The Spiritual Tourist by Mick Brown includes the subtitle: A Personal Odyssey through the Outer Reaches of Belief. Mick is, however, very careful not to get too close to the edge, lest he have a real spiritual experience. He wants to observe, make a little fun of, point out the quirks of all those weird folk who really believe / Know something about Spirit. But heaven forfend he should actually feel Spirit moving in his own life.
He meets authentic spiritual reality (Mother Meera, Mr. Creme / Maitreya, the Dalai Lama), visits the home of Krishnamurti, travels the world over in search of Spirit, terrified that he will find Her.
So, of course, he manages not to. In a couple of spots, he even dispenses spiritual wisdom himself, with quotes from others – ‘Do that which makes you happy to do, and you will do right.’ ‘Always trust to goodness.’ ‘What are you seeking?….the thing you seek is ever at your hand.’
If only he had not been afraid to listen this would have been a terrific book. But true to his sardonic Irish self, Mick managed not to advance along his path, but simply to travel. Better luck next lifetime.