Recent Reactions:

“Thanks for turning on my light again. Post-brain injury is complicated, but not as complicated as my life had been prior to the aneurysm. Sometimes it takes a mountain to move people, and it did that.”

“I wanted to write you a quick message about your book “Higher.” I have long story to tell, but will just summarize by saying that I have been “lost” for the past 7 years after an unexpected divorce. In addition, I lost somebody very close to me to addiction a year ago in August. I have felt trapped (geographically, emotionally, socially, etc.) since then and have been doing all that I can to BE STILL. Lately, I have been restless as I watch others’ lives unfold around me, while my life seems to be in a constant state of confusion and disarray. Your book is exactly what I needed at the exact right time. I just wanted you to know how the book has moved me so far. Your message is profound and has given me a new awakening and energy. I, too, have questioned “God” and His purpose, my purpose, His intent… etc. Although I’m not finished with the book, I wanted to send this message to you. Thank you for the book. Maybe it was the message that I needed at exactly the right time. I’m not sure how ‘my story’ will end or where I’ll go from here, but I thank you for the powerful message that has reminded me of the importance of being present.”

“A very fast read. I could relate to the tragedy the author’s family endured and I know how that changes a child who survives something like that. The loss of one child is enough to break a family apart, never mind two children. I really liked the short chapters. For someone unsettled and struggling, as I think a person with addictions would experience, the short chapters would make it much easier to read and take in the information. It would also help someone experiencing attention deficit issues, which is also likely not uncommon for those recovering from addictions. After I read it, I gave the book to my stepson, who is a recovering alcoholic. I know it will help him a lot.”

“I enjoyed “Higher” – it was a quick one-day read. It reads like a combination of journal entries, self-help bullet points, and reflections of lessons learned from mistakes of the past. He weaves a personal tapestry and road map through his addiction recovery and describes the light at the end of the tunnel. This could prove a beneficial resource for anyone dealing with addiction. I think it is philosophically sound, but not as easy for the average person to practice as is implied. I like his attention to spiritual matters, and chapter 7 is really good. He also has a very good section on what it means to truly listen. I’m glad he’s in a better place and glad he wrote so transparently about his life and his self.”

“I was so happy to read this because I felt like I really needed this book when I started reading it at the time that I did.
I felt like I purposely dragged it out this long because I didn’t want this book to end. I read and took in every single word. I really recommend this book to anyone trying to stop living distractedly, anyone who wants to change their perspective on life, anyone who wants to find greater meaning, beauty, and success in life.
I have seen myself fall and become someone I never thought I’d become. And I’m finally making peace with who I am, what I want, what I need. To love myself for all that I am. To appreciate everything instead of expecting everything. To want what I already have rather than wish for more, more, more.
Love love love it. I find myself going back to parts of the book when I feel like I need a pick-me-up or a reminder. This book speaks to me on so many levels and there are so many parts where I feel like I cannot express in words, but Charles Hanna did for me. Very inspiring, uplifting, and encouraging. Thank you.”

“I bought your book when it came out and thought it was a really good read. Months later I have been rereading it for therapeutic reasons and finding it quite helpful.”

“I wanted to let you know that I read your book and it had a profound effect on me. It came into my hands at the right time, just when i really craved some spiritual guidance. Such a great read! I enjoyed it very much and even copied a bunch of quotes from the book to remember and live by. I still practice some of the meditation advice and making a deeper connection with my inner child. Thank you for this book – you have really birthed something great into this world!”

“I purposely took forever to finish this book because I didn’t want it to end. A book that gave me peace of mind. A book beautiful inside and out. I highly recommend “Higher” by Charles Hanna to anyone who wants to find greater beauty, meaning, and success in their life. “Happy people like the way things are and they look forward to change. Unhappy people don’t like the way things are and they do not like change.”

“A great starting point for anyone who wants to make significant change in their life. Hanna guides us past the thoughts that hold us back from becoming our best, happiest, and most-fulfilled selves.”

“Candid, eye-opening and insightful.”

“This is a book that is worth a second read and one that I will be keeping on my shelf after I loan it to some family members to read. If you are feeling stuck in your life and you are not sure what the problem is or what to do next, Higher may be just what you need.”

“Wonderful for those in early recovery, and long-term recovery, and anywhere in between.”

“Whatever you’re going through, whatever you’re experiencing; I would really recommend this book.”

“I would recommend this book to anyone in recovery no matter what stage or step they are at.  I would also recommend this book to anyone searching for a deeper meaning in their life. Hanna provides readers with practical and practicable techniques and ideas so that everyone can apply the Higher way to their daily routines and to their dreams. An uplifting and inspiring book…Five stars, a definite must-read.”

“If you find it hard to believe that a life of luxury will not magically make you feel happy, Hanna does a good job of explaining why this is the case. I believe this is an incredibly important thing for most North Americans to understand.”

“For some people, it takes hitting an all time low to discover real happiness. Charles Hanna shares his personal experience with life management, as well as his climb towards true freedom after his life had taken a dark turn to addiction and self-doubt.  Hanna explains how finding our Higher Purpose actually allows us to use our personal demons to become our best selves.”

“I found it particularly helpful that he shares the tools and attitudes that have helped him sustain recovery and to have a more fulfilling life. It was deeply inspiring to read about his honestly accounted struggles and how he turned his life around, learning to be mindful and to surrender to a higher power to find peace in all situations (note: this is not a “religious” book at all and he mentions that you can apply the principles no matter what your religion or spiritual orientation). I have already starting implementing what I’ve learned from this book as an experiment in my own life.”

“The book is, in a great way, highly provocative… it made me challenge perceptions. And it provides real answers…ie the inner child meditation and powerful analogies (which the author has an incredible talent for). The author shares his life – challenges and all. I was left relating to his humanness yet being awed with such a level of consciousness, and an incredible intelligence/creative ability to convey his story. Highly recommended.”

“The first time I read Higher I was on a long car trip so I read it out loud to my husband as we drove. We paused often to discuss points the author covered. We had fantastic, open-hearted conversations that gave us new ways of looking at our lives. I’ve now read the book a second time, underlining and making many notes in the margins. I haven’t experienced addiction and recovery but I deeply resonated with so many things in this book, and I was left feeling hopeful and more connected than I’ve been in a long time. If someone like Hanna could face such unbearable losses in every aspect of his life and come out of it with a new perspective and passion for life, then what’s my excuse?”

“You do not ‘own’ yourself. You were created with specific attributes, in a specific place, at a specific time, and for a specific reason.”

Charles Hanna