Apprenticed to Spirit

August 1, 2011
One of the earliest New Agers (who now eschews the term), Spangler has made his mark in the spirituality field with such books as Everyday Miracles (1995). Here, telling the story of his own spiritual evolution, he's more open than he's been in the past. It's a tale many skeptics won't buy, since much of it describes his decades-long partnership with a spiritual entity named John. To those who regularly read accounts of spirit guides, it soon becomes apparent that John is different. He is adamant that he and Spangler are partners, with neither in a position of power. Yet, when it comes to spiritual development and reverence for the sacred, John clearly has lessons to teach. Though Spangler obviously is writing to encourage readers to explore their own inner worlds, they still may not come away believing that such transformations are available to them, especially since Spangler was a boy when his own awareness was raised. Still, with its deep and touching messages, which genuinely nourish the soul, this is a place to start.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)