Jon Bernie - The Unbelievable Happiness of What Is

This is a marvelous booksimple, clear, direct, full of light. What I love about Jon is that he doesnt give us philosophy, metaphysics, or non-dual dogmatism. Instead, he points in plain language to the non-conceptual, embodied experiencing of this moment. He invites us to drop out of our busy minds and beliefs into the openness and immediacy of awareness and presence, not with the idea of attaining some result or crossing a finish line, but in a spirit of never-ending discovery, and always with complete acceptance of what is, just as it is. I love the spaciousness and the simplicity I feel in his words, and his gentle and loving approach to our human struggles. If I could recommend only one book on the subject of being awake here and now, this might well be it.

Joan Tollifson, teacher and author of NothingtoGrasp, AwakeintheHeartland, PaintingtheSidewalkwithWater, and Bare-Bones Meditation

In this wise collection of short teachings, Jon Bernie delivers the only news thats fit to printthat happiness is not something you acquire or create, but what you are fundamentally, your birthright, your natural state. Just let go of your attachment to having life be a certain way and open to the ineffable perfection of what is!

Stephan Bodian, author of WakeUpNow and BeyondMindfulness

There is a plethora of spiritual teachers these days. Very few actually have the gift of transmission and deep freedom. Jon has both. In person, Jon is a force of presence. I was happy to experience that coming through in this book. His words could be spoken by anyone, but they have a power in them because of where they are spoken from.

MeganCowan, cofounder of Mindful Schools

The mark of Jon Bernies teaching is intimacywith his students as human beings in all their complexity, and with the Truth itself. Behind the hundreds of books and YouTube lectures on non-duality, what most of us long for is to make contact with a teacher that can directly point out the Truth as well as the very specific ways our conditioned patterns are keeping us from embodying it. Jon is such a teacher, and in TheUnbelievableHappinessofWhatIs, the flavor of his work comes through crystal clear.

Chris McKenna, guiding teacher of Mindful Schools

A must-read for those on the spiritual path! Ive been a devoted student of Jon Bernies for thirty years now, and continue to attend his workshops to gain insight into the depths of the spiritual teachings he represents. Ive also witnessed Jons intense focus on studying various traditions with the greatest spiritual leaders of our time, and have seen how he has come to his own essential understandings that are so well represented in this book.

Daniel Kalish, DC, founder of the Kalish Institute of Functional Medicine

I highly recommend this book to others. It is a stimulating read that simplifies the life process. Bernie argues successfully that one key to Unbelievable Happiness is awakening to the moment by continually dismantling ones beliefs, routines, and any fundamental resistance to what actually is. This seemingly simple key is one of many treasures I found in Jons book.

Fritz Frederick Smith, MD, author of InnerBridges and TheAlchemyofTouch, and founder of the body-mind therapy, Zero Balancing

Jon Bernies TheUnbelievableHappinessofWhatIs reminds me of Ram Dass and BeHereNow, the epochal, consciousness-shifting book of 1971. Like that earlier opus, Jons work is both a restatement of ancient spiritual wisdom and a delightfully frank and open guide to modern meditative truth. Part of Jons focus is on the core inner-growth issues of identity, identification, interpretation, integration, and belief. In Hinduism, they note that the first teaching is also the last teaching. These teachings may be simple, complex, or contradictory, but they must work. And in order for them to work, they must be understandable. Jon has the gift, as teacher and as writer, of getting to the root of things in a lucid, direct way. Yet he is also able to discuss the fluid trickery of monkey mind in such a way that the monkey becomes lovable and understandable. And when we thoroughly understand something, fear and inner conflict leave, and the deeper spiritual journey can begin.

Hugh Milne, author of TheHeartofListening

Another book on how to find happiness? How do you choose among thousands of similar ones jostling for attention? My personal trick: a few paragraphs suffice to get a feel for the author. Can I trust that person as teacher and guide? I suggest you test this method on TheUnbelievableHappinessofWhatIs. Ive known Jon Bernie for a long time; I love and deeply respect him. But even if I didnt know who the author was, a page or two would suffice to make me trust someone who manages so skillfully to disappear in the process of helping me find happiness in my own way.

Brother David Steindl-Rast, Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer

In our culture that teaches us to look outside of ourselves to consumption and materialism, in the form of buying, eating, and drugging, Jon provides us with practical guidance on ways of looking inside for the real answers that reside within us all. In our culture inundated with interruptions, Jon teaches us how to listen. In our culture that teaches us to follow others, Jon teaches us how to lead ourselves. In our culture, which is divided, Jon teaches connection through love. In the twentieth century, Ram Dass brought us BeHereNow. For the twenty-first century, Jon Bernie has brought us TheUnbelievableHappinessofWhatIs. Read it and transform your life.

RichardLouisMiller, MA, PhD, owner of Wilbur Hot Springs

Jons latest book is a great reminder for the weathered seeker, as well as an incredible directive for beginners. His message and wisdom, offered in such a kind and loving way, opens the heart.

Cherie McCoy, spiritual counselor and author of BecomingAliveandReal

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Lines from The Question from THE ESSENTIAL RUMI by Jalal al-Din Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks. Copyright 1997 by Coleman Barks. Used by permission.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2017 by Jon Bernie

Non-Duality PressAn imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

Cover design by Amy Shoup

Acquired by Catharine Meyers

Edited by Kenneth Haugan

Additional editing by Gretel Hakanson

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file

My life and this book are dedicated to the innate and unknowable wisdom that will guide you to True Happiness.