John C. Conley

I stole this biography from my book, "Letters to My Friends: A No Guarantees Guide to Awakening." I was raised in a small Oregon logging town where fighting, drinking, and God were the main entertainment. I had my first introduction to fighting and God in Sunday school. Drinking came later. Ever since those Sunday school days, I have argued endlessly with myself about what God is. And when I get tired of arguing with myself, I argue with God.

I began meditating when I was eighteen-years-old to impress my girlfriend. She found another boyfriend, but I, broken-hearted, continued to meditate, after punching my opposition in the nose.

I had a somewhat nomadic life. Hippie, soldier, commercial fisherman, student, drunk, newspaper reporter, freelance writer, insurance salesman, tree trimmer, cook, and construction worker were but a few of the jobs I tried. But throughout them all, I meditated. And I continued to argue with God. Now I, not God, think I have something worthwhile to share about meditation, life, and how to be, if not happy, less miserable. Do I? Maybe, maybe not, you be the judge.