Quest for the Enlightened Feminine

“This is the extraordinary story of a genuine seeker after truth, whose ‘calling’ was lived out in a very unorthodox manner. Candid, brutally honest, and inspiring, Quest for the Enlightened Feminine is a veritable adventure story in one of its most important forms: the search for oneself. I loved it.” * Pete Lowry, philosopher and poet *“I loved Anna’s book. As someone also on a spiritual journey, I welcomed her openness and honesty when describing the highs and the lows of this journey—the intense experience of love and light and, at the same time, the bruising and painful struggles with her ego in its many manifestations. Anna was not afraid to plough her own furrow, turning away from a conventional life and truly honouring what it means to search for her truth. In that journey, Anna finds compassion for herself and the world and a deep and enduring sense of peace and presence that lies in the background of awareness, waiting to be noticed and enjoyed—a context within which suffering no longer holds her in its thrall.” * Rachel Lebus, psychotherapist and mindfulness meditation teacher *“Initiated by a life-changing dream, Anna abandons all that is familiar, to follow her inner calling. Eventually, she discovers Tara, the feminine aspect of Tibetan Buddhism, and embarks on a pilgrimage to understand this deity in all of her aspects. This healing journey eventually brings her home. Told in a compelling, unsparingly honest and contemporary way, this is a woman’s story of journeying into the heart of the divine, through the Tibetan Buddhist teachings and through discovering Tara. Clear and insightful as she shares her longings and vulnerability, this is a spiritual quest for our times, when the reemergence of the feminine is what is needed to heal and transform our crisis-ridden world. This book is a companion, a guide, a support, and a reminder of the living presence of the divine within us all.” * Dr. Sara Trevelyan, psychotherapist, interfaith minister, and author of Freedom Found *“This is a wonderful and informative book. Anna teaches us that Christianity and Buddhism are not mutually exclusive but are complements of each other. The author writes in such an honest and fresh manner that cannot fail to delight her readers. A must for anyone seeking a spiritual path. I didn’t want to put this book down.” * Lolai O’Dwyer, sales manager and mother *“Quest for the Enlightened Feminine is the engaging and entertaining recounting of one woman’s path towards enlightenment. Her pursuit of higher spiritual understanding has been punctuated by tough challenges, deep disappointments, and times of fundamental realization and profound insight as her path guided a constant expansion of her consciousness. I found the book a fascinating read and learned a lot from it. And, of course, such a journey never really ends.” * Peter Rhodes-Dimmer, retired international businessman and author of The Human Journey *“The spiritual quest—when it arises, it can become a driving passion, often with many challenges. Anna Howard, in this personal narrative, shares with us the agonies and ecstasies she has encountered along her particular path. The spiritual journey indeed varies for all of us, and I have found this book a heart-warming read, inspiring, and reminding me of my own spiritual unfoldings.” * Kenneth Ray Stubbs, Ph.D., author of The Essential Tantra *“For many reasons, Quest for the Enlightened Feminine by Anna Howard was a difficult title to write a review that gives justice to the complexity, passion, and nuances that flow through this autobiographical offering. I found myself re-reading sections to draw out more of the emotions that are embedded within the words. It was much like observing someone on their spiritual path as they move through the stages of wonder, disappointment, grief, learning, and all that holds the lessons needed to move forward, evolve, grow, and find your own unique way. This is one of the more intimate books I’ve read in a while, theory still present but as a support to the primary goal of peace and oneness with self.” * Robin Fennelly, Musing Mystical *“I loved reading Quest for the Enlightened Feminine. I found this book to be an absolute page-turner as Anna shares her story of finding the divine feminine within, with such intimacy and honesty. I was deeply moved by Anna’s immense courage, love, and devotion as well as by her colorful adventures along the way. This book inspires the Tara within and I highly recommend it.” * Croilán Greta Pattison, BACP accrededited Counsellor *

Anna Howard, M.A. (Oxon), is an Oxford-educated student of Buddhism, whose work focuses on the healing and transformative energies of Tara. A workshop facilitator, teacher, healer, and writer, Anna lives in Dorset, England.