A REVIEW
The
Way In A Book of Self Discovery
By
Nikki Francis
for
Kindred Spirit Magazine [UK]
This
compilation of short pieces, written during the 1980's by
well-known spiritual teacher Barry Long, functions as an overview
of his teachings and, according to the publicity, as a 'practical
manual for spiritual life in the contemporary world'.
Having
heard his teachings from time to time over the past few years
I am delighted that there is now such a comprehensive overview
of them; Barry Long's writings, for instance on time, meditation,
making love, channelling, psychic 'pathways', and prayer,
are quite extraordinary and often challenging. Although I've
only read this book once, I will say that I found it very
practical in the sense of clear and simple description and
instruction. For me though, it offers something else: a welcome
contact with a real teacher, with Guru.
Simplicity
seems to be one of Barry Long's skills. His whole approach
to spirituality appears profoundly simple in fact - which
may of course put many people off - there is no belief system
involved, no faith required, no learning of mantras and the
like, no church to build and then attend and no high priest
or priestess to mediate between you and the Divine. Simply
the clear instructions for genuine self discovery. Aaahh...
One
important aspect of the teachings is to do with the apparently
never-ending condition of human unhappiness which, we are
told, is the result of 'losing touch with the truth of yourself,
or, put another way, living from the mental body. Stillness
appears to be the route back into that truth, but before any
instruction in meditation is given, we are taken on a journey
which delves into the difference between life and living,
between power and force, what Guru really means, and the myth
of life on planet earth.
Barry
Long's instructions in meditation are clear and simple (are
you surprised?) and he also discusses why we need to meditate
and what 'right meditation' is. In this same section there
are also penetrating commentaries on tension, habit, thinking
about the past worry, and emotional relationships. Another
quite large section of the book is devoted to the subject
of 'spiritual pathways' and teachings. Barry Long's words
here are, of course, as direct as in any other section - he
doesn't offer 'maybe' or 'probably' to camouflage reality
as he sees it. His words may be unpalatable to some!
The Way In is one of the real books. In my opinion it is
of immense value and will genuinely help people in the way
it has been designed to do. I'm glad it landed on my desk!
Barry Long
A review of The
Way In
© The Barry Long Trust
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