Making Miracles: Finding Meaning in Life's Chaos

Presents scientific evidence that the coincidental and tragic events in people's lives are the result of cosmic laws and argues that readers can put these laws into action to perform miracles

A somewhat self-aggrandizing prescription for finding secular salvation within crucifying life experiences. Best-selling author Pearsall (Superjoy, 1988, and The Power of the Family, 1989), himself recovering from two cancers, near-death experiences, and a bone-marrow transplant, here attempts to make sense out of the chaos in his and our lives. Although Pearsall claims to draw on the experiences of 17 others who successfully engineered extraordinary changes in their lives, he focuses almost exclusively on his own Job-like bouts with near-fatal illness. A neuropsychologist, he assures us that there are no coincidences in life and that every event holds a meaning that we must discover for ourselves. Pain and tragedy are seen as unavoidable facets of life that give human existence its meaning. Illness, along with the chaos that accompanies it, builds character. Only after experiencing life intensely, with the help of pain, can we recognize that we all share a consciousness with all living and nonliving things. When dutifully honoring our ``oneness with the cosmos,'' suggests the author, we can achieve curative ``miracles.'' The final chapter, ``Pearsall's Propaedeutics,'' ends with a ten-step prescription for making miracles. Though laden with pseudoscientific jargon and a dash of egomania, Pearsall's latest missive may provide inspiration and insight to many troubled people who seek meaning--and miracles--in their lives. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Pearsall ( Super Joy , LJ 10/15/88; Super Marital Sex , LJ 9/15/87) combines personal chaos, spirituality, and science to demonstrate each individual's capacity to create miracles and/or discover the meaning of life's disorder. He reveals his personal journey from near death to magical healing, and writes about his 20 years of scientific study of individuals who have created miracles. He theorizes that the ability to find meaning within a coincidence assists in explaining major life transitions. He provides explanations for popular scientific theories and formulates them into ten propaedeutics which can be used as templates for creating your own miracles. For popular collections on understanding the human experience.
- L. Kriz, Sioux City P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.