Review of The Expanded View

[Prisallen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Expanded View" by Laura A. Brusca.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Have you ever wondered how to experience more joy in your life? Has happiness been elusive even though most of your goals have been achieved? The Expanded View: Exploring Sacred Wisdom and the Way to Lasting Joy by Laura A. Brusca attempts to address the reasons for this unhappiness and to offer advice on how to overcome these problems. She includes quotations from enlightened leaders throughout history (for example, Jesus and Buddha) to make her points. Numerous religions enjoy a lot more in common than one might think, and she demonstrates the commonalities amongst the teachings of multiple spiritual leaders. In addition, different forms of meditation are briefly described.

This is an 81-page book that consists of an introduction and seven chapters. Each chapter ends with questions that will cause the reader to put some thought into what they have read. According to the “Author Bio,” Ms. Brusca is “a graduate of the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and the American Institute of Holistic Theology. She has also studied independently in areas of metaphysics, yoga, and sacred sound through the Florida Vedic Institute, Yogic Mystery School, Nithyananda University, and Self-Realization Fellowship.” Therefore, the author has put a lot of time and effort into studying spiritual matters, and this book is her way of sharing her knowledge with others.

The book is not a quick, easy read. One must take their time and let the information soak in. My favorite aspect is the use of quotations from various scriptures to show the leaders were teaching the same message. Although some of the conclusions may be up for debate, the overall message is inspiring and shows that religions that are thought to be very different have much in common. This information is illuminating and provocative. If the readers are open to the information, the text can lead them to expand their view about religion and spirituality or, at least, cause them to challenge their previous assumptions. It is definitely an uplifting message!

However, the narrative was sometimes difficult to follow and had to be reread several times for understanding. For example, when discussing about whether a person can lose their soul (page 9), part of the author's explanation is, “Soul, as a word defined, keeps it confined by specific attributes of a thing to which it is not. ‘Soul’ then appears to be something in which we further explain ourselves, rather than a state of aliveness to which we express life.”

In addition, I wanted more information in the book than was given. Since questions were listed at the end of each chapter, even less information was available in the text than first appeared to be. For instance, different meditations were mentioned, but none were described in much detail. (Suggestions were offered on where to follow up for more guidance.) It could be an appropriate book for someone just commencing their spiritual journey; however, for someone who wants to go into more depth, I believe there are simply not enough details.

Because of the aforementioned reasons, The Expanded View: Exploring Sacred Wisdom and the Way to Lasting Joy receives a rating of three out of four stars. It seems to have been professionally edited as I only discovered three errors; in addition, informative and uplifting material is provided in the book. That is why I am not giving it two stars. I recommend it to open-minded readers searching for joy in their lives, who are embarking on their spiritual journeys. Reincarnation is mentioned on several occasions. If the reader is not interested in learning about the author’s beliefs on the subject, then they should probably look elsewhere.

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The Expanded View
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[TheGayOne12]

You're right. With such books, you definitely have to let all that amazing information soak in. Great review!

[Prisallen]

You're right. With such books, you definitely have to let all that amazing information soak in. Great review!

Yes. It would be difficult to obtain all of the information by speed reading it. Thanks for reading my review and commenting!

[Ellylion]

Seems to be a promising book, but I understand your concern about some difficulties with perception of the aspects it covers Thanks for a great review!

[Sharon Christanto]

I'm eager to read this book! Your review sparks my interest. I'd like to know what the religions share in common. Thanks for the detailed review!

[Prisallen]

Seems to be a promising book, but I understand your concern about some difficulties with perception of the aspects it covers Thanks for a great review!

Thank you, Ellylion, for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it!

[Prisallen]

I'm eager to read this book! Your review sparks my interest. I'd like to know what the religions share in common. Thanks for the detailed review!

Different religions have been the cause of heartache in so many cases that it is nice to see someone who is showing similarities in them. Maybe there were be less fighting in the world if people understood that we are all the same. I hope you get to read the book!

[Edit_or]

Sounds interesting. Thank you for the review. Would add to my bookshelf.

[Honest-reviewer]

This book seems quite motivating and inspiring. Thanks for your wonderful review!

[Prisallen]

Sounds interesting. Thank you for the review. Would add to my bookshelf.

I hope you enjoy reading it. Thanks for coming by!

[Prisallen]

This book seems quite motivating and inspiring. Thanks for your wonderful review!

Thanks for taking the time to read my review. I appreciate your thoughts!

[Muna Chizzy]

Sounds like an interesting book that readers will gain insight into how they can feel those voids in them and be happy. Thanks for the great review.

[Essy Nma]

I desire joy and happiness in life and this book had that in stock. Thanks for the review.

[Prisallen]

Sounds like an interesting book that readers will gain insight into how they can feel those voids in them and be happy. Thanks for the great review.

I appreciate you stopping by and reading my review. Thanks!

[Prisallen]

I desire joy and happiness in life and this book had that in stock. Thanks for the review.

I agree; most of us are searching for a way to get more happiness in our lives. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!