That Which We Already Know

This is a book about stillness of mind. Part childhood memoir, part spiritual enquiry, part psychological and philosophical exploration, "That Which We Already Know" paints a picture of our fall from grace—our separation from the natural world—and our ultimate redemption via the recollection of childhood truth: that we arise in this world with an innate capacity to experience stillness. There is nothing for us to learn in this regard. We simply need ease our adopted selves out of the way in order to realize how very much we already know.

This is a book about stillness of mind. Part childhood memoir, part spiritual enquiry, part psychological and philosophical exploration, "That Which We Already Know" paints a picture of our fall from grace—our separation from the natural world—and our ultimate redemption via the recollection of childhood truth: that we arise in this world with an innate capacity to experience stillness. Drawing from the author's extensive Zen practice as well as his more traditional Christian upbringing, "That Which We Already Know" clearly illuminates the human condition and a path toward greater wholeness. Readers of all spiritual traditions as well as those who claim no such tradition at all will find themselves and their experience in this book. The path to greater wholeness is not mysterious. In fact, there is nothing for us to learn in this regard. We simply need ease our adopted selves out of the way in order to realize how very much we already know.

At my core, I'm a contemplative who allows the writings of the sages of various traditions to speak to me of meaning beyond words and letters. Raised Christian, I'm now a long-term practitioner of Eastern forms of meditation, primarily Zen—having practiced with teachers from Chinese, Korean, and Japanese traditions, as well as those from Indian, Vipassana, and Insight Meditation traditions. I have an undergraduate degree in mathematics and a graduate degree in counseling. I've been a teacher, a corporate analyst, a counselor, and many other things in order to both make a difference in the world and pay the bills that allow me to continue my contemplative ways. My website is heartlandcontemplative.com. I live in the Heartland with my spouse, a Christian minister with whom I have many conversations on matters of the heart and spirit that I'll cherish for as long as I may live. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by my writings. From one contemplative to another!