Amazon Category:  Spirituality Publisher: Publish America ISBN-10:  1413781667 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 264 Copyright: Nov, 2005 The question of God is the most mysterious and profound idea ever proposed by the analytical mind of man. Throughout time, man’s various replies have spawned at least seven major religions and hundreds of associated cults. A Higher Good examines this important question in a new light and from a different angle. The book opens with a detailed narrative of a death experience the author had as a teenager in 1962, and his resulting impressions of the metaphysical. But that’s only a portion of this hard-hitting and thought-provoking work. A Higher Good challenges the western perception of God and examines the underlying psychological motives that influence these conclusions. It makes an argument against the existence of Hell, gives a new definition of evil and grace, and suggests that we each choose a God of our own understanding. Then, in the Three Phases, it details an exact process for achieving ultimate personal spiritual enlightenment. What I’m about to tell you will not change you. It will make you think. It may even make you think differently. But it will not enlighten you or effect any peaceful change. Only you can do that, and toward that end I have devised the Three Phases of Spiritual Enlightenment to help you find your own Way. It is possible to climb God’s mountain from various sides, but all paths merge at the top. All paths lead back to the source of life. But you may have to stray a bit from the frightened flocks and dogmatic directives to find a more forthright route. You may have to think for yourself, using the simple wisdom of your soul instead of the convoluted reasoning of political and religious dogma. Excerpt In the end, the only things that matter are the people we help and the people we hurt.

To Comfort The Afflicted
Ron Kruger died and came back to write a book about his experience. A Higher Good is an extraordinary account of the author's encounter with death in which he received knowledge of his total and unconditional acceptance by a "Higher Good," one he says: "...that goes far beyond mankind's primitive ideals of justice."

Raised in a strict Catholic community of the 1950s, and made to feel of no value, as if by a vengeful god, instead he found a loving and merciful God who believed in him.

After returning to a more earthly condition, he began to piece together what he had experienced--a difficult task that took 40 years of thought and a few years of writing to put on paper. A Higher Good is the result of his efforts--a thought-provoking, deeply humble work destined to afflict those who comfortably believe they have the whole truth about anything, and comfort those in doubt of God's love for them.

The afterglow of his experience remained with him for many months and we also experience the warmth and vulnerability in the retelling. One of my favorite sayings is "Humility is the on-ramp to all spiritual highways," after which Ron explains and outlines three phases of enlightenment and how as a people, we can achieve an enlightened world.

Ron's knowledge of the religions of the world and their similarities in belief are outlined in the chapter "A God of our own Understanding" in which he states that all religions of the world have a basic concept of brotherhood. He gives examples of "love your neighbor as yourself" from the writings of ten of these: Buddhism, Christianity, Baha'i faith, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism, Wicca, Zoroastrianism and Confucianism.

In the final chapter, Ron describes how small groups of people throughout the world can join together, not instead of, but in addition to, their individual churches, to advance in spiritual enlightenment; then as cells within their churches or institutions to have a profound impact on them through their own individual growth in love. Surely this is something positive and needed to counterbalance a widespread emphasis today on death, destruction, revenge and the subjective justice being measured out by man instead of a loving God.

Joyce Ann Edmondson
The Listening Tree, Falling Petals


A Thought-Provoking Book
This is a book of philosophy written by a man inspired to do so by a near death experience. He never forgot the realities of his experience, and the feelings have stayed with him throughout the years, feelings of a benevolent God and peacefulness.

Ron takes us through his very real experiences of a search for the meaning of life and death. His knowledge is admirable. His enthusiasm is remarkable.

He writes of his feelings towards God, organized religion, fear, death, life, and enlightenment. I am familiar with many of these concepts from a program I co-wrote, and Ron explains them well.

It doesn't matter if the reader does not agree with all his ideas. He gave his honest opinions and the process he came to these opinions through research and thought. It is not a book of doom and gloom but of thoughtful contemplation and hope.

I liked this book very much.
Carol Troestler
Flow On Sweet Missouri

Profound And Compelling
This book is not for someone with a closed mind although it may shatter some preconceived notions.
This book is for anyone seeking answers to the mysteries of life. The book is dynamic, profound and compelling. Once you have read this book you will not think in the same manner as before. You will see the world and the people in it with new eyes. You will realize that there is a "higher good" that is part of your existence.

The author has delved into controversial subjects and has made sense out of them. He has also proven his genius in areas of theology and the human psyche.

I highly recommend this book for those who seek enlightenment. The truth shall set you free is a composite of this book.
Abe March
To Beirut And Back