Beyond Oz: My Journey from Religion to Spirituality - Paperback

by Makena McChesney (Author)

After release from a 12-year cult experience, Makena embarks on an adventure to discover what it means to live life by direct reliance on Source, exclusive of a fear-based religious belief system. Her cult experience was restrictive and stripped her and her family of freedom of choice. Eventually, the cult doctrine nearly led to sacrifice of home and property.

On attempting to escape the cult entrapment in 1990, she appealed to God to give her encouragement. She received a three-fold promise from two identical scripture passages that essentially described a release from imprisonment, a time of abundance, and lifetime financial security. The Beyond Oz experience covers a span of 26 years that ultimately delivers all three promises-the last of which appeared impossible when she experienced a devastating loss at age 60. She was also inspired to "close the book," indicating the Bible and some of the more oppressive messages. She was divinely encouraged to follow her inner guidance, her higher self, Source. She transparently narrates the ups and downs, the highs and the lows, but all with the underlying lessons she brought forward from her cult experience-to release fear, ask Source, gain knowledge, take personal responsibility and above all to love self and fellowman.

Author Biography

Makena McChesney, author of "Seeking Oz; My Twelve-Year Journey in a Cult," continues her memoir with a sequel, "Beyond Oz." Her subsequent true-life story takes the reader beyond the difficult cult years, and through a variety of inspiring adventures that prove to shed light on the freer aspects of spirituality as compared to some of man's weighty religious doctrines. Makena shares her story with the intention of providing hope and freedom to individuals who may have experienced unnecessary fear, guilt, or shame from a religious experience. She likens the metamorphosis of religion to spirituality as to the butterfly who escapes the cocoon. Makena, semi-retired, currently lives in the foothills of the Sierras. She is the mother of three, and grandmother of seven. She enjoys family, kayaking, golfing, and writing.