In his 40-year quest for truth and inner peace, Michael Murphy ranges from a Roman Catholic seminary in New York to a Shiva temple in Southern India. He rises to a respected position in an international meditation organization while living a double life in which he explores numerous other teachers and paths. Through it all he struggles with one of the greatest tests (and teachers) on the path of the seeker: living in intimate relationship with another human being.
This book is more than a spiritual memoir, however. In writing it Murphy, who has taught writing for a decade, explores a new method for using writing itself as a technique for spiritual unfoldment. He details this technique in his introduction and offers the rest of the book as a model for those who wish to uncover their own deepest truths through the writing process. His own deepest truths—uncovered through this process—punctuate the chapters as “Murphy’s Laws.”
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By Michael Murphy
Mar 14, 2012
This review from a bookstore owner is reproduced with his permission from: http://www.21stbooks.com/newsletter/2006_08_08.html Star rating is the authors extrapolation from the review (you have to give it something) Last month Tony recommended Murphy’s Laws of the Inner Life: the unauthorized adventures of a seeker, by Michael William Murphy. I would like to second his recommendation and urge readers to buy and enjoy this excellent book. Murphy’s autobiography is not only fascinating, but it is brutally honest, and extremely fair and well-balanced in his treatment of TM and the TM movement during his many years as a meditator, TM teacher, and finally professor at Maharishi University. His personal evolution and experiences in the TM movement ring very true and capture the general trend of experiences so many have had practicing TM and in dealing with the TM movement or organization. His descriptions of his experiences and the lifestyle and changes in Fairfield, Iowa do a fabulous job... More > of capturing the feel of this very unique town. Whether or not you practice TM, whether or not you have ever lived in Fairfield, chances are you will enjoy this book as it has broad appeal and Murphy is an extremely skilled writer. (He taught creative writing for a decade, and his technical skills combine with his keen power of observation to craft a very deep, warm, and even humorous look at his 40 year quest for truth and inner peace.) Murphy’s book is a definite “must read” and will provide lots of joy and insight to those who choose to enter his inner life and external travels, which range from a Roman Catholic Seminary, to Southern India, with many stops with many teachers in between. This book is a lot of fun to read. Len< Less
