The Book

Living Traditions Magazine (www.livingtraditions-magazine.com):

The Soul’s Journey: Guidance from the Divine Within is a real gift, so often we read stories about visions, spiritual experiences and mystical teachings which seem to be continents from our own experience. It is so easy to believe in such things in “romantic” kingdoms where miracles occur or even in our own literary recreations of Tibet or India and yet be unable to experience them in our own lives and lounge rooms. In this superb book, Dr. Edwards shares his experiences in a powerful and personal way and shows how visionary experiences and real spiritual growth can be achieved by all of us regardless of where we are.

We learn a lot about his experiences of the divine. Even as a child he experienced the power of the spiritual world and moreover recognized it as a potent and important aspect of his life; he did this despite the discouragement of his parents and the materialistic environment of the culture around him. He carried with him the truth of his early experience of the Great Mother Goddess Kali throughout his life. Later, he became a devotee of Muktananda, a remarkable Siddha or realized master from India, and under his instruction was able to refine his spiritual life and not only experience further visitations from the Goddess bur receive instruction from her.

She instructed him to transmit her teachings, so he recorded and then published them. This was his mission ordained by Kali. Kali told him stories which are enticing and enlightening. They are like the old legends and tales of the Hindu Puranas or even like the crazy wisdom of the Sufis, and while they may be enjoyable they are also allegorical and contain deep wisdom.

Dr. Edwards' book is a fascinating volume which combines a revealing and personal outline of his own experiences, profound revelations and visions and insightful commentary which is clarified by his own background in Jungian psychology. Here is an intelligent guide to spirituality which while upholding the integrity of the visionary experience (especially Kundalini), also decodes that experience and offers insights from psychology. This is a great achievement and will be of real value to anyone on the spiritual path.

Maurie D. Pressman, M.D., author of Enter the Supermind; co-author of Twin Souls; Professor of Psychiatry at Temple University and Emeritus Chairman of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein Medical Center:

In this book, Dr. Edwards provides us with a substantial bridge between the teachings of the ancient masters, and explanations of how to live these very elevated lessons in our daily lives.

As the title suggests, the book is an adventure. It is an adventure not only of the author’s soul but also that of the reader. In the beginning it delineates his personal journey, and I have found that wherever I have learned from an author, I have learned a great deal more from the journal of the author's life. And so it is here.

From the beginning Lawrence Edwards had visionary experiences. Even as a small child he recognized them as real, despite the discouragement of his parents, a disparagement that is so characteristic of our modern time. He retained the truth of the early visit of the Great Goddess, the Mother Goddess, the Goddess Kali. Later in life, when he devoted himself to Muktananda, a remarkable Siddha Master from the East, he opened more fully, with numerous visionary visitations from the Goddess. She instructed him to carry her lessons forward by recording them, and then publishing them. This was his mission ordained by Kali, and this is his accomplishment.

Kali told him stories that are adventures in themselves. But like the great stories of the Sufi or the Hassidic Masters, these allegories are entertainment that carry great wisdom. They import the truths from the spiritual heights. Furthermore, the legends from the Goddess become elaborated by comments and explication, which then bring their symbology into life’s practice. This is an adventure of mind and soul. It is an adventure in teaching from the soul and lessons for the soul of the reader. In the tradition of guru to seeker, teacher to student, these lessons from the life and visions of Dr. Edwards become an education in living our own lives with higher spiritual aspiration and higher personal achievement.

Dorothy Walters, Ph.D., author of MARROW OF FLAME: POEMS OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, and UNMASKING THE ROSE: AN ACCOUNT OF A KUNDALINI INITIATION:

With quiet grace and the impressive assurance that comes from deep familiarity with the path, Lawrence Edwards introduces us to ever deeper levels of Divine Reality as manifested through the Goddess (Kundalini). He achieves what few dare attempt and even fewer succeed in: a profound and convincing revelation of his own inner progression along that journey of spirit to which he has been called. In his account of his personal quest, he includes the full spectrum of what seekers may expect, from the overwhelming bliss of ecstatic union to the terror of unexpected encounters with the Shadow.

His learning is based on a deep familiarity with ancient teachings, but he is able to put much material in a fresh perspective; for example, he reminds of the need to keep the feminine principle ever in view, including the importance of allowing the Goddess, which is Kundalini, to direct us as the energies awaken, rather than trying to coerce Her into preset paths and institutional (patriarchal) formulas. Further, he makes a welcome and vivid distinction between that which is literal and that which is figurative in the ancient descriptions. His explanation of the chakras ("wheels") and the "snake" of Kundalini does much to clarify the confusion which has surrounded these images through the years. Although he was a follower of external teachers for many years, he points out that the ultimate guide is the inner, rather than the outer, guru.

This book is an invaluable map to all who venture into similar spiritual terrain. It will be most especially welcomed by those who have tasted of comparable experience through Kundalini awakening, visionary revelation, or the soul's dark night. His voice is that of the authentic pilgrim whose many years of immersion into the ancient practices and lore of Siddha Yoga together with his training in Jungian/transpersonal psychology create a uniquely qualified spokesperson. He is both practitioner and scholar, with a rich familiarity with both Eastern mystical tradition and contemporary Western perspective. He is a wise and trustworthy voice, a teacher whose knowledge and counsel will benefit all those fortunate enough to be introduced to this volume. And, for persons undergoing Kundalini transformation who are seeking a more comprehensive understanding of the process, this book is an invaluable source.

Barbra Telynor, Editor, ATP Working Titles, January 2002:

"Lawrence Edwards is a mystic who shares a deep and abiding love and respect for the Divine in his work. Through sharing his visions and stories, honed in the fires of meditation and Eastern mythological symbolism, he unlocks the particular to expose the Universal connection to the Divine. For him, it is devotion to the Divine Feminine which is so powerful. ...Here we see the Divine Feminine as reflected by a man in search of Her. Lawrence is also able to express the woundedness of men without the strength of a strong positive Masculine, as well. If your path is rooted in meditation and Eastern mythology, you will find a home in this spiritual autobiography which points well beyond itself."

Kathi Kemper, M.D., M.P.H., author of THE HOLISTIC PEDIATRICIAN, featured in One Spirit book club:

Thank you so much for the privilege of reading your book. I really like all the stories... My favorite story was the one in which you were preparing dinner for your colleagues as if you were preparing to serve God. That story just really resonated for me. I'm sure the people at your dinner table were fed and blessed by your vision of them... I found your book very uplifting and it made me want to spend hours talking with you and sharing stories and talking about how we are applying all these visions in our daily life.

El Collie, publisher and editor of the internationally distributed newsletter, Shared Transformation:

Lawrence Edwards wrote his doctoral thesis on Kundalini. The Goddess first paid him a visit when he was 3 years old (although it wasn’t until much later that he realized the magical “lady of light” was none other than Kundalini). When he humbly sought her guidance, Kundalini returned to initiate him through a series of intense experiences of mystical union... At one point, Kundalini instructed Edwards to publish the narrative visions so the world would know of her presence and purpose, which is exactly what he has done with THE SOUL’S JOURNEY.

With his Jungian training, Edwards translates the images and revelationary story line of his visions into familiar actualities of the path. He also tells of unexpected twists in his own journey (past life recall, harrowing encounters with malevolent entities, sudden healing abilities) and advises readers with wisdom he’s gleaned along the way....

Most touching is his devotion to Kundalini. He tells a wonderful story about an author who had experienced Kundalini... Although Kundalini had appeared to him in a vision, he hadn’t been impressed, as she seemed to be an ordinary woman. While in the company of a yogi/saint famous for his love of Kundalini, the author again saw Kundalini manifest herself. But this time she appeared as a radiant Goddess. Stunned, the author asked why the Kundalini looked so much more beautiful in the presence of the yogi. The yogi answered simply, “Because I worship her.” As Glenn Morris would say, study on this.

THE SOUL’S JOURNEY is a powerful, illuminating and inspiring book -- one that anyone seeking to understand Kundalini should place near the top of their reading list.

Bob Boyd, Kundalini Survival & Support:

I have been reading Dr. Edwards' book "The Soul's Journey: Guidance From The Divine Within" and, Wow!, it's fantastic!

After seeing the Goddess in his childhood, years later, while sitting in a meditation hall, Dr. Edwards has six consecutive visions of six different forms of the Goddess prior to Kali lighting up his inner space with one cosmic revelation after another, culminating in profound realizations and a message from Kali.

The Goddess then directs him to share her "gift" to him with others by writing it all down and getting it published. He is shown in visions what to write along with commentaries by the Goddess, presented to him as scenes in his mind. Dr. Edwards is just as amazed as his readers will be, and humbled by his cosmic visitations from Kali. Moreover, his surprise and humility at being "chosen" by the Divine give his words a solid ring of truth.

Dr. Edwards extraordinary encounter with the Divine is one of the most impressive and inspiring books I have ever read about Kundalini. Perhaps devotion to the Mother Goddess is the highest path to fully awakening Kundalini with a Mother's Love guiding you safely home.

Jim Giorgi, MA, school psychologist, black belt Aikido Master and Zen dharma teacher:

At last! A book on the spiritual path written by someone who has walked the walk instead of just talking the talk. Edwards' descriptions of personal revelations by the Goddess, dating from his early childhood, give clarity, inspiration and hope to all those yearning in their lives for a closer connection with the divine. This book inspires awe at the infinite beauty, grace and love which has flowed from the Goddess in Her many forms directly to the author's mind and soul. Just as importantly, though, it is a sobering reminder of the challenges, struggles and dangers of the spiritual quest which arise from the darkness of our own shadow side, and which we must continually acknowledge, confront and release in order ultimately to open ourselves fully to the ever-present divine love and grace always enfolding us. We see that these revelations, both positive and negative, were the product of years of intense and serious cultivation under the tutelage of a truly enlightened Master. Such devotion and perseverance, especially in the face of inner demons and outer tribulations, are the inevitable offerings necessary eventually to bear the ecstatic spiritual fruit that it has been the author's delight to have experienced. But what is also impressive is the sense throughout that the author sees himself as a human being, like the rest of us, working to get through each day and dealing with the myriad confusions, vices, and temptations that plague us all. His commitment to confront these issues as consciously as possible is what makes this book, and his example, accessible as a "better way" to deal with our own issues. It also gives the hope that, by following this "better way", we may ourselves one day personally experience the loving presence and guidance of the Goddess just as he has.

This book, and especially the chapter presenting the allegory of "The Bird of a Thousand Lights," came at an especially critical point in my own spiritual development. Reading that chapter brought an immediate intuitive sense of recognition. Being able to identify with the protagonist on his quest and to see clearly both where I stood in my own journey, and what the path ahead held for me, lent tremendous encouragement to me. As a long time follower of the spiritual path, I have often "found" a book which, after reading it, I knew was the "right book at the right time." The Soul's Journey was one such book for me, and I trust that it will be for many other "seekers" as well. I highly recommend it!

Judith Miller, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of Direct Connection:

I think your book is truly wonderful. …I couldn't help but compare your extraordinary stories with the parables that Jesus used to express himself. I believe your book will help many people…

Marvin Berman, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and president of Quiet Mind Systems, Inc.:

Everyone should read this book...

• THE SOUL’S JOURNEY offers a readily understandable way to translate my internal experiences in meditation into concepts that can guide my daily activities and interactions with other people.

• It provides an order or path which I can follow in the exploration of my own spiritual development.

• It provides a method for the use of personal imagery and myth in deepening insight in support of personal growth.

• Understanding the Kundalini as a guiding principle for spiritual evolution is presented from an integrated perspective including Eastern and Western mysticism and Transpersonal Psychology.

• The stories can be readily shared with children in support of their own inner development, beginning with the acceptance of their spiritual experiences as valuable and meaningful.

Dr. José Stevens, author of TAMING YOUR DRAGONS, SECRETS OF SHAMANISM and several other books said he thought it was an excellent work on the Kundalini and the spiritual journey. He also said he thinks it will contribute to healing the masculine principle in men and in society.

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