Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Open Path, Recognizing Non dual Awareness



 I had the honor recently of reading a book by an author I had not previously encountered. The book is The Open Path, Recognizing Non dual Awareness by Elias Amidon. What a pleasant surprise to discover such a well written book in a genre I thought I had pretty well exhausted.

If I try to distill down to a couple of words a description of this book, the words would be "gentle" and "clarity." These may not be big action words, but when we are considering the field of Awareness, that which is subtle beyond measure, a book such as this is striking.

Though feeling like one is riding a gentle breeze, this book has the depth and understanding to point very clearly into what is beyond words. At first glance the book does not strike one as particularly hard hitting, but this turns out to be deceptive. Gentleness and clarity do not lack power, and continued reading allows one to see the depth of the insight.
A wonderful aspect of the book is that it does not tag itself to any particular religion or non dual lineage. From the world at large, those writings that point to Awareness from whatever tradition, are used well, and delicately. It reminds one of the passage, "He who calls on me by whatever name, is mine and dear to me."

From a good deal of reading in the field of non duality, one can state confidently that doing "self inquiry" is a common and oft repeated instruction. However, it is seldom that one runs across a book that gathers and expounds on the self inquiry process. Elias Amidon makes it clear that "self Inquiry" is not a single note, but has many contours and edges. He lays them out in a very clear terms. It becomes obvious that this writer has explored this path, "opened" it up, and made it available.

It  is obvious that this author comes from the standpoint of Awareness. With gentleness and clarity,  this book carries power that points to a deep understanding. It is clear that years of working with the process of opening are behind this book. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone on the path to discovering that which already is.

Maury Lee 

No comments: