I am pleased to present the brand-new video trailer for Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World.
As I mention in the video, I’d be happy to send you a free c (more…)
I am pleased to present the brand-new video trailer for Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World.
As I mention in the video, I’d be happy to send you a free c (more…)
Staying centered, balanced and attuned to divine will is an ongoing quest that demands daily discipline. Enlightenment is not a cumulative goal; it is as fragile as a snowflake because one careless act can melt it away.
As far as the Buddha Nature is concerned, there is no difference between sinner and sage . . . One enlightened thought and one is a Buddha, one foolish thought and one is again an ordinary person.
Hui Neng
With the hope that it may inspire you and give you some ideas on how you can better practice the presence of God, here is what my daily spiritual practice looks like:
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING
HERE’S WHAT I DO: I start each morning by practicing the presence as soon as I wake up. Lying in bed, I recite:
I encase Divine Mother in my bosom.
I am radiant health, I em eternal youth, I am inexhaustible energy.
HERE’S WHY I DO IT: The first affirmation, which helps me instantly connect to Divine Source, is from the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi.
Please note that I use the word “God” throughout for the sake of consistency and convenience, fully recognizing that there are probably as many interpretations of God as there are people reading this post. Many people view God as the source of all existence, many others as existence itself. Whether you view God as a being, a universal intelligence, a force, or any other type of form or formless entity, I trust that you will substitute the name, term, or reference for “God” that you are most comfortable with each time you come across the word.
I phrase the next affirmations as I do because a powerful way to begin an affirmation is with the words, “I (more…)
Tasha Donahue
THROUGH GOD’S EYES: A BOOK REVIEW
by Tasha Donahue
I stumbled across this book at a Publishers and Writers meeting in San Diego. I was struck with the title, “Through God’s Eyes,” and a photo of the cosmos dramatically resembling an eye. WOW! I thought, what was inside? While I rarely review books, this is one I had to share with my readers, most especially as I recently spoke of better ways to handle your time and money at the holidays than avoiding a laser gun on Black Friday or spoiling your children with too many gifts.
Bolsta began sixteen years ago with an idea: He wanted to create a guide book that had the potential to change people’s lives. I opened the book and read what appeared to be an infinite (more…)
I admit it. I’m nervous. Today I’m kicking off the crowdfunding campaign for my book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World. The above video explains why I’m launching the campaign and why it’s so critical to the success of the book and to changing people’s lives for the better.
All money raised will pay for the promotional costs necessary to launch this book further into the world. Whatever funds I receive in excess of this goal will help me do even more to promote it.
Click here to visit the campaign page for Through God’s Eyes on GoFundMe.com. You’ll find answers to these questions:
• Why should I care about this campaign?
• Everyone thinks their book is a masterpiece. Why should I put my trust in you?
• Do I get a free gift for making a donation?
• Is this a good book to give as a gift?
• What exactly are you going to spend the money on?
• Why don’t you just pay for (more…)
Accepting the award onstage at the San Diego Book Awards (photo by Ronnie Fearon)
Tonight at the annual San Diego Book Awards event, my book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, won first place in the “Spiritual and Inspirational” category.
It was a fun evening. There were a couple hundred people in the auditorium and the format was like the Oscars. For each category, three finalists were announced and then the winner. Winners walked up onstage to collect their award and say a few words.
Here was my acceptance speech:
Through God’s Eyes is a comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life. I didn’t choose to (more…)
It was a full house for my book reading at Kathryn Harwig’s Intuitive Forum tonight!
Kathryn Harwig
Tonight I told stories from my books and read excerpts from Through God’s Eyes with the able assistance of Lori Anne Yang, a good friend and the founder of (more…)
Here are some radio interviews I did for my book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World. I hope you enjoy them!
Here is an enjoyable interview I did with Michele Meiche for her Awakenings Radio Show. We discussed how to choose love as a way of life, why surrender is the cornerstone of a spiritual life, and how to align your will with Divine Will.
Here is our thirty-seven-minute interview from January 18, 2017:
Dennis Raimondi on the air with “Speaking Freely”
Spiwe Pierce
I had a wonderful time talking to Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian about spirituality and healing on her show, The Yoga Hour, on February 27, 2014. Click on the audio player below to hear our 58-minute interview.
It was a joy talking to Julie Geigle for her Lifeclass Book Club. Here are the seven interviews we did, from January 7 through February 11, 2014. The videos average about thirty minutes each.
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (1 OF 7)
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (2 OF 7)
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (3 OF 7)
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (4 OF 7)
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (5 OF 7)
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (6 OF 7)
INTERVIEW WITH JULIE GEIGLE (7 OF 7)
I had a great time talking about intuition and spiritual principles with Lindsay Marino on her show, Intuitive Guidance with Lindsay Marino, on December 9, 2013. Click on the audio player below to hear our 39-minute interview.
My interview with Greg Voisen of Inside Personal Growth on May 10, 2013, was a stimulating Q&A session. Click on the audio player below to hear our 37-minute interview.
My interview with Paul Streitz, author of Blue-Collar Buddha, aired on Holly’s Advice for B2C on January 15, 2013. Click on the audio player below to hear our 48-minute interview.
It was a pleasure talking to Kathy Kirk on her radio show, A New View of Life, on November 6, 2012. Click on the audio player below to hear our 45-minute (more…)
To read excerpts from my book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, download this free 44-page PDF sampler. It includes:
• an overview of the book
• the complete table of contents
• the Foreword by Caroline Myss
• my Introduction
• chapter excerpts
• a sample end (more…)
I am pleased to present this video of my book reading for Through God’s Eyes at the Hopkins Health and Wellness Center in (more…)
My book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, is now available as an eBook for Kindle, Nook, iPad and other eBook readers.
Click here to order the eBook on Amazon for the Kindle.
Click here to order the eBook on Barnes & Noble for the Nook.
Click here to download the eBook on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes.
Click here to order the eBook on Kobo.
Click here to order the eBook on Copia.
Click here to order the eBook from a U.K. site.
Click here to order the eBook from (more…)
I read four excerpts from the book, ably assisted by my good friend, Lindsay Howett
One of the most rewarding parts of writing Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World has been getting so many uplifting e-mails from people all over the world. Receiving such enthusiastic feedback has been both gratifying and humbling. Here are excerpts from the wonderful e-mails and reviews I’ve received. My thanks to everyone who has read and enjoyed the book.
I have read many spiritual and self-improvement books and this book is one of the best. To me it is third only to the Bible and Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. Phil Bolsta has done an excellent job in writing this book. I highly recommend it to all truth seekers.
Clay Daves, Oceanside, California
Thank you for your book, Through God’s Eyes. Every page feels like rain from heaven. I have never read such a book. So much wisdom. I am glad you put it in my hands.
Rosalina Gonzales, Carlsbad, California
Your book Through God’s Eyes is truly extraordinary and has become a permanent part of my daily spiritual reading routine. There is so much deep inspiration and spiritual nourishment in it! Unlike other anthologies of inspirational quotes, your own writing that connects the various texts is on the same high level, sometimes even more so, as the quoted passages. This book has become a favorite gift to give my friends and family. Everyone who has received it has praised and loved it. Thank you for this wonderful gift that you have given all of us.
Alberto Bird, New York City
I have found in this book a rich, spirited source of uplift and assurance for myself and for others. I lent it out before reading it from cover to cover, having recognized early on its enormous value for people struggling with existential and spiritual issues.
It is readily accessible, and notably to those who shy away from organized religion but are longing for connection with the divine qualities that are our birthright, but have been lost along the way.
I love it, and am filled with gratitude to the inspired author, Phil Bolsta.
Briar, a trauma counselor in New Zealand
I am rereading my book for the third time, and each page delivers a beautiful message to me—a message of wisdom, compassion, encouragement, forgiveness, and HOPE. Phil Bolsta’s book has been an important and empowering healing tool for me on my healing journey. Whether I have turned to it in desperation or for affirmation, it has never let me down. I have read hundreds of healing, self-help, and spiritual guidance books; this book has been life-changing and life-saving. Thank you, Phil, for sharing hope, love, and light with the world.
Cheryl N., Minnesota
Through God’s Eyes is filled with priceless gems of wisdom and inspiration from sages, saints, and other legendary figures from many ages. You can measure the skill, artistry, and soulful connection of the author by the way his words impact your life. They strike at your very core. I have written some of his thoughts on Post-it Notes and placed them in strategic places throughout my home to uplift me and remind me of what is truly important. This book is not just inspirational; it’s also very practical. You’ll find a strong, loving, and satisfying resolution to many of life’s most pressing problems. The title of the book is Through God’s Eyes but you’ll find that the author’s ability to weave together his profoundly enriching commentary with inspired quotes from great thinkers throughout history will actually provide a momentary glimpse into the very heart of God.
Lew B., Carlsbad, California
Through God’s Eyes is a deep and profound spiritual journey that not only inspires, but guides, and allows us to realize that it is through a power beyond ourselves—a belief, a vision, a reflection of faith, hope, and love—which ultimately helps us become the best version of ourselves! Thank you, Phil, for sharing this with the world! And thank you for all of the great quotes!
Nguyen Dennen, Amazon Reviewer
If the world is ending and you can only run out the door with one book, this would be the one to take. Why? Because it contains wisdom from around the world from humanity’s finest. A charming narrator guides you through this journey of quotations and pearls, quips, and answers to how to live life well from Saints and Sinners all. Along with sharing his personal experiences, there are challenging questions for self-reflection. The book reads like a long conversation and a reference book all in one. I highly recommend it for writers and novelists, bloggers, twitterists, and spiritual seekers who love quotes to meditate on and post on Instagram. Will there be Instagram when the world is ending? I hope so! Buy this book so you can keep posting. Also buy it because it is one of the biggest, thickest books I have ever owned and if you hug it, it hugs you back.
Boa Boa, Amazon Reviewer
Russ and I looked at your book more carefully this morning, and we were both amazed at the scope of it. Just the sheer task of gathering the material from so many sources and then organizing it into the separate themes of the chapter headings boggles my mind. I can see how this must have taken years to put together. It’s not just a compilation of others’ thoughts but your own interwoven one-by-one between theirs.
I’ve been listening to classical music lately through a music-appreciation class I’ve been taking. This book reminds me of a composer writing a symphony—setting down on musical notation paper all the thousands of notes that all the different instruments will play. I can’t begin to understand how such a mind would work to be able to do that, and I feel the same way about your book!
I thought the cover was so inspiring too. I really imagined it was a closeup photo of a human eye until I read inside that it was a nebula! What a great idea.
Russ and I will both appreciate this book for many years to come. We like to read each other inspiring stories regularly as a way to connect and relax in the evenings since we don’t watch television. We can pick this up and just open it at random and find something beautiful to enjoy together. It’s a book to treasure, one paragraph or page at a time.
Rita, Encinitas, California
It was so great to meet you last night at your book reading! The reading from your book was absolutely beautiful, and I truly appreciated the great discussion that followed. As I was walking into my apartment last night, with great anticipation to dive into your book, I glanced down at the cover and had a realization. I knew, without a doubt, that the reading of this book is going to change my life. It was a lovely moment, and I’m so grateful. So thank you, thank you for all you’ve already added to my life in such a short time! I began reading your book last night before bed, and I woke up this morning with a new perspective. I have fresh eyes, my heart is more open, my gratitude has expanded, and my faith heightened.
Aerica Benson, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Through God’s Eyes is a transformational book. After reading the chapter, “See Every Moment as a Gift,” I found myself not feeling so hung up in the drama of life. Instead, I saw that everything that happens to me presents an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons. After many such “Aha!” moments, I realized that this book was a catalyst that would help me make substantial changes. I already feel clearer and happier and so thankful to be drawing even closer to God. This book is worth its weight in gold!
Julie Briggs, Encinitas, California
I must admit that I was surprised by the book’s size and weight and sheer volume: 530+ pages! Then I noticed that the composition was unlike most books, mainly grouped into quotations by learned Masters and interspersed with the author’s comments. “Oh, a bunch of quotes, hmmm . . . ,” I thought. “There’s only SO much concentrated wisdom that I can take in one sitting. This book may really take a while . . .” However, once I began reading I found myself unable to put the book down. It literally made me late for work, dinner, the dentist, you name it! The quotations are beautifully grouped into categories. The author’s comments are so insightful that I often found myself reading only his text from one page to the next, and only then going back and “scooping up” the related quotations. In fact, read this way, this is a beautifully cohesive book in its own right. The self-reflection questions at the end of each chapter, as well as the author’s personal insights, are added bonuses. Another gem is the chapter on affirmations with powerful and beautiful examples. I’ve had this book for several months and it is never out of arm’s length.
David Wahler, Rancho Mirage, California
I’m an avid reader and seldom write reviews, but this book is worth reviewing. Through God’s Eyes examines and explains the complexity of the human condition with distilled, relentless eloquence. The words in this book pop off the page and speak to the heart of the matter on so many important issues. It’s unique.
Do you have a dear friend going through a difficult time? Do you need a perfect graduation gift? Does your child need fodder for a college essay? Or maybe you need to do something kind for yourself. This book is compassionate and multidimensional. It doesn’t matter if you are a Montague or Capulet, Democrat or Republican—this book is generous, instructive, and illuminating. It can even give you a kick in the butt when you need it.
Heidi Stokes, Minneapolis, Minnesota
I am so grateful for the copy of Through God’s Eyes you sent me. I will let you have photos of how I have marked quotes, highlighted your comments, wrote in it, etc. It’s a work of art. I am finding my way. I know it has always been there but now I see more clearly.
Jeanine Simpson, Cape Town, South Africa
The best books contain unexpected delights, surprises that enrich the soul and also give us hope. This is a book about finding peace and purpose through the waves of life. I call this book my “modern day 8 ball.” I love asking it a question and opening to a page for my response. I always find true inspiration and am so grateful Phil has shared his wonderful creation with all of us.
Mindy Nye, Santa Monica, California
Regardless of your religious beliefs, Through God’s Eyes is composed of transformative truth and wisdom for the ages. For those seeking answers and guidance in our chaotic world, there is no better sourcebook for the soul. It is so eloquently written and organized that, if I didn’t know better, I’d think it was an example of divine intervention! A person who isn’t on a spiritual journey will WANT to be after reading a few pages! It brings THAT much clarity. Phil Bolsta’s book has become my spiritual bible, always at my bedside.
Holly Schroeder, LaPorte, Indiana
Through God’s Eyes is a spiritual wonder, giving the seeker a path to find an answer, beginning, or seed in which to grow. I was thrilled to discover a chapter in the book (one of so many) dealing with a like situation currently beating me down. Through Phil Bolsta’s guidance in finding The Divine also came an answer to help overcome my suffering. Through God’s Eyes, a gift from my longtime therapist, sits next to my chair at all times as it is a book you can pick up randomly and find gifts and comfort from throughout the ages.
Sallee Gaines Lang, Mariposa, California
Through God’s Eyes is a comprehensive collection of spiritual wisdom from across the ages, and from many different disciplines and philosophies. Phil has done an incredible job of breaking down spiritual issues and principles into categories, and then finding the right quotes from sages, mystics, philosophers, and others to illuminate those categories and provide an answer to virtually any question one could pose. Phil contributes his own insights as well and they are right on, echoing and paraphrasing a collection of wisdom unsurpassed in my reading. So it’s big. And it’s inspired. As a longtime disciple of (more…)
When you feel stuck in your job or relationship . . .
When all you worked for leaves you feeling empty inside . . .
When fear of what is to come consumes sleepless nights . . .
When love seems like an impossible choice to make . . .
When the world is not large enough to contain your grief . . .
When you struggle to forgive the unforgivable . . .
there is one solution that brings true peace.
Look through God’s eyes and you see that you are being guided in every moment with infinite wisdom and inexhaustible love, that life is unfolding with indescribable beauty and grace, that Spirit is gently urging you to align your will with Divine Will and be a source of love, hope, and healing energy to all who cross your path.
This comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life explains how dozens (more…)
Why did I call my new book, Through God’s Eyes? Here’s why.
The title Through God’s Eyes reflects a pivotal moment of personal enlightenment. At a 1998 weekend workshop, Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe, founder of the University of Spiritual Healing & Sufism, shared a life-changing story with his students. He said that after watching a TV nature program in which a lion savagely ripped apart a gazelle, he had been distraught. Retreating into meditation, he implored God, How could you allow such carnage and tragedy to exist? He told us that the response he received humbled him and restored his faith in Divine Intelligence: “I felt and saw through inner revelation how this incident was experienced from a higher level as pure love and that it was beautiful beyond description.”
Ibrahim explained that this world may appear cruel and harsh to our unenlightened eyes, but even the brutality inherent in the animal kingdom has meaning, purpose, and a stark beauty all its own. Indeed, looking through God’s eyes, we see that simply by living our lives, we all serve each other in ways both simple and profound. From that day on, I challenged myself to see the world through God’s eyes—to the extent that I could, of course—so that I too could witness every moment unfolding with beauty, love, and perfection.
Granted, that is much easier said than done, especially on days when I am the gazelle. That’s why every chapter contains reminders urging you to look through God’s eyes. I’ve found that the more I train myself to view the world in this way, the more peaceful and grounded I become. It then becomes easier to follow the core teaching of (more…)
What’s the story behind my new book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World? You’ll find the answer in the Introduction.
This is the book I longed to read as I took my first tentative steps down a spiritual path. I searched in vain for a book that laid out all the spiritual principles I was learning in a logical, organized, and engaging way. Surely, I thought, there must be one book that explained how all of these principles interact, how to weave them together into a cohesive worldview, and how to practically apply this spiritual wisdom to daily life.
I found plenty of fascinating books filled with valuable insights and information, but I always came away with more questions than answers. As I struggled to piece together what living a spiritual life looked like, I felt like I was standing in a giant library where all the books were strewn on the floor. The book I was looking for, the book that would speak to my soul, was not among them.
I vowed to write such a book someday. After all, if I was searching for it, surely other like-minded souls were too. I felt I was well suited to the task. As a writer, I specialize in bringing clarity and order to complex subject matter—and spirituality is as complex as it gets. Above all, this subject touched my heart and called to me like no other.
As I walked my path and began connecting the dots, I saw an age-old framework forming that was as elegant as it was beautiful—everything fit together, flowed together, and sang together in pure harmony. Eventually, after years of research and study, I felt capable of interpreting and articulating this worldview, which for thousands of years has been enlightening spiritual seekers about the meaning and purpose of life and the vastness of human potential.
In other words, I am not the (more…)
I’m pleased to share with you these endorsements for Through God’s Eyes from respected authors, speakers and thought leaders.
Through God’s Eyes is s a superb book, a truly enlightened piece of work that is an essential read for all people who are truly devoted to the care and refinement of their soul. Phil is a contemporary mystic, a man whose life is a living commitment to spiritual service. I am honored to know him.
Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Defy Gravity
Regardless of how you conceive the Absolute—as God, Goddess, Allah, Universe, or simply as a sense of cosmic beauty and order—your belief will be enriched by Through God’s Eyes. This fine book is a refreshing departure from the preachy ideology of religious dogmatism. It reveals the richness, complexity, and meaning of everyday life, warts and all.
Larry Dossey, MD, author of The Power of Premonitions
In Through God’s Eyes, Phil Bolsta has assembled a Dream Team of spiritual wisdom. The book gathers together remarkable luminaries from every tradition—and non-tradition as well—and creatively organizes them into topical categories, like panelists in separate meeting rooms at a large conference; only these wise ones are available to readers any time they are needed. And we all need them. As we make our way along the spiritual path, with all its perplexities, complexities, mysteries, and ambiguities, these trusted companions can provide reliable, timeless guidance.
Philip Goldberg, author of American Veda and Roadsigns on the Spiritual Path
In this work of spiritual artistry, Phil Bolsta has filtered and sifted the wisdom of the ages both ancient and contemporary, secular and religious, spiritual and scientific into coherent and cohesive collections and then arranged those collections into a clear path for anyone who wishes to walk a deeper, more awakened spiritual journey through life. His commentaries and real-life anecdotes add just the right clarity to bring each area of reflection into the here-and-now. This book is a gem.
Lori Anne Yang, founder and CEO of Mammaste, LLC
This is a book that makes the wisdom of the ages and sages accessible to everyone. I know from experience it (more…)