Comments

 

 

- Comments on “The Myth of Self-Enquiry”

 

“This book of conversations is a concise and fresh guide to Advaita that considers a variety of worldly topics. This book will be extremely useful to people first investigating Advaita and to anyone who still has questions or doubts.”

 

 

Jerry Katz, author of “One, Essential Writings on Nonduality”

 

 

 

- Comments on "Beingness"

 

"I love the new book, Beingness.  Read it slowly.  I particularly like the emphasis on nothing and no one being excluded.  That's a useful emphasis, since "persons" have such a hard time with the "Being is everything and nothing" part, as well as the "there is no one part".  I've come to see that some hear this message as a fascinating idea or ideas, rather than truly as directly obvious.  It is so obvious and disconcerting and wonderful and neutral and everything!  You can't get more blatant.  The other thing that comes up when sharing this, is that it seems to "simplistic", almost like kindergarten spirituality.  Yet the other perspective of "my" path and "my" self-enquiry and "my" getting it could be seen as truly juvenile or adolescent.  I guess those words could sound a bit judgmental, but I feel they have some accuracy.

So many seem to see certain "spiritual experiences" as what is being sought, but for these experiences to become the permanent experience and that would be Liberation.  This does not hold any interest anymore.  There is a great love that there is only Liberation, only pure Being, only Oneness."

 

Norman, september 2007

- Comments on  "This Is It" (Watkins 2004)

This book is an uncompromising assertion of the absolute Oneness of Consciousness.  Jan Kersschot is unwavering in pointing directly to the Unicity that is the ground-of-being for being-ness, Itself.  The author reminds us of the seductive perils inherent in dualistic thought and, instead, invites his readers to discover that the ultimate Truth lies within their own heart-of-hearts.  Jan's sparkling dialogues with several non-dual teachers are fascinating examples of how Consciousness joyously dances with Itself.  Few other non-dual writers are able to describe the spiritually ineffable with as much clarity as does Jan Kersschot.  I highly recommend this book.

Chuck Hillig, Author of “Looking For God” (2005)

People spend enormous energy and time on trying to "find themselves" in order to achieve a sense of meaning and well-being. In clear, straightforward language, “This Is It” shows that this search is not only unnecessary but also counterproductive. The desperate struggle to reach enlightenment, says author Jan Kersschot, only affirms one's sense of separation. Everything a person needs to know is known already. Words and experiences are useful signposts, but one's true spiritual mirror is "beingness." While it is possible to see this quality of living in the now at any moment, most people spend their lives overlooking it. This book invites readers to recognize and live the truth of this simple message. The author clarifies the concept through conversations with some of today's foremost spiritual guides, including Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, Douglas Harding, author of the acclaimed On Having No Head, Nathan Gill, Chuck Hillig, Wayne Liquorman, and others.

Alibris.com

- Comments on "Nobody Home" (Watkins 2003)

Jan Kersschot's new book is a clear and focused inquiry into the reality of "who" you really are. Through the inspired use of metaphors, quotations and experiential techniques, Jan gently points us into the very Heart of "what is" and reminds us, once again, that we already are "who" we've been looking for. Highly recommended for those ready to finally discover that, beneath all of the drama, nobody is really home.

Chuck Hillig, author of "Enlightenment For Beginners"

Jan Kersschot's work points to a clarity that lays at the heart of all apparent complexity and diversity. This clarity is based in the non dualistic perspective; a perspective that has found expression throughout the ages in texts from sources as diverse as Taoism, Tibetan Dzogchen, Indian Advaita and even in the bible and modern science.
Now this might give the impression that we are dealing here with something very esoteric and complex, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Although it is often said that it is something beyond the mind, it is also often stated that it is something utterly simple.
Nisargadatta Maharaj and Ramana Maharshi pointed to this non dual source in a way that might be hard to digest for people not versed in the Indian Advaita tradition.
Jan Kersschot talks in everyday language and without mystification, making a seemingly complex subject accessible to the apparent many.

Leo Hartong, author of "Awakening to the Dream"

This wonderful, clear book lays bare the simple truth of what is. Jan shows the reader that there is no one at the controls, that there is nothing to seek and nothing to find, that there is simply what is. One of the things I appreciate most about Jan is the way he sees through the mind's tendency to personalize awakening and then to put spiritual teachers up on pedestals as idols. He also sees beyond the mistake of seeking bigger and better experiences. This is a very straight forward, direct book, rare in its clarity and simplicity. It goes to the heart of the matter. I highly recommend it.

Joan Tollifson, author of "Awake in the Heartland: The Ecstasy of What Is "
 

Jan has revealed a simple truth in his new book, "Nobody Home." It is the same truth that sages and saints have tried to share with us for millenia. Perhaps now, right now, right here, in the beautiful pages he has written, you will finally come to know the magnificence that you are: the silent space within which leads us to a quiet signpost that says there is really nobody home, there is only the silence itself.

Mark McCloskey author of the website puresilence.org


Jan Kersschot has written a book that uses simple language to address as straightforwardly as anyone has ever done the landscape of liberation, and has even given us a map to find our way there. My own experience was that the exercises that he included in his text were powerful catalysts for seeing the amazing reality that is already Here, that we so often tend to be blind to. It is always thrilling to see writers who, of course, have to use concepts and language as their tools, but use them in such a way that it allows the reader to access a world that is beyond concept, and taste of that which is beyond words. Jan does this with ease, while drawing on a variety of other voices from across history and religious teachings, to spice up the offering. I would highly recommend his book to all who value the rich treasure of present moment awareness, and are willing to pay for it with all that they once thought they were.
 

Alice Gardner, Vermont, author of the website wideawakeliving.com 

"Who am I?" is the question that comes up often or atleast once in the life time of every thinking, rational being. This question has been studied and answered by several thinkers over the ages. Is there really a separate entity? Or is the sense of separation/ego an illusion? Advaitins (Non-dualists) maintain that the concept of ego as a distinct entity is an illusion or a trick perpetrated by the ego. Other thinkers have come up with different schools of thought. Jan Kersschot explores this question and the logical follow ups to this question in his earlier book, "Coming Home" and in the present book.
The author doesn't ask for much of believing and accepting. He asks the reader to explore the subject in an objective manner, but at the same time doesn't leave the reader to rediscover the wheel all by him/herself. He provides many insights from other philosophers and thinkers of various ages and lands/religions. He extracts the common ideas and suggests some innovative experiments to the reader to check out these ideas.
The book is certainly thought provoking and will appeal to an intelligent and persistent reader. Persistent because the book is not uniformly easy to read. You may need to read it a little at a time or reread it two or three times before you can say, "Aha! It is now clear!"
There are many books on the subject but Jan's is probably unique in not asking the reader to accept the metaphysical concepts without questioning and experience. A good read.
 

Swamy Swarna 

I have read many many many books on spirituality and enlightenment but this one is very special because it is both simple but extremely poignant. I always go back to this book when I feel like my life is in turmoil because it brings things back into perspective. What a great piece of work!

A reader from Los Angeles, CA, January 28, 2004

Have read your book many times and found it illuminating. The sense of transformation is awesome. I am amazed at your clarity.

John Hamilton, Melbourne

"Nobody Home" is a powerful and radical book in which the author Jan Kersschot describes very clearly the awakening to the Source / Consciousness. If while reading one is open to let in the words and to let go all illusions, this may bring an enormous sense of freedom. Lets hope this book may open up many minds!

Emy ten Seldam, publisher, Holland

In South Africa there used to be job reservation for whites. In the game of seeking self realization, there seems to have been a myth of "enlightenment reservation"; a myth played out and sustained in the paradigm of "special guru's" versus "ignorant disciples". I have come to see that the greatest gift a so-called "spiritual teacher" can give to a seeker is to completely abandon the paradigm of teacher versus seeker. Not just in words, but by actually being completely and utterly ordinary.
My deeply felt gratitude goes out to all those people, of which Jan is one, who embody this ordinariness, thus demystifying enlightenment and destroying the myth of the "special few".  Thank you Jan, for giving your own, uniquely beautiful expression to the all-inclusiveness of enlightenment.

Niyati Evers, Cape Town, South Africa

It is very rare for me to personally recommend a work or teaching which resonates with Pure Silence so well. The book above is one such work. In a very simple, direct and poignant style, the author, Jan Kersschot, a Belgian physician and family man, leads us from the recognition of our "conceptual me" to the fact that once the "me" concept is looked at for that which it is and is seen to be merely a concept, the remaining space or silence is the place where "nobody" really exists. Jan shows us the way we have created beliefs about ourselves and others and how these beliefs have clouded our perceptions of reality. He then calls us to find our clarity, through empirical exercises, in the fact that the person you and I think we are has never really been there in the first place. This is the "nobody home", the space within where nothing in particular is and yet the whole universe exists: the Pure Silence.

Mark McCloskey author of the CD 'The Pure Silence' (Lessons in Living and Dying)
 

- Comments on "Coming Home" (Inspiration 2001)

(ISBN: 90 802503 41 / 413 pages)

You totally demystify all the deeply rooted beliefs, taken for granted, even in the so called sacred traditions. Great! Your real understanding of ‘What Is’ expresses Itself in a real, convincing way. I would have been so happy to be able to read such a book when I was a young seeker!

Mira Pagal, Brussels, Belgium

When I got Jan's book in my hands, I immediately knew that this was a special book. I was the manager of Au Bout du Monde in Amsterdam. We receive about 50 new books each week and after 30 years of experience in the field one just "knows" which books are extraordinary. This book is such a book.
The language is clear, and using a lot of quotes, Jan shows that all spiritual traditions finally point to the same thing:
we believe we are a person, but we are not what we believe we are.
The major characteristic of Jan's book is that it is accessible to everyone. I recommended it to many of my customers.

Wim Zonjee, Amsterdam 

Although the same thing is being said over and over again throughout the book, the reader will discover that savoring that seeming repetition slowly and not grasping at the words, will allow the emerging of new insight and delicious freshness.

Margit Jacob, Napa, California

In fact, the Clarity of Who or What you really are became obvious to you while writing this book. People will see by your own example that they need not wait for some transcendental event to occur, that the dispelling of the confusion around the whole ‘enlightenment’ issue is all that is necessary to allow simple relaxation into what already is.

Nathan Gill, UK, author of “Clarity”

I think that your book “Coming Home” is absolutely wonderful. It is very complete and thoroughly researched with loads of documentation, personal insights, stories and inner wisdom. It was a very great pleasure to read it. With grace and light, you point out the Wayless Way into the Heart of who you are.

Chuck Hillig, US, author of “Enlightenment for Beginners”

A comprehensive and well researched handbook of the contemporary Advaita scene. Includes as an appendix, interviews with Tony Parsons, Douglas Harding, Mira Pagal, Nathan Gill, Chuck Hillig, Wayne Liquorman & Francis Lucille. Prefaced by Douglas Harding, this work also contains many practical experiments in awareness.

Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK, Newsletter April 2001, p. 1

My Dear Friend: I have just finished your beautiful book and enjoyed it tremendously. Though contradictions abound, this is as it should be, for the very nature of the mind is fragmentation and when it moves ever so slightly in either direction it changes perspective and context and therefore apparent paradox is present. But the truth that abides in the Core-Heart of our being Knows It-Self. Yes: All Is Consciousness or Atman or God, and even the illusory personality is That, and since I can't thank consciousness directly, I would like to thank you Jan for this wonderful contribution.

Shelly Borg -- North Carolina (june 2001).

It is a wonderful book. It is not quite as good as mine..

Tony Parsons, Hampstead audiotape August 2001, tape 2

In his book and in his talks Jan consistently points to the space from which the pointing arises. He reminds us that our identification with the temporal and spatial body/mind is a case of mistaken identity. His words invite us to listen beyond words. He points us to the aware space in which our conceptual identity and the whole of manifestation appears and asks us to remember that we are this spacious awareness.

Leo Hartung, Holland (july 2002)

The message of this book can be summed up as follows. Its author is a physician. Viewing you and me professionally, as a patient so to say, he sees that we need urgent and drastic treatment. Why? For a variety of reasons. Because he sees us as human beings who are quite separate from other human beings, and therefore very lonely indeed. Because he sees that we are set up face-to-face, each opposed to each, and suffering from all the troubles that come from confrontation. Because we are terminal cases, and, whether consciously or not, terrified of dying. And because we are utterly lost, insignificant to the nth degree in the Universe's immensities of space and time. In our cosmic setting, is our existence any more meaningful than that of a dust-grain blowing about in the Gobi Desert?
Not an encouraging diagnosis - which makes it all the more necessary that we face up to it. Such a complex and serious - indeed lethal - sickness calls for a drastic and powerful remedy. The Doctor has it. The treatment he prescribes couldn't be more searching, or more radical. Or, when applied persistently and consistently and long enough, more effective. Yes - believe it or not - it works, in spite of the truly terrible sicknesses it treats. Read this book, and above all conscientiously carry out the exercises or experiments it describes, and the treatment is under way. Meantime, I'll say this much about it, by way of preview. There's more to you and me than our humanness, with all the attendant troubles that I've sketched in, plus of course many others. All that is what you and I inescapably are as second/third persons, as human, all too human. But we both say "I am," and so to say and mean "I am" is to be the First Person who is Singular - Singular-peculiar as well as Singular-numerical. And the glorious peculiarity of our First-personhood is that it is absolutely free from the troubles that afflict us as second/third persons. As First Person Singular you are at root identical with all sentient beings and the reverse of lonely. As First Person Singular you never confronted anybody, but are wide open to them. As First Person Singular you are the imperishable No-thing that gives rise to all those perishing something's. And as First Person Singular you are no longer lost in the world: it is lost and found in You. And you have found the meaning of your life because you have conferred meaning on your world. Such is our cure. It is the perfect antidote for all our human imperfections - when taken at several times daily and eventually all the time.

D.E. Harding, author of "On Having No Head" and "Face To No-Face"