The Way IT Is
A new book from Chuck Hillig, author of the classic Enlightenment For Beginners
Reviewed by Dennis L. Trunk
Talking about "It" is no easy task, and understanding "It" is even harder. But that doesn't mean "It" has to be boring. In this enjoyable and easy-to-read book, Chuck Hillig uses word play and a conversational style, as well as paradox and logical twists and turns, to entertain you, to tweak your curiosity, to coax your understanding and to prompt you to inquire into the nature of the all pervasive, yet maddeningly elusive, "It."
And what, exactly, is this mysterious "It?" "It" is your Self, your own true nature, who you really are. Others may call "It" God, Brahman or the ground substance of being, but "It" is as appropriate a name as any for the unnameable.
Like Hillig's classic Enlightenment For Beginners, this latest book is simple. You can easily read it in under an hour, and the language and concepts can be understood by almost everyone, including teens, and perhaps some younger readers. But the simplicity is deceptive. This is a highly concentrated distillation of Nonduality wisdom and insight dispensed in light doses.
For example, have you ever experienced an episode of spiritual awakening, only to have it soon followed by an episode of spiritual confusion or darkness? Have you ever noticed a pattern of ebb and flow, up and down, where at one moment you seem to "get it," and later, you don't seem to "get it" at all? Although this is a common experience, those who don't notice the pattern and who pay attention only to the individual incidents may end up discouraged. But the pattern is just part of the spiritual dance of the Self and very normal. The Self teases; It reveals Itself, then It hides Itself. Hillig wisely advises to accept the dance: "Don't cling to any of It at all. Lighten up and just let It do Its thing."
Beyond such content, the book enlightens in other ways. It has the structure, as well as the effect, of a serious teaching manual. The casual, almost whimsical, question and answer dialogue Hillig carries out with the reader - including a separate and more formal chapter of 20 questions and answers - is not merely a writing technique for organizing and presenting information. It's also a spiritual discipline in the form of persistent inquiry. Hillig is a student of the Jnana (Wisdom) Yoga tradition exemplified by the great sage Ramana Maharshi. In that tradition, intense inquiry into the nature of reality is the prime method for spiritual awakening. In a similar manner, Hillig leads you on a path to inquire and to keep on inquiring, in depth and with humor.
The result is a gentle, friendly guide for understanding and enjoying "It," your own true identity, and a powerful tool for spiritual awakening. Strongly recommended.
Black Dot Publications, paperback, 108 pages
ISBN: 0-9649740-1-0
Enlightenment For Beginners
An earlier and excellent companion to The Way IT Is, this playful book shares many of the same qualities, including spiritual wisdom, simplicity and accessibility for young people. If you like one, you'll probably like the other, too.
For More Information
To learn more about Chuck Hillig and his writings, or to purchase his books, visit Black Dot Publications.
Copyright © 1999-2008
Dennis L. Trunk
All Rights Reserved
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