hillmantom

This book is short, crisp and awesome because it really makes you feel like you're actually at the retreat. Tom Hillman talks about everyday life at the ashram, from meditating and doing chores to fun stuff like having tea with others or doing silly group activities. His descriptions of life with the monks and meditators make it easy to imagine yourself there, whether you’re watching a chill movie, or just soaking in the beautiful views.

A cool part of the book is Hillman being super honest show more about his personal growth. He talks about learning to live in the moment, let go of the ego, and find peace through helping others. His humour and openness make these lessons feel real and easy to connect with.

At the end of the day, Digging for God is all about encouraging readers to step back from the chaos of life and think about what really matters. With a good mix of humour, kindness, and insight, Hillman gives a peek into life at the ashram while also getting you to think about your own spiritual journey. It’s a refreshing and thought-provoking read for anyone wanting to pause, reset, and reconnect with themselves. show less

So… I didn’t expect to get pulled into a book about a spiritual retreat for gay men. Not my usual lane. But Digging for God caught me off guard in a really honest, kind of quiet way.
You’re thrown into this ashram, and the author’s like, “Hey, this is you now.” Second-person narration? Weird at first. But it grew on me. It made everything feel more intimate—like I wasn’t just reading it, I was living it.
I liked that it wasn’t trying too hard to be deep or life-changing. It show more just was. There’s something really calming about reading someone unpack their brain, one daily ritual at a time. The tone is warm, sometimes sarcastic, always sincere. And yeah, I enjoyed a lot of the themes—belonging, stillness, reflection. All the stuff I pretend not to need.
Also: the way Hillman writes about food? Made me want to eat rice in silence and reevaluate my entire existence.
I didn’t think this book was “for me,” but it turns out stepping into someone else’s retreat might be exactly what I needed. show less

The book Digging for God by Tom Hillman is an insightful and thought-provoking journey of the human seeking spirituality and its true meaning. The book explores deep into the metaphorical and literal process of unveiling one's faith and values, weaving the author's personal experiences with broader philosophical and theological reflections. This gives the book an edge, which makes it more engaging. The writing style is easy to comprehend, and the experiences shared make it easy to show more connect.
Hillman’s narrative in this book is accessible and profound, making it an interesting read for spiritual readers. I felt this could even be a good choice for people who want to develop a belief but are struggling to find a channel. The author has used the imagery of digging as a central metaphor for the human journey toward seeking and connecting with the almighty. He blends his experiences of searching with doubts, questions, and truth, making this read deeply connecting yet universally relatable for every reader at some stage. The writing is reflective, and Hillman masterfully balances intellectual inquiry with heartfelt storytelling. show less

This was quite a short read, but it felt much longer, in a good way. Hillman takes you through a day in an all-male Christian retreat. He surrounds you with sights, sounds, and feelings, from arrival, to early in the morning the following day, to the final events at night. Often, I find it jarring how much time has passed when I’m lost in a good story. This time I was surprised at just how little had passed, as it truly felt like I had spent hours following in the footsteps of someone show more attending the retreat. I have heard of retreats like this, usually for yoga or general spirituality, but never really considered what it would be like to experience one. After reading this, I’ve added a spiritual retreat to my bucket list! show less