Elena has written a passionate story of her love affair with Truth, that is an exquisite invitation for all those with this interest. Thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated!
--Isaac Shapiro, non-duality teacher, Australia
Loved being taken by Elena on 'her train’. Beautifully written. Honest, clear and raw and no big deal… Wonderful!
--Meike Schutt, Non-duality teacher, Australia
There is no doubt in my mind that reading this book will only leave you eager for more...Indeed her journey was wonderful, exciting, challenging, and certainly no ride in the park by any means. What you get in her account is the real deal, warts and all, the agony as well as the ecstasy, and that itself makes reading this book a valuable and enriching experience...If Buddha On A Bull is any indication of things to come, and I believe it is, then all I can say is that volume two of the trilogy can’t get here soon enough.
--Gary Falk, a spiritual guide and counselor, New York
In this book, Elena takes you on a journey that reveals her real life experiences of the search for enlightenment, and shares invaluable, practical guidance resulting from the magic and the misery of it all. The writing is simplicity itself, in her unique enjoyable voice she speaks to her readers as an equal, without the rarified air of a teacher, daring them to let go of everything they think they know about seeking, about enlightenment, and about who they really are. Elena takes all of the many experiences one can have on this journey, distills them down to their essence in eminently readable form, offered like a wrapped gift. Accessible and beautifully devoid of non-dual BS.
--Cynthia M. Clingan, MSEd, PCC, Somatic Psychotherapist, Ohio, USA
Buddha On A Bull is some very real shit. It’s a radically clear, concise, and easily accessible book about the nature of what many have come to call “spirituality,” and “enlightenment”…. She keeps it real, raw, and authentic in her offerings chapter by chapter. From discussing the teachings of Gurdjieff to Adyashanti, Jed McKenna (and more), as well as her experiences with Vipassana, Ayahuasca, Zen (and again, more), and perhaps most importantly, a number of suggestions and practices to help you on your journey, Buddha On A Bull is much needed read—now more than ever. Check it out and see for yourself!
--Chris Grosso, author of Indie Spiritualist, Everything Mind, and Dead Set On Living, Connecticut, USA
Her profound, funny, and deeply personal book Buddha on a Bull traces her decades-long spiritual journey that culminated in a final transformative experience. Today, Elena teaches how seekers can integrate their awakening and let go of the many misconceptions surrounding spirituality. Her ultimate lesson is as simple as it is profound – just be who you already are!
-- Simeon Mihaylov - Seeker to Seeker Podcast
For confused beings like ourselves who have the habit of shopping from shelf to shelf for Dharma snacks, Elena has written the perfect handbook. If you've only been gorging on empty calories, here is the balanced nutritional supplement you need. And it answers many of the modern problems never even thought of in Traditional Eastern meditation texts! It's practical, and gives advice on avoiding difficulties, which are all of our own making. And it's simple, full of easy effective ways to make sure that once we get unstuck, we can relax, free.
--John Hoag, Practitioner of Dzogchen in a tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and translator for Tibetan Teachers, Montana, CA and Nepal
Elena and this book are clear. No baggage. No extra 'feel good' frillies. It gets to the point with honesty, humor, style and grace. A fierce authenticity. Most importantly, as a fellow traveler, I can attest that the words are straight. Some of the straightest words I've run across on this subject.
--Francis J. Kenney Eugine, Oregon USA
Elena has written a delightful guide full of important pointers for those who wish to explore the journey of awakening. The book is easy to read and the stories are told with sincere honesty, eliminating the many fantasies surrounding spirituality. Her practical guide will lead the readers to discover that the ordinary life when free from compartmentalization is exactly where and when the search ends and what comes after is a human life that is free and full of wonder and amazement.
—John Tan “Thusness”, Buddhist teacher whose teachings are spread through "Awakening to Reality” blog, Singapore
A joy to read! It’s like sitting in a coffee shop with a friend who has awakened, chatting in an easy, relaxed, fun way while listening to stories and anecdotes, jokes and wisdom of the way home, back to your true self, and discovering you have always been there.
--Vinito Freo, Non-Dual Therapist, Australia
A valuable addition to the library of any truth lover. This book is a poignant and honest sharing of a personal journey into "What is enlightenment?" full of gems and insights. Throughout her book, Elena is unassuming, unpretentious and genuinely frank. She has a gift of simplicity, directness and innocence that invites the reader to open up in trust and sit by her side while listening to and contemplating her words. An easy read for someone interested in truth but in no way is it a simple book, you will find abundant nuggets of wisdom and many warnings about possible pitfalls along the way.
--Magdi Badawi, Non-duality teacher, Virginia, USA
The genuine, deep, charismatic and loving being that we met in the coffee shop was reflected perfectly in the pages of her book, in words that demonstrates a life not steeped in separation. With Elena, what you see is what you get. With Elena’s book, what you read is what you get when you see Elena.
--Nurit Oren, author with Gabor Harsanyi, author and Awakening Master at gaborharsanyi.com, Hungary
She takes us through her own journey of dissolving the ego misconceptions in the first part of the book and in the second part helps us gain clarity on how we can all reach to the depth of our true nature ourselves. I found the book honest, insightful, and most importantly down to earth in a way that any reader will gain clarity into the True Nature of Being.
--Jeff Migdow, M.D., former director of Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training, Massachusetts, USA
In sharing the intimate details of her awakening journey, with a beautiful energetic lightness and laughter at the absurdity of it all, Elena provides a set of bread crumbs to follow. I saw my personal journey in many of her stories and found myself constantly smiling at what was shared. As Elena says many times, ‘different paths, same journey’ and all paths lead back to ourselves
--Fergus Denhamer VP Operations, Canada
I recognize something in here that is rare to see, and that is realness, pure honest witness filled with grace and tenacity.
--Sjef Romijn, Human Design teacher, writer at “Reflector Sessions”, Netherlands
To read Elena’s words is to travel alongside the ultimate spiritual friend, to listen deeply and watch understanding and recognition arise in you. Elena writes with clarity, courage, humor, and compassion about her own experience of waking up. Buddha on a Bull stirs the truth within, the place in each of us that already knows. It is a book that can change you!
--Jane Murphy, Editor, Writing Coach, Oregon, USA
Elena’s Buddha on a Bull is a fitting title as we ride the bronco of life meanwhile the Buddha is there the whole time. We are the Buddha! She shows us her years of hard work seeking and her struggle to approach enlightenment and then reveals that enlightenment is not separate from living in this world as a human being. She invites us to wake up right where we are. To allow the knowingness to show up: there is no need to try to find it. It is organic, not a static view, just follow your heart, be still, and in the silence the struggle will settle to a realization of one’s true nature. Just be. I felt the panic of my heart calm reading her words. Her poetics and insight from a long journey paid off. I love her and her story.
--Jane Edberg, MFA, former Professor of Art at Gavilan College, California, USA
If you are looking for real answers about what it’s like to be a human on the path to awakening -- and beyond -- Elena is your guide. Filled with practical and exhilarating truth, this book just might wake you up!
--Lori Lothian, Astrologer and creator of the Awakened Dreamer blog, Canada
What an insightful, honest, raw and no bullshit journey that gave me hope in humanity! A practical roadmap to enlightenment and a reminder of life with all it's delights!
-- Tatyana Sanikovich, Esalen Institute, California, USA
What a treat it was for me to hear that Elena has written this book and what a treat for every book reader out there! Buddha on a Bull book has a great purpose. I have known Elena's work for many years and recommend her message for all to read and learn from.
--Shane Wilson, Buddhist teacher, The Meditation Learning Center, Arizona USA
Elena Nezhinsky in her book Buddha on a Bull is able to capture the exhilarating and difficult ride of spiritual transformation and awakening. The first half of the book recounts her spiritual journey — from a seeker demanding that the doors be open to her years of patient practice, practice, practice. I so appreciate how she delineates the different traditions and flavors that she experienced including Gurdjieff, Zen, Vipassana, and Adyashanti teachings and how the teachings gave her a sometimes serene, but often wild discovery of herself. It’s an encouraging and enlightening read for seekers and finders on the winding spiritual path.
—Joan Staffen, Psychic Healer, author of The Book of Pendulum Healing and Swimming the Inner Ocean, California, USA
It’s an amazing book. It can bring an enlightenment to the world! Huge work and strong spirit!
--Anna Belenky, Medicine Woman, Shaman, Psychic, Brooklyn, NYC and Mexico
As a dog I’m not much on reading, but I have it on good authority that Buddha on a Bull has a lot of powerful ideas to chew on, obviously not the same as actually chewing on the pages, which it has been my great pleasure to do with more than a few books left in my reach. While I’ve never quite understood the idea that it’s necessary to practice being what you always already are (in my case, a golden retriever), apparently it’s a common human thing to spend time sitting on a cushion looking for what you are, without so much as a clue that what’s looking, is what you’re looking for (a ‘howler,’ if ever I’ve heard one). This is not to say there’s anything wrong with cushions; as a dog I say the more the merrier, blankets too. Enjoy this book about presence, especially if it motivates you to give dogs more presents. —Dorado, Northern California
