Michael Vincent Art Works
Two Reviews of my latest book:
On Being You – A Simple Guide to Self Enquiry.
Having been an avid reader of Self Enquiry books and sort-
His paintings in the book are a treat in themselves. I shall recommend this little gem to my clients and students.
Reverend Leonora van Gils
Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Counsellor,
International Healer and Allergy specialist.
Moat Hall, Darsham, Suffolk, IP17 3PP.
10 July 2010.
On Being You: A Simple Guide to Self Enquiry
Michael has written articles for local and national newspapers and magazines and published a book in 2001 celebrating the life of his wife Kaisa and her pioneering complementary health care programme for cancer. He has broadcast on local radio and facilitates workshops on visual art and Meditation.
This book is delightfully presented in all aspects. I found the "look and feel" of the book immediately set a relaxed tone. The size and clean layout are easy on the eye, offering the opportunity to focus upon the content without undue distraction.
The text is interspersed with relevant quotations and a selection of images taken from his own extensive portfolio of original artworks created during his lifetime as a painter. Each quotation and each image offers the reader an opportunity to pause and reflect, before continuing.
Sri Ramana Maharshi first offered Self Enquiry as silent Satsang. It soon became apparent to him that many of his students were not "getting the message" as they were unable or unprepared to sit with silence. Faced with this fact verbal communication was started, much of which was written down by his students and later became the basis of texts.
From there, the author explains, there has become an almost exponential increase in the verbiage, particularly in the west, as Self Enquiry becomes more popular, and as Hindi texts are translated with different ways used to compensate for the lack of equivalent western words.
It is the proliferation of differing words and the accompanying complexity or confusion that Michael seeks to redress.
As readers, invited to work at our own pace, we are led through each section with simple and uncluttered explanations. I found that when approached in a relaxed and open way, I absorbed the material with more and more ease.
Following his desire to keep matters as simple as possible Michael’s book follows a path covering:
Some Definitions
On being not you
Conscience, action and behaviour
Unlearning the learned
On Desire
Be in your body
Earth Matters
Look to the Source
On Freedom
On what remains
Epilogue: I am I
This route offers a measured journey through each of the areas being addressed. At only 80 pages, which include the images and quotations, some recommended reading, and three pages at the end left empty for writing any personal notes, it is clear that Michael has accomplished what he set out to offer – A simple guide to Self Enquiry devoid of surplus verbiage.
Publisher: Authorhouse
Year; 2010
Format: paperback, colour
Size: 8.5 x 8.5 inches
ISBN: ISBN 978 144 909 7578
Reviewer: John Emery