Letters to My Friends: A No Guarantees Guide to Awakening

Oh I do like that Brother John. Raging, Rowdy Mark

LOVE THIS WRITING! I laughed out loud and smiled a lot. Anna

You know, I always enjoy reading the missives you send out-- you're a very good and engaging writer. Kristen

I have been reading your book since we met at Breitenbush, and wanted you to know that this one really resonated with me. I am weeping joyfully at my desk. Aaron

Tonight, right now, I'm home after teaching my class (an early night mind you, only 1:00 am when I'm usually home around 2:30 am). Anyway, I read THE WHOLE THING!!! And I laughed. And I said "Holy Cow!" because I'm a southern atheist. "This guy is onto something, and witty too! And I think he's right!" Paula

It is so good to hold the fruit of your tree in my hands. It is beautiful and I am reminded that I am that as well. I will digest it and send it out into the world in whatever ways Spirit would have me do so. I am willing. Much love to you my friend. Meg

Oh, the world is full of trivia, but not, alas, full of people seeing the spiritual relevance of hens, aardvarks, and peanut butter. That would make for much better evening news than the poor fare we get now. Lisa

Wow! Your writing is so gorgeous. I much appreciate all the authenticity, truth and fun. I really appreciate it...so sweet! Gina

I cherish this book! I will share it with my daughter. Rose

Thank you so much for sharing yourself. I am sure that this will come back to you multiplied and overflowing. Re’

I can't tell you how valuable it is to me for you to share your thoughts and feelings so openly. I am hungry to learn about all parts of this life journey and your experiences help instruct me. Thank you for that courage and willingness to serve. Nirlima

You are a gift, a gift to humanity. Thank you for your beautiful openness and heart-reaching honesty. Margaret

Thank you being magnificently honest and inspiring. Marny

There are days when I am absolutely certain that I know nothing. And on those days, I am probably the closest to the truth. How can I know anything? What I think of as myself is a series of thoughts and feelings that seemingly appear randomly out of nothing and return to nothing. Therefore, I am nothing. If I am nothing, how can I know the answer to any of the important questions life poses? Is God in me? Or am I in God? When I pray, am I praying to myself? If so, am I in trouble?

There is a judgement day. There is a day of reckoning when we must give an accounting of ourselves. There is a day when the just will be rewarded and the unjust punished. That day is today. And who will be my judge? I will be my judge, no other, for I am, as are you, an instrument of the divine. And it is I who must judge myself, no other. And I ask but one thing of this judge. I ask that I be judged on my willingness to love, nothing more.

I am that which I seek. If I seek joy, it is to be found deep within my being. Joy may manifest as a walk in the woods with a friend. Or it may manifest as hugging one of my daughters. It may manifest as reading a good book and gaining new insights. Or perhaps it will manifest as holding hands with my wife. But the source of joy resides within me. I am that which I seek. If I seek courage, it is to be found deep within my being. It may manifest as the courage to write these letters and share them. It may manifest as the courage to be honest about my faults. It may manifest as not pretending to be something I am not. It may manifest as speaking for compassionate behavior when it would be easier to say nothing. But the source of courage resides within me, always within me.