All Answers Questioned
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When we are engaged in creative activities, such as writing a book, playing music, painting and so on, is the source of our creativity "personal" or does it arise from somewhere else?
The true source of all creativity is life itself, which is the ultimate in creativity. Creative expression is given its unique flavour when it's expressed through each of us, but the source is always that which is beyond all personality and all form. Life is expressing itself in a very unique manner through each and every one of us so in that sense we are all channels for the incessant creativity of life.
Where did your inspiration for "All This is That" come from?
Life wanted to express itself in this manner through this particular body-mind form, and so the book came into existence. The inspiration comes from somewhere far beyond anything that can be recognised on the level of form. We are all like instruments created by life itself through which it plays its very unique kind of music. "All This is That" is just one song amongst an infinite number of songs.
Have your ideas on the nature of consciousness been influenced by any particular spiritual teachers?
The expression of what we are is always influenced by whoever and whatever we meet on life's journey. I have been influenced by everybody I've ever been in touch with, whether they're spiritual teachers or not. The nature of consciousness is an ever-deepening mystery that we can immerse ourselves in, even if we can't hope to ever understand it.
Do you have any favourite spiritual books that would be on interest to readers of "All This is That"?
There are many spiritual books available out there, and different books will appeal to different people. "All This is That" is a book that can be described as literary non-fiction in the sense that it deals extensively with philosophical and spiritual matters in literary form. The only books I can think of that deal with some of the same spiritual concepts in literary form are the books by Jed McKenna, which are all excellent. If you keep an eye on the Recommended Books section on this web site, I will post new book reviews regularly of books I think are worth reading
How does the concept of time that you write about in the book relate to our day-to-day existence where time and "clock watching" seem so important to most of us?
We all have to deal with "clock time" to some extent, but this needn't be a problem. It is possible to live from an awareness of the timeless, that which is beyond the world of form, and still go by the rules of time. Time is a psychological phenomenon that appears and disappears within the wider context of the timeless dimension. One doesn't negate the other, because they are not related at all. Time is just a tool, a kind of practical convenience that makes daily life easier to navigate. We can use it whenever it's needed, but once it's no longer necessary it drops away quite effortlessly.
Do you feel that Theo's inherited wealth avoids looking at issues concerning money and distribution of wealth?
Not at all. This is not a major theme in "All This is That". The book is not meant to be a social or political commentary or as a provider of solutions on that level. It deals with something else altogether and things like money, wealth and property have very little bearing on it. Money and the distribution of wealth are of course legitimate issues for discussion and action, but in the context of this book, these issues are quite frankly not relevant.
Can religious beliefs and practices ever lead to spiritual awakening?
This is a question that cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. On the one hand there is nothing in itself that is inherently required for spiritual awakening to take place, but on the other hand, spiritual awakening does often happen within the context of spiritual and religious belief and practice. A religious or spiritual practice implies that there is a practitioner, but at some point it will be seen that this is an illusion. The falling away of the illusion of being a somebody who is doing something to reach enlightenment happens not because of religious belief and practice, but in spite of it.
How does ill health and mental or physical handicaps fit into the paradigm you seem to be describing?
Ill health and handicaps are not obstacles to spiritual awakening. They are not really relevant as far as awakening is concerned because awakening has to do with realising the truth of your identity, which is possible regardless of whatever circumstances you happen to be in.
