Steve Posner has been a spiritual teacher for more than 30 years. He has had many exciting adventures and mystical experiences on his long and fulfilling journey as outlined in this compelling account of his life. In the introduction, he notes his interest in spiritual realism that "frees us from the fantasy of having to develop a perfect personality in order to consider ourselves enlightened." What a relief that is! The bedrock of the spiritual realism hinted at throughout this book is the spiritual practice of silence. Here is a taste of his thoughts on the subject:
• "We can all experience it right now. Seek, and ye shall find. Listen, and you will hear. Silence abounds."
• "We can become aware of our own inner silence any time, anywhere. Silence never disappears. It is the grace that has been bestowed upon every one of us."
• "In silence we learn that the unknown can never be thwarted and that the mystery of life can only be answered by silence."
• "The presence of inner silence comforts us despite the flurry of feelings, good and bad, that persist as we naturally react to pleasant and unpleasant events on the outside."
• "Our contact with inner silence can generate a compassion that feels almost unlimited."
One of the many endearing things about Posner's ideal of spiritual realism is that it is fed by many different wisdom traditions. He has meditated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, sat in silence with Mother Meera, been hugged by Amma, spent time in Palestine, and traveled across India and Israel with the spiritual guide Chalanda Ma.
Posner doesn't shy away from a hard look at the dangers and the delusions of terrorism and other violent confrontations of the postmodern world where religious hatred is thriving. The author finds in the bounties of silence a resource that can stand up to injustices and bigotry of all stripes. Inner peace can be achieved, but it must never be seen as a ticket that enables us to escape the burdens of the real world of suffering and pain. We are able to be forgiving because we accept the problems and misunderstandings that come in this imperfect world peopled by imperfect men and women.
