
Blissful Thinking
L.L. Kirchner
Never give up, especially on yourself.
In L.L. Kirchner’s Pushcart-nominated memoir of “resistance and surrender… [the author’s] voice is humble and self-aware” (Kirkus Reviews) as she undertakes a desperate post-divorce search for nirvana, leaving behind university halls in the Persian Gulf for the streets of Manhattan and, ultimately, a sex cult in India.
Between the gym her family owned and the years she’d spent in substance abuse recovery, Kirchner believed she was grounded in all things wellness. But after a tumultuous year in Qatar, which included the discovery that she'd never have children, her husband demanded a divorce. Over the telephone.
Fearing a return to her substance use disorder, she tries to regain trust in the universe through yoga, meditation, chanting, boyfriends, more yoga… Each brings some relief, but her painful family dynamics remain unresolved. Until illness forces her to reckon with the gift her mother had always given her—hope.
In a memoir that’s both rapturous and page-turning, Kirchner captures the terrors and joys of searching for radical honesty — and a second date.
What people are saying about Blissful Thinking:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brings awareness & normalcy to taboo questions about mental health, sex, our life's purpose. -Goodreads Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book felt like a friend cozying up to me and telling her stories of exploration and loss with humor and vulnerability. -Goodreads Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you like humorous tales of spirituality seeking, addiction, cults, psychology, and relationship drama of all kinds, you'll love this witty, engaging memoir. -Goodreads Review
Duration - 7h 15m.
Author - L.L. Kirchner.
Narrator - L.L. Kirchner.
Published Date - Saturday, 13 January 2024.
Copyright - © 2023 L.L. Kirchner ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Never give up, especially on yourself. In L.L. Kirchner’s Pushcart-nominated memoir of “resistance and surrender… [the author’s] voice is humble and self-aware” (Kirkus Reviews) as she undertakes a desperate post-divorce search for nirvana, leaving behind university halls in the Persian Gulf for the streets of Manhattan and, ultimately, a sex cult in India. Between the gym her family owned and the years she’d spent in substance abuse recovery, Kirchner believed she was grounded in all things wellness. But after a tumultuous year in Qatar, which included the discovery that she'd never have children, her husband demanded a divorce. Over the telephone. Fearing a return to her substance use disorder, she tries to regain trust in the universe through yoga, meditation, chanting, boyfriends, more yoga… Each brings some relief, but her painful family dynamics remain unresolved. Until illness forces her to reckon with the gift her mother had always given her—hope. In a memoir that’s both rapturous and page-turning, Kirchner captures the terrors and joys of searching for radical honesty — and a second date. What people are saying about Blissful Thinking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brings awareness & normalcy to taboo questions about mental health, sex, our life's purpose. -Goodreads Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book felt like a friend cozying up to me and telling her stories of exploration and loss with humor and vulnerability. -Goodreads Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you like humorous tales of spirituality seeking, addiction, cults, psychology, and relationship drama of all kinds, you'll love this witty, engaging memoir. -Goodreads Review Duration - 7h 15m. Author - L.L. Kirchner. Narrator - L.L. Kirchner. Published Date - Saturday, 13 January 2024. Copyright - © 2023 L.L. Kirchner ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:14
Dedication
Duration:00:00:14
Author’s Note
Duration:00:03:51
Introduction
Duration:00:07:00
Chapter 1: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Doha, 2006
Duration:00:11:24
Chapter 2: Goa, India, 2006
Duration:00:10:42
Chapter 3: The Failed Vegetarian, Goa, 2006
Duration:00:12:53
Chapter 4: It Will Change Everything, Goa, 2006
Duration:00:10:13
Chapter 5: A Frustrating Myth, Goa, 2007
Duration:00:14:27
Chapter 6: Blissful Thinking, Bangalore, 2007
Duration:00:07:29
Chapter 7: Meeting My Inner B*tch, Bangalore, 2007
Duration:00:19:11
Chapter 8: Jackhammers And Chainsaws, Bangalore, 2007
Duration:00:14:42
Chapter 9: Start Again, Bangalore, 2007
Duration:00:05:46
Chapter 10: Holy Sh*t, I’m A What?, New York City, 2007
Duration:00:10:28
Chapter 11: New York City, 2007
Duration:00:13:25
Chapter 12: Willy NYC, New York City, 2007
Duration:00:13:15
Chapter 13: My Dinner With Keith, New York City, 2007
Duration:00:10:24
Chapter 14: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, New York City, 2007
Duration:00:09:05
Chapter 15: There Is No Stage V, New York City, 2007
Duration:00:12:40
Chapter 16: Shoes Go On The Table, Murrysville, 2007
Duration:00:08:04
Chapter 17: Big Love, New York City, 2008-2009
Duration:00:15:59
Chapter 18: Mr. Right Now, New York City, 2009-2010
Duration:00:11:16
Chapter 19: That’s Terrific!, New York City, 2010-2011
Duration:00:14:14
Chapter 20: The Kiss Of Ayahuasca, New York City, 2011-2012
Duration:00:16:06
Chapter 21: Why Haven’t You Answered My Email Yet?, Doha, Qatar, 2012
Duration:00:08:57
Chapter 22: Fireworks!, Goa, 2012-2013
Duration:00:05:56
Chapter 23: The Afternoon Session Is In Progress, Karnataka, 2013
Duration:00:12:18
Chapter 24: Flexing The Muscle Of Love, Goa, 2013
Duration:00:13:09
Chapter 25: Airdash, Uttar Pradesh, 2013
Duration:00:13:05
Chapter 26: They Make Movies About It, Uttar Pradesh, 2013
Duration:00:07:30
Chapter 27: Are You My Guru?, Uttar Pradesh, 2013
Duration:00:14:20
Chapter 28: The Sex Ashram, Karnataka, 2013
Duration:00:12:06
Chapter 29: The Best Movie You Ever Saw, Karnataka, 2013
Duration:00:14:18
Chapter 30: The Kiss Of Tantra, Bangalore, 2013
Duration:00:08:43
Chapter 31: The Psychic Megaphone, Goa, 2013
Duration:00:14:16
Chapter 32: He Says It’s A Cult, Goa 2013
Duration:00:13:04
Chapter 33: Mr. Right, Goa 2013
Duration:00:14:32
Chapter 34: Holy Sh*t, I’m An Author, New York City, 2013
Duration:00:12:05
Epilogue, Pennsylvania-Florida, 2015
Duration:00:09:03
Chapter 35: Deep Breath, Murrysville, 2014
Duration:00:08:21
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:18