Robert Ellwood, a scholar of world religions, finds ancient wisdom in
this twentieth-century bestseller concerning the quests we are all
called to go on. Like Frodo, he says, we each experience challenges that
propel us on our own adventure-finally that of exploring the inner
worlds and the meaning of our lives. Revisiting Middle-earth as a realm
for personal discovery, Ellwood presents Tolkien's story as a tale of
every reader's higher consciousness, death and rebirth, and triumph over
evil. He teaches us to recognize the characters as archetypes we can
meet in ourselves: a spritual guide like Gandalf, a friend like Sam, or,
heaven forbid, shadows like Orcs or Ringwraiths. He also provides
meditational exercises to help us overcome the trials we face as we make
our lives into great journeys instead of dull routine. So be it! Let the
Quest begin!