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Book Details
Abstract
Truth waits for eyes unclouded by longing.'
Lao-Tzu (poet and philosopher)
In this collection of short, contemplative, enlightening reflections, spiritual teacher and Quaker Christopher Goodchild, inspired by his own experiences, guides you through his spiritual and philosophical journey to his truest and most peaceful self. Written from a 'soul' perspective, the book reveals how, by looking beyond vulnerability to see innate strength, and searching beyond pain and turmoil to find peace and serenity, anyone can affirm their true humanity despite the hardships and distractions of modern life.
Christopher's compassionate route through difficulties, doubt, grief and fear is marked with dynamic tenderness and an artful embrace of abundant sources of wisdom. Spirituality, psychology and philosophy are seamlessly woven together in an inclusive Quaker context, led by the common values of love and forgiveness.
In a world increasingly weighed down with the baggage of the self, this book will speak to anyone searching for a more clear-sighted, meaningful presence in the eternal universe.
With a wisdom honed by transformative pain, Christopher Goodchild invites us to suffuse our lives with a spacious consciousness from which to engage with what is. A moving, beautiful and profoundly truthful book.
Jennifer Kavanagh, author of ‘The World is our Cloister’ and ‘A Little Book of Unknowing’
Christopher Goodchild is a Spiritual teacher and Quaker at the Westminster Meeting. He was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of 40, and is now an Ambassador for the National Autistic Society.
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unclouded by Longing - Meditations on Autism and Being Present in an Overwhelming World by Christopher Goodchild | 3 | ||
| Foreword by Thomas Moore | 11 | ||
| Acknowledgements | 15 | ||
| Introduction | 17 | ||
| 1. Unclouded by Longing | 21 | ||
| 2. What Is It You Truly Long for? | 23 | ||
| 3. The Light behind the Watcher | 25 | ||
| 4. The Quaker Way | 27 | ||
| 5. The Sorrowful Price of Freedom | 29 | ||
| 6. Befriending Your ‘Black Dog’ | 31 | ||
| 7. Allowing Your Body to Speak its Mind | 33 | ||
| 8. Giving In but Not Giving Up | 35 | ||
| 9. The World as a Stage | 39 | ||
| 10. Autism and Spirituality | 41 | ||
| 11. To Love What Is | 43 | ||
| 12. Life as a Painful Gift | 45 | ||
| 13. Autism as a Flower | 49 | ||
| 14. Quaker Meeting for Worship | 51 | ||
| 15. The Heart as a Lonely Hunter | 53 | ||
| 16. What Desire Are You Using to Give up Desire? | 55 | ||
| 17. The Light Dressed Up as ‘Self’ and ‘Other’ | 57 | ||
| 18. The Mystery of Prayer | 59 | ||
| 19. ‘Being’ in Uncertainty | 61 | ||
| 20. Waiting in the Light | 63 | ||
| 21. Whisper ‘Yes’ | 65 | ||
| 22. The Play of Darkness and Light | 67 | ||
| 23. Dancing with Fear | 71 | ||
| 24. Divine Play of Father and Son | 73 | ||
| 25. Going Underground | 75 | ||
| 26. Dropping Your Anchor | 77 | ||
| 27. Laughter as a Doorway | 79 | ||
| 28. Entrusting Yourself to the Waves | 81 | ||
| 29. The Shadowlands | 83 | ||
| 30. A Wounded Tree Still Blossoms | 85 | ||
| 31, Eating Poppies with the Dead | 89 | ||
| 32. The Ocean and the Waves | 91 | ||
| 33. The Mountain of Truth | 93 | ||
| 34. The Gift of Not Knowing | 95 | ||
| 35. The Seeker | 97 | ||
| 36. The Sacred Heart of Jesus | 99 | ||
| 37. The Infinite Sky Within | 103 | ||
| 38. ‘Being’ En Route | 105 | ||
| 39. Autism… It’s Not What You Think | 107 | ||
| 40. Nothing Special | 109 | ||
| 41. There Is Nothing New | 111 | ||
| 42. …and then, the Blackbird Sings | 113 | ||
| 43. Being an Elder | 117 | ||
| 44. Allowing Messiness | 119 | ||
| 45. Healing the Wounds of Separation | 121 | ||
| 46. A Doorway into Truth | 123 | ||
| 47. Spiritual Bypassing | 125 | ||
| 48. Dancing with the Elephant in the Room | 127 | ||
| 49. Autism as an Awakening | 131 | ||
| 50. The Second Arrow | 133 | ||
| 51. Coming Home to ‘Being’ | 135 | ||
| 52. Thought for the Day | 137 | ||
| 53. You Are the Music | 139 | ||
| 54. Sweet Etty Hillesum | 141 | ||
| 55. It’s All Perfect | 145 | ||
| 56. Using Your Stories Up | 147 | ||
| 57. It’s All an Open Secret | 149 | ||
| 58. Eternally Grateful | 151 | ||
| 59. The Life that Never Ends | 153 | ||
| 60. The End of Words | 155 | ||
| References | 158 | ||
| Blank Page |