"Imagine what our world would be like if more and more people began to awaken. What if awakening became available to us as a normal stage of development? It can happen, and I am hopeful it will.

"In these contemporary times with so many choices, we can become distracted and end up living on the surface. I designed this book and these practices to encourage experiences of the simplest and deepest dimensions of our human experience in the midst of our daily life. We all have the potential to recognize awake awareness, which brings true peace of mind and an open heart. I do not know enough about evolution to say our species will evolve, but I can say that this stage of growth can be intentionally developed. Perhaps this evolution requires us to show up and consistently participate, the way we do when we learn to read and write. Awakening is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our fellow human beings and our planet."