Kompressor

You are God.

Yes, you. You are God just like I am God.

I exist, but I cannot see myself. You exist, but cannot see yourself. I however, can see yourself, and you can see myself. You see myself like the hundreds of other people see myself, but I’ll never see myself that way. I cannot see myself. I and a hundred others can see yourself, but not the way you see your self.

This collective knowing and not knowing is what links us together in this existence, and makes us God. More definitively, it is as Rev puts it, the i. What you experience will never be like what I experience, but we’ll both essentially be experiencing the same thing. We are both, among billions, the i. The act of your and others’ observation affects the outcome of reality, as Rev explains with the Double Slit Experiment.

Rev’s book provides a mind-blowing concept. As it is now however, falls short of expectations. The reason though, is awesome. The premise and topics Rev brings up are too limited in this current form. This book really needs to be 3 books, it is too big for its britches. From what I can gather, this book shuffles between 3 identities: a logic/philosophy book, an expository textbook, and a self-help guide.

The introduction is the biggest hurdle to get through, honestly. As they say in any intense training, we must break you down in order to mold you into realizing your potential. There are many terms and phrases that are so broad and vague, Rev needs to define specifically which aspects are going to be emphasized later on. This gets a little annoying since he has to do it quite a bit, and I’d ask he add little breadcrumbs to other works that you feel explain things clearly. I do think Rev should credit the eastern concepts and traditions a little more though, as the sections on Action vs. Intent is basically the core schism between Hinduism and Jainism. Rev briefly mentions Hinduism and Jainism once throughout this whole book, and has pretty specific reference of Krishnamurti at the very end so I know there is some research done into it. Also, as I was saying a few days before, the first 30 pages could really use a sprucing up in grammatical structure to make it flow better. For example, on page 11:

That entire paragraph is technically only 3 sentences long. I think it flows better written in 5:

The other biggest grammatical error that constantly took me out of the moment in this book were the misuse of its and it’s. There are quite a few mistakes, at least 20 of this type alone, and I’m sorry but it is pretty unforgivable when writing a book.

Once the shattering ends, we get to the meat of the content: why am I God? This phase flows much better, and things start beginning to click into place. Here is where all the defining and categorizing starts connecting to the premise of how we are separated but the same. You, as you know it, are a reflection of your true self, as is everyone else on Earth. In this section I was hoping for a little more narrative, maybe a few anecdotes as to how he came to his logical conclusions. We all love Rev’s sense of humor and his signature thought-provoking comedy, and I was hoping for a few personal stories here and there. Mainly the origin story, a.k.a the apple that hit our metaphorical Isaac Newton, but alas it is missing. What is here however is a wonderful explanation of Rev’s intentions along with many useful diagrams, but this again leads to a more textbook and less entertaining feel.

Finally, come the self help guide. This is the area that after the explanations and realizations where Rev begins to teach the reader how they can become more mindful of their awareness. Breathing, listening, and mediation exercises are provided to help the reader achieve higher states of awareness. He also demonstrates mindful thinking, trying to block out our distracting thoughts and focus on our reality and our experience/observation of it. It is a good cooldown to the mind workout the rest of this book provides and a good basis for training to see the world a bit clearer.

Once again, all three “parts” of this book leave the reader wanting more explanation from each section, which is why I believe this book needs to be expanded into a trilogy with each section fully hashed out to be a thoughtful as well as entertaining read. Reel the audience in with the setup, blow their mind with the sequel, and help them continue their realization with the guide. Because this book bounces between these three themes, the idea gets a little convoluted as a whole.

This is a smashing idea of a book, Rev. I also think you’d benefit from possibly recording this as an audiobook. I personally get most of my news explained via podcasts and audiobooks, and having it come from you would help you explain more of the vague/difficult concepts. At the very least orally sounding out this book will help you improve the writing structure.

All in all a very good book, but still needs the kinks worked out.

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

The Rev

I got the original idea for non-duplication of the mind's eye when I was out walking my dog one night (not especially interesting) and many of the other developments of my ideas came when tripping on shrooms. I didn't want to include those stories because I didn't want to influence the reader toward pre-judging my ideas through any negative view they have of drugs. That's why you don't get the anecdotes so much.

I dig what you're saying, tho. I DID try to cram a lot in there. It's all related, in terms of "first ideas, then the conclusions they point toward", but I can see how I could expand on it. Given how few people have understood some of the key ideas, I feel like I could do well be re-explaining them in a clearer and simpler way.

Also, thanks for pointing out the grammar problems. I get a bit "whatever, they'll know what I mean" when I'm writing, because I'm much more focused on the ideas I'm trying to convey than keeping up with details like grammar, punctuation and the like. Should have gone back over it and cleared that up.

Well, I guess it's off to write Volume II.

Thanks, Komp.



The Rev

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Being

I am thanking this post just for the sheer fact that Rev's book got a review. i will read the post later after smoking

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R.I.P. Gov

Kompressor

Bump to spur more writings from Rev.

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

Kompressor

Bump again.

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

SageTree

Yea I want to read

"You are God and Now that I'm a Buddhist We're not the Creator God.





I keed I keed... to me that isn't indicative, I was just reading something a while ago about this and couldn't resist the hassle since the post was bumped

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NorcalCarl

Hows this going? I like the work man. Keep it up!!!!

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There is no charge for awesomeness-

Don't ever forget to love thyself-

The Rev

I haven't been keeping up my blog or writing too much on this subject. I'm pretty focused on Ch'an right now. Well, that and my new job. So much to attend to. So much to attend to.



The Rev

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SageTree

When I read (most of) your book.... I wondered if you knew you were a Buddhist then.....so it's cool to see how that played itself out

Good on ya' Rev.

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Jester4yall

I'm gonna have to check this out. Props to komp for the write up

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In matters of style, swim with the current; In matters of principle, stand like a rock. -Thomas Jefferson

You will encounter many distractions and many temptations to put your goal aside: The security of a job, a wife who wants kids, whatever. But if you hang in there, always following your vision, I have no doubt you will succeed. - Larry Flynt