Walking Through Illusion, by Betsy Otter Thompson, is a thought provoking book based on the energy of love and the freedom each of us has to express that love. Much of the book is devoted to her thoughts around the physics of action/reaction, and she has chosen to explain those thoughts in the context of biblical stories through a question and answer with Jesus. In each chapter, she chooses a different biblical character and the lessons they learned from Jesus’ perspective. At chapter’s end, she has included several questions to ponder, and what this lesson meant to her.
In the book, Betsy expresses many of the things I believe and work with during my coaching sessions. One of the primary concepts is what she acknowledges (and I paraphrase) as “equal justice prevails in both directions. The more you act in positive ways and enjoyed the results you get, the more you test the power of physics in areas more demanding. . . As you face your actions honestly and acknowledge the mirror returning, you will know that you control receivership, at least in terms of emotion. This will put you in the powerful position of creating what you prefer.”
Many of the chapters spoke to me because of my background in Unity, and the many books I have read over the years. It follows the concept that life is an illusion, and we create everything in it. Additionally, time is based on our memories of yesterday, and what our imagination conjures up for us in the future. All we really have is the moment we are living – and we can choose to fill it with joy or angst. Much of what we dream about in the future is wrapped around happiness and love, unless we are steeped in fear. The question asked within the book is very profound, “If love is in the moment and you’re happy now, why does it matter what the future brings? . . . The moment is everything. Today is the sum total of who you are. To gain more of who you are is a mental discipline. If you see the emotional goodness of now, you’ll be seeing it in the future as well.”
Throughout many of the chapters, the author is speaking of the need to look within rather than to external sources for what we need. The chapter on “Handicaps” caught my attention specifically because my son is blind, and while both of us spent a great deal time looking at this as a handicap, it has opened up multiple possibilities for his life, and is now viewed as a gift. In this chapter, we are taught that there is a truth that is right for everyone. That truth is that everyone is looking for the ultimate in themselves; it is what we all have in common. On page 161, there is a beautiful prayer that was given to Aaron by Jesus to help him as he grew in strength:
Dear God:
My love remains my knowledge forever
My heart remains my friend forever.
My aura remains my self forever.
Help me to share the person I am, so all that I am expands forever.
This is a book you will want to keep close to the place you retreat to meditate and ask for guidance each day. If you choose to read it straight through, I encourage you to go back and work through the questions at the end of each chapter to provide you with the opportunity for more introspection and growth.
Walking Through Illusion can be found at O Books, http://www.o-books.net. If you have questions about the book, contact Betsy Otter Thompason at her web site: betsy@betsythompson.com.
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