Even if there is a realm beyond mortality, would finding it improve our lives on earth? What use is Spirit to a troubled world? Do prayer and meditation work?
As a young man in search of love and a purpose to live for, the author could not fit within the world he found. Longing to be useful but unwilling to conform, he went out to South America. It wasn't so easy. Alone on a mountainside one day, an inner voice said, 'To make whole, be whole'. This was a turning point. He realised that, before being able to help others, he first had to work on himself. Once back in England, he found a method of meditation.
Love of nature led him to become one of the first organic farmers but, when asked what he really wanted in life, he answered 'God'. He'd been schooled in the Christian faith but was not at this time attracted to the Church. Meditation proved an ideal accompaniment as further adventures took him to Africa and, in particular, the desert.
Later, at a low ebb in the USA, he 'met Jesus', which brought his practice of meditation and Christianity together. At the age of 51, he re-entered university to study Russian prior to visiting his mother's homeland for the first time in 1991. This led to several years living in Russia, where he realised the similarity between his own practice and traditional Orthodox 'prayer of the heart'.
The book is based on notes of the author's unfolding spiritual experience, which taught him that the wholeness he sought is actually — Spirit. How is it attained? With many encouraging examples he shows how, with patient perseverance, the grip of the ego with all the restrictive unhappiness it brings, can be released. Being then more open to the influence of Grace, we may come to discover the Kingdom of God — our original, spiritual and perfect home.
Dear John,
'I hope you won't mind my addressing you by your Christian name but having read your book twice as well as highlighting many paragraphs to study, I feel you are a dear friend.
WHEN GRASS GROWS in spring and it’s time to let cattle out of winter quarters, the gate is opened, chains are loosed but - will they, won’t they go? Incredulous they stand, sniffing the fresh air, blinking in sunshine before returning to familiar shadows and their daily straw. Until one, bolder than the rest, will take a timid step. First one, then two - a nervous leap. She’s free! The others watch unable, unwilling to believe. A second follows, and a third … and then … stampede. Oh, how they feast on sweet, green grass and kick their heels for joy!
