Jersey Yogi: The Unintentional Enlightenment of an Uptight Man

by Jim Starr

As he stood stark naked in his massage seminar, Jim wondered just how he, an average guy from a cookie-cutter neighborhood in the suburbs, had come to find himself there. An improbable series of coincidences had shaken him out of his comfortable life and into a world of New Age healing, spirituality and ashrams. He was on a path, in spite of himself.


Like so many men in Matawan, NJ, Jim Starr was essentially normal … doing his best, working for a living, paying bills, raising a family, and looking forward to the weekend bbq with friends. But what he was called to do following a devastating sports injury was so far from normal, it left him forever changed. This story is about a journey to the source, and further still, a journey to the source of the source. Jim, with his friend Don, took a chance to find the very source of the holy Ganges River in India without a guide, without understanding the language, and without anything to prove other than he could do it. And on his journey through India, a culture he could barely comprehend, he faced a life or death struggle … and found the source within himself.


So the next time you encounter a dude from New Jersey, perhaps sitting next to you on a crowded commuter train, you won't know what his adventures have been. He may have never sought the ultimate source of his purpose, but perhaps he has taken the chance of a lifetime. In fact, you may just be sitting next to Jersey Yogi.

ebook

First published January 20, 2015

About the author

Jim Starr is an author, philosopher, certified Rolfer, and avid student of the human condition. He’s also a computer programmer, hospice volunteer, and (very) amateur musician. Jim plays lots of handball, and has won the Colorado state championship in his age division numerous times.

He is Jersey Yogi.

Reviews

[Carleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful memoir about a man who was injured by playing a favorite sport, received rolfing treatment for the constant pain, and unintentionally found inner peace and enlightenment on his journey to learn to become a certified Rolfer. I enjoyed reading about Mr. Starr's journey and learning about chanting, meditation, and seva. I personally am not well versed with these activities, but am interested in learning more. The practice of "letting go" that Mr. Starr constantly refers to is a practicum that many individuals attempt to achieve on their own. One can learn a lot by reading this book in order to slowly progress to the letting go phase. Spirituality plays a major part in this book, yet I believe it happened upon Mr. Starr unintentionally. I would recommend this book to anyone who is stressed or interested in spirituality. The events in this book may be new to some readers, but I highly suggest to keep an open mind and dive into the deeper message. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Happy Reading!

[Susan Bissell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that this book is about a man going through a mid-life crisis in his late 30's, at least he didn't go after younger women, fast cars or whatever people do in a mid-life crisis. He realized what an uptight judgemental, narrow-minded, self-center person he was becoming. After he hurt is back badly at a handball tournament he suffered years afterwards with back pain, he knew he needed something else to get relief from the constant pain he was in and modern medicine wasn't doing it for him, but what would?. Jim's wife Anne saw an article on Rolfing and suggested to him to try it and after much deliberation he finally went and tried it. For Jim, it was a new lease on life, he was hooked on learning Rolfing which started him on a spiritual awakening that led him to massage and to spiritual enlightenment. Jim traveled to India and France with his wife and friend Don for further enlightenment and to meet the famous Baba. I give Jim kudos for changing his whole life and to finding one that gives him meaning, which I think came more after losing his wife to a tragic car accident. I enjoyed Jim's story of him finding himself and a life that gives him meaning and a purpose for living each day to it's fullest.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest exchange.