I had the opportunity to read and review a slightly different kind of self help book about spirituality this week! Read my thoughts on Spirituality for Badasses and learn about author J. Stewart Dixon in this book review feature!
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Stewart Dixon, award-winning, best-selling humor and self-help author of Spirituality for Badasses has a bone to pick with conventional therapy and pharmaceutical companies concerning our collective bounce back and healing from the stress, anxiety and depression of Covid-19.
Asserts Mr. Dixon in the introduction to his book: “So you see…I really do get it. I used to be depressed, anxious, too smart for my own good, opinionated and unhappy…a real loveless, badass-hole. But now I’m just a spiritual badass. Spirituality removed the hole. I transformed. I changed. I grew up. I learned some hard lessons. And I did all this without ever losing my cool, integrity, smarts, libido, sense of humor or soul. And that’s just what this book is going to help you do. “
Kirkus Reviews – the prestigious book review media outlet wrote this about the book: “A motivational work blazes a spiritual path for those who consider themselves too cool for such things. A jokey yet earnest and useful guide to enlightenment for badass readers.”
On a whirl-wind virtual tour of radio station and podcast interviews J. Stewart Dixon has been offering his “calm island in the middle of the hurricane” solution to eager hosts such as celebrity chef Pete Evans from Perth, Australia and sportscaster i-Heart radio-DJ Ken Broo from Cincinnati, Ohio. “It’s about noticing that part of you, which hasn’t changed your whole life. If you can notice and nurture this inner badass part, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its’ ability to heal, help and restore.”
Mr. Dixon knows first-hand about finding an inner badass, as he suffered from years of depression during his early adulthood. “I didn’t throw myself into spirituality to become a saint or a purist– I did it because I was hurting and in pain. I did drugs and alcohol. I tried therapy and Prozac. None of it worked. I was dragged kicking and screaming into spirituality and mindfulness practices and what I found was that, lo’ and behold, this sh%# works.”
A common question Mr. Dixon receives is, of course – Why all the swear words and humor? “I love the title Spirituality for Badasses because it instantly disarms any preconceived notions about spirituality and renders it friendly, approachable and down-to-earth. I think many of us are burned out by absolute truths, cures and opinions right now. So– I’m simply offering an alternative non-pharmaceutical “cure” that worked for me. As a bonus, I’ve thrown in some humor, and to keep it real, a few swear words.”
Mr. Dixon’s background as an engineer and business owner has also shaped his opinion about spirituality and mental health. “As an engineer most of my adult life, I’ve been hired to reduce complex systems into bite-sized, manageable portions. In Spirituality for Badasses I do the same: Mental health and spirituality is, to say the least, complex. I spent decades sifting through and integrating it, and what I came up with – which I’m proud of and grateful for today- was a process that worked both for myself and the thousands of readers who are now finding their own inner badasses.”
Expect Something Different in Spirituality for Badasses. The title alone should be a clue that this self-help book tackles spirituality from a slightly different perspective--but, if not, then the first few pages introduce readers to Dixon's writing style and plans for the book. The author's approach and sense of humor may not be everyone's cup of tea--I was probably a section into the book before I decided if I was on board for the "road trip"! While some of the road trip dialogue didn't entertain me at times--I realized that there was still a lot to be gained in each section of the book. Plan to read with an open mind--and in your own style. Reading it cover to cover like a traditional book did not suit me. I skimmed some of the humor that wasn't my style--but tuned back in as the messages and lessons presented generally resonated and brought value.
Spirituality for Badasses Presents Tips to Practice and Develop Spirituality in Unique Ways. Awareness and mindfulness are often key topics in self-help books dealing with spirituality and self. I have read many such books over the years, but I don't think I ever fully embraced the concept of being aware of awareness. Readers will find that the author's writing style and perspective shed light on different considerations and aspects of spirituality. I think this book proves that you may have heard it all before--but sometimes you just need to hear information presented in a different format to apply it to yourself.
Would I Recommend Spirituality for Badasses by J. Stewart Dixon? This book may not seem to be for everyone, but it offers more than meets the eye. As I said, it took reading Part 1 to decide if I could/wanted to read it--and another part to determine that I was gaining insights--and another part to realize that I would recommend it to others. If you can read with an open mind--you may see a path to spirituality in a different light. I did skim some of the road trip dialogue--and I didn't always mesh with Dixon's humor--but the book does teach some helpful spirituality lessons in a totally different way than others I have read. Give this book a try if you are ready to give up on spirituality and mindfulness because you don't fit the mold that most self-help books target.
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Meet the Author
He has been interviewed by Rick Archer on Buddha at the Gas Pump, was the meditation editor of the mind/body/spirit blog All Things Healing, was a board member of Sevenoaks Retreat Center (a nondenominational spiritual retreat center in Madison, VA) and is the owner/founder of a tech design -install firm called Charlottesville Audio Visual Services.
J. Stewart Dixon has been a very creative individual for most of his life. In addition to two self-published books, he has written and produced a rock musical, has two professionally produced and recorded CDs with his former band Alchemy and has dabbled in abstract art.
He lives in central Virginia with his family. When he’s not working or creating he can be found cavorting with the fish, bears, and bald eagles on the local rivers with a fly rod in his hand.
Visit his website at http://www.spiritualityforbadasses.com or connect with him on Facebook.
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