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A Little Time More
40 Days of Fasting is a collection of 40 poems resulting from a four-week period of fasting and covering forgiveness, service, humility, and enlightenment. Why was this an important collection for you to write?
Interestingly, I didn’t intend to write much, maybe journal my thoughts during the fast, but as the prologue explains, these unconscious impulses to chronicle a stream of messages, counsel, and admonitions suddenly came through in rich, poetic form. Strange indeed, for never was I an enthusiast of this genre of art. Now, 40 Days of Fasting is the product of this uncanny and provocative inner experience.
How do you know when a poem is truly finished?
I came out of this interfacing with Carlos – my muse – when no more words were channeled. There was a silence, an emptiness, and a mental weariness after the experience. There was an abrupt end to the flow of words.
Do you have a favorite poem in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?
“A Time Appointed,” I would say. It centers on death, the most significant of all initiations we experience in a given incarnation. Scripturally, we are told that there’s a time–irrevocable–for us to be called home; not a second before or after are we summoned. But there are times, few and far between, when we can petition for a moment, a little time more, not for selfish ends, but to complete a service unfinished for the betterment of others. In these rare cases, it is granted by Source. And I have reason to believe this based on my own experience. “A Time Appointed” ventures into this phenomenon.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from 40 Days of Fasting?
I pray that this work is studied, not just read. Therein are timeless, irrefutable teachings that speak to us. These truths liberate us from the world’s illusions and the seemingly ceaseless cycle of suffering.
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This book is not merely about abstaining from food or water. It is a journey through the soul’s deep yearning to reunite with its Source. Each poem is a meditation-on love, death, healing, divine presence, spiritual purity, and the human struggle for truth. These recitations echo ancient teachings while remaining deeply personal, echoing the author’s own trials, revelations, and reconciliations.
40 Days of Fasting invites readers to slow down and reflect. Drawing on spiritual philosophies from various traditions-Christianity, Islam, Eastern mysticism, and metaphysical teachings-the poems act as spiritual signposts, guiding us back to our essence. Themes of divine mercy, inner light, karmic justice, sacred union, and the soul’s eternal nature are explored with poetic grace.
Whether read as a devotional companion, a meditative guide, or a poetic reflection, this book touches something universal. It does not preach. It invites. It does not declare answers. It helps the reader ask the right questions.
Above all, 40 Days of Fasting is a testament to the soul’s quiet knowing and the sacred power of listening during times of intentional silence. It is both a personal diary and a mystical manual-an offering to all those walking the spiritual path with faith, doubt, longing, and hope.
40 Days of Fasting
40 Days of Fasting, by Glenville Ashby, is a deeply personal and spiritual collection of 40 poetic recitations born during a sacred period of fasting by Glenville Ashby. Each poem is a meditation, guided by an inner voice named Carlos, and thematically grouped across four weeks: forgiveness, service, humility, and enlightenment. The book fuses mystical insight with raw self-examination, drawing from a rich palette of religious traditions and personal memories. As Ashby fasts from dawn to dusk, the poems become transmissions—messages of divine origin channeled through the lens of his lived experience.
What moved me most about this book was its honesty. There’s a rare vulnerability here. He confesses old betrayals and regrets, and rather than justify them, he holds them up to the light. The language is direct but poetic. Sometimes I felt like I was eavesdropping on a prayer, other times it felt like I was reading someone’s sacred diary. The recurring theme that stuck with me was personal accountability: how even the smallest wrongs can weigh on the soul if left unresolved. That’s a hard truth, but Ashby presents it with such tenderness that I didn’t feel judged—I felt invited to reflect, too.
The writing, while poetic and sometimes cryptic, never veers into fluff. These poems demand patience. They’re not meant to be skimmed. They whisper more than they shout. But when they land, they hit deep. Some, like “Roots Run Deep” and “The Veil,” made me stop in my tracks. Others, like “Tantra” and “The Divine Tongue,” explore esoteric ideas with grace and daring. At times, I found myself wrestling with the metaphysical elements—especially the idea of channeling a spirit guide—but even then, I appreciated Ashby’s courage to fully surrender to the experience. He doesn’t try to convince the reader. He simply shares what came.
40 Days of Fasting is a companion for quiet nights and long mornings. It’s for anyone walking through a spiritual fog, for anyone who feels like their prayers echo back without answers. For seekers, grievers, and those in transition, this book holds a gentle power. It doesn’t promise to fix you, but it just might help you find your footing.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0F8W1Z87F
My Own Growth and Inner Conflicts
Glenville Ashby Author Interview
In your book In Search of Truth: A Course in Spiritual Psychology you provide insight into death, the afterlife and the purpose of life itself using your knowledge. Why was this an important book for you to put together?
For close to a decade my column on religion, philosophy and culture has enjoyed tremendous success. Over the years my views have changed, a refection I believe, of my own growth and inner conflicts pertaining to life, God and spirituality. The book conveys this conflict and what I refer to as, the evolution of spirit. I selected some insightful articles that are sure to evoke strong reactions in support of, and against my beliefs. Scores of articles have been left out but I do feel that this work, despite its paradoxical tenor is systemized and thematic.
Given the growing spirit of individualism in the face of excesses by the so called religious, I think the book is very timely and in many ways, a product of the cultural zeitgeist.
This book was about faith, but wasn’t directed at any one faith, and I appreciated that. Was this intentional or is this where your understanding leads?
Spirituality, religion, faith in something bigger than self, or faith in one’s own strengths, are part of our constitution. It is important for us to recognize and respect the divers opinions out there. Uniformity of thought in any discipline or pursuit, is counterproductive and an enslavement of the human spirit. More than ever, with the revolution in communication, we have a unique opportunity to learn from each other.
This is a collection of selected writings. What was the process like in selecting and putting this book together?
Great question. I could have looked at readers’ response to articles when they were first published and selected those that were most popular. I guess the result would have been an anthology or compilation of best articles based on ostensible appeal. However, I featured the most thought-provoking writings, those that buck the trend and allow for critical thinking and introspection. This is where I am at in my evolution, and I wanted to share my inner turmoil as I wrestled with life’s mysteries. At the same time, I was able to convey moments of self-assurance and the joy of self-discovery.
What do you hope readers take away from this book?
The book raises soul searching questions on so many subjects that we have grappled with since the dawn of time. What is truth? Is there an afterlife? Is suicide ever justified? Is reincarnation possible? Are there limits to human potential? I also delved into transpersonal psychology and consciousness studies…and of course, eastern spirituality. This is an eclectic offering that will definitely stir debate.
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![In Search of Truth: A Course in Spiritual Psychology: Selected Writings 2013 - 2018 by [Ashby, Glenville]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51WquiNY7OL.jpg)
In Search of Truth: A Course in Spiritual Psychology by Glenville Ashby is an anthology of the author’s work. Ashby is a scholar in Philosophy and New Age Thought who first became involved in finding answers to the mysteries of spiritual life when his mother passed away in 1980. The culmination of his search resulted in a collection of writings with the latest, In Search of Truth, being something of a magnum opus that spans from 2003 – 2018. Ashby offers insight into a host of common questions from enlightenment and reincarnation to suicide and the hour of death, covering a plethora of topics in between, from the evil eye, to the third eye, to keeping an eye on the spiritual world (including a section on Ouija boards).
This is a fascinating collection offering something different than your usual books on spiritual psychology. It is fully accessible for those who may want to refer to it time and time again for spiritual guidance. If you are looking for an intellectual and stimulating read, with an openness to many different outcomes, look no further than In Search of Truth.
In Search of Truth: A Course in Spiritual Psychology
In Search of Truth: A Course in Spiritual Psychology, by Glenville Ashby is a book of selected writings ranging from 2013 to 2018 which seeks to answer those questions that many of us struggle to comprehend. From death and the afterlife to the purpose of life itself, Glenville attempts to develop an insight into such matter using his knowledge. His hunger for awareness coupled with his Ph.D. skill set, make this an intelligent but thought-provoking read which is guaranteed to get the reader not just thinking but, hopefully, starting a conversation and sharing their thoughts on both Glenville’s writing and the subject at hand.
Admittedly, I was initially hesitant about reading this book just because I thought that Glenville was going to, like many others writing on such subjects, ignore those atheists and agnostics amongst us, myself included.
I respect all faiths and believe we are all entitled to develop our own concepts and ideas when it comes to the subject of spirituality. However, from reading similar books like this, atheists and agnostics are almost never included or referred to. Because of this, I tend to avoid such writing.
So, I could not have been happier when Glenville stated in his preface that he believed that all peoples views were equally important, regardless of their beliefs, or lack of.
I thoroughly recommend starting with Love is The Only True Religion. This collection can be referenced and dipped into as the reader deems it necessary, but this one is a tremendous eye-opening piece that should be read by everyone!
Glenville’s drive, passion, and dedication to his subjects allow him to objectively search for what lies behind the choices we make, the way we behave and how we approach such matters.
Each piece of writing is thought-provoking and comes at the subject from a neutral angle. Even though Glenville knows that some readers will not initially agree with his words, he works at posing a what if stance.
The book needs to be read with an open mind because that is precisely how I feel that Glenville has approached it. However, sadly I think this may be harder for some to do than others. Glenville has undoubtedly tackled those somewhat taboo subjects that many prefer to stay away from, with suicide, death and crucifixion controversy amongst them.
However, how Glenville takes on and expands on these subjects is commendable, and this is one of the reasons why I would urge for those uncomfortable about such books to read just one piece themselves before passing any such judgment. I can guarantee most will be pleasantly surprised.
This is a fascinating collection offering something different than your usual books on spiritual psychology. Fully accessible for those who may want to refer to it time and time again for spiritual guidance, if you are looking for an intellectual and stimulating read, with an openness to many different outcomes, then I can’t recommend In Search of Truth enough.
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Developing the Human Spirit
Glenville Ashby Author Interview
In Anam Cara you speak of the ‘soul friend’ as the bridge to enlightenment and creativity. How did you discover your ‘soul friend’ and how has it helped in your life?
The soul friend can emerge at any point of time in your life. There is hardly a need to go out and seek a soul friend. Doing so makes the process artificial and inauthentic. There is a saying: When the student is ready the master will appear. This principle applies to the Anam Cara. There are times in our lives when we are challenged, tested and at the very point of folding someone appears to listen, to guide and counsel. The Anam Cara does not provide us with answers but his or her presence facilitates the learning process. Notable is that the Anam Cara is not a spirit guide or discarnate being. The key attribute of the Anam Cara is the power of listening and the ability to subtly guide others toward discovering their own truths.
I have been fortunate to have a number of Anam Caras and do believe that their presence in my life has accorded me the ability to experience and explore truths without criticism and condemnation.
In this audio book you guide readers through 42 confessions to the soul. Why do you think these are essential for spiritual growth?
The 42 confessions are comprehensive and pertain to every aspect of human consciousness. The principles are timless, cross-cultural and aim at developing the human spirit with virtue, righteousness and kindness.
How do you see Anam Cara working in conjunction with, or supplementing, Buddhist and Christian principles?
The Anam Cara is neither Christian nor Buddhist. In fact the Anam Cara is found in every culture and clime The Anam Cara can only strenghten the principles of the great faiths. I am here reminded of St Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises where the Anam Car is referred to as a confessor.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book, “In Search of Truth: A Course in Religious Psychology” will be available in March 2018. It offers incredible insights into metaphysics, philosophy, religion and spirituality. The reader is encouraged to conduct his or her own research and to challenge the various themes presented. The subjects covered will no doubt stir debate.
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![Anam Cara: Your Soul Friend and Bridge to Enlightenment and Creativity by [Ashby, Glenville]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Y14utmKgL.jpg)
This essential reading teaches us how to transform our lives by showing gratitude, acceptance and forgiveness. Your Anam Cara or Soul Friend, or confessor is never is judgmental and facilitates this process by listening and listening.When we remove our psychic blockages and barriers we begin to experience the fathomless potential of our soul, the very source of creativity ad intuition. Eric Ober, media consultant and former President of CBS News, calls Anam Cara, “an inspirational book that will maximize our quality of life.”
Anam Cara: Your Soul Friend and Bridge to Enlightenment and Creativity
Humans are on a constant quest for self-actualization. We have a deep need to live in genuine serenity, to discover selves. People always seek to have full control of their mental faculties such that they can meditate without struggling too much.
Anam Cara: Your Soul Friend and Bridge to Enlightenment and Creativity will get one on the right path. To open the floodgates of creativity, one needs to have peace of mind and be free of emotional baggage. This audio book is a road map to using the soul friend to achieve these. The soul friend is a non-judgmental confidante who helps an individual live to their full God-given potential. The book urges the importance of the body in accessing the mind. The science of breathing is used as an example of how one can access their mind. By breathing properly, one relaxes and eventually accesses the deepest parts of their mind. The science of breathing is often used in meditation. One may argue that the soul friend would best be a therapist or religious leader but that defeats the purpose. The point of anam cara is candor and intimacy.
This book also guides the reader through the 42 confessions to the soul, these are essential in spiritual growth. Among the most important aspects of self-empowerment is selfless service. Glenville Ashby talks about being completely used up by the time of death. Giving oneself to the society with no expectations by doing the simplest of things like offering comfort to a troubled friend. Mr. Ashby also talks about thoughts creating reality. God would not punish his own creations by blessing some and leaving others in anguish. Humans are meant to create their own blessings through hard work. This is a very interesting point of view. It makes a lot of sense upon reflection. To further affirm his stand, Glenville talks about Hellen Keller and Stephen Hawking. Their outstanding positivity and contributions to the world are awe-inspiring. The author also introduces the master keys that unlock the portal to the soul. First on the list is gratitude. This is a testament to the adage; no man is an island. The responsibility to be genuinely grateful awakens a flame within humans.
Glenville Ashby has not written this book to malign other therapies but rather to give a counterproductive approach to enlightenment and creativity. The ideas in this book, supported by views from Buddhist principles and Christianity, will force readers to do a thorough audit of their lives. It calls for a shift in practice and thought. The book is well written and inspiring. It is a useful tool for one who seeks to put themselves on a path to true happiness and fulfillment. To live authentically and unencumbered by travelling back and experiencing the magic of humans’ true essence, the soul.
Quality of life is dependent on the choices one makes and the things they focus their energies on. Achieving self-actualization is a great place to start in seeking to live the best life possible. Anam Cara: Your Soul Friend and Bridge to Enlightenment and Creativity is a necessary audio book.
Listening Length: 2 hours and 27 minutes | ASIN: B01DCHO3XW
Anam Cara: Your Soul Friend and Bridge to Enlightenment and Creativity
Anam Cara is a Celtic term meaning, “soul friend”. In the days of the Druids, an Anam Cara served as a confidante, an advisor, and confessor. This book reintroduces the power of having a “soul friend”. Today, we can enjoy this spiritual benefit. A soul friend listens, understands, and is never judgmental. By clearing one’s conscience, learning to let go, forgive, and atone, we experience the magical power of our soul. We are reborn and begin to realize our potential. This book teaches us how we can transform our lives by following simple but powerful teachings. Ashby offers the listeners minor and major keys to unlock their fullest potential. Minor keys include meditation and journaling, while some of the major keys are atonement and forgiveness. Eric Ober, media consultant and former president of CBS News, said, “This is a truly inspirational book on overcoming inhibitions and roadblocks in order that we maximize our creativity and quality of life.” University lecturer Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh said, “This unique publication will benefit persons who seek to rid themselves of emotional baggage and attain a peaceful mind.”
Incredulous Insight
Glenville Ashby Author Interview
The Mystical Qigong Handbook for Good Health details one of the pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I believe that in our global society we are no longer restricted to one mode of medical care; that we can share and learn from each other. Further, Qigong is an ancient practice that offers incredulous insight into the human body and how it functions. I have utmost respect for tradition and the ancients.
It was nice to find a book that covered a variety of questions average people have about Qigong. What is one question you always get asked about this topic?
Can Qigong cure every disease?
What do you hope readers take away from your book?
That they should know the dynamics of the human body and how much we are connected to the universe; that we are inseparable.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on 100 paths to God, a compilation of published articles that I have written for the Gleaner company, one of the oldest media houses in the western hemisphere.
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Qigong is one of the pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It involves gentle hand movements, postures, controlled breathing and some visualization. Qigong is widely known to successfully treat a number serious illnesses, promote muscular-skeletal strength, increase circulation and promote overall wellness. The Mystical Qigong Handbook For Good Health offers simple but very effective exercises for all age groups.
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