Author Interview by thecrazymind.com

Reflections: A Journey to God

Gary Eby, MSW and Susan Eby will have their new spiritual book, Reflections: A Journey to God published in about 30 days. Gary Eby is a retired social worker, mental health counselor and addiction therapist. He writes about self-help and spirituality. Gary loves playing the piano, the drums and walking on the beach with his wife, Susan. His motto is "Choose the positive, because it's all good!" Susan studied philosophy in college. Some of her favorite philosophers are Socrates, Plato, William James and St. Thomas Aquinas. She is currently enjoying Emerson's mystical essays. We have conducted an interview with them.

Who inspires you to write about self-help?

Gary: Inspiration comes from many sources. I am a retired social worker, mental health counselor, and substance abuse therapist. I have seen much emotional pain and suffering in too many people who deserve to have a better life. Look around and you will also notice that many social, economic, political, and religious obstacles seem to prevent countless millions of human beings from having a healthier, kinder, more fulfilling life-experience.

Susan: I come from a life of tremendous pain and trauma, however, I feel very strongly that pain is pain, and that a criticism can cause as much pain as being physically, emotionally, mentally, or sexually abused. I think I was inspired to work with Gary on this book due to our diverse backgrounds, which brought us to spirituality in different ways. We honor each other's journey... and all who make this journey with us.

Why is it important to address the issue about spirituality?

Gary: Most religions prescribe a set of doctrines, dogma, and organized rituals designed to bring you in contact with the Divine. Whereas, spirituality sets you completely free to explore your own inner journey to God. Our hunch is that since God expresses Infinite Good, Light, and Love, there are probably an infinite number of ways to experience your God-Connection. We have even written a blog article about the differences between spirituality and religion. Here is the link: https://niume.com/post/154573

Susan: We all seem to be looking for something in our life; something that satisfies a need we have. Gary and I believe that this need will not be found in a new house, or car, or relationship, or even through strict and traditional churches.

Many people find comfort in a more conventional church setting, however, it is important to note that looking within to find your answers does not mean you have to stop believing in your place of worship. It can be in addition to your current beliefs.

Spirituality is important because it takes us back to the source of who we really are... a Child of God, holding within a Divine Spark, which relays to us (through meditation and prayer) what we need to be and how we need to be in this world. We are reflections of God. This is the basis of Spirituality.

To read more of this interview click this spiritual blog link: More Author Interview

If you have any questions or comments for Susan or Gary, you can contact us at ebysreflections@yahoo.com 

  For your information, Gary is offering spiritual life guidance for only $5. Here is the link to that:
Spiritual Coaching for a Better Life

Reflections: A Journey to God

Good News!

The book Gary and I have written will be coming out shortly, through Christian Faith Publishing.  You will be able to buy it on Amazon, or contact myself or Gary to buy a copy.

It tells the story of how we found our God.  Our journeys are quite different and are told in different manners, however, it tells our stories of healing and love and joy and peace, and how we are able to combine our ideas and our lives.

As always, we ask you (when you read this book) to take into your heart and life what speaks to you, and to pass over what does not appeal to you.  It's always your choice.

This book may very well bring you to your own Journey to God, or may help you along the path to your Higher Self. 

Peace and Love,
Susan

A Writer's Secret Place

Another spiritual blog essay from Reflections: A Journey to God.

Around 7 AM on the first morning of our vacation to Yachats, I am still drowsy while I curl over in bed taking dim note of my surroundings. Our bedroom faces East and the rising sun,  streaming in, illuminates a picture of Martha's Vineyard.  On the opposite wall a neighboring beach painting called "By the Sea."

I hear Susan in the kitchen probably making coffee. Every so often there is a cracking boom from the surf outside, crashing against our jagged,  rock-strewn Oregon coastline.

As I stroke Silas, our little poodle/Pomeranian mix snuggled beside me, I become further aware of my surroundings.  I don't want to let this moment drift away so I close my eyes and move deeper into the spirit of relaxation and meditation.            

I hear seagulls and other unknown avian creatures.  Their singing is woven into a cacophony of  mysterious and melodic songs.  A bird, whose cry I don't recognize sings out.  Whatever the nature of this particular species, I am convinced it is a virtuoso.

Such sweet, soothing refrains, flash me back to the Native American music, Susan and I became so exquisitely familiar with when we lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 90's.

The flute notes continue with a slightly reedy reverberation, accompanied by three staccato whistles at the end of the bird song. I know in my joy-filled heart, that I am surely embraced in heaven.

I am sitting now in a comfortable lounge chair located in our beach home living room.  The more I focus on sensing my immediate environment the more receptive I become to free flowing, relaxing thoughts.

I look at the entire wall of our living room which consists of four tempered glass windows about five-by-five square feet each. This observation area presents a panoramic view that is unbelievable, humbling, and awe inspiring.

Our rental home rests on a grassy cliff facing the Pacific Ocean. The spectacular water images are hypnotic. The rise and fall of the waves caress the huge, oddly shaped black barnacle- covered volcanic rock slabs, jutting out of the shoreline.  

(For more of this spiritual blog, just click the link below)

More Free Spiritual Essays

Sending you Joy, Light, Peace, and Love today:  Gary and Susan Eby

Preview of our new book Reflections: A Journey to God

Reflections on our Ocean Holiday

Spiritual blog entry: Susan and I spent a delightful Christmas holiday by the ocean in Brookings, Oregon from 12-23 to 12-26-2016. 

The weather was sunny, with clear skies and the temp was around 51 degrees.  We had great walks by the beach with our dogs.  The sunrises and sunsets were incredible:  the pale blue sky was painted with strips of banner-clouds and shimmering ribbons colored mauve, peace, tangerine, and blood-red. The sound of the surf with a view of mild whitecap waves was soothing and hypnotic.  I think for a while we experienced  Heaven on Earth. Smile.

During one of our beach excursions, we met an interesting man in his middle fifties, with tattoos covering both side of his neck. His complexion was dark and he was walking a Pug and Chihuahua.  He shared with us his good news:  after getting out of prison, being addicted to heroin, and dying from liver disease caused by hepatitis c, he had a spiritual awakening and was healed by his prayers to God.  Given Susan's medical  challenges this message was divinely inspirational for us.

For Susan and I, the ocean connects us to all that is spiritual, powerful, and truly infinite. We are convinced that whatever challenges the New Year presents to us, we can - with the help of our Creator, rise above it.

Hope you will take advantage of the free download of The Eby Way. It is your personal spiritual life coach to experience emotional recovery, spiritual healing, relief from addictions, and useful advice to having a better life today. Check out the link on this spiritual blog for access to the download.

Please stay tuned for the release of our new book, Reflections: A Journey to God.  A preview is available at the link listed below.

Preview of Reflections: A Journey to God

Wishing  all of you the best New Year ever!!  Gary  and Susan.  Love, Light, Peace, and Joy.

Affordable Spiritual Life Coaching Here

Reflections on Life Coaching Eby Way

Spiritual Blog entry: Enjoy this preview of my first self-help book, The Eby Way. It is your personal /spiritual life coach to experience emotional recovery, spiritual healing, relief from addictions, and advice on how to overcome any major problem. Just follow the four basic steps to a better life presented in the book. 

We can have a healthier, happier life if we are willing to control our negative side. However, this process poses significant challenges for us. Our social environment presents many obstacles and barriers to staying positive.

For example, America stands before us transfixed by the rhythm of automobile engines, entangled by wars of liberation and retaliation, surrounded by a haze of unnatural vapor and murky waters, mesmerized by the soothing images on color television sets and personal computers.

See the flashing lights: hear the wailing sirens of ambulances racing through our city streets to remove the bodies of children playing drug war games. Look at the women unsafe from attack while jogging in city parks or strolling through neighborhood parks or even office corridors. Youngsters are assaulted by gunman in schools, airport terminals, and McDonald restaurants. Robbers steal and prey on the unsuspecting in subway stations, private homes, or parking lots.

Meanwhile, numerous high school graduates can’t read or write, and many college graduates can’t find decent jobs; and it’s getting harder for them to survive every day. More of the clergy break their

vows and end up in court or prison. Half of all eligible voters in our country rarely vote.

Millions of Americans work hard but struggle to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Thirty-four million Americans don’t have healthcare insurance. More than half of our bankruptcy claims are due to overwhelming healthcare costs; yet our political system passes laws to make filing Chapter 7 even more difficult.

In the last year alone, more than a million people have joined the ranks of the poor. The mentally ill and our homeless continue to overwhelm local social service networks. Medicaid and prison costs threaten the solvency of state governments.

Find out The Eby Way solutions to these challenges:  More Information on the Eby Way

 (Check out Free Download of Eby Way Book --225 pages, by clicking on the flower in right hand column of this blog!)

Peace, Joy, Light, Love:  Gary and Susan Eby

Affordable Spiritual Life Coaching Here 

Reflections on Meditation and Magnificence

Spiritual Blog entry for the day: Okay friends, my wife Susan isn't feeling very well today. Thought I would share another spiritual essay that will appear in our new spiritual book, Reflections: Journey to God.

As you know, America is facing some tough times. We believe that we need to slow down and center ourselves. Let us always remember that anger and violence are never solutions to anything. The same goes for slipping into obsessive worry and deep depression.

So maybe you will consider trying out the following recommendations for Meditation and Magnificence?

Find a comfortable place where you feel safe and will not be interrupted. This is your time to meditate.

Start by taking a few deep breaths to relax your mind and your body to spend some time in the silence. Feel your body begin to loosen up. Keep breathing slowly... 4 breaths in through your nose and five slowly exhaled breaths out of your mouth Allow your mind to slow down. Do whatever you need to get ready for your meditation. A short mantra or prayer perhaps. Feel your body comfortably relax into the chair. Notice the sounds around you lulling you into a deeper place within. Once you are calm and comfortable, take the next step: 

Gently direct your consciousness into the secret place of the most High. You may envision yourself sitting by a stream on a sunny day, relaxing in a meadow caressed by gentle breezes, or on the top of a mountain enjoying the view below. Let your inner self take you anywhere you wish to go.

Picture the Light everywhere present. It surrounds you and you sense a peace beyond all understanding. Breathe in the Light; feel the warm glow of the Light; move in the Light. You are completely surrounded by the Light. All of your worries and fears have left you. All you know at this moment is God.

For more info on this spiritual blog, just click on this link: More Free Spiritual Essays

Susan and I send all of you Peace, Light, Joy, and Love today. There are answers to our problems. We feel the answers are within us.   

Affordable Spiritual Life Coaching Here

Reflections: Journey to God

Ready for a better life? This blog entry is a preview of our new spiritual book, which my wife Susan and I actually wrote together. It a collection of meditative essays.

This is the kind of book you read for a while and then reflect on what you've discovered. Don't feel compelled to read it cover to cover. You might want to start with the first essay, "Chetco River". It sets the tone and theme of the book, which is, we can all access a state of heaven consciousness right now, today.

We suggest you take your time. Thumb through the other articles. Find one that appeals to you: ponder it; meditate a while; even read it out loud.

Susan and I promise you will find an essay that speaks to your mind, your heart, your spirit, and your soul. When this clicks, we believe you will experience a better life. You may even become willing to join together with many other people who work tirelessly to create a more spiritual, peaceful and loving world.

Ultimately our book offers you a glimpse into our own spiritual journeys. Consider this an invitation for you to begin or renew your own journey to God.

One thing is for certain: Contemplating some of our essays listed below will definitely help you release fears, stressful thoughts, and other forms of negative energy, which can hold you back from all that you are meant to be.

Here is the link for samples of these essays: More Free Essays from Reflections

  Susan and I are also offering spiritual life guidance for only $5. Click Spiritual Life Coaching

Feel free to check out our video too at the link below. Blessings to you from Gary and Susan Eby.