Spiritual Constipation

is a wake-up call without an annoying alarm clock. If you are ready to look in a new direction and explore boundless possibilities, all the while laughing somewhat inappropriately, Stephen is your travel guide.

Come on in, the water’s fine!

In this book, you’ll discover:

How your mind works (psychology) + your True Nature (spirituality) = a “Psycho/Spiritual” Inner Wisdom GPS to guide you through life
A refreshing alternative to the rigid, rule-based, deprivation-inducing “self-help” programs
How to Calm the F*ck Down… and rest in peace (while still alive)
The secret to being in a meditative state without meditating
Why “trying harder” usually backfires, and the way of effortless effort
Guided Meditations and Hypnosis Audio sessions (included)
The punchline to the Cosmic Joke (it’s always nice to be in on the joke)

Listen to the Changeable Podcast

Dr. Amy Johnson and I discuss the difference between truth and belief, how oneness is radically different from connectedness, and how sensing our unity with all things can help us achieve an embodied sense of oneness.

What people are saying about the book

Between Thomas Aquinas, Alan Watts and Jack Herer, you might find Stephen Ladd sitting at a sea side tiki bar with an umbrella in his drink. “Spiritual Constipation” is a cleverly woven, introspective work on not only the how to, but the why that will challenge one’s thinking. One will be much better armed in a metaphysical sense to probe questions that are not necessarily comfortable.

For 30 years I've counseled clients on understanding life is meant be enjoyed not controlled. Worry and stress plague America & we need learn how to dismiss the former and channel the latter. The author has brilliantly struck a chord in explaining non-duality - how we are all one and we beat with one heart. One of the best books I've read in a decade!

Stephen Ladd's humor, humility and striking insight into the nature of our personal reality and the traps of seeking reinfuses spirituality with a lighthearted kindness not seen since Ram Dass. Stephen masterfully distills the essence of non-dualism into the simple essence of being, while keeping it light and easy to read. I hope he's already working on his next masterpiece.

In between bite-size anecdotes and self-deprecating humor, Stephen Ladd sneaks in some mind-blowing insights about how our minds work. While reading, I had a few a-ha moments that had me going back to read certain passages again. (And my highlighter got a workout!) Complex topics are presented in a way that makes them understandable—and the scenarios provided make those topics relatable, too.

This book was the answer to my utter disdain for the usual stagnant self-development slosh. Funny name that struck my interest, inappropriate enough to keep my interest, and very entertaining read from an author who clearly understands the terrain, and doesn't blow a proverbial colonic sunshine wash up your wazoo in order to get things flowing. Great read, I highly recommend it!

On one level a fun, cheeky (sorry) read, on another level it's a very clear headed & thought provoking conversation about the possibilities of getting out of our own way & not jamming ourselves up; simple but not easy, as they say. Reading this book is like having a beer with a wise, irreverent friend. Don't overlook the MetaGnosis audio sessions in the appendix. I don't often re-read a book but I'm looking forward to reading this one again. Well done.

Man, I was hooked by the 3rd sentence. Ladd lays it right on the line on the first page, and I knew I was in for a treat. Ladd's description of seeking yet another self-improvement program struck right at the center of my being. It was as though he was writing my personal experience on the self-improvement treadmill (because I was running really fast and getting nowhere quickly). One of my favorite components of the book is the authors ability to take a HUGE topic like spirituality and distill it down to its essence, and write about it the way I believe it's meant to be written: Simply. It tells me that he gets it, like he really get its.

The pace and cadence of this book is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It feels new, different and actually consumable which differs from many books, in fact there are parts of the book where the author instructs you to slow down in order to give yourself some time with what you’ve just read. At the end of every chapter is a section called “Ponder-ables”, that challenges you with a moment of personal reflection. For someone that struggles with focus and follow-through, this kept me engaged. I planned on saying that this book stands out amongst others in its genre but I’m not sure this book has a traditional genre. If you are like me and have purchased almost every self-help or empowerment book published, then you will quickly see why this book is special and unique.

As someone who has attempted to read countless self-help books this is the first book of a similar, but also very different, kind that I have not only finished, but thoroughly enjoyed reading. Instead of the typical “follow these steps for success” Stephen provides the reader with an invitation to adjust their perspective on their emotions and thoughts through their own process and timeline. My favorite part of the book was the ponderables at the end of each chapter. These gave me a chance to reflect on what I had just read and relate it to my own life. This book provides a unique and fulfilling approach to spirituality and I have a feeling I will reopen it frequently! I planned on saying that this book stands out amongst others in its genre but I’m not sure this book has a traditional genre. If you are like me and have purchased almost every self-help or empowerment book published, then you will quickly see why this book is special and unique.

So many self help writers make great points but fail to reflect our inherent wisdom and humor the way Ladd does. It just felt good to read. He draws insights on personal and collective human experiences, using expansive frames of reference, and weaves profundity and lightness together like a perfectly balanced meal. This read was clever, nourishing, hilarious, and truly… A HUGE RELIEF!!I planned on saying that this book stands out amongst others in its genre but I’m not sure this book has a traditional genre. If you are like me and have purchased almost every self-help or empowerment book published, then you will quickly see why this book is special and unique.

Spiritual Constipation is such a fun, light read in a world full of very serious, intense material about Handling Your Personal Existential Crisis. Everyone has one, and if you’ve found your way to this book, you’ve undoubtedly sifted through many such reads. When you pick up this book, get ready for something different. Ladd’s book is seriously study-based, so be prepared to jump down tons of rabbit holes as he throws out the various theories and thought schemas he’s studied in his own spiritual pursuit. The reader will be delighted, however, at Ladd’s terrific sense of humor and the levity he brings to the content through his positive attitude and personal experiences. He presents his ideas and conclusions in a way that is immensely consumable and tremendously relatable.

Some human beings see their lives as a spiritual journey. All traditional cultures provide these people with scriptures, heroes, institutions, and communities which function as aids to and signposts on such a path. However, we inhabitants of the rich, Western democracies often lack these ancient supports (Jung). Spiritual trekkers in our society often go it alone. They may have only a few books or classes or practices to sustain and inspire and, often, they get stuck (as any more mundane traveler might).

My cousin recommended this book to me and now it has been with me everywhere I go, not only to recommend to my friends, but to look up certain chapters to get more and more “regular” (really!) Laugh out loud humor, at times, but always serious in nature, with amazingly helpful information throughout the entire read, with a message everyone can relate too. I feel, at times, this must have been written just for me! Amazing!

The stories in this book are so relatable to human doing & they come with a realization that we are all much more similar than different. Our connection is evident from the title of the book… we are all searching for what was never lost, what was inherent before we were a pink line on a pregnancy test. I personally suggest you take your time with this one. It’s deeper than the ocean but the best part is you don’t need a life jacket because you’ll see that you are the ocean! Laugh out loud humor, at times, but always serious in nature, with amazingly helpful information throughout the entire read, with a message everyone can relate too. I feel, at times, this must have been written just for me! Amazing!

I loved this book. I bought it to read while I was sitting at the doctors office with a friend and it was the perfect read for me. I was feeling spiritually constipated, but this book gave me so many options on how to think differently about my approach to life, love basically everything. I needed someone to give me permission to start changing my mindset and this book gave me that permission. It’s an easy, funny and sometimes irreverent book that keeps you engaged until the end. Give it a try…you just might feel a lot less bloated when you are done.

About The Author

Stephen Ladd (preferred pronouns Us/We/One) is a coach, author, podcaster, and speaker specializing in existential constipation – the sense of being stuck, jammed up or blocked within the bowels of everyday life or on the spiritual journey (which are one and the same).

Stephen’s Transformative coaching is grounded in compassionate curiosity, connection, and mutual exploration into how we experience the external world, reconnecting to our True Nature, and the authentic freedom that is available as our minds settle and allow space for our Innate Wisdom to become the guiding force in our everyday lives.