , V 0 N 2 H 0

www.douglas-mcintyre.com

All photos courtesy of the author

Edited by Barbara Pulling

Cover design by Anna Comfort OKeeffe and Carleton Wilson

Text design by Brianna Cerkiewicz

Printed and bound in Canada

Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Ltd. acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $ 153 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.

Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. Lan dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de lart dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.

We also gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Government of Canada and from the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: My year of living spiritually : from woo-woo to wonderful--one womans secular quest for a more soulful life / Anne Bokma.

Names: Bokma, Anne, 1962- author.

Description: Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20190157887 | Canadiana (ebook) 20190157925 | ISBN 9781771622332 (softcover) | ISBN 9781771622349 ( HTML )

Subjects: LCSH : Bokma, Anne, 1962- | LCSH : Bokma, Anne, 1962-Religion. | LCSH : Spiritual biographyCanada. | LCSH : Spirituality. | LCSH : Self-realization.

Classification: LCC BL 73 . B 65 2019 | DDC 204.092dc23

To my daughters, Ruby and Lucyprecious gems
And my women friendspure gold

Introduction

January: Waking Up

A new morning routine, reducing screen time, meditating with Andy and channelling Clarice

February: Creating Sacred Space

Buddha bling, curious crystals, the sweet smell of essential oils and a makeshift home altar

March: The Rigour of Ritual

Failing at faith and marking a booze-free secula r Lent

April: The Quiet Centre

Cultivating silence, kinder self-talk, drifting in a float tank and a treehouse timeout

May: Into the Woods

Forest bathing, tree climbing and a pilgrimage to Walde n Pond

June: Finding My Voice