Book One :: Contains Bonus Material

From a spiritual master unlike any,
a spiritual masterpiece like no other.

AUTHOR, TEACHER AND SPIRITUAL MASTER Jed McKenna tells it like it's never been told before. A true American original, Jed succeeds where countless others have failed by reducing this highest of attainments — Spiritual Enlightenment — to the simplest of terms.

Effectively demystifying the mystical, Jed astonishes the reader not by adding to the world's collected spiritual wisdom, but by taking the spirituality out of spiritual enlightenment. Never before has this elusive topic been treated in so engaging and accessible a manner.

A masterpiece of illuminative writing, Spiritual Enlightenment is mandatory reading for anyone following a spiritual path. Part exposé and part how-to manual, this is the first book to explain why failure seems to be the rule in the search for enlightenment — and how the rule can be broken.

Says Jed:

The truth is that enlightenment is neither remote nor unattainable.
It is closer than your skin and more immediate than your next breath.
If we wonder why so few seem able to find that which can never be
lost, we might recall the child who was looking in the light for a coin
he dropped in the dark because "the light is better over here".

Mankind has spent ages looking in the light for a coin that awaits us not in light and not in dark, but beyond all opposites. That is the message of this book: Spiritual enlightenment, pure and simple.

 

“Absolutely marvelous, splendid, perfect book!
May it destroy the ignorance of seeking and plunge
the world into real finding, which is now!”

Shri Acharya

"I have given many copies of Damnedest
to friends. This book changed my life."

N. Prescott

“A powerful and unmerciful document that clearly and
consistently lays out the truth.”

Amazon.com Reviewer

“Clearly a modern masterpiece that may be
the only spiritual book you will ever need.
If you are a truth seeker, buy this book.”

D. Shamanik

“Do books have the capacity to enlighten? Jed McKenna would be the first to deny that assumption. And yet he has written a book that has all the potential to make you believe on the contrary.

Martin Frischknecht, Editor-in-chief
SPUREN Magazine, Switzerland

“It takes a true master to take a topic that has been studied since humans could communicate and describe it in simplicity.

Heather Froeschl
BookReview.com

“Finally, some sense in the world of Spirituality.

Jed McKenna tells it straight. He separates the hype and confusion about enlightenment and tells it like it is. He answers questions and maps out the journey. His logic and plain talk releases one from the shackles of organized religion and fuzzy-wuzzy gurus. He makes the path so clear it make me uncomfortable at times. I am unaccumstomed to such honesty in this arena with no hidden agenda. It's even fun to read with laughs mixed in with the ah-ha's. It's hard to put down. What a relief! I highly recommend it for those who really want to wake up from the nightmare of hocus-pocus spirituality.

C. Harris

“Wow! What a wonderful alarm clock!

This is the best wake-up book I have ever read. And believe me, I have read a lot. Jed McKenna made me laugh about my own spriitual antics, take a good look at what I thought I wanted (but really didn't) and helped me realize that what I was seeking isn't really something that can be sought. You might say he just helped me get clear and "lighten" up! I think this book is the stick coming down on the head and he is the Zen Master delivering the blow. If your ready to have your beliefs stripped bare, this is for you.

Amazon.com Reviewer

A true masterpiece.

It's like I've been on a spiritual merry-go-round for twenty years and now, thanks to Jed McKenna and this utterly remarkable book, I can finally get off and start my journey. I'm an educated, level-headed, well-read person, and I can say without hesitation that this is the most important book I've ever read. I bought copies for all my friends and recommend it emphatically to anyone who wants to get off the merry-go-round and finally get real. Thank you Jed!

Amazon.com Reviewer

Good Morning. This Is My Wake Up Call.

Before this review goes any further, please accept this advice: Get this book! As soon as possible and by any means, read Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing. When you've finished reading through the epilogue, you'll either think that it was an interesting and entertaining book, or, if you "get it", it will radically change what you think is your life! You may be unaffected, you may be altered, but odds are strong that you won't be disappointed.

Amazon.com Reviewer

I gave this book 5 Stars because it breaks so much new ground and smashes so many illusions.

Amazon.com Reviewer

Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing by author, teacher, and spiritual master Jed McKenna presents the quest for enlightenment in plain, simple, accessible, understandable terms. Brief, almost vignette-style, chapters explore the deeper meaning behind common conundrums of life, as well as the search for meaning and understanding in a complex world. Filled with a deep appreciation for life, thought, and love, and ideal for truth-seeking readers of all education levels and backgrounds, Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing is very highly recommended.

Midwest Book Review

A good teacher gently nudges us towards the right questions and then encourages us to find our own answers. And that's exactly what Jed McKenna does in "Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing". An engaging, witty, and insightful read that will, no doubt, leave many wondering if they haven't been wasting a lot of precious time. A welcome diversion from the more usual, well-worn paths!

Debbie Ann Brett
One Spirit Project

What a relief to find a book like this!

This is the best book on spirituality I've ever read, and there's not even anything spiritual about it! McKenna has no teaching, he doesn't lead or let you follow. Nothing he says is meant to be believed or accepted. It's all about self-reliance and self-determination. He makes you your own guru, and that's an amazing way to teach!

Amazon.com Reviewer

Excellent!

This is an excellent book on "enlightenment." Using down to earth language, the author sheds much needed light on what enlightenment is and isn't, and how one "gets it."

Amazon.com Reviewer

It was such a relief to hear someone say it just right. I was laughing right with him throughout. If you want to become enlightened then Jed's book "Spiritual Enlightenment' can show you the way by telling you the simple process to get there and by telling you what to expect once you get there. But like him I agree that 99.99999% of people want the journey not the destination and of course the same percentage of books out there cater to that want. No bad there, but if enlightenment is your game then Jed's got some tough rules for you. This book strips the flesh off your ego faster than an inquisitor with a heretic log jam.

Amazon.com Reviewer

It's hard to explain how profound an impact Jed's writting has had on me. I can't recall a book that does such a straightforward job of pointing out what appears a critical difference between the realization of truth and the multiplicity of self perpetuating spiritual practices. Actually I can't think of a book that comes close. This book slaps you in the face and then points the way, over and over.

Of course, the way Jed points to (the "First Step") is further explained as quite uninviting for virtually all who think they are going down the glorious road of "Enlightenment" as a personal adventure of discovery or self-evolution. The "road" to truth realization means the end of everything you believe you are, everything that you are, everything. Jed writes about waking up for grown ups. And it ain't pretty.

Amazon.com Reviewer

Don't miss this book!!!

if you're a spiritual "seeker" as i am, first this book will tick you off. "the damnedest thing" indeed! just when you thought you had made contact with the inner guru, the true self, cosmic advancement, and all the other games we play, along comes jed holding up the mirror of baldfaced truth; we take a look and the mirror is empty. one by one he slices and dices all our favorite strategies for staying ego bound while imagining ourselves spiritually highly evolved beings. he seems to know something we don't know. there is the unmistakeable stench of hard truths we don't want to hear in what he has to say. as i read this highly entertaining fascinating book, i caught myself time and again looking for ways to prove him wrong because he asks for everything. religion? give it up. compassion? just a game. mystical experience? mystics... well, i'm not ready to stop praying and chanting and meditating, but i'm afraid he may be right: we love our games and fantasies too much to wake up and leave all that behind. if you're serious about finding and realizing the highest nondualist truths of real Being, you've GOTTA read this book. it might make you mad but you and i both know it is Truth that sets us free. there is a Taoist saying, "my barn having burned to the ground, i can now see the moon."

Amazon.com Reviewer

Author Jed McKenna may be one of the few truly enlightened individuals on this planet.

This delightful, potent and evocative book will take you from believing, to doubt and disillusionment, and back to belief again in a most unexpected way.

Millions and millions of dollars have been made selling spiritual enlightenment. Do yourself a favor, make your final purchase of enlightened material and buy this book. It may be the last money you will spend in your pursuit.

Bravo Jed McKenna, at last the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God! "Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing" is an excellent wake-up call.

Shirley Roe
Allbook Reviews

In spite of his laid-back, nice-guy demeanor, McKenna is uncompromising.

He will challenge the assumptions of some readers, and he will raise the ire of others, but he will not be easily dismissed. He has written an important book, one of the best I've read about enlightenment. Through wisdom and beauty, as well as candor and humor, it embodies the enlightened teacher and his message. It will set many on the path to awakening.

Dennis L. Trunk
3rd Millenium Gateway

Jed's straightforward approach takes the mysticism out of Enlightenment and puts it in the hands of everyday western seekers. Written like "a week in the life" of an Enlightened Master, the book doesn't so much teach as it gives you the ground work to search out the answers for yourself. It helps tear away the false illusions of your life and points you in the direction of finding the truth.

Mr. McKenna's writing style conveys a wonderful sense of humor, is excellent at building anticipation, delivers with impact, and exhibits his calm compassion for the individuals that have found their way to his "Accidental Ashram" in Iowa.

Alan Stiles, Waking Souls
Spiritual Resource Center

Though a bit hesitant to take on the task of reading and reviewing a book about spirituality, this reader was more than pleasantly surprised and unprepared for Mr. McKenna’s witty and extremely entertaining take on spirituality.

The author’s ability to cut through the mumbo-jumbo and get to the heart of the question, description and goal of spiritual enlightenment is deftly realized. His almost tongue-in-cheek prose immediately captures the attention and gently persuades the reader to continue turning the pages as he seeks to help others find their inner selves.

Blocks of narrative are broken by dialog with people who have come to the author seeking answers from his discussions and teachings about meditation, spiritual growth and the truth of this self absorbed quest to find perfect harmony.

Jed McKenna’s book is a light-hearted and extremely readable jaunt into a serious subject that is filled with wit and wisdom and gentle guidance. That he makes it all seem so painless is a welcome treat. His humor is extremely welcome – and unexpected. Anyone searching for a ‘higher order’ of living would do well to read this book and put everything, including the search for ‘spiritual enlightenment’ in its proper perspective.

Denise M. Clark
Denise’s Pieces Book Reviews

“There are no words to describe
how awesome this book is!”

Amazon Reviewer