Commentary on recent reads

On my way back to Portland, I had a *great* deal of time to read so I finished the following books: The Five People You Meet in Heaven, The Legacy of Luna, The Journey Home, and I started The Four Agreements. Holy god - that's the most non-academic stuff I've read in six months! The ones I finished were great and I held off on the 4 Agreements because it felt like something I needed to focus on more closely. Here are some comments on the other three.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven: A lovely story that reemphasized, for me, how connected we all are - in unknown and unexpected ways. As my loyal reader may know, I have long been a fan of sci-fi/fantasy literature. In that genre, there is much writing about alternate universes and contemplation about how those universes are created. I've lived much of my life thinking about things that happen as a result of choices I make - big choices and little choices. Encounters - important, unimportant, or unnoticed and events that I participate in.

I've always loved the analogy of life as a tapestry. Orson Scott Card used it in the Alvin the Maker series and Piers Anthony also used it in With a Tangled Skein. I'm sure there are lots of others but those two spring to mind. What is important is that our thread touches every other thread in some way - either directly or indirectly. We have no way of knowing what impact we have on people - even casual encounters or people we don't even interact with.

That thought can be scary, but I like to think of it as endless opportunities to experience myself as a loving and compassionate being. Sure, not all my interactions are great or positive, but many of them are and you never know how just one smile or one 'thank you' can help someone transform themselves.

The Legacy of Luna: A beautiful story that reminded me of one extremely important thing - pray for (or hold in light) those who are opposing what you're trying to do. They are often terrified and full of fear and that's why they fight so hard. Angry activism doesn't serve anyone, it only brings more fear, hatred, anger, and negative energy into the mix. Remembering not to take their actions personally, holding to what you know is truth, and keeping a love-based perspective - those are what is important.

Whether or not those opposing us ever see our point of view or agree that we're right isn't the point. Taking their power away and 'winning' the fight isn't the point either, although we usually make it the point. "So what is the point?" you ask. I'm going back to Gandhi now - The point is that there is always truth on both sides and our responsibility is to look at all the aspects and how we can bring them together. One piece of truth is no more right, wrong, or important than another - it is our perspective that places those judgements.

The Journey Home: This book was intense for me, Michael's journey resonated deeply with my own spiritual seeking and path. I'm not going to comment much at this time because I feel I need to read the book again, more thoroughly and taking more time. Suffice to say, I often find it difficult to recognize my own divinity.