OK, you may call it blatant self-promo, and I plead guilty. But allow me to bask in some glory. Here are two reviews of my latest book As Is Where Is. One was posted here, and the other was posted right on Lulu.com. Here goes:
“Only those who have awakened know that they were sleeping.”
From: As is Where is – by Jim Paredes.
When the silence is golden, it is just silence. There is no obligation, no pressure to do something or to have something.
People who realize this will seek silence for its authenticity. They know that silence is the source of enlightened consciousness for everyone.
“This is the silence that is open and free”, says Jim Paredes in his new book As is Where is. “This is the truth of simply being, the silence that has no requirements.”
It is his third book, after Humming in My Universe, Between Blinks, and Writing on Water. Jim discovered silence through years of living consciously in the way of Zen, and has released his creative genius in ways that inspire many people to follow a similar path.
When I joined Jim’s creativity class more than three years ago, he asked us to release ourselves from media influence for two weeks (radio, tv, music, books). The result was immediate for all who complied with his request, as our creativity blossomed.
Jim writes about always being ready to experience life as it is. “The way to the unknown is the unknown”, he says, advising us to “throw away your old map. Only a new road will get you to a new destination.”
If there is anything constant in our lives, it is change. Yet we tend to believe that our spiritual journey is based on constant truths. Until we discover that our appreciation of truth also evolves as we grow in our experience. For one, we realize that we attract what we need to grow, including unexpected encounters with life’s paradoxes.
In the introduction to his new book, Jim writes about noticing a different feel to the topography of his own spiritual journey. Leaving the green and lush behind, he encounters “dried patches of a new, arid landscape”. He shares how it spurred his sense of being challenged to “explore new territories where God is hard to find, or is unlikely to be, but is in fact present.”
Jim keeps challenging us to live forward and let go of things that supported us yesterday. “It’s as if we are flipping a switch”, he says, “from sleep to full awakening.” Seeking out silence is an essential part of that daily journey.
As I write this, I feel encouraged to be awake. In fact, this Sunday morning feels to me like no other. Peace is here as I allow myself to enter its realm of silence. I feel better connected. Thank you, Jim!’
And thank you Wouter. Here’s the second review!
13 Apr 2007 (updated 14 Apr 2007)
by magisch50
…..a thousand sassa in the field of arts, J.P. is indeed a very insightful person, knowledgeable and a courageous one. reading this book, one gets to know a fraction of his personality. he speaks freely of his personal feelings, unfearful of what others may say or whatever the consequences may be. thus, freeing himself of every bondage connected to social norms. he dares himself to be a-typical, non-conformist or even un-usual.
his thoughts illuminates one’s mind, realizing that life can still be beautiful in spite of the ugliness that may come along. he inspires his readers to LIVE rather than exist; challenges them to goddamn DARE, to know the unknown!
i enjoyed reading it, savoured every word beautifully woven, love the cover & the title.
“as is where is”…..it is!!!
Wala lang! Proud lang ako.
It is his third book, after Humming in My Universe, Between Blinks, and Writing on Water…
Sorry, I couldn’t resist being confused. 🙂
Jim, I’ve been meaning to write you an email about As Is Where Is. I tried first to simply find out how much it will be delivered to my door, but the Lulu process put me off by requiring what I considered too much info for a simple price inquiry. I admit I’m a very cautious online shopper though.
So now you’ve reminded me, I will email you today with the rest of what I wanted to say, & I’ll include “our photo” as a sweetner (although I think I well & truly soured it).
Dave.
Medyo mali nga yung third book, but I quoted him verbatim. depending on where you are. Kung sa US, it’s around 15USD.
Jim, my email to you bounced back to me undelivered. Maybe I had the wrong address?
jimp@gmail.com
Dave.
my pleasure,jim. you deserve it and thanks for the honor! “am beaming from ear to ear…..!”
Jim,
where can I get a copy?
Im reading Edward Said’s book now and im almost done and It would be a good idea to have your book next.
Thanks
dave3lock–emailjimp@gmail.com
melavcane– you can only get it sa internet. click on links
Girlie–salamat uli.
I am proud of you, too, Jim! 🙂 Very well done! God bless you even more.
Oh, sorry po – at maraming salamat. Will resend.
Dave.
it is almost intimidating leaving a comment here as those who have seem to know you personally. anyway, i have been reading yours and Ala’s blog and it is such an inspiration reading through your experiences during that upheaval that was moving from Pinas to Down Under.
you should be proud kuya jim…
GOD bless…
i’m hoping i would read the books after the the one I’m finishing within this week – A Rice’s Vampire Armand
unwritten–don’t be intimidated. I have not met 99 percent of the people who comment on my blog. We are friends in cyberspace.
cristina,u.t.o.y.–thanks again
ano po masasabi niyo sa kinagisnan ng inyong mga pda scholars?
Too much too soon. I don’t know the real story pero pag biglang sikat at hindi ka handa, ganyan ang nangyayari. I warned them against that but I guess everyone wants to learn the hard lessons first hand. I just hope they grow and learn wisdom from it.
In case it hasn’t been said before to you Jim, we here in this household were extremely impressed with your efforts in the PDA series. You may not wish to comment, but we were especially impressed when you addressed issues like the Aus girl being over the top with her boyfriend. We agreed 100%.
Do you think maybe the requirement for a “return on investment” drives the “too much too soon” issue? From a viewer perspective, the format of trotting them all out each week on ASAP07 to the same intro song was getting a bit tiring.
If nothing else, Filipino entertainers are certainly the best in my opinion. I always say to my wife that the contestants off the street on Wowowee are better performers than the Australian Idol winners. Give me the nightly karaoke singers on Roxas blvd anyday over any Aus performers. 🙂
Dave.
wow nice. may books ka na. noon kanta ngayon books naman. hanggang nagayon sikat pa rin songs mo.
hi sir jim. in a completely unrelated topic, is it ok if i add a link of your blog site to my blog site. i think my friends from London, who are thinking of moving here, would find it helpful to read your observations about sydney or australia as a whole. As an avid reader of your blogs, im still proud that i have met you in person! thank you.
warren
warren, go ahead.