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 Illustrated by J. Planet, who graces my website with her unique artistry, In Search of Shangri-La is a collection of poems written while I was editing my novel, Invitation to Shangri-La. Influenced partially by the Dadaist movement of the 1920s and partially by the Beat movement of the 1950s, Allen Ginsberg in particular, this book offers an insight into the path to healing which I took as I wrote my modern myth. Although deeply personal, these poems express universal themes through my inner journey like an ascending spiral. Baum’s Yellow Brick Road presents the best metaphor. As I utilized my adventure of discovery, I awoke aspects of my Self for the healing I seek. We can’t fix a problem until we can define it. These poems reflect my growing understanding as well as my deep and abiding faith. The pain of abuse characterized my life until healing became my focus. I discovered how my choices blessed me, even when I didn’t feel blessed. I also learned how chance blesses me as well. My subconscious may enjoy kicking me in the ass, but it also took care of me in my darkest hours. We cannot know God, but we can sense the Divine within if we search our emotional core. Although we cannot comprehend the United Whole,which is how I define God, we can know ourselves. We can control ourselves and choose our destiny accordingly. The knowledge that Love is the key to understanding in the heart of all religion. When we seek love instead of division, we can find the Divine in others, according to Jesus, even our enemies. When I studied the physiology of Asian Chakral philosophy, I learned that our heart holds a duel purpose, healing and love. Thus love heals all. I philosophized that by weaving the two I could find unconditional love for myself and in turn reflect that love onto others. Whether this works or not is still to be determined. There’s a lot of healing left to go. All paths that lead to love are the correct paths, in my opinion. Empedocles, the Greco-Sicilian philosopher and physician, once hypothesized that Love holds the universe together. We are all Children of the Universe. Through Love, we are united. When we build walls around our hearts, we block Divine Influence. This is my faith. Love to you. Blessed be, Lil |