THE NAKED TRUTH 2

The Path to EnlightenmentBy JULES FERGUSON

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Jules Ferguson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4670-6092-9

Contents

Dedication...............................................................................viiForeword.................................................................................ixIntroduction.............................................................................xiLetter to my Ex-wife.....................................................................xiiiPromise Letter to Myself.................................................................xvBeginning the Journey....................................................................1The Split................................................................................5The Union................................................................................8A faithful, faith-filled walk............................................................11Ascending................................................................................14The Path.................................................................................17Revelation...............................................................................20Self-becoming............................................................................23Recycling Souls..........................................................................26Where do we go from here?................................................................28Grateful dead............................................................................31I'll take it.............................................................................31Tick, tick, tick.........................................................................32She loves me, she loves me not—I love me, I love me not............................33Alone but not lonely.....................................................................34Our Father who Art in Heaven.............................................................36Love, Peace and Hair Grease..............................................................38A ray of light...........................................................................39Happiness is spelt with a "Y"............................................................41Enjoying things..........................................................................43Remembering NOT to ask for too much......................................................45Turning over to a new leaf...............................................................47Nothing more, nothing less...............................................................50Living with yourself.....................................................................52I give myself permission to live and have fun!...........................................55Take time out to smell the roses, but first you have to notice them!.....................57Wait, where am I?........................................................................58The true reflection of YOU: The soul.....................................................61I was born to do this! Gifts and talents.................................................64Sexy time.... Owwwww!....................................................................67Roots firmly planted.....................................................................69Turning water into wine..................................................................72How should I live my life?...............................................................74The art of "Letting go"..................................................................75Friends, friends, friends................................................................78Being as open as a book..................................................................79Psychic Cannibalism......................................................................95Breathing through the lungs of my soul...................................................96Reflection in the Mirror.................................................................97Time has told............................................................................98Organic Cinema...........................................................................99The current course of a drifters dream...................................................100Kiss Kiss................................................................................101When hindsight is 20/20..................................................................102A whole lot of nuttin'...................................................................103Acknowledgements.........................................................................105Living with Yourself Exercise Space:.....................................................107

Chapter One

Beginning the Journey

It has been a long road and I realize I have much further to go, but the journey from this point on will be more appealing. I am coming from a place of loneliness, destitute, confusion and self-destructive thoughts. I honestly did not know how I was going to get out of it, however; I now find myself in greener pastures with sunnier skies. I thank God for revealing Himself to me. I thank God for revealing me to myself, for showing me how He sees me, and illuminating who He wants me to be.

On this path, I found myself alone. I moved away from all that was familiar to me. I moved to a new state and then my three-year marriage fell apart. When it ended, I didn't know what to do, where to go, or who to talk too, so I joined a church. The first church I found was called Wave church. It's an awesome church. They play lots of music and give a real, energetic, positive vibe. The church crowd was mainly for people in their twenties. I made a few friends and got to know the new area by finding a few places to go in Hampton Roads, Virginia. However, I soon outgrew the church, the methods of its message, and wanted more depth.

I found another church after meeting this cute girl in Barnes & Noble. After inviting me to her church, I met Pastor Chad. I remember him preaching his heart out in what felt like a one-on-one conversation about my entire life. Every syllable was designed to change the course of my life, even down to the clearing of his throat. It all seemed to make more sense than all the moments in my life combined together.

At the end of the service I asked to meet with him. He kindly passed me on to the head Pastor. This is where my life took a significant turn for the better all because I met a man by the name of Pastor Michael D. Green. Pastor Green was a very ordinary looking man, plump in size, even handsome if that's your cup of tea. If you meet him, he will change your life. I promise. There is only one catch—you have to let him. He will see right through you and into your whole essence, heart, mind, soul, intentions, and show you what you're meant to do. Whatever it is you are missing, he can help show you how to get it. I truly believe he is blessed with the spirit of revelation as a gift from God.

I tell people, I met God the day I met Pastor Green. It turns out that his guidance was exactly what I needed to receive. I'm glad I was open and willing to do anything he instructed to get my life together. He told to build my life through a foundation with God first, and then everything else will follow.

I attended church for a while and received a lot of love and support from members. I soon started to realize that some church people are hypocrites and not genuinely godly at all. I don't want to be judgmental in my assessment and perspective of the body of Christ; however I do need to express my opinion and the general perspective of my experience with The Church. Overall, I found some church people to be just regular old people. Just because they announce themselves as sister this or pastor that, doesn't mean anything at all. They are not perfect. I feel like many people in the church are all bark and no bite. They talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. They can quote the bible and tell you what to do all day long, pointing fingers of blame at you or others when you do something they view as ungodly, but in my experiences, I have found that the people of the church are the most judgmental people I know. Some church people are quick to excommunicate you when your actions do not fit into their narrow-minded perspective of the laws they are guided by but don't fully live by.

I am not a pessimist or someone who is against the church or religion. I was/am a part of church and recognize that there is a legitimate place for church and religion in the hierarchy of things. However, it is not the end of all. I do not fully believe in religion because I have now learned that life is all about developing your personal relationship with God, as one whole being with yourself. People help in your development, with your relationship with God, and self, but you do not truly need other people to tell you what God is and how to develop your relationship with Him. You do need human beings to develop that relationship to a certain degree. You don't need someone to preach to you and tell you here is what God thinks of you, here is what He says you should do, and if you don't do it, you are not going to make it into Heaven. The point I am making is that on one hand you do need people to develop your relationship with God, but on the other hand, your personal relationship with God is just that, personal. No one else can tell you what God has or has not done for you. That is between you and God. I can assure you of one thing that I am certain of. It's the notion that you need faith, trust, love, spiritual intimacy, and a heart to spread these intangibles to all those whom you come into contact with. You should freely give to those who wish to receive these gifts without wanting anything in return for giving them away.

Chapter Two

The Split

One day during the course of my divorce, I found myself in the parking lot of the base dormitory that I lived on in Little Creek, Virginia. I was ranting to myself, walking in circles and looking up at the sky. I didn't realize it at the time, but in hindsight, I was angry. Not just angry at anything, but angry with God! I called my friend Pastor Howard in North Carolina. Pastor Howard snuck into a closet at his daytime job to talk to me on the phone for one hour to advise me, and put things into perspective. I am forever thankful and grateful for what he did. I followed his advice, but after about two weeks, can you believe that I was angry all over again? The conversation went a little like this ...

This is it! I have had it! God this can't be what life is all about! This can't be true. This can't be real. I am following your rules to a `T', dotting my I's, crossing my T's and this is what I get?! Short changed and stuck with the small end of the stick. My ex-wife is happy getting all the things she wants, going after what she wants, and I have to follow your rules, these f—ing rules. Well this sucks. I've got news for you BIG FELLA, if this is the game and if this is how it goes then I quit! I am done! If this is the case I am going to figure out whom God is on my own. No more Bible. No more rules. No more pastor. No more church. You can take it all and shove it!

Once I let it all go I felt liberated. It was the beginning of the truth. The truth is no one can tell you how to love God. No one can show you who God is. It's something that you have to discover for yourself and experience on your own. It is very possible to be guided. However, most people do not guide. Instead, most people tell you all about God and how He works. I say this is bull. Your experience with God will most certainly be different than my own and my experience will differ from yours. The only thing we have, or should have in common, is the fact that we are all in this together with God. No one way is better than another. Believe it or not, in the end all roads lead to the same path—which is God.

Chapter Three

The Union

I became closer to God when I left the version of God that I was taught behind. It was amusing. I watched my life ascend on a constant rise while the people in church remained stagnant. The same people who taught me everything I know about God. How was that possible? I asked myself, why are they not doing what they are telling me to do?

When I look back on how I got to where I am today, the revelation is simple. I stopped reading the bible and church notes. I stopped letting messages go in one ear and slip out of the other, and actually started listening and doing. I stopped hoping for a big miracle that would forever change my life course. I stopped waiting for the opening door of illuminating light that falls from the sky saying, "Ahhhhhh" as harps play and angels float around, encouraging me, letting me know that my "golden moment" has arrived. Instead, I started to pray and took matters into my own hands.

I once heard Tony Robbins use the phrase "tasking massive action." In other words, take a leap of faith. I started a business and had no idea what I was doing, but I did it believing that God would steer the course of my direction. As it turns out, that is exactly what He did. I started taking leaps of faith on every single goal, dream, and thought of creativity that I had inside of me. I jumped in headfirst. My inspiration for taking massive action was knowing if I learned how to do all of these things I want to do one at a time, it would take forever. Then I thought of a parable that I read in the bible. God explained how He wanted us to use all of our talents.

A master of a household had given his workers bags of gold. These bags represented talents. He gave ten talents to one, four talents to another and one talent to the last workers. He then went away informing his workers upon his homecoming he would be expecting a return on his investment. I cannot tell you how many times I have read that parable. As a matter of fact, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that parable shared in a sermon. The funny thing is it never meant anything to me until I put it to use. Now I understand the sermon because I live it! When I look back at my past compare it to my present, my life is so much better because of it.

Chapter Four

A faithful, faith-filled walk

My life is better now because I do what I am lead to do. I do what feels right, good and pure. I do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it within the confines of my personal relationship of pleasing God. A book like the Bible isn't the only way to nurture this sort of relationship. That is why I do not solely rely on the bible for growing and walking with God. In fact, there are many times when I do not use the bible at all. I simply talk to God directly. I have found the best way to follow God is to just listen to the spirit that lives within you and take its direction.

Here's what I am talking about. Just listen to that tiny voice inside of your mind and simply do whatever it tells you to do. Not the crazy voice that tells you to slap your co-worker or cut the lady off who just gave you the finger on the highway! Noooooo. I am talking about the voice that guides you on test questions and tells you "A" is the right answer, yet you fill in "B" because you doubt the voice and when you get the results back you say, "Dang it! I knew I should have filled out `A!'" Or the inner voice that tells you to talk to that guy over there and you are now in the best relationship of your life. That voice! Not the crazy voice, okay? So when you hear the good voice do me a favor simply nod and say okay I will do it. Trust that it will turn out for the best. Here is how it works:

• You do what you can.

• God sees the actions of faithful works you have done and is pleased with your works of faith.

• God knows what you cannot do before you find out and provides for you as needed or when it looks hopeless. He wants you to know that it is His work not yours. This will further develop your relationship with him.

• God does for you what you cannot do for yourself. He meets you when you step off the plank over the water, not before or after, otherwise you would never float. You would stay on the ship forever. The miracle is neither on the ship nor on the board; it is in the space of air before you hit the water. So jump off!

When you take a leap of faith, followed by massive action, you create a seed that within it has the opportunity to grow into the oak tree of your dreams.

Chapter Five

Ascending

I have now planted seeds in all areas of my life. In athletics, I'm designing basketball t-shirts, shorts, and trophies. In music, I am producing an album. As far as innovation, I am filing patents on two inventions. I speak publically as a motivational speaker. I am fulfilling my desires by writing books and recording audio books. I have even tackled modeling and acting on the television show "Who Diggs Me." I've started a business and created a brand while laying down the foundation in my life. My future vision is getting my Master's in Communication, selecting a school for broadcasting in TV & Radio, attending film school at the New York Film Academy, and eventually creating my own online TV and radio show.

It all started with my book, The Naked Truth. I have always wanted to write a book. Always knew I could, but the question was when. Next thing I know ten years passed and I never wrote this book I dreamed of writing. After my divorce I was hurt so badly that I told myself, "Look, nothing is going to feel this bad ever again in life. This is living death. I might as well try to write this book, and if it doesn't work, what the hell? It can't feel any worse than my wife leaving me."

So without any experience, any contacts, or any direction, I began to write my dream book and figured the rest as I went along. I told some people what I was doing, they said, "That's awesome and inspirational. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help." I let people know I needed an editor and people volunteered to help. I emailed the manuscript to some of my friends and they revised it several times until it was good enough to read. After that, I looked up self-publishing and the rest is history.

I truly believe that the world is at our fingertips. I believe that we are born equipped with everything that we will ever need to be successful. I am living proof. I took matters in my own hands and believed in hope, myself, as well as the possibility of it all working out. I gambled with the idea and said, "Why can't I win?" I may win. I may lose. But I will never win if I do not play. So I spent a couple of bucks and played. Now look at me, I am in control of my own destiny by simply walking with God. Trust and consult with Him on what you want to do and feel you should do next. Most importantly obey Him when He speaks to you either directly or through others to get your attention. I pay attention to any and all signs. I truly believe God has this in store for you as well! I just know that He does. If He has done it for me, trust me, trust me, trust me, He can and will do it for you. You just have to put your trust in God and he will lead you.

Chapter Six

The Path

I now find myself on a path to self-realization. Not of the body but of the soul and spirit. I often ask myself, "Why am I here? Am I doing what I am supposed to?" I found this path by meeting a very special person. He was a chief in the Navy. I will omit his name to preserve his anonymity. This Chief had already achieved what I was searching for. He had already transcended and lived this life on Earth many years ago. He was gracious enough to answer any question I asked about life, and trust me I had many. Most of the time he didn't give me straight answers. Instead, he guided me towards the answers in which I sought. He spoke in parables, never allowing for a clear yes and no answer. He certainly did not make it easy for me to know the answer. I am unsure why.

Perhaps if he did provide an answer, it would have been "his" answer and not my own answer. Since I was and still am on a quest for the truth, I needed to come to the realization of what is true and untrue on my own accord. Nonetheless the answers that I sought were that of Enlightenment. I didn't know if Chief's words were going to explain what I was seeking at the time, but I found those words seemed to match what I so desperately wanted. There is not much that I can say about my experience with this man. All I am at liberty to say is that reincarnation is real, and I met someone who had completed life several times. As unrealistic as this may seem, it is true.

I sought help, found it in people like Chief, and listened for the truth. I feel like I am a walking, breathing example of what a miracle is. Frankly, I should be dead. On several occasions I made plans to kill myself as well as someone else. There were times in my life when my grasp on reality hung on by a thread. But it wasn't meant to be because I simply gave life another chance. I always gave life another try.

For anyone who is or has thought about killing yourself, the truth is: 1) it is simply not worth it and 2) things will get better with time. You just have to be willing to walk down the mountain, into the valley, and hike up another mountain to reach the other side. Carry a pen on your journey, take notes, and ask for lots of help along the way. Oh, and when you get the help, take it! Soak up the lessons along your path as it takes you to your own revelation.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from THE NAKED TRUTH 2by JULES FERGUSON Copyright © 2012 by Jules Ferguson. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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