The Path of the Blue Raven [Paperback]

Path of the Blue Raven is an inspiring book that explores the challenge of developing an authentic relationship with the Divine. Part biographical part exploration, the author looks at the way his own path has developed over the past few years and the influences that inspired him. The book is very easy read as Mark is a very humorous writer. I read it in a couple of days as I couldn't put it down! His approach is to tell his life as it is which is often painful honest but he shows how pain brings great insightful treasures. Mark treads the path from entrenched `churchianity' absorbed by ideas of perfectionism and being successful to realising authentic spiritual life wells from unconditional love and acceptance.

Later in the book are contributions from others who have chosen paths off the beaten track. They range from Christo-Druid, Celtic Christian, Pagan Druid and Native American. These offerings add further insights into what it means to live an authentic spiritual life from other faith viewpoints.

This book will help anyone who is struggling to come to terms with their sense of faith but struggle to find their faith reflected in any institutional church. I really recommend anyone to buy this book. Read it and then buy Mark's other books, especially The Gospel of Falling down which is currently making huge waves in the church.
The book will also upset many that become insecure when others discuss anything other than what they think is the `right way to God'. Yet such a book that invites us to think through what we are doing can be no bad thing.

Mark Townsend's book, "The Path of the Blue Raven" is best explained by its subtitle: "From Religion to Re-Enchantment". As we read with Mark we realise we are sharing a truly honest account of his journey into re-enchantement,a path I am also travelling. Church going folk have been taught to see God through beliefs: doctrines and ways of behaving. Since the enlightenment in the west we have forgotton that once the world was 'enchanted', a place of mystery, fear, joy and magic - a domain for encounter with Life itself. The prologue makes us realise that we have always had the wings to fly spiritually, but most of us just tuck them out of the way. Mark has not done that, and it has proved a hard path, which we are invited to fly with him.

Mark, through this book, makes it possible to rediscover that we can be set free to explore beyond the confines of religious orthodoxy. For him it is in nature and magic that his exploring has centred. We are invited into his life and thought, and discover a sincere Church of England priest, trying to adapt to individual needs by shaping ceremonies to mark life's changes, often beyond the limits of his church structures. He shares the pain of rejection by the Church for having too much integrity. We are led to understand that religion and the "divinity" in nature are not two different things, but two aides of one coin.

Part 2 opens with a summary of what the "spirtual", "awakened" life can be. Ideas like, "The source of life is pure limitless love." and "All religions and paths lead to the same goal" and, "the heart of the spiritual life is the search for wisdom and compassion." Like me he has explored the burgeoning literature describing the 21st Century's post modernist discovery that all faiths and paths are valid ways to express our partnering in divinity.

The strongest sections of the book are his Journal entries, where he often, in confusion and pain, delves deep into his heart to hear the voice of Love, Compassion and Forgiveness. That Voice calls us all to "Re-Member" - to know the "voice of your deepest self" as your God. I loved his Chapter called a "Re-enchanted reading of Christianity". Quoting Tom Harpur he quotes his Seven Principles of Cosmic Christianity. Everyone should check these out. It was for me, my own way being made plain. The Pagan Christ

In the final part of the book, "Tales form Beyond the Magic Doorway" we are introduced to Celtic Christianity, Druidry, Paganism and American Indian wisdom. Insiders share much insight from their own journeys,and the book is strengthened by letting their own voices speak.

Without a doubt I would recommend this book to those on the journey from orthodox religion to a living encounter with the divine within and in all life, and for anyone else with courage to explore.

I have also bought two other books by Mark Townsend from Amazon, and am pleased to also commend those books:
The Wizard's Gift
The Gospel of Falling Down: The Beauty of Failure, in an Age of Success

Rev John Hetherington, Kendal

The Path of the Blue Raven
Mark is an ordained Priest...and also a Magician.

He now lives an `enchanted life' having lost himself to disillusionment with 10 years of `organised religion'.
This is a lovely account of his path from being angry and upset with what religion couldn't offer him, divorce, re-marriage and finally regaining "the flames of my more intuitive and imaginative faculties" to a sense of peace with himself. Mark's true account of what happened, how he coped, what led him to `where he is now', resonates with what most of us would wish for ourselves.

I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes: the dilemmas placed before him and how he not only managed to leave his old life behind, but create such a new empowering one.

The title of the book is best explained in Mark's own words: "My blue raven is a mythic soul-friend who beckons me forward to face new challenges, open myself to life's mysteries and trust that I too can fly."
I heartily endorse this book, it will open your own heart to life's wonder and enchantment.

Mary English, Astrologer and Author of How To Survive a Pisces.