Product Description

In August 2003, virtually overnight, Jan Frazier experienced "a dramatic falling away of fear"--not just the immediate fear of her annual medical test but, as she learned as time went on, her fear of everything. She was "flooded with a causeless joy that has never left me."

In this book the commonplace belief that enlightenment is only for saints comes apart at the seams. Anyone can be enlightened, and all we need to do is ask.

* This rare and beautiful account puts Jan Frazier solidly in the tradition of enlightened teachers from J. Krishnamurti to Byron Katie.

* Guns and money aren't going to buy peace of mind. Giving up fear is.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107633 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 201 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781578634002
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

From Publishers Weekly
The summer she turned 50, Frazier suddenly lost the nearly crippling fear that had plagued her for decades. In its place came love, tears, laughter, ecstasy, delight, bliss, understanding and, eventually, an unshakable "undercurrent of fundamental contentment." This book, she says, is not self-help but a "testimony to a life transformed" and a promise that her experience is open to all. Frazier, a poet, knows how to turn a phrase, but her dated commentary, covering 18 months beginning in August 2003, often evokes the self-absorption and inchoate emotion of an adolescent's diary: "Every single thing I do is a total blast. It's like being stoned, only it's entirely clearheaded." Interspersed with celebratory journal entries are lyrical descriptions of her worshipful encounters with Gurumayi, the controversial "perfected master" whose Siddha Yoga mantra is translated "I bow to my inner Self, who is God." Some readers may find Frazier's unremitting attention to her emotional state tedious, if occasionally worrisome ("I expend a lot of energy to keep from whirling in circles with my arms out to the sides"), while others will perceive deep wisdom in her awakened realization "that being released from fear was independent of being released from bad things happening." (May)
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Review
... A breathing translation into language of an advance in evolution that is available to the focused heart and the fortunate intention. -- Stephen Levine, author of Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart

About the Author
Jan Frazier is a creative-writing teacher and mother of two adolescents. Her poetry and nonfiction have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Yankee, Cimarron Review, and the Minnesota Review, and her poetry collection was published in 2003 by Pudding House. She resides in rural western Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Attaining liberation
Jan Frazier is an American woman, writer, teacher,mother, partner, as normal as they come. One day she utters a small prayer-could I please go to the (next day's) mammogram without the usual accompanying fear?
It drops away.
What is more extraordinary is that from that moment, she has attained liberation- a state of complete joy and equanimity- which stays with her.
This state of enlightenment is usually reserved for gurus, wise people of 'attainment', teachers. Some write about their experiences,many apparantly do not. Those on a spiritual path seek this state eagerly; it usually seems very far away, elusive.
Here is a normal woman writing about an exalted state with clarity, passion and almost ordinariness .
It suddenly seems possible for all who might long for it.
What a gift!
Inspiring, funny, sweet, articulate, her book is a beacon for seekers.

When Fear Falls Away
This book demystifies the idea of "enlightenment." Jan Frazier's story shows that each one of us is capable of having the same awakening that she has had. Very inspiring!

Awesome
Many years ago I had a similar, sadly temporary, experience to Jan's. I have read a zillion books on the subject of awakening and how it expresses yet none have ever come as close to explaining what I was experiencing as this book. I could not articulate it to friends or family and now I simply tell them to read this fascinating book. Jan puts wonderfully written words to the unexplainable. I could not put the book down and as I said I have read endlessly on the subject. Do yourself a favor and get this book!