Overview
My own spiritual journey started slowly, like a locomotive drawing heavy freight. But gradually I picked up steam. Finally I reached the destination, a rustic country station, "The Village of The Enlightened." On the platform, a kind but stern Stationmaster instructs all who would live there:
"Please realize, however our travels differ, we are all on similar routes. We give our wanderings different names, depending on our faith or lack of faith. But they are seldom more than names.
"The greatest joy is open to every heart, moments of diamond-like clarity, glimpses of the Divine. While great art may evoke the experience, it cannot represent it. Yet great lives may.
"Throughout the universe, countess beings ponder their purpose. Whatever their shapes or forms, the lucky come to this: Love is who I am. Love is why I am. And conscience is the lamp that lights my way."
I readily admit that mine is not a traditional view of enlightenment. I do not lean on timeworn tropes on Buddha or his life, nor do I expound from Holy texts. All of us may find enlightenment on our own. It does not require a guru or a teacher. There is a universal source of wisdom, readily accessed. But the ascetic, meditating mind has not the means. The living, loving heart does.
Enlightenment does not belong in Heaven or Nirvana. Brilliant lands have no need of lamps. This often-dark world does. We each have a heart. Thus, we each hold a key that opens the door to enlightenment. There is no other key to search our pockets for.
Let my verses act as piano tuners for your spirits, allowing your heartstrings to resonate with truth. For it is the heart only, not the mind, that may reach to pull back the dusty curtains of delusion and let in the light.
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940011142352 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Jim Riley |
| Publication date: | 11/29/2010 |
| Sold by: | Smashwords |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 164 KB |
About the Author
From the film, National Treasure: "There are 20 million books in the Library of Congress, and they all say the same thing: 'Listen to Riley!'" In college I was Editor of the literary magazine and received a national award for young writers. I'm a classically trained musician, Concertmaster in high school, all-State, and at university. I'm currently recording a series of original Celtic and Renaissance dances. As an artist I love beauty. As a philosopher, truth. And, as a lover, love itself. Yet, at life's crossroads, I have learned, not beauty, truth, or love alone guides us well. This book is about what does give life meaning and purpose. Despite the cover, this book of highly focused verses does not promote any faith over another. Buddha may symbolize illumination for many, but his teachings are hardly the last word. Every worthy belief is born of the search for truth. Yet any, institutionalized for too long, can devolve to less. To reach anything like enlightenment we must wake every day willing to look at everything we think we know with fresh eyes. My approach is to offer a series of perspectives whose effect on willing readers will be like circling an invisible piece of art, one whose nature is unclear until we gaze at it from many angles. I have come to believe that this is the most that words can do, and why art can hope to succeed where written declarations of philosophy or faith cannot. If the profound could be stated simply and directly, someone would have done so long ago. My own spiritual journey started slowly, like a locomotive pulling heavy freight. Only gradually I picked up steam. But finally I reached the destination. I'll liken it to a rustic country station with a weathered sign, "The Village of Revelations." On the platform, the Stationmaster stands eternally, greeting all who arrive." "Welcome! Should you wish to live among us, you must first know this: that the routes to this place are many. We give them different names. Yet what separates us, and our beliefs, is far less than what we share, if we only knew it. "You seem earnest, and you've made it this far. So I'll take you straight away the first great secret you'll learn here: that throughout the universe, countless beings, just like you and me, seek too life's meaning. Yet, whatever their shapes or forms, the lucky ones come to this: I am just who I am. But Love is why I am. "Dream of Heaven if you like. Embrace beauty where you find it. Faith and art can point the way. But neither holds the answers you seek. They are found within your own conscience. It is the power of conscience, and conscience alone, that has the reach to draw back the curtain of delusion and let in the light. And what is conscience? The union of your mind and heart." What readers say: "...seamless and intelligent...perspectives I've never thought of before." "...flows like poetry...breathtaking." "...a book to keep by your bedside...more wisdom and common sense than Solomon." "...reminds me of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. While the author recognizes limits to the written word, his use of the medium is beautiful."