Wayne Dyer's "I Can See Clearly Now"

On a flight from Las Vegas to Chicago, I started reading Wayne Dyer’s latest book, "I Can See Clearly Now". I often don’t finish the books that I start, because it’s hard to set aside the uninterrupted time to do so.  Dr. Dyer is a great believer in synchronicity, and so am I. For that reason I believe that it is no coincidence that on this Southwest Airlines flight, the WiFi is not working. Instead of breaking out my work laptop to keep up with email traffic, I read through several chapters of this inspiring book. This happened just five days before I was to fly to Ft. Lauderdale to participate in a writing seminar led by Dr. Dyer, among others.

Unlike his other books, "I Can See Clearly Now" is autobiographical, a memoir crafted with hindsight applying a lifetime of learning to the events that made Dr. Dyer the author, teacher, and spiritual luminary that he is today. His theme is that anyone can become a “self-actualized” individual, one who reaches his or her highest potential in this life. He pays tribute to the many teachers who inspired his own personal growth, including Dr. Abraham Maslow, who coined the term “self-actualized”.  But Dr. Dyer also credits  his own highest self – the portion of himself that represents the source energy of universal Love – with guiding his personal dharma. Continuing the theme of his recent Living the Wisdom of the Tao, Dr. Dyer describes himself as one with the flow of energy that comprises all of time, and space, and spirit. In such a Universe, there can be no coincidence, for every moment that arises represents the synthesis of the intention of all that is.

The more I read of Dr. Dyer’s work, the more I find myself wanting to be like him. He describes himself as a teacher who wants everyone to learn and apply the principle at the core of his writings: that self-actualization is available to anyone who can become mindful of Love as the motivating principle of life, and learn to ignore the voice of ego.  I know this principle is authentic, because I recognize that the same truth has been revealed to me and embodied in Spontaneous Beauty. I cannot claim to have lived by this principle for as long or as faithfully as he, but I know that the same voice is speaking through us. We are spiritual brothers, or rather two manifestations of the same Spirit.

The question arises in my mind whether I should abandon my own quest to become a published author, and devote myself to publicizing the works of this great teacher. I do not believe that it is only ego that urges me to continue on my chosen path. There are other great teachers who have inspired me – from Buddha to Eckhart Tolle – and each has his or her own way of conveying the same message that my own individuality is merely an expression of the Divine Love that manifests as All That Is. Steeped as I am in traditional and New Age spirituality, I am always surprised to learn how few of the people I encounter in daily life have even heard of my human teachers or their teachings. There is always room for another teacher.

I am mindful also that the most effective teaching is not in books. Dr. Dyer was a classroom teacher and public speaker before he became a popular author.  My own way of teaching is to try to live a life as free of ego as possible, to demonstrate to everyone around me that a life motivated by Love is not only possible, but the most fulfilling life there can be. I also want to show that it is quite possible to live a successful ordinary life in the world without succumbing to the  influence of the ego by focusing only on the demands of the small self.

So, I will continue living in Spirit to the best of my ability, with the guidance received through the higher Self in meditation as my support. If Spirit wills it, I will author another book, and I believe it will offer a fresh perspective on discovering the joy that lies just under the surface of our consciousness, obscured only by ego and its incessant demands. The message is so simple that it can be presented in one sentence, yet there are so few who have heard it, and fewer who have listened, that volumes can be (and have been)  written about what it means and how to apply it to daily life. I will be content if I can spread that message just a little wider in this ego-dominated world.

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I finished "I Can See Clearly Now" on the plane to Ft. Lauderdale. Here is a man who has lived an astonishing life by learning from the great teachers, but following only his inner guidance. As I read his final words, a thought came to me that I have been wanting to put into words for a long time.

"There is just one all-encompassing Truth, and it cannot be taught. All that we can do is to tell what we know, and those who hear and are ready will recognize it. They in turn may be moved to share it with others. In this way may Truth ultimately come to all beings."

As Dr. Dyer tells of his japa practice, I am moved to perform my own by chanting:

"Aum mane padme hum"

"Aum eim hrim shrim klim sah sat chit ekam Brahma"

Namaste