My thanks to Olalah Njenga for writing the introduction for the book, Secrets of the Universe:
The universe, in all Her majesty and wonder, holds many secrets. Some take a lifetime to discover while others are as obvious as the rising and setting of the sun. In Jon Batson’s latest book, Secrets of the Universe, Jon explores the seemingly mystical witticisms of our everyday living. These witticisms sprinkled generously throughout the book, vary from the candid to confrontational and from the surreal to the sublime.
If you are a mystic, not in the original sense, but in a modern-day interpretation – one who believes that there is great mystery in the world to explore and uncover, you’ll find Secrets of the Universe a refreshing change from the heavy, deep thinking that books of this regard can exhibit. Perhaps you are simply curious about the ways of the Universe yet to be uncovered. If so, you will enjoy the journey as you move effortlessly through the passages of the text.
It could be argued that it is not the Universe that holds secrets, but it is us who hold ignorance in greater regard than the wisdom that the Universe yearns to impart within us. The Universe simply waits for each of us to relinquish our ignorant understanding and open our spirits to a higher level of awareness and a deeper level of self-exploration. Understanding oneself is a journey we often wait until much too late in life to begin and then mourn the wasted years of wisdom now escaped.
Along the journey of life, we ignorantly believe that with age comes wisdom as if somehow the Universe holds Her secrets until we are of an age of certain discernment. In fact, the universal secrets She holds are all around us, arguably from the moment we have a sense of self, She opens her enveloped arms to reveal Her treasures, yet we often remain blissfully ignorant.
Wisdom invites contrary thinking. It invites meaning and musing. Some fear the wisdom of the Universe, for a life of curiosity brings angst. Diane Sawyer, a longtime anchor for ABC News, said “Wake up curious.” Perhaps Ms. Sawyer’s words say exactly what the Universe has been quietly whispering for an eternity. Perhaps the invitation of contrary thinking is an open door, never to close and to forever swing in both directions.
Curiosity is the reflection of wisdom, for without one, the other surely cannot exist. They need each other, no differently than we need air to breathe and food to fuel bodies. Why do we fear the secrets that the Universe holds, when it is our birthright to wake up curious?
Whether you call them secrets, truths or pearls of wisdom, what is true is that the Universe holds the answers we crave. While we desire higher learning, higher understanding and higher education, all that we desperately seek is actually right in front of us. Harnessing the secrets of the Universe takes no more effort than inhaling and listening to the beat of your heart as the air rushes through every cell within your physical being.
The Universe, in all Her majesty and mysticism, does not hold onto Her secrets. These secrets we perceive are nothing more than the absolute truths that She holds in the palm of her benevolent hand. Her hand, always open to us, is ready for our revelation.
Before you endeavor to read Secrets of the Universe, ask yourself, “Do I wake up curious?” If you don’t, put the book away until tomorrow. Then, ask yourself the question again in the morning. Until you wake up curious, the depth of being that this book requires will be lost in the ignorance of the lesser understanding of oneself. If you are not ready for the richness of wisdom, then surely wisdom will never find you.
