Radical Happiness
A Guide To Awakening
By Gina Lake
Reviewed by Dennis L. Trunk
The central idea of Gina Lake's new book is that radical happiness is innate. It is the root, unconditional happiness of Being itself.
To discover the truth of her claim, you need only realize that who you think you are does not exist, and then stay with that realization. When the false "you" gets out of the way, the real you, your divine nature, is revealed as already present. In that realization lies radical happiness.
Expanding on her theme, Gina explores the nature of true happiness, what interferes with it, and how to recognize and get rid of the interference. In accord with classic Nonduality teachings, she discusses how thoughts and identification with them create the ego. Not all thoughts, of course - some are both necessary and practical - but primarily the random mental static which arises from conditioning. The effect of that conditioning could be summarized as: I think, therefore I suffer. In other words, although thought can be an excellent servant, it is more often a despotic master.
To offer insight and awareness about the mind's conditioning and what to do about it, Gina draws on her formidable background, which includes a Master's in Counseling Psychology, over twenty years experience supporting people in their spiritual growth, and the noticeable influence of her Zen teacher, Adyashanti. Various simple exercises are included to aid in Self-discovery.
Much of her teaching focuses on Nonduality, and it is presented extremely well. Because of the clarity of that teaching, the book would be important for that reason alone. But, in addition, various myths about enlightenment, seldom mentioned in similar books, are touched upon and dispelled, such as the belief that enlightenment always results in immediate or complete release from involvement with egocentric conditioning. She acknowledges that lapses can and often do occur. Liberation is usually a gradual process of release.
Interestingly, Gina diverges from some of the minimalist, naturalistic interpretations many current teachers of Nonduality have adopted. When she says that "who you think you are does not exist," most other current teachers would probably agree. But, whereas some might go further and express a belief that there is also no free will, no soul, no reincarnation and no karma, Gina suggests otherwise. Without hesitation, she blends these and other traditional metaphysical ideas into her discussions of Nonduality. She suggests, for example, that choice is a necessary creative function of the Self.
Perhaps the most important chapter in the book is one devoted entirely to discussing the Heart. The Heart, as described by the famous sage Ramana Maharshi, is the seat of Awareness located on the right side of the chest. It is the source from which the mind and the energy of creation arise. Gina points to it as a living reality and explains its intuitive nature and its subtle energy.
Moreover, she assures that anyone can develop sensitivity to it. And that is a valuable truth. The Heart, as Presence discovered in the silence of Being, is a universal experience which crosses the boundaries of traditions and beliefs. In a recent article about the monastic community at Taizé, for example, the brothers said that in silence "we shall discover that the depths of our being are inhabited by a Presence." Nondualists would not only agree, but would go further and identify this Presence as the expression of one's Self, the innate joy of one's own true nature.
Not surprisingly, the radiant joy of the Self can be felt in these pages. Gina's book, like the radical happiness it reveals, comes straight from the Heart.
Published by iUniverse, July 2005, $13.95 U.S., ISBN: 0-595-34833-5.
Two Excerpts From The Book
The Cause Of Suffering and The Mind's Rejection Of Oneness
About Gina Lake
Gina Lake has a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and over twenty years experience supporting people in their spiritual growth. She has authored and edited several books on spirituality.
For More Information
To learn more about Gina Lake and her writings, or to purchase her books, visit Radical Happiness or email Gina at ginalakenow@aol.com. She is also available for phone consultations.
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Dennis L. Trunk
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