The Keys That Open: Meditations on The Creator and The Way to Inner Peace and Empowerment

By S.A. Abraham

The Keys That Open offers practical & effective methods of applying ancient strategist Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" in our everyday lives: “If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Do you want to find inner peace and empowerment through self-knowledge; & Do you long to get closer to The Creator through His Scriptural Word?
Also...The work of Dr. Max Gerson (and his research on cures for cancer) & Timely & relevant information to maximize Health & Wellbeing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9780991987917

Book preview

Copyright ©2013 S.A. Abraham

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, and recording or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the author, except for Fair Use purposes and brief passages quoted in a review. Any person/group who wishes to photocopy or distribute parts and pages of this book for educational and discussion forum purposes etc. Should contact the author and publisher at www.thekeysthatopen.com.

Publisher: Maya-Amlak Publishing, [Ghile. Samra. Abraham.] Toronto, Canada.

Re-printed by Permission of The Gerson Institute:

•Censored for Curing Cancer: The American Experience of Dr. MAX GERSON by S.J. Haught. Original Copyright (London press,1962) Copyright transferred to Gerson Institute in 1983.

•A Cancer Therapy – Results of fifty cases & The Cure of Advanced Cancer by Diet Therapy by Dr. Max Gerson, M.D. Original Copyright ((Whittier books N.Y. 1958) Copyright (1958,1999, 2002) by The Gerson Institute.

Fair Use (<250 words):

•The Art of Power (2007) by Thich Nhat Hanh. HarperCollins Publishers N.Y.

•The Art of War by Sun Tzu

•In Praise of Slow: How a Worldwide Movement Is Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl honore. Copyright (2004) Alfred A. Knopf Canada

•Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh, (Riverhead Books, N.Y. 1995)

•The Poisons in Your Food by William Longgood. (Grove Press Inc, New York, 1960)

•The Tao: Finding the Way of Balance and Harmony by Mark Forstater, (a Plume Book, 2001)

•Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan by Master Wu Kung Cho, (Aka The Gold Book). Text 1980, published 2006, Canada on behalf of The International Wu style Tai Chi Chuan Federation.

Cover photo by GoodOlga, www.canstockphoto.com

Book layout and cover designed by Jenny Engwer, First Choice books

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Abraham, S. A., 1974–, author

The keys that open : meditations on the Creator and the way to inner peace and empowerment / S.A. Abraham.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-9919879-0-0 (pbk.)

eISBN 978-0-9919879-1-7

1. Spiritual life--Christianity. 2. Christian life--Biblical teaching. 3. Self-realization. I. Title.

BV4501.3.A27 2013                  248.4                      C2013-906815-5

Printed in Canada

on recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

DEDICATION

To the One who loved me from the Beginning;

To the One who taught me the meaning of Love.

Hallelu-Yah!

To All my Family and Loved ones:

Peace & Blessings on the Abraham Family & the Ghile Family.

To all those people who guided and instructed me on my Journey,

And to everyone in my life who has been kind, caring and genuine

towards me…

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sincere thanks to all the good people, the teachers and the instructors in my life who have nurtured and encouraged the potential they saw in me.

Thank you: Nazareth School for Girls (Addis Abeba, Ethiopia); Camden School for Girls Sixth Form (London, UK); Brunel University (Greater London, UK); George Brown College (Toronto); Wu style Tai Chi Chuan Academy Toronto, Canada.

Much appreciation to the family and friends who cared about me during my years in London. Thank you for the wonderful relationships and experiences you shared with me socially, in school and at University.

Much love and appreciation for the strong foundations and the Family Tree I belong to: The Abraham & Ghile Families.

Much love and gratitude for my mother, Neghesty Ghile (Gual Aboy Grazmach Ghile Asfaha), for the person she is, for everything she has taught me, and for everything she has done for our family.

Blessings on our family: Neghesty Ghile, Fessehaye Abraham, Judy Abraham, Danny Abraham, Eskinder Abraham, Brook Abraham, Jerry Abraham, Samra Abraham. How fortunate and blessed we are!

May our Creator Father, Fetari Amlak Abatachin, continue to Bless, Protect and Lead us. May He continue to give Health, Peace, Love and Togetherness to all of us… To our families, uncles, aunts and cousins… To the young ones, the wise ones, and to all our relatives, inlaws, friends and loved ones, everywhere they are.

Hallelu-Yah!

Book Production Team:

Sincere thanks to everyone who has worked hard to make my Project and Book a reality.

Thank you to everyone whose professional experience and advice I have benefited and learned from.

And thank you to those who have given me encouragement, feedback, editor’s notes; and to my Book Production Team, who have helped to bring this Book to fruition, namely; Editors and feedback: Autumn Conley and W. Czulinski. Website, Marketing and Blogging: Veronica Ford Consulting.com and Abraham Consulting.org. Graphic Design: Jenny Engwer.

My sincere thanks to all the people in my life who have shared their wisdom, knowledge and their life experiences with me; along with their trust and friendships, their patience and kindness, and their love. I am deeply grateful & Long may it continue!

Sincerely,

Samra

S.A. Abraham

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Introduction: Ears To Hear and Eyes To See

Chapter One: Key to the Sacred & to the Self

Chapter Two: The Freedom to Become

Chapter Three: First Things First

The Stepping Stones to Our Potential

Chapter Four: A Healthy Self

Chapter Five: The Art of Living Well

Chapter Six: Thus says The LORD…

Instruction & Connection: Act One: Part One

Free Will: Act One: Part Two

Chapter Seven: Thus says The LORD…

The Judge and the Author: Act Two: Part One

Christ—The Light & The Life: Act Two: Part Two

Chapter Eight: Thus Says The LORD…

Prophecy and the End Times: Act Three

Chapter Nine: The Grand Chess Game: Life

Chapter Ten: Checkmate: The Puzzle Pieces

Introduction

EARS TO HEAR AND EYES TO SEE

The Keys That Open is based on my own search for a better life, for self-knowledge, discipline, progress and empowerment. I hope the meditations of my heart and mind, along with all the research and information I have gathered about many subject matters, will have some interest and significance for you.

I share the keys that have opened many doors in my life, as well as the sources, inspirations, the people and the books which have shaped my observations and my understanding.

You will find the many different lessons I have learned in my personal and continuing journey towards awareness, improvement and transformation; and I invite you to explore the journey of self-cultivation and the ways to inner peace and fulfillment that might enrich your own life.

As ancient military general, strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu (4th Century B.C.) states in The Art of War;

•He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight… And, [one] who understands how to use both large and small forces will be victorious.

•If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will be defeated in every battle. If you know yourself but are ignorant about the enemy, your chances of victory or defeat are equal. If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you will not be in danger, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

I feel these wise statements can readily be applied to the work of self-cultivation as they have much to do with developing discipline and self-knowledge; developing an awareness of the people and the world around us; as well as the importance of context and timing in our lives.

And the enemy it speaks of might be applied to an actual enemy or opponent, negative influences and environments, our own self-sabotaging ways, something as debilitating as poverty or oppression, or something as mundane as procrastination.

Perhaps, like me, you will be motivated to meditate on, work towards (or continue to) and achieve a more rewarding life that includes: physical, mental, emotional and Spiritual well-being.

In practical terms, this would mean personal fulfillment; calmness and contentment; re-enforced principles and ethics; decisiveness and conviction of beliefs; openness to the lives and circumstances of others; arming oneself against evils and obstacles; finding great faith—and learning from and helping others.

I believe it is essential that we each make time for quiet contemplation, meditation and personal reflection in our lives. Everything I have been taught and read tells me that conscious effort is key to achieving increasing inner peace, self-empowerment and fulfillment in our lives.

And this conscious effort would be applied towards seeking self-knowledge; cultivating our principles and morals; learning discipline, mindfulness and loving-kindness; as well as understanding and practicing our belief/faith systems. To do otherwise is likely to result in confusion and uncertainty about one’s own self and about life.

And so, I see this book as a way of sharing what has worked for me; and as a kind of solution to what I often see and hear around me—confusion and uncertainty about life; ignoring one’s own instincts and intuition; overlooking the simple, the common sense and the obvious for the overcomplicated and the unnecessarily complex; routinely disregarding what is healthy and peaceful; as well as the routine human practice of justifying our own actions while finding fault with others for the same behaviours.

I also see this book, for those who are interested and particularly for believers, as a kind of solution to what I have often observed—confusion and uncertainty about the contents of the Holy Scriptures; misquoted and made-up biblical verses; misinterpretations and dismissals of Scriptures by those who have not read or opened the Good book; as well as the misrepresentation and the misunderstanding of our Creator Father.

At the same time, this book is intended for any person who would really like to know about the contents of the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus Christ; the modern day relevance of the Scriptures and end Time prophecies; and how to get strength, instruction and inspiration from the Living Word of their Father and Creator.

•Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do not I fill Heaven and Earth?’ says The LORD (The Book of Jeremiah).

Also;

•Thus says the LORD, Heaven is My throne and the Earth is My footstool, where is the house that ye build unto Me, and where is the place of My rest? For all those things has mine hand made (The Book of Isaiah).

I also try to show the modern relevance of these timeless writings to our everyday lives and to the current events taking place in the world around us.

Reaching out to believers of many kinds is part of my purpose and goal. Reaching out to believers and those who are unsure but open to believing, is part of my contribution; and my hope for a better future with mutual understanding between people.

By working in unity with our loved ones, our communities and our larger social environments; we can provide safety nets, protection and support for the vulnerable among us, while maintaining fair and equitable dealings with groups, cultures or belief systems which mean us no harm.

I believe we have the free will, the freedom and the power, to make a real difference in our own lives and in the lives of others.

To be inspired, more connected, Spiritually fulfilled, at peace; and to be in solidarity with our global human family, while at the same time being wary of and helping to fight the evils of the world,…this is my goal and purpose.

And I believe and hope that we all can aspire, in our own human betterment, towards this great shared destination of the sacred and the self, and a safer place to be.

Taking action is the only way to get results; examining and challenging our own realities, thoughts, emotions, habits and beliefs is the only way we achieve personal growth; and regular practice is the only real way to improve our situation—physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually and Spiritually—all of the things that constitute self-improvement and a fulfilled life.

•Just as a gardener cultivates [a plot of land], keeping it free from weeds…, so must [people] tend the garden of their mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and the fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts. (James Allen in As A Man Thinketh)

•[One] that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules [and controls his inner self] is better than he that takes a city (The Book of Proverbs).

I’d also like to assure you—if there happen to be any shortcomings or errors in this book, they are my fault and not that of the many materials, sources and books I refer the reader to! Please make use of the many source materials and books that I quote from and refer to, for your own further research, understanding and edification.

It is a noble, achievable and worthwhile cause for all of us to strive to be our best selves, while at the same time working to nurture, protect and help progress our global human family’s journey toward mutual respect and success, lasting peace and harmony.

I welcome hearing from you with your own stories, journeys and thoughts about your own faith and your human fulfillment.

Please visit me at my website/blog: www.thekeysthatopen.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

•All Scripture quoted from The Companion Bible, The Authorized version of 1611 (King James Version). Originally published in 1922. Notes and appendixes by E. W. Bullinger.

•Scripture quoted from the King James Bible (red letter edition)

•The Art of War by Sun Tzu: Translated and with an Introduction by Samuel B. Griffith (1963) Oxford University press.

•The Art of War by Sun Tzu: Edited and with a foreword by James Clavell. Copyright (1983) A Delta Book, Delacorte Press, N.Y.

•As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, Copyright (1902) From The James Allen Free Library website.

Chapter One

KEY TO THE SACRED & TO THE SELF

Wisdom speaks in the Book of Proverbs with the advice that we should hear instruction and gain understanding. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Through search and learning, we are promised sound understanding, truth and strength, as well as honour, durable riches and righteousness.

Wisdom tells us: I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions…Whoso ever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. (ch.8)

What does this mean in our everyday lives? Prudence is defined as the ability to govern and discipline oneself. It is skill and judgement in the use of resources, reason, and in the management of affairs. Prudence is the ability to decide when and how much.

Prudence is also the ability to evaluate and to distinguish between courage and recklessness. Therefore, developing this valuable quality and skill, as well as searching for wisdom, truth and understanding, become some of the surest ways and methods by which we benefit ourselves in all aspects of our everyday lives.

As explained in my Introduction, this book is based on my own search for a better life, for self-knowledge, progress and inner peace. And having embarked on this journey of self-cultivation, my focus remains on gradual improvement, on gaining wisdom, understanding and discipline, as well as on continued practice.

Practicing awareness and conscious choices while on this path to inner peace, truth and harmony; I also strive to understand others and the world around me.

And while I sought for the pieces of the puzzle to the big picture, I found myself overwhelmingly motivated to journal, to keep track of my research and study, and ultimately to write a book.

As a person, as an author, and as a reader, I am inspired by the Holy Scriptures and many writings and source materials through the ages ranging from ancient military strategist Sun Tzu to the words of British philosopher and author James Allen; the works of Taoist and Buddhist philosophers; Buddhist scholar Thich Nhat Hanh; Medical doctors/ researchers such as Dr. Max Gerson, and Scripture teacher/pastor Dr. Arnold Murray (Director of Religious Education).

Inspiration and encouragement also came from the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Maya Angelou, former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, activist and former champion boxer Rubin Hurricane Carter, and others.

There is also much to learn from the life and works of C.S. Lewis, the poetry of Khalil Gibran, motivational gurus, self-help books… and overall renowned people in the fields of human behaviour, health, faith, current affairs, literature and more.

Now, you may be wondering what my credentials and qualifications are. In addition to the personal research and study I have done on the subjects I write about (particularly over the last 8 years); I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.b) from Brunel University in London (Greater London), UK.

My learning and experience continued with my work in the field of Law, (preparing Briefs and attending court with Barristers, conducting client interviews and doing research; interactions with lawyers/ solicitors/barristers, courts, prisons, police services, social workers), as a Law Clerk (criminal law, family law, child law, tort, personal injury, medical malpractice and more), both in England and Canada.

I have also taken Advanced Level 2 year courses in Psychology, History, English Literature and Mathematics. And although I don’t have professional experience in the field of Psychology, I retain a keen interest in study of Human Behaviour as well as group dynamics.

An avid student of the Holy Scriptures for many years (and especially since 2004), I am also a passionate reader, follow current affairs, enjoy documentaries—and take a deep interest in self-knowledge and self-analysis; the understanding and study of human actions, interactions and relationships; Enneagrams and self-help.

At the same time, having lived, studied and worked in several world regions and Continents [Africa (Ethiopia), Europe (UK) and now, Toronto, Canada], I have been fortunate enough to interact with and to learn from many different people from various regions, cultures, ethnicities and belief systems. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, I am a free-lance translator and interpreter (and more…).

Additionally, I have practiced the martial/meditative exercise of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan (perhaps not as often as I should) since 2005; and have as a result of all the above, continued effort and much good fortune—yes—gradually but surely transformed my existence and mindset.

In my meditations and explorations regarding the knowledge of self, and in working to achieve overall self-cultivation and well-being; I have found that learning self-awareness and the awareness of surrounding realities—with the freedom, power, and possibility these bring—to be the important first steps to changing one’s self, and one’s life for the better.

The steps continue with the valuable teachings of others, which are then to be put into practice. My goal is to continue being a work-in-progress, while at the same time taking the opportunity to reach out to other humans—about personal growth and about the human condition—and our relationship with The Creator!

My reasoning and my conclusions come from my own path, experiences, and from my understanding, as they must; and much of what you will read has been inspired by my own exploration of many books and source materials.

How well I know the power of books! And fortunately for me, I have always loved to read. Some of my best friends growing up (and even now), have been books; they have been my companions, my entertainers and my teachers.

Beyond providing us with a wealth of information and knowledge, books are like a set of keys that open up a world of possibility and hope to us.

Books are a wonderful way to understand some of the world and its many complexities. They also give us the opportunity to locate, communicate and to understand the local and global communities around us. Each book, if we let it, unlocks a door to something, to the world and to ourselves.

Knowledge, self-knowledge and self-empowerment; awareness of the environment and nature; awareness and respect for our global human family; and the awareness of our place in the universe—all can be accessed and made possible from the understandings, lessons, and writings of others.

The many books on my bookshelves, and in the library, (as well as well-researched information from newspapers, documentaries and current affairs programs), provide a better understanding of the big picture of our global reality. I encourage everyone to explore the world of books, (and whether or not you agree with all that is in them).

Books also enable us to evaluate our growth and progression. Have you ever read the same good book again after a year or two? Have you noticed just how much your thoughts, perspectives and reactions to the same information seem to have changed?

Overall, books give us the opportunity to examine ourselves and our innermost feelings within the privacy of our own minds.

They can also help us to think, to digest things in our own time, and to reflect on our lives at length. Books can help us to be honest with ourselves—and can motivate us to change our behaviours, to progress and achieve, and to become our best selves!

In terms of motivation and progress, the social and economic progress taking place in the ‘emerging markets’ of the developing nations, and the subsequent betterment of the lives of many millions of people around the world, give me hope and inspiration.

However, I do see the world as a challenge and as a giant puzzle, an intentionally confusing and chaotic place, often cruel and dark to the weak and vulnerable —and one that, in these modern times, reflects the challenges of Biblical times!

This is because I believe that everything is connected to everything else in big and small ways. You will find these themes discussed at length, among others, in the chapters The Art of Living Well, Thus Says The LORD…, The Grand Chess Game, and Checkmate.

Do you agree the self-help genre, of all genres, should include Spiritual growth and fulfillment? I certainly do. Self-improvement starts with the knowledge of self, the cultivation of self-control and discipline, as well as an understanding of the principles and morals we aspire to.

For someone in the Judeo-Christian tradition, most of these principles, values and instructions are going to be rooted in the Holy Scriptures. Having grown up in a predominantly Christian country and community (Ethiopian/eritrean), the main focus of my Spiritual cultivation, faith and my foundation is The Creator God.

Since I was a child, I have been taught and I believe that the Word of God is our Heavenly Father’s love letter of instruction and hope to us, his children. As an adult, the focus of my meditations and my message continues to be inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures.

My book is slanted towards believers, but also those looking for reasons to believe. And I state the aspects of my faith firmly, and with conviction! I hope my reasonings and my conclusions resound with a universal chord you can connect with – even if in the end we might choose the middle ground of agreeing to disagree on several specific things!

Of course, it is my sincere hope readers will find a connection with the Spirit of Hope, Compassion and Truth found in the Holy Scriptures—and also will come to know how these Scriptural readings can help protect us against what I see as false leaders and dangerous messages, false prophets, societal ills, and more…

And as I will unfold in my book, I think that I, and most believers across the globe, do not share the kind of extreme, bigoted against minorities, fundamentalist, divisive and sensationalist American/Republican rightwing sentiments, (of most Republican politicians, pundits and the Fox TV/Network), that can give Christianity a bad name!

In fact, to be a real Christian is to learn and to practice leaving the ultimate judgment to The Creator of all. To be Christian is to focus on cultivating our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. To be Christian is to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and to strive to be a kind and compassionate human being.

And day to day I, and many others from Judeo-Christian traditions, have been enriched by other writings and inspirational material, like the meditative practices taught in Buddhism and Taoism (eastern philosophies).

I feel we can approach these kinds of writings as different directional tools to help us understand ourselves better, to learn discipline, to calm our emotions, to help us learn mindfulness, meditation and more.

We can learn to apply them whenever they would be useful, to life and journey; and they can be utilised to develop understanding, kindness and compassion towards other living beings—and simply to help us understand other people’s realities, and life on Earth.

As an example, the (Tibetan Buddhist) Dalai Lama and other Spiritual leaders tell us the various ways we can benefit from Eastern philosophies; Don’t use Buddhism to become a Buddhist; rather, use it to become more of who you are.

And, (as will be discussed in this book), what about other philosophies and ways of understanding the world which are timeless in nature and which have universal application? Concepts like the Universal Laws which govern everything in the universe.

Does all or any of this have a place for someone who lives within the realm of our Creator God’s teachings? Is it possible, in your life and mindset, to reconcile some of these concepts with Faith and Christianity?

Perhaps you can reflect on, or discuss with others, whether it is possible to use these (not new but thousands of years old) Universal Laws, such as the Law of Attraction (also known as the Law of Vibration) and the Universal Law of Cause and Effect, to understand the workings of nature and the universe.

Can we also use the concepts of the Universal Laws for the purposes of encouragement, and for the purpose of achieving a positive mindset to accomplish goals and good things? And how does one separate and/ or reject New Age suggestions of ‘human evolution to godhood without the need for the Divine Creator’?

Yes, humans have untapped and unrealized capabilities, energy and power as evidenced by human achievement, innovation, technology and the vast frontier of the human mind/energy/consciousness.

I believe humans have untapped energies and incredible potential because at our essence we are made in the image of the Creator God Almighty:

•And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:…So God created man in His own image, [and] male and female created He them. (Genesis ch. 1)

Created in and conformed to His Image we are, and it is my firm belief that the power and the pure energy of our Creator Father is what fills, sustains and maintains the Heavens, the Earth, and the entire Universe.

As renowned musical legend Bob Marley recorded, One Love… There ain’t no hiding place from the Father of Creation. These topics can be great for discussion, and can sometimes help us align the different parts of our life and essence.

At the same time, we are given free will as humans. Therefore, we are tasked with the job of deciding for ourselves as individuals, which ‘sources of knowledge’ to align our beliefs with, what qualities to focus on, what choices to make, and which paths to follow.

In the world we live in, there are many paths, many crossroads and many sources of knowledge and information to choose from, each with their own particular outcomes and