Joy's Way, a Map for the Transformationa

Great book

Superbe!

Brugh Joy was a highly successful doctor. To me, that fact doesn't give him credibility when he writes about spirituality, any more than being a politician's spouse gives someone extra credibility when she or he writes about mental health. Speaking of which...I wonder how many vulnerable people were damaged further by the intense retreats Joy held out in the California desert. To give Joy his due, he did pioneer spiritual healing. But there are much better books around on this topic. By "better," I mean books that emphasize technique and ethics, not the writer's ego. I bought this book because it's one of the five core texts for the Healing Touch program. I've got buyer's regret.

I was so excited to read this book. I'd seen the author referred to multiple times in other books about alternative healing, etc. I love reading about the life stories of highly educated people who are solidly in the scientific materialistic corner and then something happens and they completely change and are open to the other side and energy healing and all that.But I'm sorry to say this book was a disappointment. The author expresses early on that, basically, he wasn't too thrilled about the idea of physically writing the book. He's totally enthused as to his ideas, but the writing of it was not a pleasant idea to him UNTIL he realized he didn't have to write in a linear fashion. Then the book fell into place. Well, it felt like the book fell alright -- fell on the floor and was thrown back together. It was not an easy read. It needed to be written in linear fashion. I understand it was easier for him, but not so for this reader.It always helps when the author clearly identifies who he is from the beginning of an autobiographical work (even if it's only a partially autobiographical). I didn't understand until halfway through that he actually had intuitive or medium-type experiences before becoming an adult. He did an about face in his profession at the age of 35, but it wasn't so astounding when you finally realize he had a non-ordinary experiential background. His mother was an important part of this. I wanted to hear about his growing up and about his mother. I wanted to hear about his development. It might have been boring for him to detail, but it settles the reader and helps him or her understand who the author is and how he came about his ideas.The book is mostly his ideas on healing and so on. It's not that easy a read. I skimmed a lot. In the 1970's, I could see how people might be astonished at these concepts and at the then-mind-blowing idea of a successful MD dropping his practice at the age of 35 and embracing non-western methods of healing, but not if you've read a lot of books about this kind of thing by 2018. Then his book is more old news and presented in, I think, a disagreeable fashion.So in the end, the gist of what he says, particularly if you are new to this subject, is great. I just did not find the writing of it smooth. If he didn't enjoy the process of writing, I felt his pain. I bought his second book before I read this one and I don't know if I'll make it through. I'll try. He's a cool guy the way he left the trappings of a conventional doctor's wealthy existence and went the other way. He's a good soul and helped a lot of people. No doubt about that.There was one moment in the book that made the purchase of it worthwhile. He had horrible stomach pain when he was 35 that got worse and worse. Then he had, essentially, a spiritual experience, made a big change in his life and, much to his surprise, the pain went away. He says illness or chronic conditions are an invitation for transformation. Definitely thought-provoking.So in the end, he has excellent things to say, but for me--the form was wanting.

When reading this book you need to remember that it was written in the mid 70's.. . . . . thirty years ago. As a result Brugh became one of the early leaders of the so called spiritual movement, which many are exploring today.So if you wish to read about the foundational work that others teachers and books have been built upon . . . . . . this is the place to go. Thus I call it a Classic for each time I read it, it has a new message for my continuing ancient spiritual exploration.I personal met brugh in the late 70 and hung out with him till the end of the 80's. I saw him more as an explorer of the mysteries of life as opposed to the typical teacher who teaches knowledge. Brugh always taught the wisdom based on his experiences as each year he move deeper into the spiritual mysteries and share from that place. Thus each year his teachings were also growing as opposed to teaching the same thing year after year.If you are truly an explorer of the ancient mysteries this is a great place to start.