Borne from Above

"Borne from Above" is a book especially well-suited for our Covid-19 times. The crushing, transforming effects of the present situation will undoubtedly lead to widespread introspection and reexamination of our basic, personal values. And in that individual, often lonely quest, the author's own spiritual journey taken years ago can nevertheless provide a useful perspective on the human frailties with which each of us may have to contend. *****"Borne from Above" is the true story of a carefree, privileged man reaching middle age, who is suddenly forced to answer for the self- indulgent excesses of his life. What follows is his deeply involved day-by-day account of the intense, protracted struggle between submitting to temporary hardships that would "irreversibly separate him from his former world as if guillotined by able to survive,"- and being viscerally fearful of disobeying at the risk of foregoing whatever promise eternity may hold. ***** "The strange restlessness that had plagued me over the last couple of days suddenly intensified and became an immobilizing fear. In the darkening sky directly above, something invisible yet perceptible seemed to shift, like two surfaces in an earthquake fault. It was a quick, abrupt move that appeared to open the sky and create a link like an endless umbilical cord, which made communication between me and the celestial rift instantly possible. And the first message was already coming through. Though without sound or words, it was unmistakably clear: YOU HAVE SINNED " ***** "It was while strolling along the partly fogged in beach that I felt an enlightenment slowly but palpably permeating my consciousness. It was an inspiration I sensed descending from above, not unlike what had preceded my harrowing excoriation by God; something shifting directly overhead to create an opening in the sky. I had the vibrant feeling of being in the path of a radiant beam focused directly on my brain. And this time the news was good . . . . " ***** "If we are destined to wise up eventually, why not wise up now? - J. A. Comenius (1592-1670)