| Divine Mother, The Goddess, Quan Yin |
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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Tripping the Dark Fantastic Jul 21, 2010
By Alejandra Vernon
"artist & illustrator"
"Mother of Light, The Book of Fire" is a fascinating spiritual odyssey, as a seeker of truth yearns for the light and gets tangled up in the darkness. There are many passages in this book that serve as a warning to those exploring shamanism, spiritualism, New Age philosophy or other areas of the occult, as these groups or individuals (as well as the hidden and not so secret corners of organized religions) can have very black hearts, and Junipur has met her share of them. From being with a swami of extraordinary power who held thousands under his spell, to a truly frightening sorcerer who came camouflaged as a gifted healer, Junipur was almost led to destruction.
Beautifully written with expressive language and a dramatic flair, Junipur keeps us turning the pages. Does it ramble in parts? Yes, but so do our lives ramble, and as this is a spiritual autobiography, we join the author down paths that often go nowhere, just like in our own existence. In my long life I have traveled many of these same roads, from the grasping at straws of hope from what some psychic reader may have told me, to observing the workings of a cult and how it holds sway over its flock, and much more. I have also had the glorious journeys where you know you are Home. I know that though some of it seems like a fantasy, what Junipur writes about is all too real. And she writes about it so well, with honesty and an open heart. I can only hope that Junipur will be inspired, once out of "The Bardo" in Vol. 1 (the "Bardo" in the Tibetan Book of the Dead is a type of limbo), to write a 2nd volume, about her journey into the light, the light that is in all of us, waiting to be nurtured and brought forth in beauty and peace. God bless Junipur, may she live long and her many gifts prosper.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 "Astonishing read" Feb 24, 2010
By Susan
Junipur gives a demanding and poetic accounting of her spiritual journey. Her use of the English language is superbly creative and makes reading a joyous experience. She artfully gives description to spiritual states than few speak of. Follow her through the spiritual "gates of hell" as she endures one dark night of the soul after another. She extricates herself from an imperfect guru and finds grace through a living, selfless avatar. At the end of the book, the reason for all the "hell and dark nights" is revealed. The reader may rejoice in Junipur's own revelations.
-Susan Spensley, New Mexico
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
observations Jan 16, 2010
By bob simms
"Mother of Light: The Book of Fire - Vol 1 The Bardo is a most unusual and fascinating journal of unyielding commitment to spiritual practice (the goal is self-realization) which is an act of love in itself, no holds barred.
According to the Mother (Amritanandamayi), "If one has no faith in himself, how can one have faith in God". Junipur shows monumental inner strength and fortitude in the faith in herself, her path and God, amidst obstacles that would thwart most humans, and she comes out on the other side being ecstatic, blissful, and full of love- lessons well-learned.
The Holy Mother Sara Devi says, "most people complain bitterly about their grief, and sorrows, and how they pray to God, but find no relief from their pain...never accepting that grief is a gift from God"- Junipur's life is just that, and she uses all of that, like alchemy, to purify, transmute and transcend to the highest levels of which she is capable, turning to the Divine Mother for light and wisdom.
Also in this book experiences with paranormal phenomena and visions of mystical qualities, rare experiences that happen to souls with the gift (brought in from other lifetimes) that open channels for seeing forces on both sides; all this being a play of divine intervention.
The story also provides an unusual glimpse at the naturally-occurring interface in Junipur's life between shamanism and spirituality. The "bardo" itself is a concept common to both, referring to the in-between land after a "spiritual death" is undergone. In this realm, she encounters life forms from the underworld, astral entities. Battles with minions of the dark force marked the whole life passage, as are classic in shamanistic tales. Getting stuck in the bardo is a terrifying concept to me. My own limited experiences with dark entities were enough to scare me to death. I have read many accounts by others as well. The bardo condition is only resolved, however, as she pursued classical Indian yoga under the mastership of Mother Meera. Yoga met the world of shamanism spontaneously in this life, intertwining.
Another thing I could share, experientially with Junipur, are her encounters with false masters, and the destruction that could take place in ones' practice, faith, and psyche, wreaking havoc on ones' abilities to move across the "great divide". Like being stuck in the "bardo". These are the levels that only a perfect master has the power to access, by providing protection in the process.
What is a "perfect" master? Read the book and take the journey and you'll find out. That's all I can say.
I have noticed on her bio page that she does offer readers an opportunity to ask serious questions about spiritual matters after they have read the book; something I have been planning since the start of the reading.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Storehouse of Spiritual Experience Aug 24, 2010
By Rena Soloman
Mother of Light -The Book of Fire is difficult to categorize exactly - it's completely out of the box -Like Carlos Castaneda meets The Autobiography of a Yogi meets... Star Wars - The incredible thing is not just that Junipur lived it, but was somehow able to synthesize coherent understanding out of an inconceivable series of events. I found it to be a storehouse of Spiritual experience of many unusual planes, and also a rare view of the horizons of human existence - scary, heartbreaking, and remarkable. This is one of those stories that clearly pushes the boundaries.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
An astonishing and powerful Work Dec 10, 2009
By Richkly1950
Mother of Light: The Book of Fire is one of the most powerful and fascinating accounts of a Western spiritual aspirant I have ever read. There is so much energy here that, at times, it takes my breath away, and at times brings tears to my eyes - of joy, and sorrow. There are so many levels to Junipur's experiences, and they cover a wide range, to say the least; the life at times is as devastating as it is elevating and inspirational. Through family tragedies, ill health, and inability to be worldly self-sufficient, she is all the while maintaining the passion and vision to move toward the light, in the shadows of darkness. It is how she continuously and relentlessly overcomes obstacles, uncovering veils upon veils - the small triumphs, amidst these hardships that eventually lead her to the Divine Mother - first to Mata Amritanandamayi, and then to Mother Meera.
I was particularly struck by how she continuously scrutinized herself, always questioning and contemplating deeply her own motivations and reflections. This, through meditation, prayer, chanting - and, of course, japa (repeating the Name of God constantly). According to the Yoga Vasishta, one of the great works of Indian philosophy, of the four gatekeepers to self-realization, it is the spirit of self-inquiry being the outcome as the greatest wisdom. Junipur is one-pointed in her journey inward, but not in a self-centered or egotistical self-absorption. She is loving, compassionate, and selflessly forgiving, and always in service to the Mother. Her visions, her battles, crisis' of faith, and the loneliness that ensues, as relationships and friendships drop away, only make her stronger, and elevate her practice to higher levels. She cannot help but to expose herself to the resistance and cruelty she is shown by those familiar to her.
This is not unusual, if you've ever read biographies and accounts of saints and true devotees through the eons. In Gandhi's autobiography, titled Experiments With Truth, he talks about what he wants to achieve - which is self-realization, to face God as One - by applying the truth of spiritual principles to the world...and the world killed him.
I see Junipur in a similar way - more isolated, but still putting her life on the line here, for the same goals. Uncompromising. There is no fluff here, no new age brand of "spiritual politeness". I hope that there are still a few brave souls out there who care about the truth and are willing to read this. Our time is growing short, and I guarantee this book is both life affirming, and life changing.
Namaste
Ed Krasner
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