The Sailfish and the Sacred Mountain: Passages in the Lives of a Father and Son

Excerpts & Samples

By Will Johnson

Publisher : Inner Traditions/Bear & Company

ABOUT Will Johnson

Will Johnson
Will Johnson is the founder and director of the Institute for Embodiment Training, which combines Western somatic psychotherapy with Eastern meditation practices. He is the author of Yoga of the Mahamudra; the award-winning Rumi: Gazing at the Beloved, The Forbidden Rumi, and The Sailfish  More...

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Description

An account of spiritual awakening told through the rites of passage of a father and son

• Reveals the essential role spirituality can play in our mundane lives

• Celebrates not only traditional rites of passage, but also the more subtle moments of change that continually take place within each of us

• Reflects on the power of prayer and intention in guiding our life journey

Part spiritual travelogue, part personal memoir, The Sailfish and the Sacred Mountain is the story of the profound moments that forever change our lives, told in the context of a father and son’s journey to the sacred Mount Kailas in Tibet.

Every moment in life is a moment of passage. While many culturally prescribed rites of passage--baptisms, bar mitzvahs, and confirmations--may not necessarily transform the participant into a higher level of maturity and understanding, there are many other moments that stand out as true passages into a new phase of life. These are the moments of triumph or of pain and defeat--the first taste of love, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one--moments after which we know, in the quiet of our hearts and minds, we will never be the same.

The Sailfish and the Sacred Mountain presents a unique view into how we can create the circumstances that invite profound spiritual awakenings to occur in our lives and how we can recognize and embrace the powerful lessons these events have to offer. As Will Johnson reflects on his own life passages, he tells the story of the remarkable journey with his son to Mount Kailas--a journey that proves to be a moment of passage for both father and son.
"Presents a unique view into how parents can create the circumstances that invite meaningful coming of age experiences."
Total Health, June/July 2004

"The Sailfish and the Sacred Mountain will speak to anyone who has ever yearned for more meaning in life."

Body & Soul, September 2004



"Every parent will marvel at this work that honors the common sense and directness of young children. . . . takes readers on a journey of communication across generations."
Thomas Peter von Bahr, The Blessed Bee, Spring 2005