Author:  Jean-Claude Koven Published by Prism House Press
Genre: Fiction / Self-help
 ISBN: 0-9723954-5-8

The following review was contributed by: S.V. SWAMY & CLICK TO VIEW S.V. Swamy's Reviews

'Going Deeper' by Jean-Claude Koven is not a novel in
the ordinary sense of the word and again it is also
not a self-help book in the normal sense of the word.
It is a novelised version of a man's spiritual search
to understand his true nature and his true mission on
this planet earth. The book's cover categorises it
better as Self-Help, Spirituality, New Age and
Metaphysical.

The action takes place in Joshua Tree National Park
and the whole 'Story' is about the Spiritual
Rebirthing (the Phoenix is an appropriate metaphor) of
Larry, the 'hero' through shedding many layers of ego
resulting in better awareness and thus better
integration of the many egos that go to make up an
individual.

Through Larry and his dog Zeus, who acts as a teacher,
guide and guru, Jean-Claude tries to explain the
nature of the 'self' or soul. The book is especially
appealing to the 'Wanderers', souls of a higher plane
who have volunteered to take birth on the earth
allowing the veil of ignorance to cover them, but who,
at the same time are not allowed to forget their true
mission. This reviewer could well identify with the
wanderer's problems, having been tormented by similar
conflicts between the insights that keep coming up
from the other side and the veil of ignorance that
tries to cover up those sights. The book certainly
helps clarify many of the puzzles presented by the
universe. The book is different from the usual new age
books in that it tries to harmonise the relationship
between spirituality and science. I found the portion
that bridges the spirituality and science excellent
reading.

Even if you don't have a scientific background, the
book talks to you from several points of perception
and thus succeeds in reaching its central message
across of non-duality, or the unity in diversity.

The author has obviously been exposed to several
philosophies and religions from across the world. His
ideas run close to the ideas of non-duality carried in
the Upanishads and Sri Bhagavad Gita (The Song
Divine), the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sai
Baba etc. Readers who are steeped in believing a
specific religion may find some of the ideas
revolutionary and disturbing.

In general, the book has been edited very well. The
few slips don't affect the message. The photograph on
the cover is really inviting and the printing quality
is good.

The book has gripped my attention and interest. I had
to pick it up every day and continue. This is the
first book that I could read from beginning to end in
the space of about a week, after several months of
health problems. As the author writes, nothing is
really random and I felt that the book came into my
hands at the right time.

I won't urge you to go and buy the book and read it.
If you are ready, the book will come to you.