By Maren Springsteen

A True Pioneer's Footsteps:  After meeting Dr. Bernie Siegel few years ago, the equally mind-bending and eye-opening Medicine, Miracles and Manifestations immediately caught my eye.  The cover alone is designed so very beautifully that everyone remarks on it at our coffee table, yet what a trip this gem's content is!  It said "A Doctor's Journey Through the Worlds of Divine Intervention, Near-Death Experiences, and Universal Energy" and stayed true to its promise throughout--a journey through several layers of different dimensions explored in such an open-minded and hearted manner that it blew me away!

After overcoming many obstacles in his life, Dr. Turner served for 18 years as the sole neurosurgeon on the island of Hawai'i, where a spiritual journey unlike many others started simultaneously with his daily work.  Reading this fascinating book feels like receiving an intimate glimpse into a beautiful, warm-hearted, most generous soul's initiation, one step at a time.

Whenever a particular event happened regarding his many patients and inner guidance prompted Dr. Turner to explore alternative healing modalities at the same time, the techniques given to the author built a solid foundation leading way beyond traditional medicine and the Newtonian linear paradigm.  Unexplainable healings occurred as did seeming failures that often were blessings in disguise and only needed a different perspective, which was then flexibly adapted by the enormously open and way-ahead-of-his time doctor, a true pioneer in the best sense.  Whenever one technique seemed the solution and was solidly implemented, upon completion, the next step was shown.  Every healing modality was given plenty of time and studied in depth, with synchronicity showing up way beyond anything I'd ever read in any of Deepak Chopra's books.

Throughout the book, one grows very fond of the warm and enthusiastic author, which in turn lets the reader share in Dr. Turner's adventures and dramatic life challenges as if one was there right by his side throughout the whole journey--a friend sharing the enormous gifts given him that he used with care and discretion, always opening himself up to guidance and leaving room for miracles rather than only textbook medicine.  By stepping outside common conditioning, he provided an extremely valuable roadmap for physicians worldwide.  The newest, top-notch science is presented in an understandable format even for a medical novice, and Dr. Turner possesses that very rare gift of combining the seen with the unseen until only a fresh, pure taste of oneness remains.

What caught my attention right at the beginning was Dr. Turner's dedication not only to his parents, but also President Barack Obama.  When I quizzed him on this particularity, the very down-to-earth and honest doctor shared the following fascinating background:  originally, he had wanted to make this book also somewhat about racial issues and polarities he personally experienced in that regard-in mainland U.S.A. versus the Islands of Hawai'i.  Yet this humble soul kept ego out of the picture and his big "Aha" moment arrived right at the junction when President Obama won the Iowa caucus.

At this point, Dr. Turner stood at a crossroads, and once again, passed his initiation into the higher realms of consciousness by surrendering his original idea, literally tearing out the first two chapters of his book and aligning himself with our President's high ideals; making this book about what is shared by us all, the author decided for spirituality as the thread running throughout the entire book rather than racial issues.  He felt deeply that it would be a step back to focus on differences, as valid and beautiful as they are in their diversity, and rather turn forward towards common content that serves all of humanity.

With that one decision alone, this leader in his field, integrating cutting-edge medicine with ancient, proven alternative healing modalities, inspires the reader to follow his good example and retain an open mind at all times, focusing on healing rather than division, sharing and leading in the vision America--for the most part--so generously provided as its gift to the world.

This precious book didn't end at the last page; a wealth of medical as well as fascinating cutting-edge spiritual resources are freely given by this beautiful soul on his helpful website www.johnlturner.com. And what a relief that this life-changing journey didn't have to end at that last page, providing a smooth bridge further along the path, two particular gems will stay with me forever from Dr. Turner's site:  the principles of True and Total Forgiveness as well as Understanding and Practicing Unconditional Love as the cornerstone of this author's life and gift to us all.

Dr. Turner is clearly living these principles, and the amazing synchronicities that accompany him unfailingly every single day converts one into a grateful fan of his website and teaching, looking forward to more from this advanced and most courageous soul.  Thank you, Dr. Turner, for sharing your extraordinary life so very openly and honestly, always in a humble manner, paired with grace, humor, wise discernment and last but not least huge compassion!

John L. Turner, MD, served as the first neurosurgeon on the Big Island of Hawaii. He arrived with the desire to investigate the spiritual world and understand the meaning of life, death, and life-after-death. His metaphysical experiences began the first night he was on call and continue up to the present. Dr. Turner balances his time between stargazing from an observatory dome at his rain forest home and serving as a consulting physician for the Hilo Pain Center in Hilo, Hawaii.  You'll find Dr. Turner online at www.johnlturner.com

Medicine, Miracles and Manifestations: A Doctor's Journey Through the Worlds of Divine Intervention, Near-Death Experiences, and Universal Energy (Career Press/ Mar 2009)by John L. Turner, M.D.

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