Book Review: Lost and Found: A Journey of Self Mastery

Full of life lessons, Lost and Found: A Journey of Self Mastery gives the reader the opportunity to follow and grow along with the characters to learn about practices for the mind, body, and spirit. Published in 2023, Minnesota Native  Daniel J. Blackburn details a journey of self-mastery by creating a story with two main characters named Dan and River. Yoga philosophy weaves throughout the pages of Lost and Found in the instruction offered by River and embraced by Dan. Blackburn is an executive coach, yoga therapist, facilitator, and speaker; and co-ownsTula Yoga and Wellness in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife Ann.  

The story begins on a family camping trip, where Dan meets River. They strike up a conversation as Dan shares his current turmoil with his sense of self. River quickly falls into the role of a guide and teacher for Dan. Fortunately, they realize they live near each other, and River begins to mentor Dan. Dan appears to have it all: a loving wife, two beautiful boys, and a great job. He admits to having a “false sense of self” that felt like it had taken residence in his being. He was going through the motions without feeling as present in his life as he would like.

As Dan struggles with his past behaviors and desire to change, River offers the following sage advice: “There’s nothing wrong with the current you. You’re not broken. You’re choosing to be someone different from who you’re used to being.” River provides Dan with 4 questions to ask each morning upon waking and each night prior to falling asleep. These become a dedicated practice for Dan and assist him in his personal and professional growth.

Some of that takes place at the Karmic Bean, the coffee shop River owns and runs. The Karmic Bean serves as a third main character in the book. One can feel the intimacy and energy of the space. River serves up many delicious sounding coffees and teas, along with chocolate taste tests, each stirring the senses and driving home more guidance through our connection to taste, smell, sight, and touch. Dan often visits the Karmic Bean to embody more teachings and to begin a yoga asana practice. This physical practice is slow and in the style of somayoga.  

It’s not only River providing wisdom throughout the story. Dan explains, “People have three mirrors. One is for how they see themselves. The second reflects how others see them. The third reflects their aspirational self. The thing is, when the three mirrors don’t line up, as in my case, the result is dissonance.” Dan desires to be the best father and husband and, at work, to be a true leader. We get to witness Dan’s growth in all areas of his life through this touching tale. 

Concepts consist of setting boundaries, witnessing the self, developing leadership skills, being of service, exiting out of expectation and fear, learning the power of vulnerability, living in curiosity, and gathering the powers of abundance, transformation, and resiliency. Dan learns that flexibility is not just about range of motion in the body but being flexible and malleable in the mind as well. He discovers that taking time for fun and filling your cup with bliss holds great benefits extending to all those around him.

Lost and Found delves into all the eight limbs of yoga plus additional yoga philosophy, including: the yamas and niyamas, the kleshas, the concepts of purusha and prakriti, pranayama, asana meditation, samskaras, sankalpa, and so much more. Blackburn creates a treasure hunt and game for the reader to find all the yogic tradition and content meshed in the story and insight. At one point Dan calls River his guru, River asks Dan to spell out guru “G-U-R-U. Gee, you are you.” We learn that the guru resides in all of us if we are willing to follow a path to personal and spiritual growth. Lost and Found’s story provides a guide to follow for one’s growth.

Nicole Warner, C-IAYT, E-RYT, YACEP, is a certified Somayoga therapist currently teaching in Alexandria, MN. A dancer and choreographer, she has taught yoga for 20+ years. She is a proponent of plant-based cooking and is a certified “Forks Over Knives” cook.  She recently created BranchWellbeing.com as a landing space for healthy living.