The Heart of the Matter
October 18, 2021
MY REVIEW OF PREM RAWAT'S WONDERFUL NEW BOOK

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It has often been said that life doesn't come with an instruction manual, though some first-time parents, in major need of help, have been known to read at least a few books towards that end.

Wouldn't it be great if there WAS an instruction manual -- a book you could buy to help you figure out how to navigate all of life's twists and turns and everything in between?

Then again, it sure seems as if every religion, since the beginning of time, has published their own version of this proverbial instruction manual -- books we have come to refer to as scriptures, holy books, and divine transmissions. I, for one, am glad these books exist. I am. They have provided much comfort, guidance, and inspiration to millions of people around the world long before Starbucks existed. I even own a few of them myself -- the Bible, Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, and Tao Te Ching.

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With the September 14th release of Prem Rawat's new book, Hear Yourself -- now a New York Times best seller -- mankind now has, as far as I can tell, the long-awaited instruction manual. And when I say "instruction manual", I am using that phrase very loosely -- more like an untangled knot than a meme, since HEAR YOURSELF, in no way, is intended to be an instruction manual -- you know, the kind with all those lists of what to do and what not to do -- any one of which that, if followed correctly (claims their authors) would be enough for readers to live their lives the fullest.

Sorry. Life is not a list to be followed. Not now. Not ever. It is an EXPERIENCE to be enjoyed.

I knew HEAR YOURSELF was the book for me on the very first page. That's where I found myself underlying just about every word and jotting down all kinds of notes to myself in the columns. Maybe it was when I began underlying my underlining that it dawned on me that this book was not only a great purchase, but one I wanted to give away to as many friends as possible.

Usually, when I buy a book I want to read it quickly. I mean, after all, I just bought it, right? And since the reason I bought it was to read it, the faster I consumed it, the faster I would benefit from its content, no?

But it was quite the opposite with HEAR YOURSELF. The more I read it, the slower I wanted to go. Like fine cognac, I wanted to sip and savor. Speed was not the goal. Nor was rushing through it. Nor "making progress" or completing it. I just wanted to enjoy each page -- each and every word on every page, every phrase and the extraordinary mix of stories contained therein, each a portal to the place I long to inhabit: This moment. Right here. Right now. Where I exist in full glory.

I think that if Hear Yourself WAS an instruction manual, (which it isn't), one of its guiding instructions would be to slow down, dig in, and savor this very moment. And, I might add, BE YOURSELF -- who you truly are -- a unique, creative, sentient, soulful human being.

Authored by Prem Rawat, a 63-year old peace educator, change agent, and wise one, HEAR YOURSELF is a total treasure -- a pearl... a gem... an open heart beating with the same universal life force that animates us all.

Prem speaking about his book
Buy the book
PremRawat.com
Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at October 18, 2021 01:50 PM

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