The Enlightenment Experiment

Written by Karlee Fain

My first book was published last year; while I’ve never had a baby, I can see how mothers slowly start to forget the trauma of childbirth over the coming months and years, as they focus instead on the beauty they have created. If you asked me today about the book writing process I would say, “It was really fun; it was really easy; it was about time I did that.” But as I start my new book, memories are coming back.

While all of those statements are true, it was also really hard, I felt out of shape because I sat on my ass, typing, instead of being active, and I felt really uncomfortable with the whole process. I was pretty sure that I had no business writing a book. I was 31 years old . . . who was I to tell people anything?

Well, this time will be both totally different and—my guess is—entirely the same in some ways. I might not have the same challenges, but I will have new ones. This is a new genre, a new topic, and a new audience.

"They are divine and beautifully flawed at the same time."

About five years ago, I was invited to a dinner of amazing women in the Berkshires by a dear friend, Maria Sirois. In attendance was a collection of leading female authors, doctors, executives, and spiritual teachers. I tried to make up for the fact that I brought little professional value to the table by assembling the most beautiful hummus and veggie platter I could make on my limited budget. My plan worked—not only did they let me stay, but they welcomed me into a conversation about our favorite spiritual leaders and why we like their work. Between the crunch of veggies, we agreed that our favorite teachers are the ones that are honest, who share their failures right alongside their successes. They give us permission to be ourselves. They are divine and beautifully flawed at the same time.

This is exactly what my new book will be: the most raw and honest account of my personal experiment with enlightenment. It will give you inspiration, reasons to laugh, and reasons to curl up on the sofa and love your perfectly flawed self to the core. Reasons to dance, reasons to feel not alone, and reasons to live your unique life. And if nothing else, it will save you tons of time if all this yoga chanting stuff is only equally effective, when it come to true contentment, as watching a couple episodes of Whose Line is It Anyway? with a bowl of popcorn.

"And if nothing else, it will save you tons of time if all this yoga chanting stuff is only equally effective, when it come to true contentment, as watching a couple episodes of Whose Line is It Anyway? with a bowl of popcorn."

But I’m taking a different route this time. I’m going to tell you how it’s going as it’s going. No more posturing to sound like an expert or pretending that I’m not wearing the same yoga pants right now that I wore yesterday. I’m going to keep it real . . . and as we know, that can mean real ugly at times. So please accept my apologies in advance if I over-share, or under-share, or don’t wear pants at all. It will be beautiful. It will be liberating. It will soothe the voice in my heart that has called me to write this book, and I will go willingly this time. The title will be: The Enlightenment Experiment.

(For the record, the Berkshire tribe invited me to come back; the hummus was that

good.)

Written by Karlee Fain, Celebrity Health Coach, Author and Hilarious Dancer

In addition to founding Every Body Thrive, Karlee is an international celebrity Health Coach, helping the high profile folks that lead our country and culture stay balanced and healthy. She's also the author of The Grocery Store Adventure Guide, featured in the Every Body Yoga DVD and the most likely to be caught dancing around her office. Click here for the inspiring story that brought Karlee from depression, stress and illness to living the joyful life of her dreams.

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