The Secrets of Wilder [Brossura]

This book should not be missed by anyone who is interested in their own spiritual evolution - or, for that matter, in the spiritual evolution of our planet. Framed within a cosmic love story that begins with the protagonists in high school, it encompasses a wide panorama of meditative teachings that can be applied easily both by young adults and by oldsters already set in their ways - such as me. Beautifully and sensitively written, I cannot imagine anyone coming away from its pages without having learned something profoundly new about themselves. When I finished reading the last page of the story, tears came to my eyes and a strong yearning overcame me. "So may it be," I said aloud. "So may it come to pass for all of us."

How often does a book appear without anyone knowing who the author is? We have no photo, no list of achievements on the back cover, and I don't think we are going to see Yogani on the morning talk shows. Despite the amazing success of the Advanced Yoga Practices online list that drew more than seven thousand subscribers and now has its own website and forums (and also now as the book "Advanced Yoga Practices"), Yogani protects his anonymity. We are told nothing about the originator of this extraordinary novel other than in the brief biographical note at the end: `Yogani is an American spiritual scientist who, for more than thirty years, has been integrating ancient spiritual techniques from around the world that cultivate human spiritual transformation. The approach he has developed is non-sectarian and open to all."

Again I repeat, "Don't miss this book." I am buying extra copies for my three sons and close friends. And if they find the exercises launch them into deeper levels of spirit, they - and you - can move on to the "Advanced Yoga Practices" book itself. Yogani promises us that more is forthcoming. I, for one, can't wait!

Overall, I have no problem with telling potential readers that I loved the "Secrets of Wilder" and found parts of it deeply touching. In fact, from page 120 onwards, it pretty much became a page turner for me and I read from page 180 to the end in one sitting, which is the mark of only the most enjoyable of books for me.

The beginning was the only reason I couldn't give "Secrets of Wilder" 5 out of 5 stars. I found the beginning a little rough going and not up to the high standards set later on as the story unfolds. I actually feel that if it had begun the way it ended, it would have been in the class of Richard Bach's Illusions or Jonathan Livingston Seagull for me which are two of my favorite spiritual stories of all time.

Overall, I highly recommend "secrets of Wilder" as a great and inspiring read that takes the reader into unchartered spiritual waters.

Enjoy!

I have 2 others books by the same author (one on spinal breathing and one on deep meditation). Both of these were useful and spurred me to read "The Secrets of Wilder".

Unfortunately this novel feels like an early, immature voice from the author even when I am trying to read through the lens I use for "mythic" and imaginal tales. It just seems too exaggerated and at times frankly too unwise to have produced an ascending master.

While the dangers of overextension of certain spiritual exercises are acknowledged by corresponding mishaps in Wilder's life and health (over extensions that his other AYP books seem to advise against) it still seems that these practices are romanticized and sometimes encouraged with potentially unsafe outcomes -- such as cutting the frenulum linguae. This book feels out of place with others in his series.

I finished the whole book, I suppose because I do utilize some of the meditative practices in Yogani's other non-fiction writings. Unfortunately what seems to be extreme exaggeration in this novel makes me reluctant to recommend any of the series.

I would prefer to see a novel by Yogani as a wiser man rather than as a adolescent male merger of superman, christos, sex-pert and mysteriously anonymous disappearing cult leader. Bliss is certainly inviting -- but in this story seems to have been accidently substituted with thrill-seeking inflationary exploits.