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Understanding: The Simplicity of Life
The book is a logical step by step approach to understanding both human nature and the world in which we live. The author suggests that understanding, deep understanding, can bring spontaneous and appropriate changes in human behavior.
To demonstrate the effect of understanding Colin uses the following example: When the European mariners understood that the world was not flat, their behavior changed simply as a result of their understanding. Despite their fear they sailed beyond the horizon and not one of them fell over the edge.
Understanding, real understanding, brings the gift of living in the moment. As anyone can attest from personal experience, the mental states of past and future lack the immediacy and vibrancy of the present moment. When the human being is present to what is happening and not caught in the chatter of the mind, life can be enjoyed regardless of what is happening. The result is a greater sense of peace and harmony and the ability to act spontaneously and appropriately.
To demonstrate the effect of understanding Colin uses the following example: When the European mariners understood that the world was not flat, their behavior changed simply as a result of their understanding. Despite their fear they sailed beyond the horizon and not one of them fell over the edge.
Understanding, real understanding, brings the gift of living in the moment. As anyone can attest from personal experience, the mental states of past and future lack the immediacy and vibrancy of the present moment. When the human being is present to what is happening and not caught in the chatter of the mind, life can be enjoyed regardless of what is happening. The result is a greater sense of peace and harmony and the ability to act spontaneously and appropriately.
275 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
14 people want to read
About the author
Colin D. Mallard
10 books22 followersColin Mallard played in bomb craters and bombed out buildings as a child in England during the Second World War. Perhaps this was the origin of his interest in peace. He attended University in Boston and was deeply involved in the Civil Rights and Anti War Movements of the 60s. In fact, the story of the sanctuary at Boston University’s Marsh Chapel, described in "Stillpoint," was written from personal experience.
He worked for a number of years at an inner city church in Providence with the local black population and was harassed, threatened and beaten by the police. Later the church was firebombed and destroyed.
Some of his many jobs have included such esoteric skills as taxi driver, magician’s assistant, tree planter, mountain guide and a street counselor on Vancouver’s skid-road. Colin laughs, “Jack of all trades and master of none.”
He spent eleven years as a Unitarian minister. His interest in exploring spiritual matters took him into the ministry and out of it again.
For the next 20 years he worked as a psychologist. For some of that time he lived in Hawaii and worked with families where children had been abused. The State believed the family was the best place to raise children and were prepared to provide the needed help. He taught parents effective communication and parenting skills, and helped them understand the sources of anger and conflict. It was during this time he wrote a first novel, a teaching story for his clients.
Behind it all was a consuming interest in the nature of peace and who or what we are as human beings. This led him to a lengthy study of Taoism, and Zen and, latterly, the Advaita Masters, Ramesh Balsekar and Dr. Jean Klein.
He has written a number of books on the subject of peace. "Something to Ponder, reflections from Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching," and "Understanding," draw the reader into a deep exploration of life and how it works. A number of his books have won awards in such categories as Eastern Religion, General Fiction and Interior Design and Layout.
His latest novel "Stillpoint" uses fictional characters to bring to life the events that took place before, during and after the creation of the State of Israel. “If there is no awareness of what took place and what continues to this day, how can there be any real understanding?” Colin asks. “With deep understanding,” he continues, “shifts in behavior spontaneously take place and peace becomes a possibility.”
“Beliefs are not facts” he points out, “We may believe we can fly but gravity doesn’t care what we believe.”
Colin lives on Vancouver Island, where he writes and teaches about the wisdom and insights of Eastern Philosophy. He is also an avid soccer player and photographer.
He worked for a number of years at an inner city church in Providence with the local black population and was harassed, threatened and beaten by the police. Later the church was firebombed and destroyed.
Some of his many jobs have included such esoteric skills as taxi driver, magician’s assistant, tree planter, mountain guide and a street counselor on Vancouver’s skid-road. Colin laughs, “Jack of all trades and master of none.”
He spent eleven years as a Unitarian minister. His interest in exploring spiritual matters took him into the ministry and out of it again.
For the next 20 years he worked as a psychologist. For some of that time he lived in Hawaii and worked with families where children had been abused. The State believed the family was the best place to raise children and were prepared to provide the needed help. He taught parents effective communication and parenting skills, and helped them understand the sources of anger and conflict. It was during this time he wrote a first novel, a teaching story for his clients.
Behind it all was a consuming interest in the nature of peace and who or what we are as human beings. This led him to a lengthy study of Taoism, and Zen and, latterly, the Advaita Masters, Ramesh Balsekar and Dr. Jean Klein.
He has written a number of books on the subject of peace. "Something to Ponder, reflections from Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching," and "Understanding," draw the reader into a deep exploration of life and how it works. A number of his books have won awards in such categories as Eastern Religion, General Fiction and Interior Design and Layout.
His latest novel "Stillpoint" uses fictional characters to bring to life the events that took place before, during and after the creation of the State of Israel. “If there is no awareness of what took place and what continues to this day, how can there be any real understanding?” Colin asks. “With deep understanding,” he continues, “shifts in behavior spontaneously take place and peace becomes a possibility.”
“Beliefs are not facts” he points out, “We may believe we can fly but gravity doesn’t care what we believe.”
Colin lives on Vancouver Island, where he writes and teaches about the wisdom and insights of Eastern Philosophy. He is also an avid soccer player and photographer.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 15, 2013
This book is simply written and logical and sets out an intellectual path to enlightenment. No rituals, no meditation, no beliefs. But it goes to the heart of all religions.
What I love about this book is, although considered to be philosophy, it is in effect a very practical book. It reflects the wisdom of more than 2500 years ago in ways that are relatively easy to follow. New words are defined clearly with a glossary at the back to save turning back the page to find the original definition. All that is required of the reader is an open mind.
Colin uses stories, sometimes Sufi or Zen stories, sometimes stories from his own life to illustrate many of the concepts.
I’m quoting from the book here as think it sets out his approach.
“Do not believe what I have to say as it will be useless for you... If you can approach this book with an open mind, prepared to surrender your preconceived notions and beliefs; ....examine closely what you’ve understood against your life experiences, then you may come to know the truth for yourself.
I read Colin’s earlier book The Examined Life and spent time with him to help answer questions which arose. “Understanding” encompasses my questions and those of others.
I am not enlightened but my intellectual understanding of enlightenment brings rewards :. An ability to live in the present where life is real - to see for example real trees when out walking rather than being completely immersed in thoughts. An ability to see how the mind, when not engaged in something practical, spins melodrama; “what ifs ” and if “onlys” ”which torment and distract.
An ability to occasionally live a life where, happiness and unhappiness meet in the middle and life becomes more peaceful with glimpses of joy. - I’m not often there- that would probably be enlightenment - but the more I am aware of the power of my thoughts to dramatize, to allocate blame and guilt and worry endlessly, the more I find myself relaxing into the peace of the moment.
A pretty good reward for reading (several times) a book!
What I love about this book is, although considered to be philosophy, it is in effect a very practical book. It reflects the wisdom of more than 2500 years ago in ways that are relatively easy to follow. New words are defined clearly with a glossary at the back to save turning back the page to find the original definition. All that is required of the reader is an open mind.
Colin uses stories, sometimes Sufi or Zen stories, sometimes stories from his own life to illustrate many of the concepts.
I’m quoting from the book here as think it sets out his approach.
“Do not believe what I have to say as it will be useless for you... If you can approach this book with an open mind, prepared to surrender your preconceived notions and beliefs; ....examine closely what you’ve understood against your life experiences, then you may come to know the truth for yourself.
I read Colin’s earlier book The Examined Life and spent time with him to help answer questions which arose. “Understanding” encompasses my questions and those of others.
I am not enlightened but my intellectual understanding of enlightenment brings rewards :. An ability to live in the present where life is real - to see for example real trees when out walking rather than being completely immersed in thoughts. An ability to see how the mind, when not engaged in something practical, spins melodrama; “what ifs ” and if “onlys” ”which torment and distract.
An ability to occasionally live a life where, happiness and unhappiness meet in the middle and life becomes more peaceful with glimpses of joy. - I’m not often there- that would probably be enlightenment - but the more I am aware of the power of my thoughts to dramatize, to allocate blame and guilt and worry endlessly, the more I find myself relaxing into the peace of the moment.
A pretty good reward for reading (several times) a book!
April 11, 2013
This is an excellent introduction to Eastern philosophy, presented by an author with a very wide spiritual perspective. The writing is crisp and easy to follow, and even though the concepts he presents are anything but easy, Dr. Mallard's smooth, flowing style carries the reader gently forward through his procession of arguments. While not easy, the basic tenements of the philosophy presented here are truly simple, once understood, and this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Eastern thought.
December 19, 2012
In the search for a greater spiritual knowledge and understanding, this book is a must read. Colin Mallard's writings transcends the complicated explanations and expectations present in Western religions and Eastern philosophy and goes right to the heart of the matter in very clear easy to understand way. As Mallard says, "the Truth is the Truth" and his writings are directed right into the window of the soul! Time well spent with a truly fascinating book!
Side note: this book has won a number of awards for quality of writing
Side note: this book has won a number of awards for quality of writing
April 24, 2013
This is a well-presented introduction to Eastern philosophy. The author comes from a multi-faith background and his knowledge of both Eastern and Western traditions helps to give him a broader view of the way different people approach spirituality. Although I personally differ with the author in some of his conclusions, I think that everything he says has merit and is worthy of the reader's intellectual effort to consider. I enjoyed learning about a new philosophy and gaining insights into other ways of seeing the world. This is a non-threatening and thought-provoking work.
December 30, 2012
A wonderful book that has helped me immensely in my personal life. I have read it twice and have recommended it to many. Understanding is a perfect title for concepts that can be confusing but is clearly and beautifully explained in his words. I will be keeping this in my bookshelf and refer to it often.
December 30, 2012
"Understanding " brings you a concise Eastern view of the universe we live in. Beautifully presented with metaphors, photos, and personal experiences. A clear interpretation of the concepts involved. This book put together the broken pieces I called my life by filling in the empty spaces. Can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. It opened a window and let in some fresh air.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews