How to Attain Enlightenment: The Vision of Non-Duality (Spirituality Religious Experie) [Paperback]

This book is a rare gem. Whether you have spent years trying to figure it all out or are new to the search for enlightenment, this book will explain all the essentials.

Have you spent years meditating and wondered why you are still not enlightened? Or do you know people who have practised a path for ages, and whilst they have received benefits, enlightenment has not been one of them? If you are not just interested in feeling a temporary sense of peace, and want to go further then this book has been written for you.

For me, the most useful teaching of Swartz was that enlightenment is not an experience. All experiences come and go, and so-called spiritual experiences are no different. Swartz first tells us and then shows us that Enlightenment is an understanding, or knowledge. This understanding paradoxically occurs in the mind, but points to the directly observable fact that we are not the body or mind and that we are in fact ever-free awareness. Based on direct observation we see that we are already whole and that no matter what happens we will be OK.

Of course, what you will discover upon reading this book is that 'you' cannot really attain enlightenment, as the body-mind is seen not to be an independent entity that can be enlightened. The idea of being an individual disappears for it was never true to begin with - it's just now we understand/know this to be the case.

Swartz teaches in line with Advaita Vedanta, and this book is the clearest and most accessible summary of Advaita Vedanta I have come across. Before reading this book I really thought that Vedanta was more intellectual philosophy than a practical guide. He uses Sanskrit terms only where required, and clearly explains what they mean. The author also tackles the current 'Advaita scene' and dispels with false ideas of what enlightenment is.

The only negative is that the book could do with some editing, but by no means let that put you off. If you are considering purchasing this, I would wholeheartedly recommend it!

A truly enlightening book which not only explains the path for spiritual seekers, but most importantly and unlike the neo-advaita teachings, actually gives a sensible methodology on how to tread this path. We have all heard teachers tell us that there actually is no path, but this, in my experience, is unhelpful. As a yoga teacher I found the description of karma yoga and manipulating the gunas the best that I have read. For those who have realised the self and don't know where to go with this, How to Attain Enlightenment is really supportive. This is a clear, well written book using the science of Vedanta, a tried and tested methodolgy that has worked for thousands of years. How to Attain Enlightenment shows that Awarness is our nature and that we are not our body or mind. If we are qualified, and James Swartz explains these qualifications clearly, then Enlightenment is possible.

An incredible book, and an amazing gift. I've been waiting 20 years for something like this! Truly, if I'd had access to the teaching before it would have avoided so much floundering and enticing side-paths that led nowhere.

This book will not appeal to everyone, as evidenced by the mixed reviews here, but if you are ready and are open to questioning literally everything you've ever learned in the spiritual marketplace of the west (and probably now the east too, seeing as 'west' is everywhere), this may be the last spiritual book you'll need. It begins by outlining the necessary 'qualifications' you need to embark on this path...that might not strike the right chord with some, but clearly a certain foundation is needed to understand and assimilate the knowledge here. To the average person on the street, and even to many spiritual seekers, it will be meaningless and perplexing. I came to realise that in large part the obstructions that prevent us 'attaining enlightenment' are are misconceptions about what enlightenment actually is.

Swartz is not a cuddly 'love and light' guru. I have absolutely no doubt that he is a fully realised being, but he is unafraid to tell it like it is and is quick to point out the flaws of lesser teachings. Frankly, this is needed. The notion that all paths are equal is a fallacy, for clearly many are more harmful than helpful. But this isn't Swartz's teaching - he draws upon the ancient system of Vedanta which is as close to a science of enlightenment as there is. There's a LOT of information here and it's important to take your time to deeply reflect on it and allow it to permeate your consciousness and overwrite all the dodgy software and coding we've acquired over lifetimes.

Especially helpful and revelatory to me were the teachings of the causal and subtle bodies, the functioning of vasanas and gunas (so helpful - this should absolutely be worked into mainstream psychological understanding) and how to create the necessarily sattvic states of mind that allow us to reflect the pure, still, expansive awarness of Self/awareness/being.

This teaching - which was, until recently, not even available to English speakers - is a gift to humanity. This is only the tip of the iceberg as well -- there are hundreds of hours of free audio and an immeasurable amount of written material on James Swartz's website that will enable you to fully assimilate the teaching. I am blessed to have found this.