If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

Inner Journey

by Lawrence Patrick

232 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0456; ISBN 1-4120-0093-9; US$23.00, C$29.00, EUR18.85, £13.06

Experience a unique Inner Journey of your own as you follow Thomas Danielson's spiritual quest in the South Seas, amid clashing cultures, towards the world of Love, Truth and Beauty.

Read more!

about the book      about the author      reader reviews      excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book Any inner journey, to true spirituality, is an individual one. It can be found, not only in the teachings of the ancients, but in many cultures as well. This story is a beautiful allegory, showing the pitfalls and dangers mortals have to overcome on their way to eternal life. The author's attitude takes the reader through the initiation of another culture, although the culture is startlingly like our own. His whole aim is to make us see the "rich qualities of life" that play an important role for those seeking inner peace. Mr. Patrick proves how unspoken words express the most advanced philosophy. He shows that we can master the forces that shape personal reality. These powerful forces, which work within each heart and soul, are always present No matter the outer chaos of events in the lives of the main characters, they always look within themselves for inner truth. They live their daily lives with peace, love and caring. Others live by terrestrial laws, living for status, power, or control. This story mirrors earthly life experiences in all of its aspects. The author lets his readers wander into paradise, to a new awakening that can elevate them to new heights and great depths of inner awareness. He clearly expresses that we can attain a world of love, truth and beauty. The wedding ceremony reestablishes every individual's spiritual marriage with God and universe. Mr. Patrick exemplifies special traits in his, proving literature of power and knowledge. It is great reading with a style and spell all its own. "Compellingly readable," says one reader. The author's talent to create suspense and drama arouses curiosity which connects to the readers interest and makes Inner Journey an absorbing novel. For more information about this book, or to read the essay What Is An Inner Journey?, visit the author's website at www.innerjourney2003.info.

---

About the Author Lawrence Patrick graduated a vocational and technical High school as class valedictorian in June of 1962. The Cuban Crisis brought us to the brink of War. Mr. Patrick responded by enlisting in the United States Air Force after his 18th birthday. This was the beginning of his military career which would last into the 21st century and the beginning of a dream - a desire to help other people. After his tour of duty during the Vietnam Era, he enrolled in a community college. His education extended into Graduate School at Penn State University and post graduate work at other non- traditional colleges and universities. It was during these years that he worked in many fields. Mr Patrick spent ten years at the internationally famous Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and continued to serve in the Active Reserves. His dream of opening a Wholistic Health Center was close at hand. Although he was accepted into Chiropractic, Medical and Naturopathic schools, a series of operations deterred him from his path. He left for Texas in 1987 to complete an internship and begin to follow his dream again. After completing his internship, Mr. Patrick opened a Massage and Nutritional Counseling Center in Southern California. It was during Desert Shield and Desert Storm that Mr. Patrick began to write his first novel, Inner Journey. He wrote a sentence or paragraph at every opportunity, developing his story over the weeks and months he served on active duty. The activation caused the loss of his business and he returned to Texas with an opportunity to work at a health food store. The ultra-conservative community forced him to abandon his practice and find work unrelated to his interests in and around Austin, where he remained for the next decade. In December 1999, Mr. Patrick attended one of the many international workshops to ring in the new millennium with like-minded people. It was here that he was filled with Spirit and motivated to continue his work helping people. How this was to be accomplished, he didn't know. He went back to school for two years receiving a certificate in physical fitness training. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Mr. Patrick was once again called to serve his country. Mr. Patrick has since retired from military service with an honorable discharge.

---

Reader Reviews "I loved the story." AK/CA Teacher "Very enjoyable and interesting" RL/CA Psychotherapist "What a delightful book! It is truly a work of love and self discovery." BK/NJ Housewife-Traveler "Your story is great! What a talent to be able to draw a story like that out of your imagination --- The story's great." CB/TX Teacher "You have a lovely, inspiring scene (usually short) and then go into a detailed explanation." JS/NJ Nurse "I find the story very interesting. I read it through in a few days. I hated to put it down. I find this story truly mirrors earth life experiences in all of its aspects. It is good reading and inspiring." RMM/CA Minister "The inner journey to true spirituality is indeed an individual one and can be found not only in the teachings of the ancients, but in numerous cultures as well. Your story is a beautiful allegory - showing the pitfalls and dangers we mortals have to overcome on our ways to eternal life." MMS/PA Retired Librarian "I can't thank you enough for the opportunity to read, experience, heal, renew and live through this great work. The material was very therapeutic for me and the wording eloquent. [I] can hardly wait till it goes to press. [I] have a lot of people I would like to buy the book. The whole wedding ceremony was full of messages. It was the highlight and culmination of whole book. [It] really touched heart and soul. Really could fill deep renewed love. [It] helped re-establish every individual's spiritual marriage with God and universe." NJ/CA Counselor "There was a lot of Lawrence Patrick's philosophy in the manuscript: his ideals, philosophy of life, trials and tribulations..." CL/TX Retired Military "Lawrence has brewed a most entertainingly, imaginative cup of kava. Through the inner and outer conflicts of the main characters, the reader travels this "Inner Journey" right along with them, relating on a personal level to each ensuing battle. Thank you for showing, in a most compelling tale, that there exists for no one -- nor can there exist -- an immunity to the bruises of battle; that we must each stumble and, yes, occasionally tumble down this path of obstacles we know as life." GW/TX Housewife/Short Story Writer "Patrick a true teacher of mankind exemplifies in his characters - special traits, proving his ability for 'literature of power and knowledge' and is indeed great reading with a style and spell all its own - 'compellingly readable.' The authors attitude takes one through the initiation of another culture, even though the culture is startlingly our own; his whole aim is to make us see the Rich Qualities of 'life' that play important role for those seeking inner peace. By mastering the forces that shape personal reality Patrick proves how unspoken words communicate the most advanced philosophy, and how powerful forces that work within each soul and heart can not be denied. Patrick wanders his readers into Paradise to a new awakening that can only transcend his readers to new heights and great depths of inner awareness which clearly expresses that we all can attain the new world of Love, Truth and Beauty which is true peace all within ones soul. Patrick's talent to create suspense and drama arouses curiosity which forms connections to the readers interest makes Inner Journey truly an absorbing novel." GW/IL Social worker, IL "I couldn't put it down - the spiritual insight has already inspired me to self reflect my decisions and spiritual journey. I think your book is compelling and a work of art and I am just getting to the half-way mark.. You have an awesome insight of the human reality and are able to capture its many beauties along with its flaws. Inner Journey continues to challenge my reality of ethno-cultural issues and the effects of diversity on a intradependent world. I value Inner Journey's moral and ethical thesis without cultural assumptions. Reading your book has offered me the opportunity to reflect upon my own journey and the events that have led me to the path I now find myself." LM/TX Housewife-Student "I feel that there is a good book here. I sincerely feel that your book has potential. Most important, your writing style is generally acceptable, and I like your work." DM/IL Literary Agent

---

Excerpts Chapter 4: The Next Day The following morning, Nahwa entered the dome-shape hut and brought Tom a sarong and sandals. "Good morning," said Nahwa as she bowed from the waist with a lovely smile. The palms of her hands crossed her chest in an oriental manner. "What's so good about it?" he grumbled. "It's too early to get out of bed. How do I get off this rotten island anyway? How far is the next port? You savvy?" "I understand your concerns," Nahwa said in a pleasant and polite tone of voice. "Your anger and attitude will change in time. After breakfast, we will talk again and most of your questions will be answered. Make yourself as comfortable as you can." She bowed again and left the hut. Tom cursed under his breath. A monkey began to chatter as it peered through the open window almost mimicking Tom's behavior. "Cut it out," Tom replied, and threw a wood carved basin of water at it. The monkey screeched as it scurried up the nearest tree. sat on the soft bed and floor matting made of Pandanus leaves and began mentally gathering himself together. A variety of fresh tropical fruits was brought to him for his first meal of the day. It was good, though he had never tasted anything like it before. He ate what looked like mango and tasted like papaya until he could eat no more. Then he decided to see what the island looked like outside the hut. After getting dressed, he slid open the translucent cloth that partitioned the doorway and stood amazed at what he saw. In front of him at the far side of the open plaza, was an immense Mayan-like step pyramid measuring about 150 feet square at its base. On either side of the plaza stood large stone buildings with walls twenty or more feet high. On them were strange markings that could be seen, even at this distance. They were similar to the carved and painted pictures that were in his hut. The entire paved open area before him looked like smooth stone that went about one thousand paces in all directions. The periphery was a dense jungle that encircled the village itself. "What is this place?" he asked dumbfounded to Nahwa, who was working in the garden outside his doorway. She stood up and said with an outstretched arm, "This is Watomi, the City of Light and Life. It is the home of the Sun God who gives life to everyone." "That's good," said Tom sarcastically. "Now, when can I leave this place. I want to get out of here as soon as possible." "We see ships only once or twice a year when they blow off course by a storm," Nahwa said. "The nearest port is many days journey to the North and East by boat. It is dangerous now because of the open sea and the Mandramil warriors who patrol it. You do not have the strength for such a trip yet. We will talk about that another time. Come! My father, Chief Matazi, is expecting us." With that, she turned and began walking to another structure much larger in size than the others he had seen. Tom, still taken back by what he was seeing and hearing, followed Nahwa. Many questions raced through his mind. "How come she speaks English? Who are these people?" Nothing in his twenty years at sea would even begin to compare for what awaited him next. Two armed guards stood watch by the door to Chief Matazi's house. They blocked Tom's entrance with crossed spears as Nahwa entered alone. When told to enter, Tom was even more amazed than before. At the end of a corridor, Nahwa led him into a large oval room where there was a massive three-dimensional wall sculpture of the sun. She bowed her head, knelt, and placed her forehead to the floor, hesitating before rising. The relief, painted in gold with a clear crystal like center, allowed light to enter from the outside. The refracted sunlight magnified itself and turned the room in many colors, just like one would see in a rainbow. Twelve Symbols and other markings were etched on its surface along the outer circumference, but Tom sensed there was more to it than just appearances. Other figures, drawings and sculptures were placed throughout the room. A multicolored, decorated woven rug of plant material lay on the floor. It also consisted of symbols and pictures, some that he recognized as part of the zodiac. The wooden bamboo floor not covered by the rug had plants or other ornaments covering the barren spots. Chief Matazi towered over Tom's large body by six inches. His huge frame looked like a hefty ox and when his low pitched, raspy voice became inadequate, he used sign language to talk with Nahwa. His throat had been cut during the fighting with the Mandramils months before. He welcomed Tom to his island and bid him a comfortable stay. Nahwa would assist him in all things as she was the only person who communicated regularly with her father and spoke English. The celebration to the Sun God would begin later in the day. Before the chief had excused himself to prepare for the day's activities, he extended Tom an invitation to the festivities that evening. Tom and Nahwa exited while the chief went to meditate and pray according to the ancient traditions. The gala festival would begin about noon with prayer, thanksgiving offerings and the rites of purification. Tom paused to look more closely at the drawings, paintings and sculpture that adorned the walls. "What do these symbols and picture writing mean?" He asked Nahwa after leaving the hut. "They make no sense to me." "The one you ask about is the story of creation," she replied. "It tells of how the Great Spirit created life before humankind existed, and how that same life continues to exist after death." "You mean to tell me," he suddenly interrupted quite surprised, "that you believe that you live after the body is dead?" "Yes," she said. "It tells the story of life as it was, is now and will be forever after my people die." "That's gibberish!" he said defensively. "Life after death?" he railed. "Once you die, you rot and smell to high heaven like everyone else. I've never seen anyone ever come back to life once they died. Never! I've never killed a person yet that decided to haunt me," he said with a sneering laugh. "This is what we believe, Tomas," Nahwa softly replied, "like many other philosophies found in this world. Despite what you choose to believe or not believe, this is part of our way of life. It has meaning for us and provides the hope that nourishes our spirit. It comforts our grief and gives us the strength we need in times of want." "It cannot be disproved, Tomas," she continued. "Not even by you who sail long distances on the boat of many trees you call ships." "Some strange force guided you here for an unknown reason. No one can predict tomorrow. We can only accept the challenges as we meet them, and enjoy what we can from life each day. Our philosophy, Tomas, teaches contentment, not violence in any form. The only exception is for defense, and only when we have no other choice but to survive." "We are children of the light and of the giver of life. We hold sacred truths handed down for thousands of years, from one generation to another. We are the remains of a great civilization that once ruled all the oceans and lands of the known world. I must go now and prepare myself for the celebration." "The Sun God will return to his throne of power as he always does each three hundred faces of the full moon. Today, Quazachella returns to his place in the sky, to protect and guide his chosen people. My father and I will expect to see you at the festivities tonight." As she turned to leave, Tom replied, "I'll be there," and went into his hut to rest. Catalogue Information Canada • USA • UK • Europe Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of use | Author Login URL http://www.trafford.com © 1995-2007 Trafford Publishing, a division of Trafford Holdings Ltd.