Jolted Awake: An Unconventional Memoir

Whether one calls it "enlightenment," "spiritual awakening" or "Self-realization," teachers and gurus from every time, place and tradition have said that there are many paths to the top of the mountain. The view from the top, however, is the same. While there is no one right way to get there, the journey that Richard Levine -- a/k/a "slave Rick" -- took, and continues to take, has been an exceptionally unorthodox one. Through mindfully engaging in a consensual Master/slave (M/s) relationship, which included sadomasochistic practices, he made an important discovery. Much to his surprise, he found the challenges in his life and the ways he was different from societal norms and expectations no longer needed to prompt shame and guilt. Instead, when directly faced in the context of his M/s relationship, they could serve as a catalyst for the greatest peace, joy and fulfillment he has ever known