Book Review - I Am Therefore I Am - Finding God In Our Hearts
In a world where explanations of the meaning of life swing from quantum physics to esoteric philosophical and religious theories, you have to love a spiritual book that boils it down to this: "We are here to be happy.
" In I Am Therefore I Am: Finding God in Our Heart, author Lawrence Doochin tackles the big questions and offers up simple wisdom.
I was hooked when I read the first few sentences.
"What is the difference between the following statements? The world is as I see it.
I see the world as it is.
" And I was thrilled to discover that Doochin writes in the language of the heart.
His gentle repetition throughout the book that "Love is the essence of all that is" allows a comfortable exploration of weighty subjects without ever losing the main point (or the reader) in intellectual jargon.
Lawrence's message that true happiness and fulfillment lie in remembering and recognizing that all is perfect Love always comes through loud and clear.
The author has a knack for wrapping the ineffable in simplicity.
He covers a lot of ground in a little book-perception, faith, reality, emotion, language, morality and purpose.
I Am Therefore I Am recounts what was revealed to him during a time of intense self-reflection and study.
Each chapter starts with a personal recollection or realization, and then follows with a discussion of a specific topic.
He weaves the difficulties of his abusive and isolated childhood with years of spiritual seeking to form a concise and understandable approach to the most difficult questions we face in our lives.
Lawrence honestly shares his experiences and heartaches.
He conveys the revelations given to him during his journey of self-discovery with an openness and generosity that shines in each word.
His story is compelling, and the revelations are refreshing and real.
"We are not here to learn," is one revelation.
Instead, Doochin says, we exist in order to know God through our hearts.
Without negating the importance of thought as a creative force in the world, the book quite handily refutes the Western tendency to approach everything through the mind.
Lawrence deftly explores concepts like paradox, contrast, power, thought and illusion, and gives solid reasons why releasing our beliefs about the world and our place in it will make our lives much easier.
He contends that dropping preconceived ideas will not only make life effortless, it will allow us to more frequently experience God's Love and tap into the abundance of the Universe.
"As part of the Oneness, everything you could ever possibly want-love, joy, peace-is available right here, right now in this moment.
It is simply your recognition of this.
Recognition of your true nature allows Creation to unfold with you as an intricate piece of the puzzle.
" Another key revelation is about purpose.
"You are not here to do anything.
You are here to be.
You are fulfilling your role on Earth just by being an expression of God in form, for this is Creation fulfilled.
This is Love.
" In a world where worth is often measured by doing or having, this seems impossible to imagine.
How can we live in this world without doing something? Doochin reminds us that by recognizing and remembering our true nature we will be able to effortlessly see and fulfill our unique purpose in the greater body of God.
He points out that we may have to release old habits in order to move into a place of remembering.
"Sometimes we actually have to forget what we have learned to create space for remembrance to occur, and part of that is creating periods where we are still, either through meditation, quiet walks, or simply shutting off the television.
" Throughout the book Lawrence provides suggestions for sparking remembrance by encouraging non-judgmental and gentle practices like observation, acceptance, meditation and contemplation.
I Am Therefore I Am offers hope to those of us accustomed to living from the illusory foundation of "thinking" and the perpetual habit of "doing", that we can transcend the constant turmoil and striving that occupies most of our time.
Lawrence Doochin has recorded an excellent resource for spiritual seekers of all types.
It is a guide that can be returned to repeatedly when the nagging questions that we cannot satisfy with our minds arise yet again.
For anyone who wants to cultivate the innate state of joy and happiness within, this insightful little book is jam-packed with meaningful gems perfect for today's world.
I Am Therefore I Am - Finding God in our Hearts by Lawrence Doochin website: http://www.
iamthereforeiam.
net Genre: Spiritual ISBN: 978-0-9816990-5-9
" In I Am Therefore I Am: Finding God in Our Heart, author Lawrence Doochin tackles the big questions and offers up simple wisdom.
I was hooked when I read the first few sentences.
"What is the difference between the following statements? The world is as I see it.
I see the world as it is.
" And I was thrilled to discover that Doochin writes in the language of the heart.
His gentle repetition throughout the book that "Love is the essence of all that is" allows a comfortable exploration of weighty subjects without ever losing the main point (or the reader) in intellectual jargon.
Lawrence's message that true happiness and fulfillment lie in remembering and recognizing that all is perfect Love always comes through loud and clear.
The author has a knack for wrapping the ineffable in simplicity.
He covers a lot of ground in a little book-perception, faith, reality, emotion, language, morality and purpose.
I Am Therefore I Am recounts what was revealed to him during a time of intense self-reflection and study.
Each chapter starts with a personal recollection or realization, and then follows with a discussion of a specific topic.
He weaves the difficulties of his abusive and isolated childhood with years of spiritual seeking to form a concise and understandable approach to the most difficult questions we face in our lives.
Lawrence honestly shares his experiences and heartaches.
He conveys the revelations given to him during his journey of self-discovery with an openness and generosity that shines in each word.
His story is compelling, and the revelations are refreshing and real.
"We are not here to learn," is one revelation.
Instead, Doochin says, we exist in order to know God through our hearts.
Without negating the importance of thought as a creative force in the world, the book quite handily refutes the Western tendency to approach everything through the mind.
Lawrence deftly explores concepts like paradox, contrast, power, thought and illusion, and gives solid reasons why releasing our beliefs about the world and our place in it will make our lives much easier.
He contends that dropping preconceived ideas will not only make life effortless, it will allow us to more frequently experience God's Love and tap into the abundance of the Universe.
"As part of the Oneness, everything you could ever possibly want-love, joy, peace-is available right here, right now in this moment.
It is simply your recognition of this.
Recognition of your true nature allows Creation to unfold with you as an intricate piece of the puzzle.
" Another key revelation is about purpose.
"You are not here to do anything.
You are here to be.
You are fulfilling your role on Earth just by being an expression of God in form, for this is Creation fulfilled.
This is Love.
" In a world where worth is often measured by doing or having, this seems impossible to imagine.
How can we live in this world without doing something? Doochin reminds us that by recognizing and remembering our true nature we will be able to effortlessly see and fulfill our unique purpose in the greater body of God.
He points out that we may have to release old habits in order to move into a place of remembering.
"Sometimes we actually have to forget what we have learned to create space for remembrance to occur, and part of that is creating periods where we are still, either through meditation, quiet walks, or simply shutting off the television.
" Throughout the book Lawrence provides suggestions for sparking remembrance by encouraging non-judgmental and gentle practices like observation, acceptance, meditation and contemplation.
I Am Therefore I Am offers hope to those of us accustomed to living from the illusory foundation of "thinking" and the perpetual habit of "doing", that we can transcend the constant turmoil and striving that occupies most of our time.
Lawrence Doochin has recorded an excellent resource for spiritual seekers of all types.
It is a guide that can be returned to repeatedly when the nagging questions that we cannot satisfy with our minds arise yet again.
For anyone who wants to cultivate the innate state of joy and happiness within, this insightful little book is jam-packed with meaningful gems perfect for today's world.
I Am Therefore I Am - Finding God in our Hearts by Lawrence Doochin website: http://www.
iamthereforeiam.
net Genre: Spiritual ISBN: 978-0-9816990-5-9