AWAKE IN THIS LIFE
A Guide for those Climbing the Mountain of Spirit
Is it possible to bring the peace of an enlightened perspective into the middle of our busy lives? Yes, says author and spiritual teacher Michael McAlister in his new book, Awake in This Life: A Guide for Those Climbing the Mountain of Spirit.

McAlister offers another path for those faced with a frustrating choice: either fit into a faith that no longer inspires, or reject spirituality altogether. His alternative approach to deepening consciousness combines elements from various traditions that offer practical, purposeful lessons that guide readers on a profound journey. McAlister points out what to expect while walking the path toward authentic transformation, how to maneuver past pitfalls that get in the way, and how to integrate ancient wisdom into a new way of life. With the help of this book, readers will uncover within themselves what is already truly awake and then learn to express this recognition in the midst of busy lives. They will discover how to bring an enlightened perspective into relationships, work, and day-to-day situations, while freeing themselves from past pain and future worries.

Written in clear, often humorous prose, Awake in This Life was inspired by McAlister’s time spent in monasteries in Thailand, Nepal and Northern California. After leaving the monastic life, he began sharing the blessings he received with the wider world by podcasting his approach to the teaching at InfiniteSmile.org. Soon thereafter, the book was born. Whether readers are searching for enlightenment or just want a more centered life, Awake in This Life: A Guide for Those Climbing the Mountain of Spirit offers a pathway to a happier, more meaningful way of living.

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After becoming frustrated after college with what he came to regard as "the basic superficiality" of his life, Michael began looking for spiritual meaning that had depth and integrity. He was anxious to contextualize the deep spiritual longing that was arising in him, and despite his reservations, he looked into several religious practices, hoping to find deeper balance and peace in a tradition. Over time, however, he became increasingly discouraged with the hypocrisy and the exclusivity of traditional versions of faith.

Then a friend introduced him to Zen meditation and things began to shift. “I initially viewed Zen like every other tradition: trapped by its own sense of self-worth," he said. "But the more I sat still and simply watched my experience, just as the priests trained me to do, the more that things began to make sense in a way that went past any intellectual understanding or physical sensation. Plus my ego liked the fact that wearing a priest’s robe didn’t mean that you were any closer to God than the next person," Michael explains. “Women were also seen as equals”, he added, “and the teaching, rather than the teacher, fueled the journey for each of us on the Path to Awakening. And enlightenment, or Christ consciousness, or God sense, or Atman, or whatever you want to call it is right here in this very moment, waiting to be uncovered through and with each and every person."

McAlister’s active participation in the Zen community lasted for many years. He also studied other Buddhist traditions with other teachers in Thailand, and Nepal, thus rounding out an approach to contemplative practice that incorporated Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Theravadan schools of Buddhism. After his travels, he had a series of profound realizations that nearly made him decide to ordain as a Buddhist priest. Yet “all things change”, as Michael consistently reminds us.