I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Nick Mirisola shares his journey to Eastern Philosophy, Metaphysical religions, and science as he seeks to bridge the gap between the two schools of thought in the book “Metaphysical Sherpa: Misunderstood Mystic”.

The Synopsis 

Dive into the extraordinary life of Nicholas David Mirisola in Metaphysical Sherpa: Misunderstood Mystic. This anthology unveils Mirisola’s captivating journey through an unpublished condensed autobiography complemented by biographical entries from friends, family, and professionals. Explore his diverse talents through a collection of thought-provoking lyrics, captivating artwork, and forty pages of insightful and humorous memes. This book received four 5 Star editorial reviews from Readers’ Favorite, and was ranked #1 in Zen Buddhism, #1 in Shamanism, #2 in Mysticism, #3 in Unitarian Universalism, #3 in New Age Mysticism, #4 in Earth Based Religions, and #5 in Buddhism on Kindle’s “Hot New Releases” lists at one point.

Mirisola, a modern renaissance man, challenges Western pop psychiatry’s understanding of him, offering a unique perspective on religion and science. In this anthology, he shares a philosophy of science paper first published in a peer reviewed journal, showcasing his profound insights. As a uniting voice for religion and science, Mirisola celebrates diversity, pluralism, and individuality, weaving a narrative that resonates with seekers of wisdom and understanding. Join this misunderstood mystic on a journey that transcends boundaries and bridges the gap between the spiritual and the scientific.

Nick is a lay Zen monk, DIY shaman, ordained Dudeist priest, and professional musician, visual artist, and philosopher. His story describes a spiritual awakening and the journey of his soul over the course of his life that is inspirational and profound. His storytelling is also educational, with science backing a diverse tapestry of paranormal phenomena. He speaks of mental health struggles which many people can relate to and identify with, and his methods of dealing with struggles are informative and luminary. He is a visionary with strong ideals, and a down to Earth philosophical perspective that enables him to put his ideals into practical applications. He is also backed up by a veteran friend’s intimate knowledge of declassified military and government secrets, as well as a neighbor’s eyewitness account of a seemingly miraculous event, and a nursing practitioner’s story of a “medical miracle.”

The companion Meditative Animal music album is titled Metaphysical Sherpa: Dirty Fractal Sacrament, and is a 16 song Avant-Garde album with a complementary narrative, and Mirisola’s poetic lyrics, alongside the presence of other talented musicians, not limited to features by Grammy Award nominee G. Love and Killah Priest from the living legends The Wu-Tang Clan. Meditative Animal has a timeless original sound, and a unique indie alternative folk rock style with influences from jazz, blues, funk, soul, reggae, hip hop, world music, and sound healing therapies. The critically acclaimed music has ranked high on multiple international indie music charts, and is produced and published by Nick’s indie record label under Moonlit Creative Works.

The Review

This was such a thought-provoking and engaging read. The profound insight and clarity with which the author speaks keep the reader invested in the overall journey, exploring the path that brings both science and faith into a connective road we can all travel. The exploration of allowing each and every person to live their life the way they want, respecting one another’s beliefs, and seeing the world from their perspective made this book so engaging.

The book also highlights the struggle to follow one’s path, with so many trying to instill their beliefs or scientific path and mindset onto others. The need to question things and explore the universe on one’s terms was brought to life, and how government officials, major corporations, and the evolving mental health system all try to control and change people’s perspectives on spirituality as a whole kept the intrigue and insight alive on the page.

The Verdict

The compelling writing style, mixture of autobiography and biographical writings, and philosophical debates this book creates make it a must-read nonfiction book. The engaging way the author presents his journey to the reader and the mind-blowing experiences that he has had make this a compelling book to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Nicholas David Mirisola, known as Nick Mirisola, is a lay Zen monk, ordained Dudeist priest, and a multi-talented artist. He refers to himself as “Duddha.” As a singer-songwriter, he performs under the name Meditative Animal, and his music is an eclectic blend of indie alternative folk rock with hints of jazz, blues, funk, soul, hip hop, reggae, and world music.

Mirisola is a versatile musician, playing guitar, hand percussion, harmonica, guitarlele, melodica, singing bowls, bass, keyboards, and Native American flute. His songs are noted for their poetic and thought-provoking lyrics, showcasing his unique musical style.

A professional music producer, visual artist, and published philosopher, Mirisola has earned recognition for his intelligence, with a tested IQ at genius level. His philosophy of science paper, “Points About Points with a Point: Nature of Smallest Scale Universals,” offers groundbreaking insights into some of nature’s deepest mysteries.

Beyond his artistic and philosophical pursuits, Mirisola has a playful side, writing humorous and insightful memes, often quoting himself as “Duddha.” His ability to combine intellectual depth with lightheartedness adds a unique charm to his diverse body of work.

https://meditativeanimal.com