The Operator's Manual for Planet Earth: An Adventure for the Soul

Planet Earth is struggling for her life, reeling from polluted oceans, a torn ozone layer and a population of humans derailed by anger and despair. In another world--a timeless dimension of light and energy--Zendar, Elan, Tar and other disembodied spiritual beings prepare to take physical form, hoping to rescue the wounded planet by accelerating humanity's spiritual awakening. These benevolent spirits follow a simple Operator's Manual, the heart of which is the nine ""Matos Mantras,'' or ""prayers of willingness to aid in one's awakening from Earth's amnesia."" In order to test the truth of each mantra, the spirits are sent down to earth to engage in challenging ""simulations""--including the ""River of Resignation"" and ""The Sirens of Success: Power, Money, Fame."" As soon as one lesson is learned, unpredictable life throws another curveball: two spirits are assaulted by a street gang; Zendar painfully pursues his lost love, who previously donned a human identity. In the end, having ascended a mountain to the ""Cave of Compassion,"" these gentle humans-in-training learn what their teaching elders (and many readers) already know: that the planet Earth really is a classroom, and the mother of all lessons comes down to learning to pray for the wisdom and serenity to surrender individual will to the ""power of the One."" Hunt, a motivational speaker who contributed to A Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, has written a gauzy parable that blends New Age positive thinking with bits and scraps of traditional religion and common sense. Author tour. (Oct.)