Title: Live Your Life—Welcome to the Awakening Party
Author: Anton Brown
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-7960-4493-5
Pages: 106
Genre: Religion and Spirituality
Reviewed by: Candace Barr
Pacific Book Review
Anton Brown aims to lead readers down a new spiritual path of enlightenment and passion in Live Your Life—Welcome to the Awakening Party. Though there are parts that veer into self-help, it is not a book for anyone looking for concrete, practical advice. It’s more of a primer in New-Age spirituality than a self-help book.
The first sentence of the book is the start of a conversation, and Brown works to maintain that tone. It is a conversation about his own decision to leave Christianity, about the role of energy in life, and about creating possibilities in life. Sometimes the conversational tone gets a little lost in extended explanation, which tends to happen in that format, but Brown manages to bring the tone back on track.
One thing that certain readers may appreciate is though Brown left Christianity and uses it as his main example of a religion that constrains people, he never fully denounces it, and he emphasizes respect for the Christian perspective—as well as other religious perspectives—of the spiritual self. Brown also makes it clear that he shares in some of the same beliefs which form the basis of ancient religions; such as the existence of a creator. In particular, he appears to believe in the otherworldly deities of the ancient Sumerian religion.
I cannot say that Brown brings new ideas regarding life and how individuals can improve their lives. After all, New Age spirituality isn’t all that new anymore. Breaking free from the constraints of religion and fear, learning to love all, eschewing negativity in general, rejecting new technology (which is rather ironic since people rely on those technologies to spread their beliefs), and the idea that reality is a lie—these are all ideas which already fill bookshelves and webpages. What Brown does bring is a variety of approaches to explaining the ideas, drawing from his life, pop culture, and technology. Of particular interest are the examples from his own life. He touches upon his marriage to a woman who remains a devout Christian, his role as a father of six, his friendships with those of differing beliefs, and his education in a school that supported students’ aspirations.
If you are a spiritual person at a crossroads in life and if you need something to get you started on a new journey, this book may just be for you. As the title indicates, it’s an introduction, a beginning. Those looking for something new will thoroughly enjoy this book; as it offers some solid advice based on a pragmatic approach to living.
