Don't be fooled by the warm, conversational tone of the writing, the youthful attractiveness of the author, or the plentiful offering of anecdotes. This book may read like a beginner's book, but the spiritual teachings it presents come straight out of Dzogchen, one of the most advanced Buddhist philosophical teachings. The author presents stories of how she applied these teachings in her life, with a little help from spiritual guides, and how her life was transformed by it. Very personal and very effective.

The book is also filled with many exercises the reader can do to achieve the same effects the author presumably did, that of growing to the point where the spiritual path becomes one of being in a state of bliss even while grappling with the inherent suffering of human life. Focusing on the Buddhist affirmative teachings, rather than those on emptiness, self-negation, and suffering, the book presents down-to-earth explanations of some rather complicated theories.

This is not a Buddhist book though. Along with a foundation in Buddhist philosophy the book is also filled out by such topics as spiritual dance, learning to channel, and miracles. Anyone looking for a strictly Buddhist book would probably be put off by the book's universal approach to spiritual understanding. The author seems to want to present whatever tools she has found to work for herself, not to be affiliated with one particular faith.

I give the book 5 stars because not only was it filled with eye-opening insights and unique perspectives, heart-warming in many parts (sometimes even moving me to tears), and fun and enjoyable to read, but also because I can't find anything to take off a star for. It is simply a very well written, truly useful book that has helped me to actually apply advanced spiritual theories (that I normally find somewhat obtuse) and genuinely change my life for the better.