This book is amazing!

I am tempted to just write "Wow." as my only review... but I guess I will go on. This book has cleared up for me so much confusion, it's incredible. And it's only been a few days since I finished and my entire past life is now being re-sorted moment-to-moment. Having lived in a fog of confusion due to my upbringing, abuse, and PTSD, this book has completely sorted out just about everything that 15 years of psychotherapy only made worse.

I have read The 12 Stages of Healing by Donald M. Epstein, which I loved and have reread a few times, trying to understand my own path and how I could help other people, but that book can't hold a candle to this one, although it is still a good read. I have also enjoyed Healing into Consciousness by Mada Eliza Dalian, but it was not anywhere near as clear as The Stairway to Heaven. And finally, I recently read Letting Go by David R. Hawkins, and thought that was as good of a description of the stages of consciousness I was going to get. But while all those books have informed me on my path and helped me to understand the world better, but this book blows them all away. Tara Springett's background as a buddhist teacher and psychotherapist who has obviously spent much of her life painstakingly observing humanity make this book extremely clear, comprehensive, and easy to understand. Furthermore, it is an absolutely amazing book to use as a tool for anyone doing any kind of healing work, counseling or teaching.

I will never look at the world the same way!

My only worries about the book were her coverage of abusive relating, though that has been somewhat cleared up by having begun her book Soulmate Relationships, which clarifies her stance better. I was alarmed in this book and The 5-Minute Miracle where she suggests using healing methods for abusive realtionships, and being a survivor myself and being in the community, I found this rather upsetting, as abusers are often horrific liars whose reports can't be trusted and their spouses will often cover for them and not be honest with themselves about the true lack of progress going on. But I am open to my attitude changing about this more as all of Tara's books settle in to my consciousness.

I do wish there was more information about people pretending to be at a higher level than they really are in order to manipulate people, but I guess I can entertain myself by figuring out what that is all about on my own.

Overall... an incredible book and resource that I will definitely read over and over and over again. If everyone understood the contents of this book, the world would be a VERY beautiful and peaceful place, as everyone can really appreciate where others are once they have passed on through that stage themselves.

Love, love, love!

Without exaggerations, this was for me a life changing and deeply inspiring book. It produced effects on spiritual, psychological and intellectual level, and also with the ideas in the field of my work. I’ve met the concept of conciseness development n 9 stages before, in Ken Vilber’s works. Tara Springett brings a lot of new insights and clarity in her explications.
She shows how our development is gradual and goes thru stages that all have to be mastered and integrated before we can advance up on our path. She explains the benefits and requirements o each stage, as well as pitfalls and painful experiences if we stuck on some stage for too long.
This development she explains in multiple levels, not only as some spiritual path which is not involved in mundane issues: she describes worldview, religion/spiritual believes, relationships, relation to work, money, and many other things on each stage. Also shoves how to develop in a fast and safe way.
Gives a lot of insights in a problem that always bothered me: how comes that some attitudes or methods work well for some people and can’t reach he other or can be counterproductive… And many other things. I recommend this book with whole hart 

I have just finished reading this invaluable book for guiding yourself towards a happier more fulfilled and loving existence. It is exciting to work out where you are on the Stairway to Heaven through recognizing the particular traits that you have and learning the different steps on the stairway to full enlightenment. A look back through ones life to date and where you passed through each step of the pathway is most enlightening too. This book can be used not only for your own personal development but also to assist others on their journeys particularly if you work in a healing or counselling capacity. It is a book that will always be useful to have readily at hand to refer to time and time again to learn the lessons it teaches and to provide you with the tools to progress further up the the stairway to enlightenment.

A few philosophers and psychologists and some spiritual teachers are pointing out the need to understand that humans can be thought of transitioning between different stages of consciousness, or that an evolution of their consciousness (usually) occurs throughout their life. I think it is about time mainstream psychology and psychotherapy incorporate this understanding in their theories and their therapeutic approaches, for better results. I think this book is a good step towards this direction. However, i still think that stages are bound to be influenced by social factors, national and ethnic identity, etc. and so their categorization would possibly vary and will include some subjectivity. But some aspects of the stages are i believe universal for all humans.

Having read 6 other books by Tara Springett, I am aware of her depth of wisdom and knowledge of psychology, consciousness, and spirituality, however, this book is truly an eyeopener. It puts into words very clearly and with great empathy, the insights and feelings I have been having for years but haven't been able to fully structure. It gives you a road map to navigate your own transformation and development, as well as understand the actions and words of others, and enable you to meet them - and yourself- with more love and compassion.

This is a psychological/spiritual book unlike any I have read before. I feel as though the author - Tara Springett - has moulded her theories after a lifetime of developing her own psychological and spiritual health as well as that of her many clients. I have read several of Tara's other books - all highly recommend - yet this is arguably her best.

Tara is a respected psychotherapist, with a wealth of experience. She has worked with a wide variety of patients with a range of psychological ailments. Her experience and knowledge are extensive and inform her writing throughout the book. She uses numerous case studies to support her ideas and with each one it is possible to draw parallels with one's own experience. The Stairway aludes to the various levels of consciousness, from 'innocence' through to 'enlightenment'. There are 9 stages in total and the seeker will pass through each stage on his or her way to enlightenment.

With these 9 stages of consciousness, Tara provides a complete framework for spiritual development, which provides help and support - as well as theoretical explanation - no matter where you are in your spiritual journey.

One of the first things that struck me about "The Stairway to Heaven" was Tara's uncanny ability to reflect you exact circumstances and offer relevant support. One of her early observations has stuck with me. Mirroring my own feelings, she points out that much contemporary spiritual literature focuses on the dissolution of ego, yet this is not always the best starting point. It is all very well and good for people to transcend ego, but what about victims of child abuse who have been so broken by their early depravation that they have little or no sense of identity to begin with? Does it really make sense for such people to work on dissolving their fragile sense of self? As Tara points out - she actually had to build up her ego before moving on to the next stage. This was certainly the case for me.

The ideas in the book make intuitive sense to me, and when I read it, the whole of my spiritual journey - thus far - seemed to fall in to place. I suddenly saw the various stages of my journey with vivid clarity. What is so remarkable, is how relatable each stage is. I could clearly recognise each of the traits and behaviourisms and I could pinpoint - at least symbolically - the exact moment when I moved up to the next stages.

The descriptions of each stage in Tara's book are uncanny and immediately relatable. Her portrayal of stage 5 - sharing - is remarkably similar to much of my own experience. It was quite wonderful when I first moved up to the sharing stage. My life developed a depth that it had hitherto lacked; I found new meaning and understanding of my existence thus far and I had numerous insights about my behaviour. I could easily trace back the cause of any mal-adaptive coping strategy to my childhood. Such insight gave me hope and a possible way forward; a starting point from which to develop spiritual and emotional health.

If this book has come to you, I would take it as a wonderful sign that you are ready for its teachings. I have found it immensely helpful, and continue to be guided by it daily. It is one of those rare books that will stay with me, and guide me through this stage of my life...and beyond. I highly recommend it.