Overview

Stark Raving Zen is the story of how one woman came home to her soul on a road trip from Minnesota to California, a journey both terrifying and beautiful. Her only physical companion through each stage of this sudden awakening was her dog, Arya, who kept her grounded through shocking revelations, heavenly and hellish visionary experiences, and an intuitive opening including a voice in her left ear that guided her, working to keep her safe as her mind unraveled. This heroine's journey is also the story of Kristy Sweetland's life, including a childhood and young adulthood of trying to desperately control a chaotic family history filled with a parental legacy of addiction and mental illness that kept her psyche locked in a perpetual state of survival. After an outwardly successful career in the field of veterinary medicine, (while inwardly falling apart), she finally hit the wall, left her twenty-year profession, loaded Arya into her car and headed southwest on what she thought was a trip to see a mentor and counselor in California. As it turns out her soul had wildly different plans. This riveting true story of a road trip filled with benevolent ghosts and gods, angels, demons, monsters, mythology, and guiding voices will keep the reader glued to the page for the duration. Through the volcanic gift of those ten days on the road in January of 2009, Kristy broke through her own chains forged of trauma, and finally came alive.

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9780982676950

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Reviews

When you read the pages of this extraordinary book, expect to take a journey unlike one you've ever imagined. Kristy's vivid life experiences and her deft ability to express them with vulnerability, insight and a mastery of language is a raw and beneficent revelation that leaves the reader awed, shell-shocked and renewed. Stephanie Himango, Emmy-winning Producer & Writer, Author of Get In The Ring: The Tale of Bruno the Boxer Spontaneous shamanic initiation is the theme of Kristy Sweetland's riveting account of a life-changing road trip, from her home in Minnesota to southern New Mexico and back, in company with her beloved dog, Arya. Readers will travel every step of this journey with Kristy--thrilled by the fearsome beauty of the Southwestern landscape, comforted by the calm presence of her angel dog, hearts beating double-time in anticipation of whatever new challenge will present itself, just around the next curve in the road. Valentine McKay, PhD, Publisher, Winds of Change Press / Four Winds Journal From the first page, Stark Raving Zen is as riveting as it is brave, raw, and true. Such clarity and authenticity are rare and sorely needed in these times. Though speaking of supernatural and at times terrifying things, the voice remains casual, with humor, humanity, and lightness. Tom Glaser, Psychologist, Educator, and Author of Full Heart Living: Conversations With the Happiest People I Know

Sensing her mental well-being unraveling, a woman embarks on a road trip that proves to be a mind-expanding voyage of spiritual discovery in this memoir...those open to ideas of mediums and the existence of higher dimensions should find this book enthralling. A bold, if occasionally terrifying, personal account of spiritual transformation. -- Kirkus Reviews Life Coach Sweetland (The Fascinated Observer) recounts in this gripping memoir the spontaneous shamanic initiation she experienced during a road trip from Minnesota to New Mexico...her writing conveys the joy and terror of mystical experience. Sweetland's surrender to unbidden visions will appeal to believers in mediums and channeled wisdom. -- Publisher's Weekly Author Kristy Sweetland delivers a masterful and emotive work that combines some very powerful and fascinating out-of-the-ordinary experiences with a reflective look at life, psychological trauma, and how we all have the strength and capacity to rise up and change...I felt for the author very deeply throughout, which is a testament to the book's raw exploration of feelings, and the bold narrative style that lets us right into Kristy's head as each moment unravels. It was a unique reading experience like no other. Overall, I would certainly recommend Stark Raving Zen: A Memoir of Coming Alive to anyone intrigued by the lesser-known paranormal and spiritual experiences of life, as well as those looking for a powerful, inspiring story of survival. -- Reader's Favorite (5-Star Review) A uniquely powerful and thought-provoking read, Stark Raving Zen: A Memoir of Coming Alive speaks directly to those who find their lives sapped of meaning...Her descriptions of otherworldly encounters are simple, not overly poetic, just the memories of someone who experienced the indescribable and then found the best words to describe it. For many readers, it will raise questions to the most pressing questions they may have about the purpose of life. To others, it may provide the answers they have knowingly or unknowingly been seeking. Either way, Sweetland's words are likely to broker much in the way of reflection...A highly accessible account of spiritual enlightenment with broad appeal, Stark Raving Zen: A Memoir of Coming Alive is certainly deserving of your attention and is strongly recommended. -- BookViral Reviews When you read the pages of this extraordinary book, expect to take a journey unlike one you've ever imagined. Kristy's vivid life experiences and her deft ability to express them with vulnerability, insight and a mastery of language is a raw and beneficent revelation that leaves the reader awed, shell-shocked and renewed. -- Stephanie Himango, Emmy-winning Producer & Writer, Author of Get In The Ring: The Tale of Bruno the Boxer Spontaneous shamanic initiation is the theme of Kristy Sweetland's riveting account of a life-changing road trip, from her home in Minnesota to southern New Mexico and back, in company with her beloved dog, Arya. Readers will travel every step of this journey with Kristy-thrilled by the fearsome beauty of the Southwestern landscape, comforted by the calm presence of her angel dog, hearts beating double-time in anticipation of whatever new challenge will present itself, just around the next curve in the road. -- Valentine McKay, PhD, Publisher, Winds of Change Press / Four Winds Journal

A uniquely powerful and thought-provoking read, Stark Raving Zen: A Memoir of Coming Alive speaks directly to those who find their lives sapped of meaning...Her descriptions of otherworldly encounters are simple, not overly poetic, just the memories of someone who experienced the indescribable and then found the best words to describe it. For many readers, it will raise questions to the most pressing questions they may have about the purpose of life. To others, it may provide the answers they have knowingly or unknowingly been seeking. Either way, Sweetland's words are likely to broker much in the way of reflection...A highly accessible account of spiritual enlightenment with broad appeal, Stark Raving Zen: A Memoir of Coming Alive is certainly deserving of your attention and is strongly recommended. BookViral Reviews When you read the pages of this extraordinary book, expect to take a journey unlike one you've ever imagined. Kristy's vivid life experiences and her deft ability to express them with vulnerability, insight and a mastery of language is a raw and beneficent revelation that leaves the reader awed, shell-shocked and renewed. Stephanie Himango, Emmy-winning Producer & Writer, Author of Get In The Ring: The Tale of Bruno the Boxer Spontaneous shamanic initiation is the theme of Kristy Sweetland's riveting account of a life-changing road trip, from her home in Minnesota to southern New Mexico and back, in company with her beloved dog, Arya. Readers will travel every step of this journey with Kristy-thrilled by the fearsome beauty of the Southwestern landscape, comforted by the calm presence of her angel dog, hearts beating double-time in anticipation of whatever new challenge will present itself, just around the next curve in the road. Valentine McKay, PhD, Publisher, Winds of Change Press / Four Winds Journal From the first page, Stark Raving Zen is as riveting as it is brave, raw, and true. Such clarity and authenticity are rare and sorely needed in these times. Though speaking of supernatural and at times terrifying things, the voice remains casual, with humor, humanity, and lightness. Tom Glaser, Psychologist, Educator, and Author of Full Heart Living: Conversations With the Happiest People I Know

Author Information

Kristy Sweetland is a writer, teacher and coach of transpersonal growth and transformation. She holds a master's degree in psychology and is professionally credentialled as a transformational life coach. Kristy writes exclusively on the subjects of freeing the human spirit, and healing and growth through creative expression. She considers Mother Nature to be one of her greatest teachers, and utilizes eco-psychology, animism, and feminine mythology in much of her work. Kristy has a private practice in northern New Mexico where she assists others through their own spiritual transformations. When not writing, teaching, or coaching, Ms. Sweetland can be found with her husband and cherished dogs, hiking the gorgeous canyons around her home, day-tripping to the glorious Sangre de Cristo mountain range, weekending to the Colorado Rockies, or scrambling around Ancestral Puebloan ruins in the Jemez Mountains. She also shares her life, if not her hiking adventures, with two magnificent indoor felines who appreciate being mentioned. Kristy Sweetland has previously co-authored a book with Nina Brown, called The Fascinated Observer.

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