Near Enemies of the Truth Cover

Near Enemies of the Truth

Avoid the Pitfalls of a Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free

By Christopher D. Wallis

Tantric philosopher and Oxford scholar Christopher Wallis calls out the seemingly helpful spiritual teachings dominating our current culture and demonstrates how these near truths stand in the way of a more radically free and meaningful life—and ultimately, a deeper spiritual awakening.

Wonderwell
Published by Wonderwell
Release Date: November 14, 2023
Available in hardcover and ebook
264 pages
$26.00 USD / $33.99 CAD

Have you ever been told,You create your own reality”? Have you been encouraged to be your best self” or “follow your bliss?

Nowadays these slogans are everywhere, but what if they’re doing more harm than good? After over thirty years as a scholarpractitioner of meditation and Tantric philosophy, acclaimed author Christopher Wallis (also known as Hareesh) explores the most widespread distortions of spiritual teachings present in our world today. Rooted in the Asian wisdom traditions, Wallis’s book uncovers why these oftheard platitudes are “near enemies” to the truth, often detour us off the spiritual path, and can even cause unnecessary suffering.

In asking us to question what we’ve accepted as “truth,Wallis reveals how teachings like become the best version of yourself” may have helped us at one stage in our journey but can ultimately lead us away from selfacceptance and compassion and cause us to prioritize an imagined ideal over true intimacy with reality. Understanding the near enemies is vital for any spiritual seeker who is ready to create a deeper, more fulfilling practice and will help you:

  • Distinguish between truth and belief
  • Communicate more authentically with loved ones
  • Set healthier boundaries
  • Be in greater harmony with reality
  • Practice radical selfacceptance

Near Enemies of the Truth offers itself as a guide to the pitfalls of the spiritual life. However, it doesn’t focus on the negative. In each chapter, after pointing out how a spiritual teaching can be construed in a non-beneficial way, Wallis focuses on the deeper truth and ancient wisdom underlying that teaching, which is often obscured by its popular bumper-sticker version. Each chapter contains a supportive insight for your spiritual process and/or for your everyday life, including guided meditations and reflections.

Written in a gentle and encouraging tone, this book offers a wealth of insight and guidance for anyone who finds themselves struggling, reaching a spiritual plateau, or simply seeking a more meaningful way forward. This timely companion will help you think differently and see through the smokescreens to what is true.

Jim Tincher

Christopher Wallis

Christopher Wallis, also known as Hareesh, is a scholarpractitioner with thirty years of experience, having been initiated into the practice of yogic meditation at sixteen.

His degrees include a B.A. in Religion and Classics from the University of Rochester, an M.A. in Sanskrit from U.C. Berkeley, a M.Phil. in Classical Indian Religions from Oxford, and a Ph.D. in Sanskrit from U.C. Berkeley. He currently teaches meditation, yoga darśana (practical philosophy), Tantrik philosophy, Sanskrit, and mantra-science. Hareesh is the author of Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition and The Recognition Sutras: Illuminating a 1,000-Year-Old Spiritual Masterpiece.

Available Wherever Books and E-Books Are Sold

Wonderwell supports independent booksellers and local small businesses. To help keep the book retail industry thriving and diverse, please consider buying our books through Bookshop.org, an online platform that shares profits with small indie bookstores. You can even choose to direct your purchase to a local bookstore of your choice, or purchase through the Wonderwell “shop”. Our books are also available at physical retailers across the US and Canada, and through their online stores.

!ndigo Logo

All the building blocks of your nonfiction book in one handy reference guide.

Are you writing your book without a Book Plan in place? If so, do yourself a favor and download our Book Plan Template before writing another word! It will guide you through capturing and organizing the 8 critical elements of any nonfiction book. Just subscribe here, and we'll send you the download link.

Head over to your inbox to confirm signup, and you're in.