Isn’t there a great interest in knowing our future? There’s an amazing curiosity about finding life directions—knowing what to do in a particular situation?I discovered at a bookshop recently a book entitled The Book of Answers by Carol Bolt.
How to Manage this Book
There aren’t too many books that come with a set of instructions but this one has them on the back cover. It says:
* Hold the closed book in your hand
* Take 10-15 seconds to concentrate on your question.
* Questions should be phrased Closed-End e.g. Is the job I’m applying for the right one? Or “Should I travel this weekend?”
* Then, while visualizing or speaking your question, place one hand palm down on the book’s front cover and stroke the edge of the pages, back to front.
* When you sense the time is right, open the book and there will be your answer.
* Repeat the process for as many questions as you have.
What a novel idea for a book!
It costs $25 which I thought was very steep. Let me tell you the sorts of answers it contains.
If I picked the book up early tomorrow morning, and asked the question, “Will I get breakfast in bed this morning?” I might stroke the pages and open it at page three which reads: “Don’t bet on it!”
Or if I asked the question, “Should I get out of bed now?” these are some of the likely answers:
1. Adopt an adventurous attitude.
2. Don’t bet on it.
3. Follow the advice of experts.
4. You could find yourself unable to compromise
5. Your actions will improve things.
6. Focus on your home life.
7. Investigate and then enjoy it.
8. Definitely.
9. It will remain unpredictable.
10. Absolutely not.
11. Explore it with playful curiosity.
12. Be delightfully sure of it.
13. Better to wait.
14. It seems assured.
15. Do it early.
16. Keep it to yourself.
17. Startling events may occur as a result.
18. You will need to accommodate.
19. The answer may come to you in another language.
20. Doubt it.
I noticed that at the bookshop it was grouped with all the zany books at the counter. At Amazon.com it was cross-referenced with books on the future and books of humor!
Discernment is a discipline not a quick fix.
Discernment involves a journey of discovery not a single step.
Discernment involves a wrestling with the questions not the rubbing of a literary Aladdin’s Lamp.
Discernment is a partnership not the receiving of ready-made orders.
Dr Geoff Pound
Image: Front cover of The Book of Answers
