Matt McAvoy Book Review

Bite-sized chapters covering all aspects of our lives, with lessons in how to be more fulfilled, content, calmer and happy.  There are no real surprises herein, with spirituality acceptance, meditation and, most of all, a different outlook from the outset presented as the general answer in all areas; in other words, problems, stresses and things that make us unhappy can generally be avoided by changing how we interpret them in the first place – and, by being in the moment, and aspiring to less, we can live a more contented life. 

This is not a motivational book in any respect that it will give you tools to help your achieve ambitions and goals, etc., but rather the opposite, in proposing that perhaps it is those very aspirations which are affecting your potential to lead a happy life.  That may be difficult to disagree with, but arguably it is a premise largely for the more devoted to a Zen lifestyle, rather than a practical one.  Spirituality For Effective Living should therefore then be considered as perhaps something of a niche book.  That said, there are some inspiring snippets and lessons which we can all learn from Marty’s teachings, though don’t be expecting a method to change your whole life, unless you are specifically in the market and willing to make the large-scale sacrifices required.

Marty is a good author, and I do like the easy-reference way he has arranged this book into its respective subjects; the subjects can be navigated very simply, and in this respect I think would make a decent coffee table book, which can be grabbed with ease for moments of inspiration.  I do recommend that you learn how to meditate if you don’t know how, before starting reading, as I believe it will make your journey more relevant and rewarding.  Definitely worth a read, if pretty generic stuff, by a very capable, articulate writer.