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Forward (pages 13-17)
Before we begin, I would like to share with you my perspective about the purpose of this
book and the history of the teachings.
What I will be sharing with you in the book is not my truth, rather it is a process by which
you can discover and experience your own truth. That experience of truth is reality for you.
The above statement is quite literally true; it has been my experience that "the truth that
will set you free" is not a truth that is a sincere belief, but truth that is reality. I know that this
experience of reality is unmistakable and equally indefinable to any other person. We can
share, however, with each other the journey and joy we experience when we discover reality
in the present moment.
Reality is defined as what truly is. The closest we as humans can get to knowing "what is"
is our personal perspective of it. This perspective, that all we can know and experience about
reality is by definition, personal and subjective, allows us to be free of debilitating fear,
overwhelming guilt, and unreasonable anger. We can view others and ourselves without
judgment. Our past and future no longer share the same reality as our interactions in the
present. In other words, we can choose to live our lives with as much joy and success
as we desire.
This statement is not an advertisement for the latest and greatest self-help technique.
It is about the way we are designed to live. You do not need to have faith to live in this
fashion. You just need a mind that is willing to think, courage to explore new thoughts,
and a willingness to work at seeing reality.
If you are sufficiently happy with your life and are experiencing an appropriate amount
of success, then there is probably no reason for you to read this book. The reason for this
is simple. Reality, as you are experiencing it, is acceptable.
I have been an ordained clergy since 1973 and a licensed psychotherapist since 1980.
Most of my life, I have been looking for a way to experience, truth, God, the depth of love.
In other words, I wanted peace in my everyday life. I believed it was possible but
could not find it.
I followed two paths in trying to find peace. These were by inclination and training a
theological journey through the church and a psychotherapeutic trail through the body/mind.
The difficulty I had with the theological approach was its implication that my mind was
not important. I was taught that what I needed was faith, which was to be found in my heart.
Prayer was not a process of the mind, but rather the experience of silencing the mind so
that the heart could speak.
Since I was a child, it never made any sense to me that the Creator/God would give me
this gift of a mind, and then want me not to use it or possibly remove/ignore it so that I could
effectively encounter him.
I have discovered that I can use my mind to experience and interact with Spirit. I can
rationally know and experience that I belong "in" the Living Spirit of Life.
The difficulty I had with the psychological/ therapeutic approach to life was that it did
not seem to work. It did not matter how many issues I resolved, how rational my thinking
processes were, or ultimately how effective my self-talk was; the peace I sought eluded me.
In the end, I discovered that both approaches, the religious and the therapeutic, are
halves of the same whole. When I used perspectives from both approaches, I discovered
a way to experience peace in my everyday life.
So, what is this book about? All of you know the story of the ugly duckling.
This book shows you what happened in order for the ugly duckling to become a swan.
This book will teach you concepts and skills which enable you not to change reality, but
to change your experience of it. It will show you how you can grow from where you are now
to where you always have been. This is not a misprint or a riddle. Magic is only magic
until you know how it is done. What I teach is how to discover who you really are and
therefore, always have been. I can help you discover how to develop into what you want to be.
The real secret is that only you can know who you are. I can teach you how to find you.
The journey of the "I" to find itself, can only begin when it is unsatisfied. The truth of the
old saying that "you cannot know what you want until you discovered what you do not want,"
is accurate. Its accuracy can only be recognized through experience, specifically your experience.
In my years as a minister and as a therapist, my people and clients have taught me many
things. It may be that one of the most important things I have learned is individuals see, hear,
and feel the world differently.
It is important that you, the reader, understand that there is a journey of the self, learning to
become aware of itself (self-awareness). I have told the story of the journey from its beginning
to its present stage in four different styles. These styles reflect four different ways that people
can view the world. There are many more than these four but these are the ones I am most
familiar with.
It has been my experience not only personally but also with my clients and parishioners
that what I have to share is life changing and powerful. I know it is powerful because of their
change in behavior and their outlook on life.
It is empowering anyone to know with certainty that he is in charge of his world. This perspective
gives you the freedom to be yourself. Because of this, you are free to live in the
world without trying to control it or being controlled by it. You are no longer a victim and
are free to experience loving yourself.
One other thing I should mention, you will read throughout the book references to
God/Creator/Spirit. You will also notice that often when I refer to God/Creator/Spirit,
I use the word, “he.” My experience with God/ Creator/ Spirit, has led me to know that
God/Creator/Spirit, is not gender specific.
Rationally this makes, sense, since “he” is the creator and sustainer of all things, all things
are a part of “him.” Most aspects of creation are not gender specific. Are there male and female
stars? What about wind, or rain? I believe that God/ Creator/ Spirit, cannot be limited and
in fact just is.
Now as to why I keep referring to God/ Creator/ Spirit, as him or he, the reason is simple.
I am married and have been married for 25 year to a lady who has been an English Teacher
for 29 years. She told me that it is grammatically correct and proper to use “he” when
referring to anything that is not gender specific.
I do not know about you, but I learned in the 10th grade not to argue with an English
teacher. In addition, 25 years of marriage to one of the most dedicated teachers I know,
has taught me not to argue with my wife on this subject. So if you are unhappy with my
seemingly gender specific language please take it up with My Lady.
I am staying out of this argument.
I truly wish you Peace, Shalom, and the Peace of the Pipe. All are the same prayer, my
prayer for you, that you find the Peace that passes all understanding.
Namaste
Jack
Before we begin, I would like to share with you my perspective about the purpose of this
book and the history of the teachings.
What I will be sharing with you in the book is not my truth, rather it is a process by which
you can discover and experience your own truth. That experience of truth is reality for you.
The above statement is quite literally true; it has been my experience that "the truth that
will set you free" is not a truth that is a sincere belief, but truth that is reality. I know that this
experience of reality is unmistakable and equally indefinable to any other person. We can
share, however, with each other the journey and joy we experience when we discover reality
in the present moment.
Reality is defined as what truly is. The closest we as humans can get to knowing "what is"
is our personal perspective of it. This perspective, that all we can know and experience about
reality is by definition, personal and subjective, allows us to be free of debilitating fear,
overwhelming guilt, and unreasonable anger. We can view others and ourselves without
judgment. Our past and future no longer share the same reality as our interactions in the
present. In other words, we can choose to live our lives with as much joy and success
as we desire.
This statement is not an advertisement for the latest and greatest self-help technique.
It is about the way we are designed to live. You do not need to have faith to live in this
fashion. You just need a mind that is willing to think, courage to explore new thoughts,
and a willingness to work at seeing reality.
If you are sufficiently happy with your life and are experiencing an appropriate amount
of success, then there is probably no reason for you to read this book. The reason for this
is simple. Reality, as you are experiencing it, is acceptable.
I have been an ordained clergy since 1973 and a licensed psychotherapist since 1980.
Most of my life, I have been looking for a way to experience, truth, God, the depth of love.
In other words, I wanted peace in my everyday life. I believed it was possible but
could not find it.
I followed two paths in trying to find peace. These were by inclination and training a
theological journey through the church and a psychotherapeutic trail through the body/mind.
The difficulty I had with the theological approach was its implication that my mind was
not important. I was taught that what I needed was faith, which was to be found in my heart.
Prayer was not a process of the mind, but rather the experience of silencing the mind so
that the heart could speak.
Since I was a child, it never made any sense to me that the Creator/God would give me
this gift of a mind, and then want me not to use it or possibly remove/ignore it so that I could
effectively encounter him.
I have discovered that I can use my mind to experience and interact with Spirit. I can
rationally know and experience that I belong "in" the Living Spirit of Life.
The difficulty I had with the psychological/ therapeutic approach to life was that it did
not seem to work. It did not matter how many issues I resolved, how rational my thinking
processes were, or ultimately how effective my self-talk was; the peace I sought eluded me.
In the end, I discovered that both approaches, the religious and the therapeutic, are
halves of the same whole. When I used perspectives from both approaches, I discovered
a way to experience peace in my everyday life.
So, what is this book about? All of you know the story of the ugly duckling.
This book shows you what happened in order for the ugly duckling to become a swan.
This book will teach you concepts and skills which enable you not to change reality, but
to change your experience of it. It will show you how you can grow from where you are now
to where you always have been. This is not a misprint or a riddle. Magic is only magic
until you know how it is done. What I teach is how to discover who you really are and
therefore, always have been. I can help you discover how to develop into what you want to be.
The real secret is that only you can know who you are. I can teach you how to find you.
The journey of the "I" to find itself, can only begin when it is unsatisfied. The truth of the
old saying that "you cannot know what you want until you discovered what you do not want,"
is accurate. Its accuracy can only be recognized through experience, specifically your experience.
In my years as a minister and as a therapist, my people and clients have taught me many
things. It may be that one of the most important things I have learned is individuals see, hear,
and feel the world differently.
It is important that you, the reader, understand that there is a journey of the self, learning to
become aware of itself (self-awareness). I have told the story of the journey from its beginning
to its present stage in four different styles. These styles reflect four different ways that people
can view the world. There are many more than these four but these are the ones I am most
familiar with.
It has been my experience not only personally but also with my clients and parishioners
that what I have to share is life changing and powerful. I know it is powerful because of their
change in behavior and their outlook on life.
It is empowering anyone to know with certainty that he is in charge of his world. This perspective
gives you the freedom to be yourself. Because of this, you are free to live in the
world without trying to control it or being controlled by it. You are no longer a victim and
are free to experience loving yourself.
One other thing I should mention, you will read throughout the book references to
God/Creator/Spirit. You will also notice that often when I refer to God/Creator/Spirit,
I use the word, “he.” My experience with God/ Creator/ Spirit, has led me to know that
God/Creator/Spirit, is not gender specific.
Rationally this makes, sense, since “he” is the creator and sustainer of all things, all things
are a part of “him.” Most aspects of creation are not gender specific. Are there male and female
stars? What about wind, or rain? I believe that God/ Creator/ Spirit, cannot be limited and
in fact just is.
Now as to why I keep referring to God/ Creator/ Spirit, as him or he, the reason is simple.
I am married and have been married for 25 year to a lady who has been an English Teacher
for 29 years. She told me that it is grammatically correct and proper to use “he” when
referring to anything that is not gender specific.
I do not know about you, but I learned in the 10th grade not to argue with an English
teacher. In addition, 25 years of marriage to one of the most dedicated teachers I know,
has taught me not to argue with my wife on this subject. So if you are unhappy with my
seemingly gender specific language please take it up with My Lady.
I am staying out of this argument.
I truly wish you Peace, Shalom, and the Peace of the Pipe. All are the same prayer, my
prayer for you, that you find the Peace that passes all understanding.
Namaste
Jack
| © Copyright 2006 E. Jack Lemon information@addictedtocertainty.com 734-770-4566 |