The Genius of Being: Contemplating the Profound Intelligence of Existence

by Peter Ralston

Peter Ralston's exceptionally lucid trilogy on the nature of human consciousness culminates here in The Genius of Being, a book of deep contemplations on the unseen elements that create our world. The first volume, The Book of Not Knowing, garnered much praise as a comprehensive exploration of the depths of self and consciousness. The second volume, Pursuing Consciousness, clarifies the difference between enlightenment and self-transformation, and then pairs these two goals in a strikingly effective way. This third book is both shorter and more complex, taking us straight to the heart of the origins of our experience.
In a progression of illuminating assertions, Ralston shows us how human consciousness carves out distinctions from whatever is absolutely true. This dynamic not only generates both self and reality from nothing, it imbues them with the quality of objective truth. From the time we first distinguish between self and not-self as infants, we begin making a sequence of existential assumptions that result in the illusion that a self is some ethereal -object- within. This universally accepted assumption persists despite the failure of exhaustive investigations to locate this inner self.
This book is not for the faint of heart or the casual seeker, but contemplating the assertions here empowers you to personally and experientially grasp what is rarely even glimpsed: a profound consciousness of the genesis of human experience.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality

232 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2017

About the author

Peter Ralston works with people to authentically expand and deepen their “consciousness,” and to become more real, honest, and effective human beings. He facilitates people in understanding their own selves and minds, and in becoming increasingly conscious of the nature of perception, experience, and existence, and the nature of “being.” He also does this through teaching people about their bodies and how to be most effective in its use, as well as teaching them the Art of Effortless Power — a large scope internal martial art using an effortless power to “play” with others, deepening an understanding of effective interaction using such principles as joining, complementing, leading, and so forth to create masterful interactive skills.

Reviews

[Emma Sea]

Borrowed this after a blog rec, but it was not at all what I expected. For some reason, I thought this was about the biological origins and nature of intelligence. Instead, it's much more about "awakening consciousness" through "contemplation intensives" i.e. meditation retreats. This may be the book for you: it was not for me.

[David Dvali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was thinking that after 2 books about enlightenment third one would not be at high level as previous. Was wrong of course. There was some comment on this book and people do not read this book before you have not read Not Knowing of Peter. This book is kind of continuation of 2 books of Peter

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the book of not knowing first, then pursuing consciousness.

This book is much less practical than pursuing consciousness. It is not a book about enlightenment, per se, and has not been too helpful for me in this domain. Instead it is (if I were to sum up) about how mind creates and shapes all different aspects of our experience (it is looking at the relative, though grasping the absolute would naturally recontextualize the relative as well).

It is also much less 'charitable' than the book of not knowing--some radical assertions are presented and it is left to the reader to experience them themselves. Ralston is not trying to convince you of anything. The first two books in this 'series' are definitely crucial to establishing the open mindedness necessary to even consider many of the assertions made here.

This book is an excellent starting point for some very profound contemplations. However, these are very abstruse in that they are concerned entirely with grasping what's true and not with self improvement (despite the potential for such insights to be transformative). I have yet grasped very few (if any) of the communications in this book but they are awe-inspiring nonetheless. I know that this book will become more and more relevant as I continue to become more conscious.

[SAT CHIT ANANDA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I should have started with his 'The Book of Not Knowing'. I found Peter's writing drier than others who offer similar pointers. However, he does offer quite a few original contemplations that were interesting. So overall I appreciate the content but the execution wasn't very vibrant.

[#DÏ4B7Ø Chinnamasta-Bhairav]

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To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~

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“Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows.” Nisargadatta Maharaj

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Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~

Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct

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" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”

Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous

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Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind

A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through

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[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not self. Imagine you without senses, what would be left? Very little.

[Amara Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Peter.