Jeff Brown - Grounded Spirituality

In this courageous, groundbreaking book, author Jeff Brown takes us on the spiritual ride of a lifetime. The book opens with the authors compelling journey through a variety of spiritual approaches. Through decades of dedicated exploration and discernment, Brown exposes the transcendent notions of spirituality that limit our human experience. In his fiercely authentic, no-holds-barred style, Brown reveals that what we view as spiritual is often devoid of the gift that makes us most alive--our precious and unique selfhood. He demonstrates that true spirituality is a whole-being awakening, one that heartfully embraces our entire human experience: our feelings, our stories, our bodies, our relationships with others, and the earth that houses us.Brown then engages in a riveting dialogue with a fictitious spiritual seeker named Michael. Their conversations unfurl in warmth and humor, threaded with cutting truth and inspiring realization. Hands-on exercises throughout provide a direct experience of a vital new model.In Grounded Spirituality, the author lays down the tracks for an embodied way of being--one that leaves us enrealed, integrated, and purposeful. Not awakened--but awakening. Not transcending our humanness--but finding meaning and spirituality within it, right in the heart of our imperfect daily lives. At long last, we can lay down our weary heads, burdened by the impossibility of transcending our human experience. Back to our roots, back into our bodies, back into all that makes us magnificently human. Home at last...Jeff Brown is an iconoclastic visionary about intimate matters. There arent many of those around, since most modern geniuses seem devoted to seemingly more glamorous and critical matters like artificial intelligence, 3-D printers, and smart chips implanted in our brains. But the truth is--at least in my view--revolutionizing the way we do our inner work and craft our intimate relationships is the most important action we can take to transform the world. And Jeff provides potent ideas to help us do just that. His rigorous imagination is in service to creating a more emotionally intelligent culture. When I read his words, I get riled up in all the best ways. He disrupts my habitual thought grooves, which inevitably leads to unexpected healings and inspirations. These days the word soul gets carelessly bandied around by many lazy and sloppy thinkers, but Jeff is not one of them. He is reverent and impeccable, an astute connoisseur of the soul and its needs. Rob Brezsny, author of the weekly column Free Will Astrology and the book Pronoia Is the Antidote for ParanoiaJeff Brown never disappoints, and his latest book, Grounded Spirituality, is no exception. Jeff is a uniquely human sage-preacher-man for the most cutting-edge,revolutionary, evolutionary take on human spirituality. There is nothing more needed in this broken world than the re-emergence of a human culture that deeply honors that which is real--the worthy dirt of this earth, the smile from a stranger, the tears we all shed at the moment of a loved ones death, our flesh and bones... these are the sacred meditation objects of Jeff Browns Grounded Spirituality. In this book, Jeff offers his vulnerable and ever-so-human heart, through his own personal story of spiritual struggle and revelation. He also takes on the role of a wisened sage, reminiscent of an ancient Vedic teacher-student conversation style. Most impressively, this book places its finger on the exact pulse of cutting-edge spiritual development--a place that honors tradition, while at the same time, dramatically breaking from its harmful patriarchal shackles. While reading this book, I could feel the Goddess smiling. Katie Silcox, New York Times Best-Selling author of Healthy, Happy, SexyAyurveda Wisdom for Modern WomenAnyone who has felt the least confusion on their spiritual path should immediately get a copy of Grounded Spirituality and start reading. With laser precision, Jeff Brown dissects what passes for wisdom in much of todays spiritual teachings, slices away the illusions, and lays bare the simple truth: to grow into your spirituality is to grow into your humanity, in all its connected, tender, messy, luminous embodiment. And simple as that truth is, Brown doesnt pretend that the path to a fully embodied humanity is a piece of cake. He renders the pitfalls and rewards of that journey poignantly clear in a fictionalized dialogue that carries the reader towards a personal renewal of their own sacred purpose. The clear-eyed passion that fueled this book helps bring us closer to the future we all need. Philip Shepherd, author of Radical Wholeness and New Self, New WorldThis is a crucial book that needs to be thoroughly read, explored and discussed. Jeff Brown eagerly invites us to look into the utmost importance of a grounded spirituality. At a time when much of spirituality has diverted us away from our true individual self, our authenticity, and our sense of social and ecological solidarity, this book orients us back to a spirituality rooted in our humanity and in our participation in the struggle of the world for greater freedom and justice. This book is a much needed masterpiece! Chris Saade, author of Second Wave Spirituality, and co-author of Evolutionary Love RelationshipsWith absolutely naked transparency, Jeff Brown, in Grounded Spirituality shares his complicated spiritual journey--the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. He recounts the twists and turns of his path without any narcissistic indulgence, but with an outpouring of broken-open vulnerability and courage. Jeff shows us that we are already divine, and our work is not necessarily to become more spiritual, but to immerse ourselves in the life-altering process of becoming wholly human, wholly here, wholly present to our embodied existence on this planet. Carolyn Baker, author of Dark Gold: The Human Shadow and The Global Crisis, and co-author with Andrew Harvey of Return to Joy, and Savage Grace: Living Resiliently In The Dark Night of The GlobeJeff Browns wisdom in Grounded Spiritualitythe idea that life is the only real spiritual teacher --resonates deeply with my own lived experience and with what I have witnessed with my clients and students. He articulates so well how our truest path includes our stories, our emotions, and especially our bodies... that our bodies not only house our souls--they are inseparable from them while we walk this earth. The exercises woven with the story will support any seeker to become a finder. I believe Alexander Lowen and John Pierrakos would proudly recommend Grounded Spirituality if they were still embodied. I know I will recommend it to my students. Kate Holt, RN, Core Energetics Practitioner and Teacher. Executive Director, Institute of Core EnergeticsThere are certain themes that wash through the works of Jeff Brown. They touch the reader with different colors and textures, but the intention remains the same. His message is grounded in human vulnerability with the desire, the longing, for a connection to the wonder of the Divine whilst remaining utterly true to our human nature. He is a breath of fresh air in these times of rapid and uncompromising change. This book is like a warm hand that reaches for yours with the promise of safe passage. Anaiya Sophia, author of Sacred Sexual Union, and Fierce, Fierce Feminine: One Womans Journey to Find Her Authentic VoiceJeff Brown, who has long been known for his bold,passionate, and grounded approach to life and spirituality, has written an epic saga about truth, freedom, spirit, and what it means to be divinely human. He blends wisdom, humor, and illuminating moments of autobiography into a lively conversation that takes people out of their heads and returns them to their bodies--where our messy human emotions live. This is a book that vibrates with life, sensuality, and a willingness to embrace our humanity without apology. Jeffs compassion for the human condition may well be the antidote for the kind of apathy that has torn people away from their tenderness and ability to care for themselves, one another, and our planet. But dont expect easy answers here--Jeffs generous account of his journey emboldens all of us to step whole-heartedly into the questions and accept the call to adventure that life is offering. This is a book I want every human being, young and old, to pick up and read! Kelly Mcnelis, founder of Women For One, and author of Your Messy BrillianceA former criminal lawyer and psychotherapist, Jeff Brown is the author of 5 popular books: Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation, Ascending with Both Feet on the Ground, Love It Forward, An Uncommon Bond, and Spiritual Graffiti. He is also the producer and primary journeyer in the award-winning spiritual documentary, Karmageddon, which also stars Ram Dass, Seane Corn, David Life, Deva Premal and Miten.After writing a series of inspirations for ABCS Good Morning America in 2010, and appearing on Fox News.com and dozens of radio shows, Brown wrote the viral blog Apologies to the Divine Feminine (from a warrior in transition) that autumn, catapulting him to a greater degree of notoriety, particularly in social media. Jeffs new terms and short writings became a phenomenon some years ago, and continue to be shared by seekers and growers worldwide. His quotes have been shared in social media by Alanis Morrissette, Fergie, Chrissy Metz, and many other well-known figures. Most beautifully, they have touched and benefited millions of souls. This gratifies him deeply. He now understands that most of the challenges he faced, and the millions of steps of overcoming, were intended for this purpose: To support humanity in their efforts to embody all that they are. Not to bypass their humanness, but to celebrate it. Not to find enlightenment independent of the self, but to find their awakening deep within it.In April, 2018, Jeff was invited to Ottawa by Sophie Grgoire Trudeau--gender equality activist and the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau--to film a conversation about emotional healing and inclusivity. Excerpts from that dialogue are viewable on Sophies Facebook and Instagram pages.Jeff is also the founder of Soulshaping Institute and Enrealment Press. He lives in Canada with his wife, poet Susan Frybort.