White Hot Truth: Clarity for Keeping It Real on Your Spiritual Path from One Seeker to Another

by Danielle LaPorte

Overview

Has your self-help become self-criticism? A wise and often hilarious exploration of the conflicts between spiritual aspiration and the compulsion to improve, from Oprah Super Soul 100 member, Danielle LaPorte.

Like a wise girlfriend you can totally relate to, Danielle cheerleads you to own your wisdom and self-worth by having a good laugh (and maybe a good cry) at the ways you’ve been trying to improve on your self-improvement. Rooted in compassion, feminism, and spiritual activism White Hot Truth is an intimate and (hilariously) relatable account of self-help tales gone wrong, and very right.

If you love Brene Brown and Liz Gilbert’s authenticity, and Marianne Williamson’s strong spirit, you'll adore how Danielle lays bare “Boundaries for spiritual people”; the “Discipleshit” that happens when we give our power away; a “Soul-perspective” on suffering; “over tolerance" and "foolish compassion" in relationships, sneaky self-loathing; spiritual glamour. And in her poetic and brazen way, she brings it home with the hottest truth of all: You are your own guru.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780997651409
Publisher:	Danielle LaPorte Inc
Publication date:	05/16/2017
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Danielle LaPorte is an invited member of Oprah’s inaugural Super Soul 100, a group who, in Oprah Winfrey’s words, “is uniquely connecting the world together with a spiritual energy that matters.”

She is author of The Fire Starters Sessions, and The Desire Map—the book that turned into a day planner and journal system, a top 10 iTunes app, and an international workshop program with licensed facilitators.

Named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by Forbes, over 5 million visitors go to DanielleLaPorte.com monthly for her daily #Truthbombs and what’s been called “the best place online for kickass spirituality.” Entrepreneur Magazine calls Danielle, “equal parts poet and entrepreneurial badass…edgy, contrarian…loving and inspired.”

Read an Excerpt

White Hot Truth Highlights

Chapter 1: excerpt

THE CHURCH OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT: When worship becomes work

…On the way to my first meeting at the White House, I tucked crystals into my bra for protection—they weren’t detected by security because that’s how magical amethysts can be. I’ve dropped mushrooms but refused painkillers. I’ve popped blue-green algae to pull all-nighters, brewed kombucha for my cha-cha. I have meditated while having a coffee colonic (and let me tell you, if you can meditate with a tube up your ass, you are definitely headed toward enlightenment). I’ve read channeling transcripts on how to find my Soulmate—for which I blame at least two breakups and a few missed opportunities to get laid by good men. If I’d been less fixated on the perfect twin flame, I might have been more easy…going. I temporarily broke up with the New Age to date New Physics. Everything happens for a reason.

Being on stage a lot as a “motivational speaker,” I was sermonizing about healthy boundaries and self-Love being a divine responsibility. Most people seemed to think, Well, she doesn’t suffer fools. But behind the scenes I was suffering some serious foolishness. I took a lot of crap from lovers and other collaborators because I thought tolerance was the “spiritual” course of action, or non-action as was the case. I practiced being less attached to my wants and more attached to my needs—but it was really hard to tell the difference. I chose Freddie Mercury as my Spirit Animal. He helped. The show must go on.

... You can’t seek approval on your way to sovereignty. Freedom is not something you need to earn.

Joy does not come from a checklist.

Chapter 5: excerpt

FULL OF YOURSELF: The curiosities of self-hatred, and the only guarantee of self-Love

...we’re missing the deeper dialogue when it comes to self-Love and determination: Loving yourself, even when you do it most humbly, can attract some not-so-Loving responses. When you start to care more deeply about your own well-being, a whole new set of inner—and outer—challenges will surface in your life. Self-respect can create conflict. Just get used it.

...How to know that you Love yourself... You will Love more people, more deeply. This is the best part. Self-Love expands into Loving others. It’s so perfect, and beautiful, and right. You’re not trying to attain your own sequestered happiness. You look into your heart and see that it’s connected to everyone else’s. You feel that mystical and palpable kinship, and you want the same freedoms and fulfillment for others that you want for yourself.

Chapter 6: excerpt

YOU’RE SPECIAL—BUT NOT THAT SPECIAL: In search of worth

The need to feel special is a healthy human need. It means we’re being seen and are loved for what’s seen. But when you combine spirituality with an unchecked hunger to be “special,” you get spiritual glamour. And it’s some nasty, nefarious stuff.

spiritual glamour (noun/verb):

1. regarding your spirituality as a qualification for special treatment;

superiority

2. New Age douche

Spiritual glamour–pusses always and a way to insert their esoteric resumé into the conversation. “I’ve been meditating for twenty-five years,” or “My work with the orphans...” or “Parmesan Yogi Wannawanda is a personal friend of mine and when I was yachting with him, he told me...” We get it. You’re buds with an Enlightened Master, so you must be special.

...On the ego’s role in spiritual growth: Befriending our ego is a step to befriending our whole self. You’re an original. If we’re always looking to see how “spiritual” others think we are, we will never tap the depths of our authentic selves. Their perceived opinions of us will be the greatest distractions to hearing and feeling our Truth. The desire to evolve must come from internal inspiration, not external motivation.

Chapter 8: excerpt

OPEN, GENTLE HEART. BIG FUCKING FENCE. Boundaries for spiritual people

...I saw the same boundary issues with my Soul Sisters as well. Other- wise remarkably powerful, get-shit-done women who couldn’t tell their adorable but freeloading brother that it was time to move out of the guest room and get a job; or the gorgeous and articulate friend who kept quiet about the tantra teacher who crossed the line with her; or the whip-smart entrepreneur who couldn’t put a “stop payment” on the check to the “socially responsible” consultant who gave her nearly fatal business advice. We were all so accustomed to directing our compassion outward that turning the tide of protective Love toward ourselves was discombobulating. We fought for causes, for relationships, for our children, for our co-workers, but it was terrifying to fight for ourselves.

Chapter 10: excerpt

THE SOUL OF SERVICE:

Conscious optimism and giving from your fullness

...according to a lot of spiritual perspectives, all is well in the Universe. Our enlightenment is inevitable. It’s all progress.

I do believe that we will get to where we’re headed—to a more enlightened way of living and co-creating... I also believe that over-spiritualizing our global tragedies doesn’t heal them—it perpetuates them. And I believe in free will. So we have a choice: stubborn ignorance can slow us down and make us take the long way ’round to our destination, or we can make some radical shifts and get there with some efficiency. The Universe operates on free will—and that means that both ascension and devolution are options. It’s up to us.

Chapter 11: excerpt

YOU ARE THE GURU: The hottest truth of all

...I wasn’t at the ashram for long but, as it happens for me in any situation of extreme restraint, I started feeling hornier than usual, and craving other circumstantially illicit things—like a pack of smokes and some Led Zeppelin cranked really loud. Oh woe. My mind was having a fairly predictable reaction to discipline, but so was my heart. It was becoming clear that I was not made for this scene.

...Your breakthroughs have more to do with your own power than that of the expert or guru. Outside sources can be Soul resources—but not because THEY know something that you don’t. They are merely showing you your own wisdom. Wisdom is built, not bestowed.

Chapter 12: excerpt

FAUX FREEDOMS

When sacred sex goes sideways

...Between oppressive culturalization and the shifting expressions of feminism, I get why Yoni Puja empowerment workshops or an orgy at Burning Man might be appealing—truly healing, even. For some of us, getting greased and going wild is exactly what we need to break the psychological chains and move up our own evolutionary spiral.

I also understand why so many progressive, spiritually focused women think they might look like prudes if they demur on the free Love. It can be easy to feel ever-so-slightly shamed for not being “freer,” as if they’re repressed just because they don’t want to go to the Proud and Powerful Pussy Power Summit and pair up with a guy they just met to find their orgasmic sweet spot.

Going wild isn’t necessarily freeing. And restraint isn’t always restrictive. What is the modern goddess to do?

Chapter 15: excerpt

DISCERNMENT IS EVERYTHING When the negative serves the positive

You can’t have the Light without the dark. It’s a primary function of metaphysical teachers to emphasize the power of the Light, but they can neglect to address the realities of dealing with the darkness. I was at an angel workshop (don’t judge me), and a woman who was mentioning some government conspiracy theories was hushed by the workshop leader, “We can’t talk about negative things like that, it gives it energy.” Please, if you can’t talk about whacky conspiracy theories at an angel reading workshop, then where can you talk about them?

...Sometimes, you have to go right to the heart of an issue and call people on their bullshit-making—which might not seem like a very “spiritual” thing to do. But let me tell you...opinions used for raising standards are sacred indeed... Being discerning is not the same as being judgmental.

Discernment is big-minded and awake. Judgment is narrow-minded and operates in the dark. Discernment is our wisdom coming to life.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Church of Self-Improvement: When worship feels like work

Chapter 2 The really big lies: The falsities we (inevitably, and necessarily) fall for on our way to Truth

Chapter 3 Truthfully Seeking: How wisdom happens (hint: paradoxically)

Chapter 4 Healing Instincts: Mixing our own medicine (it’s all an experiment)

Chapter 5 Full of yourself: The curiosities of self-hatred, and the only guarantee of self-Love

Chapter 6 You’re Special—But Not that Special: In search of worth

Chapter 7 Super. Human: Choosing to really be here

Chapter 8 Open, Gentle Heart. Big Fucking Fence.: Boundaries for spiritual people

Chapter 9 Ready to Forgive: The complicated, gritty path to grace

Chapter 10 The Soul of Service: Conscious optimism and giving from your fullness

Chapter 11 You Are the Guru: The hottest truth of all

Chapter 12 Faux freedoms: When the sacred goes sideways

Chapter 13 Power Tools: More awareness, deeper respect, less dependency

Chapter 14 The Path Within Your Path: The roundabout journey to life-affirming discipline

Chapter 15 Discernment is Everything: When the negative serves the positive

Chapter 16 Regarding Suffering: Soul, pain, perspective

Chapter 17 Desire, Refined: A broader view for making dreams come true

Chapter 18 Devotion: I think you’re up for it

Editorial Reviews

04/10/2017
Laporte’s guiding principle, “Take what you want and leave the rest,” holds true for this compendium of salutary thoughts, gotcha nudges, winks, and self-help hallelujahs. Laporte (The Desire Map), who describes herself as a “mouthy contrarian,” trots all over the field of spiritual guidance, treading on cow pie practices here, tripping over flat-stoned theories there, and always tapping her own drums. Laporte does not mince words: she drops swear words along with embarrassing anecdotes and quaint aphorisms. Maintaining a freewheeling style, she doesn’t write so much as jot—and dish—with humor and vivacity. The book is told in short sections rife with disjuncture, and its very typography encourages reading by bits: sections of roman, bold, and italic, with plenty of white space. It’s best not to try to read Laporte’s map in one sitting, at the risk of missing her “honey-hearted” guidance: “May you seek to know the vastness of your light.” (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Danielle LaPorte’s White Hot Truth comes straight from the messy, complicated world of authentic life experience. She is a force field of energy, wonder, humour, and love."

– Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues and In The Body of the World

"Danielle LaPorte is a bright light in the modern priestesshood. She keeps it spiritual, she keeps it real, she keeps it good."

– Marianne Williamson, NY Times bestselling author of Tears to Triumph

"Our souls are yearning for Danielle’s liberating message—that discernment is crucial to our true spiritual freedom. She’s as compassionate as she is fiery, and every contemporary seeker will see themselves in her hard won—and very timely—White Hot Truth."

– Dr. Shefali Tsabary, NY Times bestselling author of The Awakened Family

"Searing grace! When Danielle LaPorte writes, there is nowhere to hide. White Hot Truth is an incendiary device for the soul. Raw, honest, funny, wise, it’s a portal to the part of you that’s always wanted to see the light of day, but never quite knew how to find its way out. Read it. Live it. Breathe it. Be it."

– Jonathan Fields, author of How to Live a Good Life

"I devoured this book. The way Danielle questions our approach to self-actualization and reminds us what self-love truly looks and feels like is a revelation and a revolution. Let this book be your guide to what you already know in your bones but may have forgotten as you’ve traversed the crowded spiritual growth industry. Strip back the layers and remember the truth with a capital T."

– Kate Northrup, author of Money: A Love Story

"This brave book is a substantial feast of truth singing and ecstatic wisdom delivered by a fierce spirit called Danielle LaPorte. Your heart will leap in recognition and your soul will rise up mightily and do mighty things."

– SARK, co-author/artist of Succulent Wild Love

"A wonderfully engaging, deep-diving yet user-friendly tour of the promises and perils of 21st century spirituality. Danielle casts a fiercely compassionate, psychologically savvy eye upon the ways in which we distract ourselves from what really matters. Hers is a vividly alive, multi-colored invitation to embrace a life in which the personal, relational, and spiritual function as one."

– Robert Augustus Masters, PhD, author of Spiritual Bypassing and To Be a Man

"Danielle LaPorte never disappoints as this generation’s go-to truth teller and visionary, always leading by being ahead of the curve. She intuits what is needed and provides it at the exact right moment. This holds true for her newest sizzling book-baby, White Hot Truth. Danielle is empowering readers to trust their truth as she leads with her own vulnerability, wisdom, and wickedly good sense of humour. A must-read for these tumultuous times!"

– Terri Cole, psychotherapist and creator of the Real Love Revolution

"I love real language. Communication without it is a diversion. I also recognize real insight, it brings out your highest consciousness when you read it...it’s the “aha” that ignites you. White Hot Truth has all of this and far more...cover to cover."

– Guru Singh, Kundalini yoga & meditation master, author of Buried Treasures

"Danielle’s voice is medicine for self-help fatigue and ambition overdrive. Her deep clarity and realness are a healing combination—and it’s right on time for our culture."

– Dr. Mark Hyman, 10-time NY Times bestselling author

"In White Hot Truth, Danielle LaPorte graces us again with her creativity and courage. I consider Danielle one of the embodiments of prophetess in the modern age—she’s a leader, a path-creator, and a vision keeper for hundreds of thousands of women in our time. Once again, in this book, she raises the lantern of powerful words to help us see through the fog, and illumine a way forward."

– Tara Mohr, author of Playing Big

"Danielle LaPorte addresses the central question of our generation: Why is spiritual progress so confusing, full of nonsense, and plagued by false gurus? She’s the fierce, daring, truth-slinging wingman we all need while on the authentic path of the soul. In her epic yet short book, I found the answers I’ve been seeking for decades."

– Sara Gottfried, NY Times bestselling author of The Hormone Cure

"Danielle lights the way in reconnecting people to their true voice and authentic self. Her words hold the power to validate, heal, and free the hearts and souls of womankind."

– Anthony William, #1 NY Times bestselling author of Medical Medium Life-Changing Foods

"When we share our stories and our struggles and the overcoming, we give others an opportunity to see themselves and to see that we all go through so much. Danielle does just this in White Hot Truth. She shares her journey with humour and wisdom allowing us to break through as she explores the journey of an enlightened woman walking the path of the real life. I inhaled White Hot Truth and bow to Danielle and the voice she brings to all."

– Carrie-Anne Moss, actress and founder of AnnapurnaLiving.com

"Danielle LaPorte is our soul’s champion. She shines her white hot light on the radiance that lives in each of us."

– Regena Thomashauer, NY Times bestselling author of Pussy

"I’ve long said that Danielle LaPorte is one of the most beautiful writers alive today. White Hot Truth is Profound. Timely. Timeless. Danielle steps into a deeper leadership role as she blazes a SPIRIT path while also being incredibly hip to the countless complexities of our very human experience/experiment. Riveting!"

– Linda Sivertsen, bestselling author and host of The Beautiful Writers Podcast

"Danielle LaPorte’s White Hot Truth is provocative, essential, devotional, sacred, profane, and necessary for all seekers...an invitation for you to be brave and committed. So get your courage on. Read it, be inspired by it, then read it again. Love lives in these pages."

– Colette Baron-Reid, author of Uncharted and creator of Oracle School

"Danielle LaPorte is a human hummingbird. Hummingbirds memorize thousands of flowers, but only go to the ones that truly nourish them. They are bright, intelligent creatures who cultivate the discernment to no longer be distracted by false images and pay special attention to the moments of illumination when their true nectar appears. White Hot Truth is a must have how-to guide for efficiently and enjoyably traversing your daily life with less bullshit and more joy. Danielle’s words fly across the page sharing timeless eternal wisdom by making it accessible in a modern relatable context."

– Rochelle Schieck, author of Qoya and creator of www.Qoya.love

"Poetic, visionary, and downright hysterical, White Hot Truth reminds us that spirituality is about having the courage to just be real—it is to be the hot mess and the holy soul that we are."

– Meggan Watterson, author of How to Love Yourself (and Sometimes Other People)

"This is a book to be lived. Savour it. Delight in it. Weep and laugh and belly your way through it. This is a gospel for our times. A laser beam of truth that will “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” White Hot Truth is, ultimately, a love song. To our divinely human selves. To our beautiful, fractured world."

– Hiro Boga, creator of Become Your Own Business Adviser

"I love the tenderness with which Danielle sees the whole. Beautiful and funny and wry. This feels mature, wise-woman, and integrated. White Hot Truth gives us permission to be ourselves when we are so caught up in being what we think we should be. This book is a gift."

– Lianne Raymond, Master Coach

"Every paragraph of this book is a truthbomb. Danielle’s way of naming what you feel in your bones but haven’t yet identified is the gift of White Hot Truth. It’s validating, it’s wise, and—if you’re ready—this is a majorly liberating approach to becoming your best self."

– Eric Handler, founder of PositivelyPostive.com

From the Publisher