In a culture that worships the shallow and external, Helga Schroder provides a refreshing reminder to look inside and re-evaluate what is truly important in life, with her debut novel, "Sacred Wisdom: A Mystical Journey Exploring the Purpose of Life." "Sacred Wisdom" tells the story of Lou van Helden, a Dutch immigrant determined to achieve the American Dream of material success. As a prominent young, corporate attorney, Lou is well on his way to achieving that dream when his life is suddenly interrupted by a visit from the Novemvirat, a diverse advisory council, holding the wisdom of the world. The Novemvirat reminds Lou of a promise he made before coming to Earth, a promise to help the children, the elderly and the environment. "Sacred Wisdom" views spirituality as universal and uniting.

Suka Press (2006)
ISBN 9780978759308
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (8/07)


I found “Sacred Wisdom: A Mystical Journey Exploring the Purpose of Life” to be a wonderful parable about one man’s journey on the spiritual path.  The author, Helga Schroder, accomplishes a lot with this novel.  First, it’s a great story.  Second, it is educational.  Third, you review your own spiritual progress.  Lastly, she makes a wonderful comparison between all the religions by outlining their underlying similarities. 

Thirty-year-old Southern Californian Lou van Heldon finds that he is having constant headaches and consults a physician for help.  The physician quickly uncovers that he is overtired by his life as a busy corporate attorney and a bad breakup with his girlfriend Sheila.  Lou realizes that he needs to take up running and exercise again and goes out for his first run in three months.  He goes to one of his favorite spots and runs to the top of the hill.  Surprised to find a house up there and someone urgently calling his name, he goes in.  His life will never be the same after this. 

Lou’s first meeting with his spiritual guides during his run lead him to ask off for some time from work and he decides to go see his Uncle Ray, a priest in Brazil.  Once there, he and his uncle go sightseeing at the beautiful Iguacu waterfalls.  His dreams continue on this journey and he spends a lot of time with Uncle Ray discussing spirituality.  I love the descriptions of spirituality made by Uncle Ray.  “The human body also primarily consists of water… just like a rainbow.  So when you carry the Light of Christ within, you are luminescent – just like a rainbow.  I like to think that rainbows remind us of who we really are.”

When Lou returns from Brazil, he has a different attitude about life.  He realizes that he has lost his connection with the environment and animals that he had as a child in his native born Holland.  To change this, he begins to approach work differently; he takes up the study of Buddhism, and meets a completely different kind of girl.  All the while he is trying to find the meanings of his life mission that his spiritual guides referred to.
 
“Sacred Wisdom” will really help you to look at your life and start asking the important questions such as “What is my life mission?” and “Am I doing my part in society to protect the planet and serve mankind?”  The author does a wonderful job of integrating all religions and thoughts so even the more fundamental religion followers would enjoy the book.  I highly recommend it to people interested in, or on, the spiritual path.