iridescence: Finding your colours and living your story

by Paul Callaghan

This book provides models, insights and exercises on achieving improved wellbeing through traditional Aboriginal culture, philosophy and spirituality. Although the amount of information in the world is increasing at an alarming rate, ancient wisdom is more relevant to our daily lives than ever. In the 1970s, we were told of the brave new world that awaited us beyond 2000, a world of robots, technology and automation. We were sold an image of a world of increased leisure, a world with more time to connect with friends, family, nature and spirit, a world of increased wellbeing! It is now 2015 and ‘busy-ness’ has accelerated rather than dissipated. We rush here and there without questioning why. We are seduced by ‘busy-ness’. Many of us are also seduced by desire. Often the things we desire take us away from wellbeing rather than towards it. Material possessions, power, popularity, fame and fortune are often in our fantasies and dreams waiting for the day when they will become our reality. In addition, we are often conditioned to jump on a treadmill of continual wants. We pursue, wish for and sometimes even pray for what we want rather than what we need. As a result, we are rarely at peace and find it hard to find the magic in every moment of every hour of every day. Rather than be in the present, our mind is somewhere else, searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow rather than witnessing the magic of the rainbow itself. We ruminate on what we don’t have rather than what we have. For over 60,000 years, the first nation’s people of Australia have achieved wellbeing through understanding all that they need to live a good life is around them. This knowledge was shared in a holistic mind, body and spirit framework that was lived 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unlike many of us in today’s world where, mind, body and spirit needs are not integrated and something to contemplate at the end of the working day, week or when we retire. Paul Callaghan has experienced much in his life. In his earlier years, he felt a sense of achievement from completing formal studies, the overwhelming joy of becoming a father and the satisfaction of career and professional success. Then, to his surprise, he felt the darkness and loneliness of depression. Joy was gone and success a word beyond comprehension and reality. On his path of recovery Paul realised, again much to his surprise, he hadn’t been walking his footsteps, fulfilling his destiny or living his Dreaming Path. Paul wasn’t living his story or truth. As he searched for answers to this life changing insight, he was introduced to the profound healing of Aboriginal culture, philosophy and spirituality. Paul discovered what it felt like to find himself and to believe in himself. He has also felt the relief and freedom of letting go of desire and embracing thankfulness. He has felt what it is like to connect with his Dreaming Path and live his truth. Are you living your truth, your story? If not, then iridescence provides you with models, tools, insights, exercises, reflections and 30 specific messages around key themes including your life’s journey, the importance of the past, love, learning, sharing, leadership, laughter, loss, personal power, anxiety, anger, regret, guilt, responsibility, success, wellbeing and truth to help you find your colours so that you can start living your story today. Are you ready to take that journey? “The truth is not out there, it is in here, inside you. Are you willing to seek it? And once you find it, are you strong enough to live it?” Paul Callaghan “In our stories, everything started from country and our people went out throughout the world and over t

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2014

About the author

Paul Callaghan is a First Nations custodian in the land now called Australia. Paul belongs to the land of the Worimi people which is located on the east coast of Australia about 2 hours north of Sydney, New South Wales. He is an Aboriginal story teller and dancer. Paul has held a number of senior executive positions in his career and has qualifications in a diverse range of disciplines including surveying, drafting, accounting, economics, training, executive leadership, emotional intelligence, company boards, and executive/organisational coaching.
Paul’s passion however has always been around healing individuals, communities and the Earth our Mother. His corporate roles have always incorporated this passion.
Paul has been ‘going bush’ for many, many years and learning traditional ‘Lore’ from his Elders much of which he is willing to share with those who respect it.
Paul also ran a very successful spiritual/energy healing practice for many years with a wide variety of clients and illnesses.
The underpinning foundation of the book is his journey through depression and the role Aboriginal culture, spirituality and philosophy had in not only enabling him to recover, but also empowering him to live life by his truth rather than everybody else’s expectations. The book has a number of exercises and models based on his experience aimed at assisting people from all walks of life to build the courage and skills to live a life of purpose, choice and wellbeing. You will find it is a combination of styles including textbook, self help, Aboriginal history, Aboriginal philosophy, Aboriginal spirituality and an autobiography of his journey through depression.

Reviews

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! A must read for every human! Do yourself a favour and read this book

[Jessica Pinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul I'm sorry it's taken me so long for me to both read and review this wonderful book. I picked up a copy while doing some cultural capability training with you a few years ago and had read a few chapters on and off since then, but it wasn't until my life fell completely apart last year and I was struggling to find my purpose again that I turned to this book and your words and wisdom helped me to see my path out.

I think at the end of the book you say it would worthwhile if this booked helped a small few people - I'll happily put my hand up and say that your book has done that for me in an incredibly profound way. I am so grateful to you and Paul G for sharing all of the important knowledge that you have and sending this out into the world so that others can live better lives.

In reading this book, I have gained incredible insight of Aboriginal spirituality, philosophy and values, and have also found much greater clarity about my own story, values, beliefs and goals. The exercises have helped me to visualise my dreaming path and dreaming tree, which I suspect might be one of the greatest gifts a person can ever receive in life. There are many tools/models that are useful to ponder and will help you identify areas of life which may need some tweaking, in order to achieve improved well-being. My advice is to read slowly, mindfully and soak it all in. Do the exercises, and revisit sections whenever you need reminding. Pick this book up again and again whenever you feel like you're losing your balance and need some guidance.

The book overall is cleverly structured, written with wisdom and compassion, and is above all else is remarkably helpful. I'm telling everyone I know to read this Paul.

Thank you 🖤💛♥️

Jessica