Spirit Junkie

June 27, 2011
Bernstein's talent for marketing herself through media coverage, speaking engagements, and her mentoring Web site is apparent in this volume. Bernstein (Add More ~ing to Your Life) puts her scars up front, describing the "tiny mad ideas," or illusions, that made her a drug- and relationship-addicted narcissist and the changes that came with gratitude, forgiveness, meditation, prayer, and surrendering to her inner guide, which she calls her "~ing." Some readers may be skeptical about Bernstein's experiences of "synchronicity," but most will appreciate her confessions of continued wrangling with the "ego tornado." Bernstein pitches her reflections and exercises toward Gen Y readers, but by emphasizing inner peace and emotional stability, she broadens the book's appeal to anyone who, like Bernstein, has decided that the only option is to "put down the practical and pick up the spiritual."

August 15, 2011

Journey the road to self-fulfillment through the eyes of a true believer.

Opening the doors to our deepest, darkest and most frightening obsessions, anxieties and nightmares can result in an unbalancing in our lives, writes Bernstein (Add More-ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness, 2011, etc.). That's when fear steps in and overwhelms love. This perceptive yet atypical outlook is just a glimpse into the world of the author, whom the New York Times had christened "the next generation guru," a girl unafraid to embrace love and pass off most every "problem" as illusion. In this mixture of humor, grief and how-to instructions on achieving enlightenment, Bernstein offers more than just autobiography or a user's guide to meditation. Fluidly and openly sharing her own struggles and successes is a maneuver guaranteed to warm hearts and chill spirits, and it ultimately leads readers down the path to their own spiritual connection. The author writes in easily understandable prose, describing her evolution from a fearful, attention-seeking young girl into a courageous and loving teacher and mentor always hungry for a new learning experience. Bernstein's guide will help readers welcome meditation and prayer into their lives and dismiss their egos as illusions.

A groovy blend of meditative and instructive writing.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

April 15, 2011

Fresh out of college, Bernstein helped found the Women's Entrepreneurial Network, a nonprofit linking female entrepreneurs. Then she published Add More ~Ing to Your Life, started showing up in media like the New York Times "Sunday Styles" section, got named one of 20 Best Branded Women on Twitter, and just keeps steamrolling her way to superstardom as a life coach for Generation Y. Here she shares her personal story (self-hate, drug abuse) to help push people toward happiness. Great if it works.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.