Pearls:Advice for the Path
of Spiritual Awakening

Ken Mellor (Biame Network Inc., Seymour Australia, 2005)

Return to Shop (ISBN 1 920892 79 6)

Pearls is one of those little books that sits on a table or beside the bed for people to consult regularly or when the whim or need moves them to open it. Amongst many other wonderful books of this type, Pearls stands out because of the distinctive way it takes its readers into new levels of understanding and prompts them both to expand the beauty in their lives and to deal with the difficulties they face.

Its sixty chapters, or pearls, address many common issues and challenges, particularly those that require considerable persistence from us. Each pearl is inspirational, encouraging, engaging and thought provoking. Combined they produce a wise companion that we can carry with us each day. Readily applicable to most people’s lives, it is specifically addressed to those who have or are interested in developing a regular spiritual practice.

What is plain to see and strikes the reader with considerable impact is Ken Mellor’s powerful perceptiveness and tender concern for the reader, qualities that are repeatedly revealed through the various styles he has adopted to present his advice, guidance and supportive encouragement. These differences in style also add an inviting variety for the reader.

Many of the pearls use simple stories and some short poems that carry their messages, while a few offer explanations and guidance directly. Many involve exchanges between teachers (called masters) and those learning with them. Anyone who has learnt from teachers for extended periods is likely to recognise many of the issues addressed in these accounts. At the same time, the teachers and students described are also easily understood as the knowing and unknowing parts of ourselves that the pearls have alerted us to.

The flavour or intention through all the pearls is akin to what we find in the koans of Zen Buddhism. This is not to say that the pearls are koans, though; for the likeness is to do with their purpose, not with their form. Each pearl is clearly designed to prompt us to think. It does this in ways that move us to deeper levels of understanding of ourselves and the issues, situations and events we are facing. And the process works.

Without consciously intending it, we find ourselves prompted to muse and mull over the enigmas, perplexity or, at times, confusion each pearl can reveal in us. In relation to the everyday, we are moved to consider what underlies or is threaded through the practical events of our lives, so we can see and act in ways that release, expand and awaken us. For those with spiritual aspirations, the pearls prompt us to let go of what is binding our consciousness, to persist in the practices that result in progressive awakening and to realise what wondrous benefits are to be had from our persistence. As we do these things, we discover new perspectives and clarity that were previously hidden from us, perhaps seeing connections that we had missed before, perhaps realising the profound meaning and purpose for us of what we face.

Read from beginning to end, the reader is taken through an unfolding sequence that starts with seemingly simple, unsophisticated awareness and understanding. This understanding gradually deepens and expands to embrace various aspects of life. The pearls then help us to begin to embrace and come to terms with the ebb and flow of intention, motivation and commitment when what we are engaged in involves repeated effort from us for years. As the years pass, we may wonder at times whether it is worth persisting and by reading to the end of the book we discover that it is. The last three pearls eloquently describe and vividly show what we may all realise. Yet so vast are these possibilities that these pearls leave us with the impression that what they refer to is far more than any words can describe.

This book could easily become like a real friend who is ready to share your whole life and happy to accompany you however good that life looks and whatever it seems to holds in store for you.

Produced by:
Biame Network Inc., P.O. Box 271, Seymour, Victoria 3661, Australia
Telephone: 1800 244 254 (Freecall in Australia);
+61 3 5799 1198 (International) Facsimile: +61 3 5799 1132
Email: biamenet@eck.net.au Website - http://www.biamenetwork.net