In search of The Heart’s Sense of Truth (Pbk)

In search of The Heart’s Sense of Truth: A Life Journey

A journey around a sacred mountain ~ a journey of body, soul and spirit in challenging times ~ a life journey.

“We are standing at a threshold… leading either towards the grave of all civilization and moral striving, or the birthing of a new kind of world community based on recognition of the unlimited potential that lies dormant within every human being…This is because within us is not only an intelligent animal or machine but a living power of spirit that can be a force for both evil and good…” (from the Preface)

At the essence of the huge challenges we are facing today as a global civilization is the question of who we are and what we are being called upon to develop. As is clearly shown in this extraordinarily wide-ranging book, one’s self-image influences how one perceives reality. If we see ourselves simply as advanced animals or pre-programmed robots, the will for self-change and autonomous action is weakened. But if we are willing to extend our rationality and imagination to encompass not only the bodily levels of existence, but those of soul and spirit, everything changes. For this extension of scientific method can awaken new levels of strength and compassion in this time of enormous suffering. Such is the ‘sacred mountain’ around which readers are invited to journey during the first three parts of the book. Such too is the ‘lake of self-reflection’ at which, in the fourth part, we attempt to recognize the capacities we have gained through this mighty paradigm, to pioneer new ways through all that is threatening us from the future.

Contents
A letter from the author
Preface

Day One — Fire Within Will
The journey begins
Looking into the crucible of the soul
Rescuing the reality of the human being in body, soul and spirit
Body and Soul
Soul and Spirit
We become, not what we drink or eat, but what we think and create
Spirit and body
A few words about wisdom & language – about freedom & health, too
Sensing our senses through practicing common sense
How do I know anything? And how can I know that I know?
Awareness of the reality of my own spirit .
Mysteries of time
Night thoughts about sleep and where they lead us

Day Two — Light Within Darkness
Taking stock before the dawning of a new day
The task ahead
Windows of the soul
Three very different futures
… And three very different beings
The wonderful brocade
Interlude
Looking back and a little bit ahead
Ascent to the high pass
The turning
The birthing of our modern age
Human and artificial intelligence
Of darkness and of light
Rubicon

Day Three — Sounding Within Silence
A renewed soul within a renewed body on a new day
Movement & mutuality
Transition
Our senses as a ladder towards spirit self.
Cycles of time
Our debt to the animals and the whole of existence
A true science of origins
The first of the four great steps
Ancient sun
Ancient moon
The birthing, maturation & dying of our earth

Day Four — Life Within Death
Mountain and Lake
A story from Africa
Of evil and of good
Humanity’s cry for freedom, equality & brother-sisterhood
Reflections on the heart and on truth
A change that changes everything
Recognizing destiny
Yet more on the heart’s sense of truth
Making healthy judgements
Specters within the soul
The strengthening power of illness
Except you become as children
Of death and of life
The suffering of our earth and its inhabitants
The journey beyond
The crossing point from evolution to involution
Facing reality
Great beings work together
From duty to love – From selfishness to freedom

About the Author
Benjamin Cherry has lived, worked and travelled in many different continents and cultures, foremost as educator, writer and gardener. He has helped found more humane child-centered schools throughout the East, from Australia to most notably China. His life-long quest for truth came to birth during his time in Vietnam at the height of the American war and it reached a new level of intensity during the time of Covid.

In Search of the Heart’s Sense of Truth is the fruit of a lifetime. It is a depiction of ways forward through the mighty trials that are racing towards us, so long as we have the courage and mental clarity to recognize what we are, in fullness, as human beings.