Seeds for the Soul
The latest book from Chuck Hillig, author of
Enlightenment For Beginners and The Way IT Is
Reviewed by Dennis L. Trunk
I always enjoy Hillig's books about Nonduality, partly because of his incisive insights, and partly because of his often impishly clever humor (see review of The Way IT Is). I'm happy to say that Seeds for the Soul is not an exception.
Drawing from material he wrote in his journals over several decades, Hillig has combined Eastern philosophy with Western psychology to produce what he describes as "a unique collection of ideas, speculations, thoughts and musings...all loosely linked together by a universal worldview [Nonduality]." He adds - and I agree - that it is "quite an interesting mixture."
Unlike his previous books, this one is not designed to be read sequentially. Instead, each page is a complete statement in itself, able to stand on its own. You can read the pages randomly, or in any order you want.
More importantly, it's not meant to be read quickly. Each page is offered as a spiritual "seed" to be cultivated over time. On various levels, any of these seeds may germinate and flower into profound spiritual understanding. But, although each is potent, they are not all meant to be equally meaningful or viable for everyone. Some seeds may even seem to contradict others. Aware of this, Hillig encourages a spirit of picking and choosing.
Starting with my first sampling of this book, I was immediately impressed and delighted. Throughout, Hillig offers hundreds of small gems of wisdom that shine brightly. The themes of Nonduality are expressed with his usual ingenuity and clarity, and so are the interwoven sub-themes of psychological and therapeutic advice for living as the Source of who you are. "Seeds" is, in other words, an aid not only to awakening to one's own absolute nature, but also to living constantly in that awakened condition.
Some passages are humorously perceptive:
Your feelings don't really hassle you.
What hassles you are your beliefs about what you think you should be feeling instead of what you actually are feeling.
In other words, you're "shoulding" all over yourself !!!
Other passages are simple statements of truth, simply well stated:
You are standing perfectly still.
The world is really moving through you...and, mysteriously...moving as you.
But the Epilogue contains an extra treat. It's Hillig's Nondualist interpretation of the classic musical round "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" most of us heard while growing up. You may find his novel interpretation so obviously convincing that you won't ever regard that round in the same way again.
In my opinion, although there are many excellent writers and teachers of Nonduality, no one surpasses Hillig in being as well rounded and as playfully entertaining on the subject. Seeds for the Soul is a worthy complement to his other popular books and deserves to be just as successful.
Black Dot Publications in cooperation with Trafford Publishing, paperback, 276 pages
ISBN: 1-55395-844-6
Enlightenment For Beginners and The Way IT Is
These earlier companions to Seeds for the Soul share many of the same qualities, including spiritual wisdom, humor and simplicity. If you like one, you'll probably like the others, too (see review of The Way IT Is).
For More Information
To learn more about Chuck Hillig and his writings, or to purchase his books, visit Black Dot Publications. To purchase Seeds for the Soul, visit Trafford Publishing.
Copyright © 1999-2008
Dennis L. Trunk
All Rights Reserved
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