Commentaries on the Book of Wisdom

This is a compilation of spiritual truths told in verse and prose that originate in many and various disciplines. It is not intended to be dogmatic in any form or fashion, and is presented in such a way that the most fundamental Christian believer to the most avowed atheist can find one or more thoughts to beneficially fit into his or her life practices.

Commentaries on the Book of Wisdom" presents its life fulfilling truths in easy to read and understand eight line verses followed by short commentaries that expand on them. More than one religious philosophy is represented in the text of "the book" and its basic hope is the realization that there is one basic truth that underlies nearly all religious disciplines. "Commentaries on the Book of Wisdom" is not a religious text. It presents the comments in a form that followers of various religious disciplines will recognize, but the comments are presented without dogma which will appeal to readers of no recognized religious belief or inclination. The story that introduces the Comments is entertaining, as well as enlightening.

Russ Marlett grew up in a multi generation family of Methodists. Early religious training was more dogmatic than exploratory. His first break with tradition came at the age of nine when he examined a round steak that his mother had laid out to prepare for dinner. It was obvious to him that the piece of meat showed a cross section of the muscle tissue of a bovine leg, and he proudly pointed out his discovery to his mother. She looked at the meat for only and instant, and in explanation replied, "No, Bubba, that's flesh. The Bible says it's flesh." End of discussion. At the time, that did it for accepting the Bible as the absolute authority on the physical world. That did not end the exploration of the Bible, and the discovery that - while it had some holes in it as far as describing the physical world - it had some profound and true things to say about a spiritual world that is embedded in our physical world, and which can lead us to a very rewarding and satisfactory life experience. Embracing an unquestioning faith that came into being from the teachings of The Christ, Russ evolved from a painfully thin, non athletic adolescent to a life of adventure in adulthood. Forest firefighter, ranch hand, paratrooper, skydiver, to the last great adventure of living aboard and cruising the Pacific Coast and the Western Caribbean on his and his wife Shirley's sail boat "Wanderlust". Over time, the lessons of the Christ were added to by the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the wisdom of the Tao, smatterings of Buddhism which revealed that there is one basic truth in all of life, and if we embrace it we will become successful at life and will be contributors to the well being and success of others. "Commentaries on the Book of Wisdom" is an attempt to compile the essence of this basic truth in thirty two poems, along with accompanying commentary, as well as a story of how they came to be. No matter what the reader's religious background, spiritual belief, or life experience there is something here that any and all can profit from and use to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of others while enriching their own.