Full Description
At the essence of the huge challenges we are facing today as a global civilization is the question of who we are and what we are being called upon to develop. As is clearly shown in this extraordinarily wide-ranging book, one's self-image influences how one perceives reality. If we see ourselves simply as advanced animals or pre-programmed robots, the will for self-change and autonomous action is weakened. But if we are willing to extend our rationality and imagination to encompass not only the bodily levels of existence, but those of soul and spirit, everything changes. For this extension of scientific method can awaken new levels of strength and compassion in this time of enormous suffering. Such is the 'sacred mountain' around which readers are invited to journey during the first three parts of the book. Such too is the 'lake of self-reflection' at which, in the fourth part, we attempt to recognize the capacities we have gained through this mighty paradigm, to pioneer new ways through all that is threatening us from the future.
It is one of the purposes of this book to demonstrate that we carry both the greatest propensity for destruction of any life form on earth and the greatest capacity for healing. This is because within us is not only an intelligent animal or bio-chemical machine, but a living power of spirit that can be a force both for evil and good.
You will not find here a book of ready answers and remedies, but a journey towards deeper insights and a gathering of possibilities and questions that can hopefully bring more meaning and love into our lives, and life-giving forces for health and healing in the world.
Contents
A letter from the author 11
Preface 12
Day One — Fire Within Will 19
The journey begins 21
Looking into the crucible of the soul 22
Rescuing the reality of the human being in body, soul and spirit 25
Body and Soul 32
Soul and Spirit 35
We become, not what we drink or eat,
but what we think and create 37
Spirit and body 40
A few words about wisdom & language -
about freedom & health, too 43
Sensing our senses through practising common sense 53
How do I know anything? And how can I know that I know? 59
Awareness of the reality of my own spirit 63
Mysteries of time 69
Night thoughts about sleep and where they lead us 74
Day Two — Light Within Darkness 79
Taking stock before the dawning of a new day 81The task ahead 83
Windows of the soul 87
Three very different futures 100
... And three very different beings 102
The wonderful brocade 112
Interlude 116
Looking back and a little bit ahead 123
Ascent to the high pass 128
The turning 131
The birthing of our modern age 132
Human and artificial intelligence 141
Of darkness and of light 147
Rubicon 152
Day Three — Sounding Within Silence 155
A renewed soul within a renewed body on a new day 156Movement & mutuality 160
Transition 165
Our senses as a ladder towards spirit self 170
Cycles of time 183
Our debt to the animals and the whole of existence 192
A true science of origins 198
The first of the four great steps 205
Ancient sun 212
Ancient moon 215
The birthing, maturation & dying of our earth 227
Day Four — Life Within Death 257
Mountain and Lake 258
A story from Africa 261
Of evil and of good 263
Humanity's cry for freedom, equality & brother-sisterhood 269
Reflections on the heart and on truth 287
A change that changes everything 290
Recognizing destiny 298
Yet more on the heart's sense of truth 314
Making healthy judgements 324
Spectres within the soul 331
The strengthening power of illness 338
Except you become as children 347
Of death and of life 356
The suffering of our earth and its inhabitants 361
The journey beyond 366
The crossing point from evolution to involution 371
Facing reality 379
Great beings work together 386
From duty to love - From selfishness to freedom 396
About the author 400
