Return to Phil Dyer Home Page.

The Four Paths – A Pilgrims Guide to the Universe

Why am I here?

Where have I come from?

How can I find meaning and fulfilment?

These are some of the questions that led John to risk joining an alternative land-based community somewhere in rural New Zealand. There he discovers the four paths provide him with a new way to understanding himself and his future; while learning to meditate allows him access to a power that revolutionises what he does. In the process he finds out a lot about himself and those around him, some of which he would have preferred not to know.

This book can change the way you live.

Picture: The Four Elements, (Wax & acrylic on wood. Phil Dyer, 1999)

ISBN 0-473-09884-9

This book is written as a novel, but engages the reader in some of the many issues surrounding the practice of meditation. The book is based on the four paths of Creation Spirituality. These introduce the central character, John, first, to the illusion of independence and autonomy as on the first path he is confronted with his inter-connection with the rest of creation. The second path provides him with a framework to explore issues surrounding the experience of grief and suffering, while the third path encourages him to develop his creative gifts as an expression of faith. Finally, it is the fourth path that shows him that the purpose of the paths, and of meditation practice, is to provide inspiration and energy to work for social justice and transformation. (204 pages)

Price: (Sorry. Currently out of print)

P. Dyer, Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre, RD2 Wakefield 7096 NZ. Email: pdyer@inet.net.nz

Introduction:

Welcome! I invite you to get a drink, make yourself comfortable and settle down for an interesting journey. You may find it helpful to have a pen and paper near by. That’s because each chapter concludes with "An invitation to pause awhile", so you might consider alone, with a spiritual guide, or in a group, some of the issues raised in this story.

If you are familiar with my earlier book, Encountering the Still Point – a Practical Introduction to Christian Meditation, you will find this is written as a sequel but in quite a different style. This time I have used the novel format to help engage you in some of the many issues surrounding the practice of meditation. In this regard you will find in the earlier part of the book I have drawn on some of the material presented in Encountering the Still Point, as John becomes familiar with the process and difficulties of meditating. However, what is new is the way the four paths of creation-centred spirituality are woven into the story, helping John to learn about himself and the things that affect his ability to find meaning, fulfilment and his place and purpose in life. A life in which the simple method of meditation allows him to access a power that revolutionises what he does as he is increasingly linked to the deep forces that control his destiny.

This book is obviously a work of fiction and the characters and the New Zealand community are entirely imaginary. Yet many of the experiences, even some described during the first path that you may find extra-ordinary, are drawn from real experiences that occurred during my time living in a land-based community. You may not agree with everything you read, but hopefully the overall story will provide food for thought and encourage some lively discussion.

The meditation practice used in The Four Paths has its roots in the teachings of the Indian Jesuit, Anthony de Mello. The process of reflection is that suggested by the Jungian Psychologist, Ira Progoff, and the four paths of creation-centred spirituality are as developed by Matthew Fox. The structure of these paths is found in his book Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth. The endnotes acknowledge the books used in various ways and I thank the authors for their inspiration.

I also thank those who have patiently shared in the journey of this book, especially Barbra, Jenny, Paul, Heather and Judith. Their comments and suggestions have been invaluable. I also thank Anne, my spiritual mentor and friend, who over the past few years has listened to the unfolding of this story. Sadly she died before seeing the final draft, so it is to her and the wisdom she knew and shared that I dedicate this book.

Now it is time to pick up your pilgrim staff, shoulder your bag, and if you dare, place your hand into the hand of God, for

That shall be to you better than light

and safer than a known way.