Commitment
COMMITMENT
The book you are looking at can take you on a unique exploration of the factors that explain the tragedies in life. I say can, because, in order to reach the level of understanding and peace the book promises, it will take a commitment from both of us: author and reader.
"I know you're out there. I can feel you now.
I know that you're afraid..
You're afraid of change.
I don't know the future.
I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end.
I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.
I'm going to show you a world without rules or controls,
without borders or boundaries.
A world where anything is possible.
Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you."
- Neo (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix
Herein I’ll share my commitment to you, the reader. And I’ll also request your pledge on a few key topics.
THE AUTHOR’S COMMITMENT
My first pledge to you is that I’ve made a list of Basic Assumptions in the next chapter to help you decide if this book is for you. I don’t want to waste your time if you are not aligned with these assumptions.
My second pledge is to make you think and feel – and have fun! This book has been designed to appeal to your analytical, logical Outer Self as well as your creative, fun Inner Self, or left-brain and right-brain, respectfully.
My third pledge is to provide research and quotes to support the information whenever possible. Several hundred books, articles and lectures by many of the world’s greatest theologians, philosophers, psychologists, physicists and doctors contributed to this book.
My fourth pledge is that I’ll provide concepts to fit with just about any religious background. Truth can be found in almost all faiths. I have no religious agenda to communicate. I do, however, provide a Q&A on the ReasonsWhy website to answer some questions about my own particular beliefs if you are interested.
My fifth pledge is to provide exercises that are meaningful and effective.
My sixth pledge is that I won’t make light of what you’re going through; however, I’ll add just a little levity here and there. Quotes that are intended to generate a smile are denoted by a symbol.
Nothing spoils fun like finding out it builds character.
- Calvin & Hobbes (Bill Watterson)
My seventh pledge is to address the questions and challenges of potential skeptics on the Reasons Why website (www.ReasonsWhy.com).
My eighth and final pledge is that I won’t pretend to understand the pain you’re going through. As you’ll see in throughout this book, there are any number of problems, tragedies and crises that categorize a “Bad Thing,” each with varying degrees of challenges and pain.
When you purchase this book, you receive a free membership in the www.ReasonsWhy.com website. Membership benefits include:
- Audio Meditation downloads – with one free to the purchaser of the book.
- An interactive, electronic journal and exercises
- The opportunity to share stories with other members
- The chance to sign up for email notices – weekly or monthly – your choice – to give tips on each RW, affirmations, quotes, new book reviews and more
"I'm trying to free your mind, Neo.
But I can only show you the door.
You're the one that has to walk through it."
- Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) in The Matrix
YOUR COMMITMENT
Until one is committed there is always hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation,
there is one elementary truth.
The ignorance of which kills countless ides
and splendid plans:
The moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help
that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising to one’s favor all manner of unforeseen
accidents and meetings and material assistance
which no man could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
- Goethe
Now your part. Here are the commitments I’d like you to make:
You need to believe in – or at least be open to – the Basic Assumptions in the next chapter.
You have to have an open mind. Some of this material may be new to you, but it will only help if your mind is open.
This is my truth. I’m convinced it is universal truth. But it’s up to you to see if it is your truth. Don’t just take my word for it. Experience it yourself. Read the whole book. Do the exercises. Although you might find something you are unfamiliar with, ‘try it on” to see if it fits instead of rejecting the concept because it doesn’t exactly fit what you’ve learned heretofore.
A few of the exercises are really important. Even if you think they sound dumb or worthless, please complete these exercises. There aren’t many, and I’ll let you know which ones they are, but please make the pledge to complete them.
If you are deeply troubled, please find professional help.
And, finally, please don’t share the list of the Five Reasons Why casually with anyone who hasn’t read the book or attended a seminar. I did a lot of meditating and asking for higher guidance and the message from the Divine was clear. Too many people are looking for an “easy way out” of their problems. As you read this book, you’ll be rewarded from your efforts. Although I tried to write this book as simply and entertainingly as possible, it does take effort to read and process the information. The reward achieved is a result of the effort given. It wouldn’t be fair to rob anyone else of the experience. It would be like someone asking you to white-out your name on a diploma you earned and putting their name on it. You did the work and they need to learn it first-hand for themselves.
PLEASE don’t share the Five Reasons Why casually with anyone. Healing can only flow from the understanding that comes from experiencing the learning first-hand.
Be ready to get understanding!
Be ready to learn!
Be ready for change!
When God grabs you by the scruff of your neck –
you’ve had it.
To take action, you have to know where you stand.
You have to have a vision and then
you have to commit to a result.
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in response to the question, “What does it take to be a Nobel Peace Prize winner?”
YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Go ahead and challenge me. Make fun of me if you want. Go ahead and write me and let me know your thoughts. But before you do, please read the book and do the exercises with an open mind. If you make that commitment to me, I’ll commit to you that I’ll take your suggestions and comments the same way – with respect and an open mind.
Keep Asking Why. Be like a toddler and always ask why, why, why. When you get an answer, keep asking why, digging deeper each time.
NOTE TO SKEPTICS, ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS AND SCIENTISTS:
It seems to me what is called for is an
exquisite balance between two conflicting needs:
the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses
that are served up to us and at the same time
a great openness to new ideas.
If you are only skeptical,
then no new ideas make it through to you.
On the other hand, if you are open to the point of gullibility
and have not an ounce of skeptical sense in you, then
you cannot distinguish useful ideas from the worthless ones.
- Carl Sagan
On the Reasons Why website, I’ll try to address the potential questions or complaints by skeptics. If, however, you are a die-hard skeptic, you probably have your own belief system – that of not believing anything you read that isn’t irrefutably proven – and would probably not get any value from this book. If, however, you enjoy challenging and questioning everything you read, have an open mind and are dedicated to evaluating what you learn not just based on scientific research but also on your own personal experience and empirical evidence, I encourage your questions and any challenges and ask you to email me through my website. Hopefully I can learn from your questions as I hope you’ve gained something by asking them.
“Exact Science” is an oxymoron
- Brownell
Science is never exact. It is always evolving. Every theory we accept as fact today will be challenged in the future. That’s the nature of science. True scientists know this. Even Carl Sagan says, “Science, unlike many other human endeavors, reserves its highest rewards for those who disprove the contentions of the most revered leaders.”
True scientists are never satisfied with the answers of yesterday. If they were, we would still think the world was flat and many other “certainties” of the past. Keep an open mind, but continue to be an explorer. Explore the theories in this book and see for yourself if they make sense and if they help make your life make sense.
Just because something hasn’t been proven,
doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
- Brownell
Truly, the theories in this book are actually self-fulfilling, if taken to heart. If we begin to look at our lives as being subject to the Five Reasons Why, we will create a better life for ourselves, for our families, for our communities and ultimately. for our planet.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
– George Carlin
