Subtle Worlds: An Explorer's Field Notes

This book is the gift of a lifetime in two senses. First, David Spangler has spent his entire lifetime exploring the subtle realms that co-exist with our material world, but that many of us in the recent Western World may doubt really exist. His "field notes" are just that...his own personal observations and interpretations from this lifetime of exploring these subtle realms. It is not an academic book. By that I mean it does not attempt in any way to survey, consolidate, or critique other books on the subject....although there is an excellent set of suggested additional readings at the end. It is not a religious book, in that it neither argues for or against any particular religion. And it is not a self-help book in the sense of trying to provide ten steps to becoming a better person. It is just what David says it is... a set of field notes, with helpful metaphors and personal stories, about his lifetime of exploration and communication with entities in the subtle worlds. The gift is that it makes this lifetime of exploration accessible and understandable to those of us who have not chosen to spend our lives trying to do this....just as a physical explorer's field notes might help us to understand high mountain tops, vast deserts, or frozen tundra that we might not physically explore ourselves.But having said that it is not an academic, religious, or self-help book, I found in many ways it was far better and more useful than any of these in helping me to understand the much larger context in which we live our lives. Many of us ask ourselves the questions, "Why are we here? How did we get here? What are we supposed to be doing with our lives?" David provides his personal views on these questions, based on his twenty-seven years of apprenticeship with an entity called "John", and an additional twenty years studying the process of incarnation. But throughout the book he cautions us against either being afraid of the subtle worlds or seduced by the glamour of contact with non-physical beings, We should not accept everything we receive from them as truth. And although he provides his own views, he states at the end "There is a reason why many spiritual teachings and insights were traditionally passed on only orally, or in a manner that allowed for interaction. It's not that the information is secret, only that it is not easily reducible to words and is best passed on through experiential means or where questions can be asked and answered. And also there is much that only you can discover in your own way for yourself."In addition to questions about why we are here, many of us wonder what will happen to us when we die. Again, I found David's field notes integrated and supported much of what I have learned for myself, without promoting any particular religious views. His notes explain how different people can have very different experiences at death, even though the underlying process may be the same..If you cling to the belief that nothing is real except the physical world that can be perceived through the five physical senses, this is likely not the book for you, unless you'd like to challenge those beliefs. But if you think there is more than meets the eye to the common experiences of intuition, or picking up good or bad vibes, and you'd like to explore the non-physical part of our existence in more depth, these field notes are highly recommended. They not only give the gift of sharing a lifetime of exploration, but also the gift of understanding the world we live in from a much larger perspective.

This review is from Christine Barrington:This book from David Spangler is a gift and filled with wise words. After years of searching, experimenting and discovering what works to help me live, I discovered philosophies and practices that yielded results. The ideas that came to me often felt at odds with the prevailing culture, but I did not find the prevailing culture to be very wise, so I took a chance on my intuitions and went "rogue." I have had good company along the way: Carl Jung, the folks who travel out of Body (Robert Monroe, Thomas Campbell), all the folks recording Near Death Experiences, Breath Workers, Jane Roberts--all the people who seemed out on the fringes I found tremendously helpful. Now with David Spangler I have a new friend. His emphasis on the beauty and dignity inherent in being alive on Earth is refreshing. I especially appreciate the stress upon personal sovereignty based on grounded, responsible, and dedicated personal practices that reflect deep ethics and integrity. That there is no glamour or "specialness" in making contact with subtle energies or beings helps seekers remain centered and on track. The only thing that is real is doing what is required to create healthy, whole, relationships with ourselves, others, and the energies that create all of life. Once one gets the foundational philosophy aligned, then the intentions we put in motion can yield really powerful results based on love and generatively. I appreciate having a grounded ally on my personal journey. I will be exploring his other works with relish.

This book by David Spangler is one of the most articulate and compassionate expositions I have read on the subject of our interconnectedness with the non-material world. Spangler shares his own depth of experience with the "subtle worlds" in ways that reveal the complexities of those worlds while teaching the reader how to access non-physical dimensions with care and integrity. I have always loved Spangler's use of metaphor, humor and story to help us understand non-physical dimensions. This book does that and more. It provides loving, intelligent, no-nonsense access to a deeper spiritual practice, and goes to the heart of how we can make a positive difference in the world.

This is a sophisticated book chock-full of insight and non-knowledge of (and working with) the non-physical realms that we come from as a soul, where we return and some of the dynamics of what occur - written from one with many decades of working with a set of higher Beings from the Higher Order Worlds. It is written in plainspeak, and divorced of cultural perspectives - so that you get a view both from the forest and from the trees. I can't speak highly enough of it and have gotten copies for all of my friends - and am sending a copy to Oprah to try to get it on her Booklist and Spangler on Super Soul Sunday. I think Everyone should read this book !

When I came across this book a few years ago, I enjoyed it very much. And one would think that a lifelong spiritual teacher like David can never lose the qualities for which his work used to be appreciated. … Well, life is full of twists and turns.

Read to improve self awareness and keep connected to universe.

Wonderful book delivered very quickly. Thank you.

Ouvrage fondamental qui part dans une exploration sincère, authentique, bienveillante et nuancée de toutes les manifestations qui appartiennent aux univers subtils.

Excelent