Why did you write Through God’s Eyes?
When I first became interested in spirituality, I went looking for a book that laid out all the spiritual principles I was learning in a logical, organized, and engaging way. I assumed there had to be at least one book that explained how all of these principles interact, how to weave them together into a cohesive worldview, and how to practically apply this spiritual wisdom to daily life. I couldn’t find such a book. I remember thinking, Well, I guess I have to write it myself someday. I was determined that all that knowledge and all that wisdom should be gathered together in one easy-to-follow book so others wouldn’t have to go on a giant spiritual scavenger hunt and piece it all together on their own like I had to.
How long did it take to write this book?
I knew in 1997 that I needed to write it. I also knew that I wasn’t wise enough or experienced enough to write it at the time. Even though I did not know exactly what the book would end up looking like, I began collecting the concepts and quotes that I knew would be included in it. Finally, after eight years of research and study, I felt capable of competently interpreting and articulating this ancient wisdom. Seven years later, the book was completed.
What is the primary message of Through God’s Eyes?
If I had to sum up the core teaching of this ancient wisdom in one sentence, it would be this: “With love and devotion, align your will with Divine Will and be a source of love, hope, and healing energy to all who cross your path.”
What makes you qualified to write this book?
Let me be clear: I am not the source of this information. I am merely a resource for gathering, organizing, and presenting it in a way that makes it accessible and relatable to ordinary people like me who are living ordinary lives while pondering extraordinary questions.
What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?
I never saw any part of it as a challenge. Every moment I spent working on it was an absolute joy. You know you’ve found your calling when even the drudgery part of it is enjoyable.
Why did you choose the title, Through God’s Eyes?
I attended a 1998 workshop in which Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe, founder of the University of Spiritual Healing & Sufism, shared a life-changing story with his students. He said that after watching a TV nature program in which a lion savagely ripped apart a gazelle, he had been distraught. Retreating into meditation, he implored God, How could you allow such carnage and tragedy to exist? He told us that the response he received humbled him and restored his faith in Divine Intelligence: “I felt and saw through inner revelation how this incident was experienced from a higher level as pure love and that it was beautiful beyond description.” Ibrahim explained that this world may appear cruel and harsh to our unenlightened eyes, but even the brutality inherent in the animal kingdom has meaning, purpose, and a stark beauty all its own. Indeed, looking through God’s eyes, we see that simply by living our lives, we all serve each other in ways both simple and profound. From that day on, I challenged myself to see the world through God’s eyes—to the extent that I could, of course—so that I too could witness every moment unfolding with beauty, love, and perfection.
Isn’t it arrogant for someone to assume that they can see through God’s eyes?
Just the opposite; it is the path to humility. By challenging yourself to look through God’s eyes to the extent that you can, you will gain a broader, big-picture perspective, move from self-absorption to self-awareness, and be humbled and awed by the beauty and magnificence of life.
Why do you use so many quotes in the book?
I alternate my own commentary with inspirational quotes throughout the book. The commentary and quotes support, build upon, and flow into each other to produce a seamless reading experience. A quote may expand on the concept that precedes it or it may introduce the brief commentary that follows. Quotes by others not only add depth and subtlety to important ideas, they lend credibility to the book because they illustrate that the wisdom contained in its pages is not something I just conjured up. Every concept presented in this book has been validated by great minds throughout the ages.
Why do you include a story from your own life at the end of every chapter?
Two reasons. First, I thought that sharing my own experiences would make each chapter’s principles more relatable and give readers ideas on how to apply them in their own lives. Second, I wanted to show that I’m not a religious recluse or an out-of-touch academic. I’m just an average person living an average life, with flaws and failings just like everybody else. So if I can embody these teachings to some degree, so can anyone who reads this book.
Why do you offer twelve self-reflection questions at the end of every chapter?
These questions are intended to spur self-exploration, build self-awareness, and heighten readers’ appreciation and enjoyment of life. Their answers to these questions will be uniquely their own. The answers that are right for them may not be right for anyone else; in fact, they may be right for them for only a short while.
Why did you include a bonus chapter on affirmations?
Using affirmations on a daily basis accelerated my own spiritual growth quickly and effectively. Today, no matter where I am or what I am doing, affirmations keep me centered, grounded, and connected to the loving energy that surrounds and sustains us. If affirmations helped me, I know they can help others get to where they want to go. I’ve listed sample affirmations as guidance to help readers write their own.
Different people have different interpretations of the word “God.” Do you address the controversy surrounding that word?
Yes. In the Reader’s Guide in the front of the book, I note that I use the word “God” throughout for the sake of consistency and convenience, fully recognizing that there are probably as many interpretations of God as there are people reading this book. Many people view God as the source of all existence, many others as existence itself. Whether readers view God as a being, a universal intelligence, a force, or any other type of form or formless entity, I trust that they will substitute the name, term, or reference for “God” that they are most comfortable with each time they come across the word.
The title Through God’s Eyes? assumes that there is a God. But how can there be a God given the unspeakable suffering that exists in the world?
Not believing in God because you don’t see evidence of God’s existence when you look at the surface events of life is like not believing in fish because you don’t see evidence of their existence when you look at the surface of the ocean. We cannot make the mistake of assuming that, as C. W. Leadbeater wrote, “that the limit of our power of perception is also the limit of all there is to perceive.” Although the workings of divine forces are beyond the scope of human comprehension, the exquisite order in the natural world offers compelling evidence of a governing intelligence. Emerson said it best: “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”
Where can people learn more about the people you quote in Through God’s Eyes?
A quick biography of each person quoted can be found at GodsEyesBios.com, although I’m still working on completing this listing.
Where did you find all the quotes in the book?
Sources of all quotes can be found at GodsEyesQuotes.com. Not only will readers be able to verify the accuracy of each quote, they can link directly to the book or website that I used as a source. This listing will be updated as needed because identifying who said what, when, and where is a never-ending project.
What do you want readers to come away with?
Although people’s interpretations of spiritual concepts may differ from mine, I hope Through God’s Eyes prompts them to examine and clarify their own beliefs about spirituality and their place in the world. I will consider this book a success if it inspires others to live more consciously, love more consistently, and greet each morning with joy and gratitude.