I am very grateful to an anonymous purchaser of the e-book for posting the following review on Amazon.ca:  "I loved reading about how much adversity this man was able to overcome. I can relate to him very much and he has enlightened me more than I ever believed he could through his studies and writing. I found this book on whim. A random google search months ago led me to find his website and upon quick review of the content of the website, I thought he might have hope to give me in the content of his book. And boy, did he. I am so very grateful to have come across this man's book and wisdom. I believe, as he might call it, it was a "synchronicity" that I stumbled across his writings. This book has helped me grow and learn about myself more than I had ever thought it might. It has instilled so much love and hope in my heart that will be used as a cornerstone in the foundation in my new found love for life. As someone who has personally suffered mental health issues myself, this book brought the exact hope and wisdom I needed to persevere. Mentally, I still have bad days but this book has instilled a great love and confidence in me that will never again be lost. From the bottom of my heart, thank-you Robert, for sharing with the world your hardships and how you've proved that mental health issues, no matter how severe, can be resolved with perseverance and most especially with love."

I also appreciated the following review (since removed) on Amazon.com: "Excellent and well written. Amazing book for anyone looking for a true spiritual book. The author really takes it home."

Another reader who was evidently very appreciative of the book provided the following feedback:  "A life-saving and best human-written book in the world." 

Yet another reader commented:  "A great book, and helpful to those who are hurting."

I came across a highly favorable comment concerning my original book Kundalini and the Morning Star (upon which the current updated book builds) through a referral from www.uncommonforum.com. In a discussion forum called Kundalini Awakening or Panic Attacks, a reader posted the following: "WOW, FANTASTIC, I just finished reading the e-book. Thank you so much, it was fantastic, a real life-changing book.  I would encourage all of you to read it."

The comments below also concern the previous (non-updated) version of my book:

• "Rinne's moving account of his journey through anxiety, despair and psychological crisis is full of insights about the human psyche and its spiritual potentialities. He has been through the dark night of the soul, and he has experienced spiritual rebirth and healing. His story will provide hope and guidance to people who are struggling to find their way from darkness to light, from fear to grace."

                                                    
                                                    Michael Washburn, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Indiana University
                                                    Author of: The Ego and the Dynamic Ground, Transpersonal Psychology in Psychoanalytic Perspective, and 
                                                    Embodied Spirituality in a Sacred World.

• "Your background, both in your life story and study, makes for an unusually rich combination. Because you won personal battles, you know the meaning of much of what, for others, is only intellectual jargon."

                                                    Claudine Jeanrenaud, Ph.D.
                                                    Jungian Analyst

A professional reviewer submitted the following comments:

• "I finished and enjoyed your story. You are right in thinking that there are people who would profit from reading about your experience. Your path has been difficult and has required a lot of courage. I admire how you persevered until you found your inner essence, your spiritual core. Suffering has given you deep insight. Your story is well-written and engaging. The personal narrative is fascinating and the theoretical account is coherent, inclusive, and plausible. I believe that you have a powerful and important story and that you tell it well. I was especially moved by the courageous and positive way in which you faced the full truth about yourself and your parents. I was moved, too, by your eulogy for your father. And please tell your wife that I was extremely impressed with her statement. She must be a special and wise person. Thanks again for sharing your excellent manuscript with me. It will be a great help to many people who are unable to see through to the other side of their suffering." 

I received a thank you letter from a troubled and previously suicidal young woman, an acquaintance of a former professional colleague, to whom we had loaned an earlier draft of our story. Her letter reads, in part: 

• "Although I felt I already knew you to a certain extent through your book, I was very happy to meet the person behind the words. They have encouraged me to believe that healing is possible, even though the pain may seem unbearable at times. So thank you again, Rob, although those words seem inadequate, and I hope that someday I'll be able to give the same helping hand to someone in need that you have given me." 

I submitted a summary of my story to Queendom.com's website section called A Fine Kettle of Fish. For lack of a more appropriate category, the site owners posted it under Vicious Circle of Anxiety. I received the following acknowledgements: 

• "I read your story and wanted to say GOD BLESS YOU!!  May this bring a smile to you - you are a great man." 

And 

• "Just beautiful!!! A-men!" 

I also received the following comments on my original manuscript or portions thereof from various other professional reviewers, colleagues and readers: 

• "Thanks for your wonderful, inspiring book - a real gem...it helped enormously!" 
• "Wonderful!...Congratulations on a beautifully honest account of your journey."
• "Your book has been a blessing." 
• "I am so excited to finally read information that I can relate to."
• "It is apparent that you have been successful in your own inner work and hopefully can help others." 
• "Thank you for the purely honest and unselfish autobiography." 
• "Your story sounds as interesting as Gopi Krishna's (author of Living with Kundalini)." 
• "You gave us quite a confession. It probably answers questions like 'householder or monk' for good." 
• "It is clear that much time and thought went into the writing of your manuscript." 
• "You write well. You write powerfully." 
• "You have written a very moving account of your spiritual pilgrimage." 
• "What a wonderful story of healing and transformation. Many thanks."
• "Your book has meant a great deal to me. I reread it last week and found so much great insight and comfort. I intuitively know that what you say is true re childhood and pain. Thank you for your courageous witness and wisdom."
• "Thank you for your book. I will read and re-read it. It contains all the things I need to believe." 
• "Thank you for your wonderful book. You have given me tremendous insights." 
• "Just what the Universe ordered." 
• ​"Your book has given me much hope. Thanks for writing your story."
• "Fascinating." 

It is truly rewarding and humbling to know that my story is helping others. I am fulfilling my life's purpose. Thank you, God..

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poetry