ARA Review by TerrenceMcMurray of In It Together

[TerrenceMcMurray]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, In It Together.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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‘In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All’ by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes is a readable, well-written philosophical book and a self-help volume for human beings.

At the onset, there is a letter from Mr. Hughes to his readers. He says: ‘I believe there is a force of unbelievable love and goodness deep within you, and that force is you more than anything is you.’ That is the essence of Mr. Hughes' book. He tells us that awareness and love are inextricably linked. He continues: ‘It’s like a beautiful light trying to work its way out of you …’

Amid welcome philosophical underpinnings and flourishes, ‘In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All’ is also a book about mindfulness, although the term is not used. Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present, observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment. It’s the basic human ability, denied to no one, to be fully present and aware. Perhaps, Mr. Hughes had reasons to avoid certain terms. It is a writer’s prerogative.

The book is repetitive, by design. It is not the repetition of an inebriated storyteller. It is the repetition of the dedicated teacher who strives, by example and persuasion, to include all readers. If one encouragement does not register with all, another is provided, just in case it is needed. Mr. Hughes strives to include all readers.

Self-discipline is mentioned throughout the book. There are over three dozen mentions, mostly linking self-discipline to spiritual freedom or liberation and inner peace. Mr. Hughes recommends steps to self-discipline. ‘Bark less. Promise less. Commit less. Do less, better. Do without trying instead of trying to do too much.’

‘Stop fighting reality. Accept the peace that is there for the taking.... Just let go of the needless futile fighting of reality.’ (p162)

I rate ‘In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All’ by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes 4 out of 5. A single point was deducted because Mr. Hughes does not deliver on a stated purpose of the book. On page fifteen, Mr. Hughes declares his intentions. One intention was to ‘present an effective strategy for working together in peace and love.’ That is a tall order, and Mr. Hughes does not actually succeed. Excellent advice, strong arguments and insightful opinions do not alone amount to an effective strategy. Mr. Hughes does not incorporate into his treatise, meditation or yoga or chanting or walking or prayer, or any pathways to awareness taught by other teachers.

Even though it is true that awareness is available to all without delay, without doctrine, without following any path, and without waiting for any special day or moment, the pathways are still valuable guides.

One of the rewarding aspects of reading Mr. Hughes’ book was the lovely frame of mind that descends upon the reader during the days when they are reading it, not just when they’re looking at the page. Acting like an awareness reminder, ‘In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All’ by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes remains with you.

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