Remember this one? – The Seat of the Soul

When it comes to writing about books, I try to juggle the topics and authors. One day, it’s a best-seller. The next, an important work that just hasn’t found its footing. I choose spiritual warriors and secular ones, often in the same week. And sometimes, a book is just beautiful and I want to share it with you.

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav is a bestseller and important work that you may have expected me to write about long ago. It is, after all, another one of my classics.

I have other books by Zukav but this one, I think, is his pivotal work.

I chose to write about this today because I saw a YouTube video this morning. It’s short and lovely… please take a moment to watch it. I’ll wait.

If you watched, you know why once again, I am reminded of my affinity with the compass – and what it means to follow my own “mother ship.” <<< Don’t let this fool you. It’s not about aliens, it’s about sailing ships. I won’t say more because I don’t want to give it away. Go, watch, if you haven’t already.

When I first got this book, many years ago, it was on the recommendation of a friend. I admit that as I stood in the bookstore thumbing through it, it looked kinda… difficult. In fact, it was.

I started and stopped this book three different times before I finally finished it.

It felt heavy in its intensity and a little over-my-head scientifically. I know it *says* it’s “beautifully simple” but … but… okay, honestly? I got bored. I know, I can’t believe I’m saying it, either. But it’s the truth.

While I was deeply moved by the subject matter (The Soul) and wanted to know the answer to the implied question, “What is the seat of the soul?”… I was annoyed that it took 248 pages – and to be clear, 248 is the last page of the book – to get to the answer. More on that in a moment.

Zukav is a graduate of Harvard University and a former US Army Special Forces (Green Beret) officer with Vietnam service. Again, like so many others in my bookshelf, he’s a smarty-pants and highly respected by many, including me. He is one of those scientist / philosopher people who talk about alchemy and transformation… and so much more that it makes my head spin.

Which is why the book was a little difficult for me, as I’ve already said. You may not find it that way at all.

I like Zukav a lot. To listen to him speak is comforting and gentle. And don’t get me wrong, the book is excellent. I know this… it’s just one of those times I couldn’t “get into” a book easily. You know how that sometimes happens. Right?

So, would you like to know the answer to the question: What is the Seat of the Soul?

If so, here it is: The Seat of the Soul is “the hourglass point between energy and matter.”

I love timepieces almost as much as compasses. An hourglass is a timepiece with fluid, beautiful lines… feminine and round. Just love ’em!

And I love his answer, as I picture energy and matter meeting in the middle. But I can’t help wondering if they’re fighting in there… pushing and shoving. Nah, it’s probably just me and my totally non-scientific mind. Nevermind.

Originally posted by me for this blog on May 4, 2018.