Author: Sandy Nathan

ISBN: 0-9762809-8-1

Publisher: Vilasa Press

            A quick search on “spiritual” at amazon.com turned up 216,168 books. That doesn’t include music and movies; it’s just books. There must be a lot of people looking for answers. So, how do you know which book is right for you? I can’t answer that question, but you’re reading this review, so perhaps Sandy Nathan’s Stepping Off the Edge is for you.

            Sandy Nathan put herself into every page of her book. Only a truly confident and trusting person would make themselves so vulnerable to readers. It’s easy to trust her. After reading the book, I feel as if I know her. There are parts of her that I recognize in myself. I suspect, so will most readers.

            The author takes us on a journey of self-discovery. Figuratively speaking, Sandy packed her RV, bought a guidebook, and left. She went where spirit led and by journey’s end (although, the journey never really ends) was exactly where she was supposed to be. Chances are, if you’re reading this review, you’ve already packed your bags.

You won’t find a clearly cut path from where you are to where you’re going to end up via this book. The author rambles about the psyche too much for that. In doing so, she exposes something for everyone. There are chapters devoted to psychology, spirit, grief, fear… she touches them all.

            What the author doesn’t do is tell you how to walk your spiritual path. Nobody can do that. Nor, is the author an armchair Indian—if you want a Native American shaman, look elsewhere. There’s no how-to list in this book that will miraculously change your life. Nor are you going to suddenly contact a spirit guide or start divining the future (well, not as a direct result of this book). The book has Native American undertones, but they’re part of Sandy’s journey. The author works very hard to leave the tools you take on your journey up to you, and that’s exactly as it should be.

What she does is help you find your spiritual path, help you stay on it, and help you recognize where you are while traveling it, and do so without fear. She accomplishes this by challenging you to examine your life. Are you happy where you are? If the answer is yes, just enjoy the book. Something might inspire you. Just because you’re happy, doesn’t mean you can’t discover something new. If the answer is no, be prepared to discover why and what you can do to change your life. Ms. Nathan’s book is about “doing”—it’s about recognizing your own journey, repairing your problem areas to free your spirit, and then living the result.

Go ahead, step off the edge. You know you want to…

 The above review was contributed by: Susan Sales Harkins:  Software consultant and the author of several articles and books on database technologies. She and her husband, William, collaborate on children's non-fiction. Click Here to read more of Susan’s Reviews 

*** Stepping Off The Edge was: Finalist: The 2007 Benjamin Franklin Award in New Age/Spirituality:Finalist: The National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards: Autobiography/Memoir (First Runner Up): New Age Non Fiction (First Runner Up) Spirituality