"We are all on different paths, but our destination is the same. Deep within each of us is the desire to reconnect with the Divine." - From the book

While enlightenment can't be found in a book, author Amy Elizabeth Garcia has provided clear, practical steps to get your own your way in the 241-page book Real Steps to Enlightenment.

Teaming up with Jahallah, a spirit guide from the causal plane, Garcia outlines 33 steps for moving closer to Divine awareness. Each chapter provides four important components:

* A channeled message from Jahallah, including personal examples from his various incarnations
* Anecdotes from Garcia's life, as well as those from her friends, family, and colleagues
* A prayer inspired by the angels
* Short writing exercise where readers think of three ways to bring a particular quality of Spirit into daily experience

Some of the themes addressed in Real Steps to Enlightenment include:

* Purpose
* Release
* Celebration
* Transition
* Encouragement
* Safety
* Versatility
* Synchronicity
* Synergy
* Destiny
* Nonresistance
* Sanctuary

One of the sections I found particularly insightful was a message from Jahallah on the subject of clarity:

"Creating simplicity is a means for gaining clarity. When you simplify and remove excess clutter, all that is valuable in your life remains. Examine your daily activities and see which activities are useful to you and which are actually burdens. When you excavate the unnecessary possessions and actions, you will find your authentic self. Who you are and what you want out of life become clearer. Once you uncover those things, make a commitment to bring those qualities into your experience."

Real Steps to Enlightenment presents gentle, encouraging wisdom for those wanting to deepen their relationship with Spirit--as well as those seeking to establish a connection with the Divine. Garcia comes across as genuine and empathetic, often sharing obstacles and frustrations from her own life and spiritual path.

This book was a joy to read, and I felt like I was visiting a spiritual oasis every time I picked it up. What a gift to a frenzied world! I especially enjoyed the channeled material from Jahallah, whose manner and insight is reminiscent of Christ. I plan to re-visit this book as needed, and highly recommend it for navigating the twists, hills and detours of the earthly plane.

I would call "Real Steps to Enlightenment" a handbook for the spiritual seeker. The book outlines thirty-three steps in all (including gratitude, patience, encouragement and cooperation), and each step is meant to take the seeker closer toward enlightenment. Each chapter contains a channeled message from Amy's spirit guide outlining that particular step and an example of how she personally experienced the transformation in her own life. The step is then followed up with a beautiful prayer and a brief set of exercises designed to help the seeker integrate the lesson.

This book is a very easy read, and even with my hectic schedule I managed to finish it in just four days. And it could easily serve as a daily source of inspiration, just leave it by your bedside and pick it up first thing in the morning for your daily dose of enlightenment.

We are living in a time of great change and transformation. Many of us are looking for ways to make the transition a little smoother and make our lives flow a little easier. Real Steps to Enlightenment offers simple solutions to today's dilemmas.