lara owen

Growing Your Inner Light: A Guide to Independent Spiritual Practice published in the US by Beyond Words/Atria Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, November 2009.

Widely available at bookstores and the online retailers. Here’s the link to Amazon in the US, and here to Amazon in the UK.

About the book

The spiritual quest is a universal journey, fueled by our natural wonder at life itself and often sparked into consciousness by the yearning to feel more at peace, more able to cope with life’s stresses, and more loving and giving to ourselves and to others. Yet it’s easy to feel daunted by how or where to begin, with many finding it difficult to maintain a coherent and effective practice and reap the fruits of persistent application.

For beginners and experienced seekers alike, Growing Your Inner Light is a comprehensive, groundbreaking, and transformative guide to developing and sustaining a spiritual practice that suits your individual temperament and life situation. Lara Owen explores the psychological issues that can inhibit our spiritual growth and explains the fundamentals of spiritual practice that occur cross-culturally. Owen describes how to activate the abilities we all have within us for nourishing a profound experience of spiritual connection, and guides you along on a clear path to creating an integrated, personalized way of living spiritually and authentically.

Growing Your Inner Light takes you through thirteen phases of the spiritual journey, including:

• clearing the mind and grounding the body

• developing intuition and understanding your dreams

• creating personal spiritual space in your home

• navigating the material realm with honor and effectiveness

• exploring the value of meditation, retreats, and rituals

Praise for Growing Your Inner Light

“In an age when many conventional religious paths have lost their meaning, each person must find their own relationship to the spiritual journey, often outside established structures. Lara Owen does a masterful job of offering a rich and practical variety of avenues to explore one’s own spiritual path.” Tsultrim Allione, author of “Women of Wisdom” and “Feeding Your Demons”, founder of Tara Mandala Retreat Center.

“Growing Your Inner Light is a beautifully written and inspiring spiritual guide for those of an independent heart and mind. You will find it full of helpful jewels and practical wisdom, whether you are experienced or new to spirituality, and whatever your tradition or belief system.” William Bloom PhD, author of “Soulution: The Holistic Manifesto – How Today’s Spirituality Changes Everything”, and co-founder of the Foundation for Holistic Spirituality, SpiritualMapUK, and the St. James’s Church Alternatives Programme in London.

“In Growing Your Inner Light, Lara Owen shares her own experience and impressive wisdom, guiding you through a delightful year of spiritual development. But perhaps more importantly, she provides an invaluable resource that you’ll want to have around forever.  Whether you need a reminder about the tools needed in a ceremony, the best way to create sacred space, the elements required for an altar, or some inspiration to deepen your meditation practice, it’s at your fingertips in this book.” Connie Kaplan, Doctor of Ministry and author of “The Woman’s Book of Dreams”, “Dreams are Letters from the Soul”, and “The Invisible Garment”.

“Here is a deceptively simple, concise and clear guide to discovering and deepening your own inner practice.  Lara has lovingly shared a collection of tried-and-true entry points which will reveal, enhance and support your own spiritual growth no matter what religion or path you may follow. What a wonderful gift for oneself or for others.” Michael Wiese, publisher and filmmaker (“The Sacred Sites of the Dalai Lamas”)

“Growing Your Inner Light will help you develop presence and awareness. Lara Owen captures a beautiful simplicity while weaving together the vital threads that compose a doable daily spiritual practice. She gives us a menu of options for ways to realign with our soul and source, and writes cleanly, without the clutter of unnecessary words. The overall effect is an experience of sweetness and peace, which is always the marker of true Spirit.” Penney Peirce, intuition expert and author of ”Frequency: The Power of Personal Vibration” and ”The Intuitive Way: The Definitive Guide to Increasing Your Awareness”

“At a time when so many people are awakening to Spirit and looking for direction outside of the established religions, Growing your Inner Light is destined to be an indispensable resource.  On every page, Lara Owen proves herself to be the perfect  guide, whose quietly assured words of wisdom and practical suggestions are sure to establish her place as an ideal friend and companion in the hearts of seekers everywhere.” Mara Freeman, author of “Kindling the Celtic Spirit”, and director of The Avalon Mystery School.

Here’s a review from Diana Page Jordan, at her blog

About the Author

Lara Owen has trained with spiritual teachers all over the world and has made a lifelong study of spiritual practice in several traditions. She has a background in Chinese medicine and psychotherapy, and has worked in publishing and television. Lara lectures internationally and maintains a consulting practice working with individuals, groups, and organizations. She is the author of several books on personal and spiritual development, including Love Begins at 40 and the acclaimed Her Blood Is Gold.