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Post by jonathanfan on Oct 23, 2004 13:18:14 GMT -5
Many years ago, I was very confused and had no idea what I believed or thought about the spirit of the soul. I love the ocean and saw a book by someone named Richard Bach and thought, it sounded like a fun book. I had no idea it would change my life and how I had perceived it for so long. I read the book in a very quick time and when I finished, I knew that the things I had been thinking and feeling all my life WERE right - at least for me. By the simple (?) story of two great seagulls named Jonathan and Fletcher, I saw where my path would lead and I jumped on it and never turned back.
Thank you Richard for Jonathan and Fletcher and all of your wonderful stories that change peoples lives. **********************************************************
I would love to read what changes and insights that any of Richard's books have given to you, please share with us.
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Post by RobertBurnz on Oct 24, 2004 6:29:07 GMT -5
Bonnie,
Two things stuck with me: that we are Otters of the Universe, and the story in Illusions about the bottom dwelling creature who dared to let go and experience an adventure. Also, the title Running From Safety.
The Universe IS our playground. We just need to think of it in those terms. When we do, EVERYTHING becomes an adventure.
-Robert Burns
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Post by jonathanfan on Oct 24, 2004 18:16:07 GMT -5
Robert
Life is absolutely an adventure. One in which we create for ourselves and the people we draw into our lives - and it is a great adventure full of so many lessons that we are meant to learn - AND to teach, if we are able to.
I like your reply Otters are so playful and such fun loving creatures.
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Post by jeffdumas on Nov 1, 2004 21:26:32 GMT -5
I feel a little out of place replying to this post. It's been a couple of years since I have read one of his books. BUT, I know that Illusions and Jonathan both affected me deeply. As a matter of fact, I'm going to make it a point to re-read them both very soon. Besides Jonathan and Illusions I have also read Bridge Across Forever. Of the three it's a toss up between Jonathan and Illusions. As far as Jonathan goes, a few years ago I bought about 10 copies and gave them out to people. I have always been fairly agnostic, but something about his stories seem to click with me. It makes sense, and if it's not how things work, at least it's how they "ought" to work. In my heart I'm a songwriter. Maybe not a good one, but that's what I am. I posted a link to one song that was inspired by Jonathan, and a verse in another of my songs was inspired by Bridge Across Forever. So, in that regard you could say his books have affected me in a very tangable way. But, in other ways I think that his work has greatly affected my world view and how I relate, or at least how I would like to relate. Over the last year I had a devastating fire and my mother died. I have really withdrawn from life, so I'm going to re-read and try to find some personal help in the words. I'm sure there are truths in there that will help me with my outlook as well as, "as yet" undiscovered nuggets that will click for me since I've matured and suffered over this past year.
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Post by jonathanfan on Nov 7, 2004 4:11:04 GMT -5
jeffdumas~
Both Jonathan and Illusions are VERY good for putting your heart back into perspective, I'm glad you plan to re-read them both. I re-read them both all the time. They make me feel grounded and safe (wow, where did that come from).
I think a lot of people are agnostic, until they realize that the whole spirituality thing is inside oneself - and the control of our lifepath is also inside oneself. WE ARE what makes up the spirituality and goodness of the Earth and the Universe. We ARE incontrol of what happens in our lives.
I hope you find the peace you are looking for and feel better - you have songs in you that we all need to hear, I can feel that in my soul.
Light & Peace, jonathanfan
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Post by PETRA on Dec 16, 2004 9:50:09 GMT -5
I have read "The Bridge Across Foerever". I feel that this is my favourite. When I finished to read all his books I just realised that all the beautiful words comletely changed my life! I could not believe it, but i really happened. Now I have met the best man in my life. He is 40, I am 27! He has so beautiful soul! I feel so good with him. But unfortunately he is not free :-( I believed that he is the RIGHT MAN for me! I am really sad...... Everything is changing so quickly in my life! But I believe that I will be happy in the future!
I wish all of you to be and to really feel happy! :-)
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Post by jonathanfan on Dec 16, 2004 21:24:42 GMT -5
Petra ~ I hope for you the happiness you feel is coming your way - just be patient and things will happen as they are meant to. You must have known this soul in a past life and you are destined to be together. If it is meant to be, it will be so - no matter which lifetime it happens in.
jonathanfan
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Post by Bluebird on Dec 17, 2004 8:07:22 GMT -5
Perhaps a bit OT, but in response to Petra's posting:
I was lucky enough to find my soulmate when I was only 17. How can you know at such a young age, many have asked. We just knew, somehow... The problem was; he was in Holland and I in Finland. It took a lot of traveling, patience, countless tears and a constant feeling of not being able to go on, but finally we came to a moment in our lives when it was possible for me to take a year off my studies and go to Holland. After that he came to Finland with me so I could finish my studies.
Now we're happy together for several years already. It was hard times and I don't wish it for anyone else, but what we have is worth all the trouble and toil.
I think it's all about timing. If we had lived in the same country I wouldn't have been ready for it, and perhaps neither would he. Our love needed the time to mature and grow so strong all obstacles could be swept away.
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Post by Jana Zemenov on Dec 19, 2004 6:34:00 GMT -5
I am only 16 years old, but the book Johnattan Livingstone Seagulhas changed my life. I found a way how to live and now I am really happy and lucky now. Thank you Mr Bach... I am very sad, because I live in Czech republic and in my language I can read only 4 or 5 books.
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Post by Dwayne on Jan 8, 2005 10:36:43 GMT -5
Enjoyable responses all. My first experience with Richard's writing was Jonathan while a high school boy. Liked it ... but was not quite ready for it. Years past until coming across Illusions prominently displayed on a separate stand towards the entrance of an Indianapolis shopping mall in 1978. Something about the artwork attracted me to this little wonder. Mind you - am not a rapacious reader, being very picky over what is read ... though the magnetism was undeniable as well as the book being affordable ($3.95 it seems it was) . Was deeply involved with some intense philosophical lessons called the LPPA at the time Illusions came into my life. Law, Process, Principles, Application - said to be the secret teachings of Jesus which, incidentally, came with a disclaimer stating that this could not be proven. Illusions grabbed me at the outset as an eagle grabs a trout. " There was a Master come unto Earth, born in the holy land of Indiana, ..."-Whammo!- Am a "Hoosier" (a person from Indiana), born & raised in the mystical flat lands of Beech Grove. " Donald " - my father's name. " biplane " - one often flew near my boyhood home in Greenfield. Would always focus on her with rapt attention. " D.W. ..." - my initials ... my birth name is David Wayne Walker. " 'Maybe that's the way it happens,' he said " - Yes. It had already in more ways than 3 ... But what really stopped me flat in my tracks in my thoughts of the past as well as of the future was: " 'Like attracts like,' he muttered, missing a peach slice." In that moment that is all that there was. ~ Like attracts like~ Straight from the LPPA. Looking back on it this was my first experience with enlightenment so far as this artist is aware. No, not the dreamed of enlightenment that so many have in their imaginations as a place of bliss, no pain & all of that romantic confusion. It was a simple step, unrecognized at the time, in the beautiful simplicity of here now. Am readying to read chapter 6 once again on this day, the very next chapter in my latest reading of Illusions. Is just where my progress happens to be. Am quite sure that this is over 40 times reading it. Mmmm ... make that studying it. Warmly, ~Dwayne~ Edit- this man capitalizes Earth ... a fitting topic for future discussion.Edit 2- punctuation correction.
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Post by cindyprism on Jan 26, 2005 15:41:58 GMT -5
I was most struck by the handwritten river creature story at the beginning of Illusions. I was left wondering what happens to all the battered and bruised creatures who end up floating along with the current one way or another -- if any two or more of them ever find along the river's edge a little bank with a pool warmed by sunlight, where the crystal current is still felt and remembered and anticipated, and where they can play without caring much about whether masked raccoons try to make them dinner in the night. And where they can lean over the slight pool edge and see some of their fellow creatures peeking at the pool and squeak, "Hey, it's great here! Join us, if you want! It's right in front of you!"
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Post by Michelle on Jan 30, 2005 1:00:44 GMT -5
I like Richard's books because his ideas so closely match my own. Certain types of principles are not readily accepted or understood by a lot of people. After reading his books, I realized I was not alone in some of my so-called "far out" ideas. Michelle TheMaams.com
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Post by cindyprism on Jan 30, 2005 1:17:16 GMT -5
What are some of your "far out" ideas, Michelle? Please tell me -- I'm getting bored again. Boredom is not good for me for long periods. If necessary, change your ID so it's a big secret; I don't care about names, I just care about ideas. I'll be here for a while I think, since I credit Richard Bach for my most important recent revelations. Although Green Day is damn intoxicating too right now.
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Post by Michelle on Jan 30, 2005 16:16:14 GMT -5
Going through every so-called far out idea would take all night. LOL! To simplify what I mean with an analogy, I feel like I'm in the Matrix, and I know it's an illusion that I can control, but everyone else is oblivious. If you try to "free" their mind, they think you are the crazy one! Then you come across Morpheus and Trinity and realize your ideas are correct. Michelle TheMaams.com
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Post by jonathanfan on Jan 30, 2005 19:27:17 GMT -5
Can't believe I haven't come back to read what you are all sharing on my thread - enjoying all that you have been saying and sharing. All new insights are always very refreshing to read and think about.
Thank you once again Richard, for all that you teach and show to the world. Blessed be to you always.
jonathanfan
Happy New Year to all of the people who come here and to our great board moderators.
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