Anderson - Within You And Without You

Within You Without You

We were talking about the space between us all

And the people who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion

Never glimpse the truth

Then it's far too late

When they pass away

We were talking about the love we all could share

When we find it, to try our best to hold it there with our love

With our love, we could save the world, if they only knew

Try to realize it's all within yourself

No one else can make you change

And to see you're really only very small

And life flows on within you and without you

We were talking about the love that's gone so cold

And the people who gain the world and lose their soul

They don't know They can't see Are you one of them?

When you've seen beyond yourself then you may find

Peace of mind is waiting there

And the time will come when you see we're all one

And life flows on within you and without you

~ George Harrison

Foreword

Perhaps the greatest statement of the entire New Testament was Pilates question to Jesus, What is truth? In the Twenty-First century, there is no greater quest than for the truth of a persons intent and belief because the outcome may affect one vulnerable little child or an entire nation.

The journey to truth is contingent upon many factors. Certainly, an individuals politics and religion contribute to the reality one assumes each waking day, and the influence of parents and peers forms ones point of view about truth. At best, however, truth approximates all that we are and all that we experience. This leaves us with many truths and many conclusions. The person is concerned about finding a just way to lead their life that shows compassion to his fellow man and concern for the environment and certainly faces a conundrum. A starting point might be examining the unexamined life in everything we say and do.

Socrates taught this and ended his life with a cup of hemlock and the conviction that death was greater than a compromise of value. To examine ones life in thought, word, and action requires a constant reminder each day, in each encounter we have, to think about each situation before we speak or act. Of course, we are a complex biological organism with many outside influences. We must start someplace. The diameter is nowhere, but the center is everywhere. Human beings are the center; direction is needed in our search for truth.

As our center reaches the deepest level of our unconscious and the farthest depths of a hundred billion galaxies in space, perhaps individuals will witness an unquenchable desire for something greater than they have imagined. The presence of the spirit is essential to the survival of our species. The ability to transcend the mundane activities of the daily routine necessitates a meditative response to each day.

Within You and Without You begins, enriches, enhances, and rewards the traveler to arrive at the greatest task a person has: to take the path that leads to happiness and fulfillment in their lives. Will Andersons book examines the deep convictions that people bring to their faith and the inherent truth in these faiths that offer unity and peace in a divided world. His book examines our lives and points to the center everywhere. Wills unique confluence between Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian teachings is bridged through the writings of great masters of those religions and the mystical immanence. St. Francis's perspective of Yogananda exemplifies the transcendence, within and without, of life experiences. The brilliant truths of these insightful men and women become meaningful through the meditative exercises and wisdom literature that is the subject of Wills weekly meditation classes.

To discover our inner truth to wholeness is a life mission, but we need direction. Will shares his lifelong devotion to his truth and the truth of some of the greatest minds of East and West as he enacts an explication through thoughtful class exercises. Our lives can only become more enriched as we teach the wisdom of the ideas in this book to our personal journeys daily travail.

~ Francis J. Gundy

CONTENTS