Lying Beliefs

Title: Lying Beliefs: Stretching the Boundaries on Your Path to Enlightenment
Author: Maurice Johnson
Publisher: NoMoEgo, LLC
ISBN: 9780692683866
Pages: 268
Genre: Non-Fiction Spirituality/Religion

Reviewed by: Carol Davala, Pacific Book Review

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Pacific Book Review

After a near-death experience in 2006, author Maurice Johnson felt compelled to explore what he considered his own “reason for being.” Dissatisfied with traditional religious doctrines and being a seeker of knowledge, Johnson ventured on a path to uncover our human struggle with thought and belief; what are man-made paradigms vs. what our Universal nature tells us is right. The culmination of that search has resulted in his book Lying Beliefs, a thought-provoking work that challenges the reader with analogies intended to reveal what Johnson views as our misguiding subconscious and ego-driven self. Via his writing, he hopes to lead us toward a more conscious awareness and truthful essence, in order to become more harmonious and connected human beings.

This is a multi-faceted book embracing a broad spectrum of subject matters. Here, the author unravels religious, spiritual, and scientific components in an effort to question the man-made beliefs that undermine our behavior, creating what he claims to be our false sense of self. Stressing that we are all born pure in body, mind, and soul, he counterpoints that our wealth and material obsessions will lead us down a path toward spiritual bankruptcy. Johnson’s discussions run the gamut from Freudian levels of awareness, to believing Jesus was an enlightened human being, to modern scientific research. His book serves as a guide to help readers through the perplexed quagmire.

Interleaving Christian religious beliefs comparatively to modern science, the author uses the model that oxygen is synonymous with consciousness. Considering oxygen and hydrogen are primary elements of the human body, and also two of the most essential components of the Sun, Johnson offers the Sun’s essence as representing the light defining each of our souls. A strong emphasis is placed on the importance of mindfulness being in the present; clearly a concept reflective of Buddhist traditions. Dwelling on the past or an imaginary future will only consume us with worry and negativity. There is an interesting correlation to man’s best friend – dogs – noting with their instinctive awareness, dogs live in the present, have no ego, and maintain a soulful relationship with man.   Johnson also considers the dog/GOD anadrome reflective of a dog’s soul touching the human heart.

In his lighter vein, readers get a momentary reprieve from the comparative style format of his narrative, as Johnson infuses his writing with poetic verse. The True Mystery of Life speaks of this enigma as our soul energy, while another poem about the sunset seems reflective of the commentary about spiritual essence linking our conscious energy emanating from the “One Sun.”

Johnson cleverly sets his writing within a contemporary framework, referencing icons of pop culture and entertainment. Here he modifies renowned self-help guru Dr. Wayne Dyer’s acronym for EGO, and notes the irony in singer John Mayer’s composition Waiting on the World to Change. “We,” he advises are the ones needing refinement, not the world outside. Likening our physical form to a “Human Avatar,” Johnson highlights the film’s revealing of the inner soul’s defining of our true nature. Stated is the author’s concurrence, “There is far more to us than meets the physical eye.”

Covering such varied and intricate thematic landscapes, this is a truly inspirational and contemplative read. With its reference to “Knowledge is Power,” Johnson offers just such an advantage for those seeking the deeper truth of soul enrichment of fundamental enlightenment.