I didn't finish this one; although, I read over half. I usually enjoy memoirs/biographies/autobiographies, but I guess I kept waiting for the author to get the point about his spiritual path, and when he did sort of, it didn't seem as if he had enough details to really catch my attention. There's a lot about his upbringing--and lack of good parenting--I'm happy for him that he finally, more or less, came to accept his dad..

We are in this world together. It really does seem as if we need to accept that most of us are doing either what we learned from parents or turning away from that and doing the best we can.

One other thing, mentioning that something was in a first book--chapter 20--didn't entice me to buy the book. Maybe he could have briefly gone over it again n this one. .

Amazing Grace: Memoirs of a Transformational Journey by Serge Beddington-Behrens is an enthralling and heartfelt narrative. Beddington-Behrens, a man of unparalleled style, has not only embraced life to the fullest but has also endured profound suffering in his relentless pursuit of a profound transformation.

In this captivating memoir, Beddington-Behrens shares his remarkable journey towards a completely redefined existence. His story is one of passion and resilience, as he grapples with the challenges that come with breaking free from conventional living.

With eloquence and sincerity, Beddington-Behrens recounts the trials and tribulations he faced along the way. His experiences serve as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of personal growth.

Through his vivid storytelling, Beddington-Behrens invites readers into his world, allowing them to witness his profound metamorphosis firsthand. His narrative is both enlightening and inspiring, offering valuable insights into the transformative power of self-discovery.

Amazing Grace: Memoirs of a Transformational Journey is a testament to the author's unwavering determination and unwavering commitment to living a life of purpose and fulfillment. Beddington-Behrens' unique perspective and captivating writing style make this memoir a must-read for anyone seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of the human experience.

ARC NETGALLEY REVIEW

This wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into the writing or the layout. Not saying it isn’t for others.

I tried to muddle through this book but it’s a lot of personal stories that I don’t see a connection to the meditation piece.

I have mixed feelings about this memoir. I almost abandoned it – the first 25% was so tedious with nonessential details that it appeared that the author’s self-described narcissism was front and center. To my relief, the chapters then turned to more of his search for something of substance and his good fortune to meet so many innovative thinkers on his spiritual path. Since I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area around the time the author was in residence, I am familiar with many of the teachers/practitioners he encountered, which kept me engaged.

There is a steady stream of friends and acquaintances named throughout the book that I found confusing. It seemed that part of the author’s intent was to express his appreciation for their role in his journey, but it was far too extensive to mean much to anyone but him.

Reading this book is analogous to panning for gold – a lot of effort for a few nuggets. Nonetheless, one of the most valuable was the author’s take on forgiveness. He postulates that rather than something we do, forgiveness is a “space of consciousness,” the natural outcome of keeping an open heart and enfolding the other in unconditional love. Another gem was the thought-provoking Epilogue in which he describes his vision of our potential future and what is required for humanity to survive and flourish.

I greatly appreciated the author’s transparency in exploring his Shadow aspects as well as the presence of Grace as a guiding force in his healing and evolution. He clearly has embraced his wholeness with a willingness to continue to evolve on a path that is at times arduous in nature and requires courage and commitment. From that perspective, his journey is both a cautionary tale and an inspiration for the profound joy of living a soul-filled life.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.