reading

Title: The Cranky Guru - Adventures in Metaphysics

First published: 2014 by Paul L Bennett

Editor: Cecily-Anna Bradley

Cover Design: Paul L Bennett

Printed by: InHousePublishing.com.au

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publications entry

Author:	Bennett, Paul (Author)
Title:	The Cranky Guru - Adventures in
	Metaphysics / Paul Bennett
ISBN:	9780992551919 (ebk)
Subject:	Conduct of life
	Self-actualisation (Psychology)
	Self-consciousness (Awareness)
Dewey Number:	158.1

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without written permission from the author; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other, without written permission from the author. All information and recommendations provided are non-binding and noncommittal and the personal views of the author.

Contents

FOREWORDS Professor David L Bennett AO, Rabbi Zalman Kastel.

INTRODUCTION Why am I writing this book?

1: ‘ACT AS IF’: How I used metaphysics to renew my passport in three hours.

2: DESTINY: Magnetism, attraction and my meeting my soul mate Tutti.

3: FRIENDSHIP: The Lift Club Project.

4: NEVER JUDGE THE BOTTLE BY THE LABEL: A train journey with a difference.

5: JOY: What is it and how can we get it?

6: GRATITUDE: Being in the moment where love resides.

7: KINDNESS: Understanding diversity, generosity, charity and compassion.

8: MENTORS: Neil Glasser MVO and my dad Cecil George Bennett.

9: HOW TO MANIFEST YOUR PREFERRED REALITY: The Cranky Guru talks Metaphysics.

10: THE ‘BELIEF’ PRINCIPLE: How our beliefs create our reality.

11: MEDITATION: A journey beyond mind.

12: CONCLUSION: Embracing All That Is.

13: POSTSCRIPT: My journey towards understanding.

14: REFERENCES

Foreword:

Professor David L Bennett AO

There is nothing ordinary about Paul Bennett—spiritualist, artist, inventor, teacher, musician, joke-teller, husband, father, mentor and friend. He is also The Cranky Guru and my very special, one and only brother. We grew up enjoying each other’s company, amiably connected through music (he on violin, me on piano), rough-housing and rambling in the neighbourhood (the latter being an acceptable activity for children in the sixties) and sharing love and respect for our Mum (the tough one) and Dad (a commercial artist and self-taught jazz pianist with talent to burn). Although we’ve taken different life paths, we share a curiosity about existential matters, especially the mysteries of life, loving and living. Our conversations are never ordinary!

The Cranky Guru – Adventures in Metaphysics is a highly personal, self-effacing and often entertaining account of a spiritual journey. Its messages and stories reflect the benevolent and altruistic goals of the author, a man thoroughly versed in the writings of sages and philosophers from time immemorial. Paul simply wants the world to be a kinder and more compassionate place. He wants us to be more enquiring, more confident, and more prepared to believe that things will work out well (at least better) if we gently embrace a facilitating mindset. He believes in the intrinsic decentness of human beings and is keen to interact warmly with as many people as possible. He does this primarily through his Facebook page (facebook.com/paul.bennett.58118) and is both heartened and at times amused by the responses he receives to his invariably thought-provoking posts.

Much solid evidence sits behind many of the ideas and suggestions that The Cranky Guru brings to our attention here. Hopefulness, cheerfulness, mindfulness and kindness, for example, are attributes that bring favourable outcomes to many, comfort and encouragement to all. This inaugural book is a gem – not only will you enjoy reading it, it might just change your life.

Clinical Professor David Bennett AO, adolescent health physician at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Foreword:

Rabbi Zalman Kastel

I have known Paul for ten years. His white curls, bold dress sense, beaming face and happy spirit always make me smile.

This book you hold in your hands glows with positive energy, love and light. Its value increased by the fact that it has been written by someone well aware of the ugly, bad and sad.

Paul is the kind of man who strives to accept ‘all that is’. However, like all of us, he is also susceptible to emotions that aren’t synonymous with love and light. The story I would like to share with you is an example of a time Paul was less Happy Guru, more Cranky Guru.

Five years ago, Paul approached me about offering his services to assist the inclusive multi-faith-based diversity education organisation I lead, called Together for Humanity. He loved the concept – or so he thought – until I sent him an email that made him question his very involvement.

You see, Paul (a graphic designer by trade) had designed a new logo for our organisation. Its colours were bright, and featured two eyes, and neat shapes representing people from different faiths engaging with each other. The logo was circulated to the board of the Together For Humanity Foundation, which includes representatives of the Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths—most of whom were happy with it. However, a Muslim member of our team objected to the eyes in the image. It represented a ‘graven image’ according to his understanding of his faith. As such, he did not feel represented by the logo.

I flicked an email to Paul about removing the eyes, and thought nothing of it.

Now, anger serves a purpose. It can alert us that something we deem precious has been violated, and in this case, Paul felt his artistic integrity was at stake. His belief was that eliminating the eyes was giving in to fundamentalism and threatening to stifle the creative potential of future Muslim Michaelangelos.

This was not a trivial matter to Paul or me and I respected the artistic principles he was prepared to fight for. So, over green tea, in a little café, I suggested there was another way to look at this conflict of values. The more useful question was, how do we build a tent that accommodates people with divergent views?

Paul sipped his tea—and though his mug still appeared more half-empty than full, he said he would have another go. A few days later—and after some meditation, Paul could see a compromise. He returned with a logo that was inclusive of all faiths, proving that while we’re all prone to anger, indignation and everything in between, the secret of success is a little optimism and generosity of spirit—something Paul has in vast quantities, as I’m sure you’re about to discover.

Rabbi Zalman Kastel, Together for Humanity Foundation togetherforhumanity.org.au

Introduction:

Why am I writing this book?

I seem to be taking two steps forward, one step back, two steps forward, one step back. Hey—that’s two steps forward! I’m winning! Hooray!

Why am I writing this book? You probably won’t know the answer, so I’ll tell you. ‘Now’ is the right time. In fact, it’s the only time to do anything, since I’ve never heard of anyone doing anything in the past or future. As a man in my 60s, I’ve had ample opportunity to experience life as an active participant, and more recently as a fascinated observer of the influences, the failures and the amazing successes of life. These are the things that make the story of who we are, life-defining and memorable. Many of us spend our lives yearning for things to make us ‘more’. We feel that if we keep adding ‘stuff’—newer car, better job, bigger house—then life will be better. But will it really?

We miss so much in our incessant search for ‘the next big thing’, but what are we seeking? The missing intangible ingredient of course. That ‘something’ which will complete us. We don’t really know what this ‘something’ is, we just know it’s missing—and so the search begins. Everyone wants their life to be meaningful, and given the mind’s tendency to judge (often harshly), we may think we’re not measuring up compared to others. And yet, there isn’t a sentient being on the planet who is not making a worthy contribution, even if the role they’ve chosen is to challenge others. Looking back on my life, I can plainly see how the adversity I’ve experienced has strengthened my character and created mental and spiritual growth.

The truth? We’re all born loving, compassionate, and curious about the world in which we find ourselves. We instinctively ‘know’ we are good, that we belong and that we possess a strong desire to add value to our quality of life. However, we are also taught that Man is a greedy predator and intrinsically ‘sinful’ and that human nature is not to be trusted. So governments make laws with harsh punishments for wrongdoing which far outweigh any rewards for ‘right-doing’. No wonder then, the beliefs of our societies become our individual beliefs as well, making us hesitant to act on our natural impulses. And what if there were no laws? Might we then learn to trust ourselves again? I want my book to tell this story. A story based on love, trust, understanding and acceptance. Whether we realise it or not, our spiritual awakening is inevitable. Although we may sometimes feel alienated, we have an instinctive sense of justice and a deep desire to help others. And even though we may sometimes be seen as distracted, naive and profoundly idealistic, we are here to provide a bridge between the visible and the invisible, to embrace our true potential and give hope to others. So, it is time now to accept who we really are.

Let the journey begin!