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Started At The Opposite End
Submitted by: Helge S.
SwedenIt was really be told in my contribution.... My main concern is to express my gratitude, because the timing of the book and DVD were absolutely crucial in my life.
Dear Rhonda,
I have read the book, and this morning the DVD came, which I watched with the same peace that took me over after the first pages of your book. I just listened to the conversation with your producer, where you tell about rock bottom, and your daughter handed you the initial book from 1912. You write about this in the foreword in your book as well.
My story is just the opposite. I feel like Siddhartha (Hermann Hesse), who returned from the city, met with the ferryman 20 years later, and found peace and fulfillment (another great book).
I was born just after the war. In 1973 an American girlfriend had urged me for months to read ‘In Search of the Miraculous’ by PD Ouspensky. I resisted, then one morning in her apartment by the Mediterranean, I started to read in bed, and was hit in the head thinking; deep down I knew this. The authors presented Gurdjieffs work, which spells it out: You can only evolve by remembering your own true Self and through no expression of negative emotions. From when I was a kid I would have these sudden religious experiences. I was delighted that there were people who were actually concerned with such ideas, in a more scientific manner, not in sentimental religious ways… that always put me off especially if anyone came across patronizing, which I am sad to say many religious zealots do.
This book led me to years of studies, similar studies you undertook in weeks, the same ancient scriptures, barring the practical pragmatic people you linked up with in America. Thats what I love about America, and Americans, they put things into practice.
This January I hit rock bottom. I bought an apartment in another European country, in a place where I have no friends, and sought none. I conducted my business over the internet. Everything fell apart; I lost money by accident, clicking on the wrong buttons in my broker account. Everything turned complicated. In the apartment I only have one bed, two chairs and a desk, which I bought the same day I arrived by train, with just two suitcases and a computer.
I turned so negative about family and friends, who I left behind; I just wanted to be alone. I had turned into a total cynic, immersed in negativity, just seeing a complete corrupted world out here. I knew I had to get out of it, if for no other reason not to break down my health. I considered myself both knowledgeable and competent to do so. Still it was like I had been picked up by a twister, which I could not escape.
I read an article about your book. I ordered it from Amazon.
So let me get to the point: After just reading pages of your book, I saw in a glimpse the blind ally I had been in since 1983, when I kind of went astray. AND I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!!! Whatever you and any of the great teachers say in your book and DVD I knew in advance was the truth, even the parts about particle physics. Still I had been under this spell of negativity and cynicism – all these years.
I never had my own family, even though I have more social skills then anyone. People loved and sought my company, because I could mobilize what it took up to a point, and then I withdrew. The cynicism got the better of me, I would see through people, overlook their soul. It brought me to rock bottom, and your book freed me in an instant, just pages.
So let me point out your GREATNESS. You saw it, you took it to heart instantly, you managed to manifest all this, and pulling together so many good forces/people. You combine all three approaches: mind [Gyan], heart [Bakti], and action [Karm]. Most people are lucky if they achieve one, in lifetimes. Thus you have achieved the 4th WAY – knowing it all.
So accept my gratitude, and send my blessing to all the good people involved in the DVD and the book. A special thanks to your daughter, who initially responded to the Godly call. God Bless You, and God Bless America, where ideas so often are allowed to flourish.
Love
Helge