This book is about using each event in our lives (whether it be big or small, positive or negative in nature) to learn "control over ourselves," learning to distinguish the "real from the illusory," and developing the ability to feel the truth. In the words attributed to Socrates (but most likely from a much earlier period) and Hakim Sanai this book is about, "Self- knowledge and giving attention to the soul" and the realization that, "Knowledge that does not take you beyond yourself is worse than ignorance." One of the aims of this book is to provide practical ways to help you cultivate a secure, resilient, inner mental space which in turn helps repel mental blows and pressures from the outside world. Are you open to change? And if so how do you change. In order to change you need to question your own "Inner Authority." How did this authority come into being and what forces established and maintain this authority. How does this authority direct and control your thoughts and behaviour. Was this inner authority firmly established by yourself or your true essence, or was it established by multiple external forces that may have multiple agendas. Real change results from questioning your "Inner Authority." Questioning why and when it tells you what to do and under what circumstances. To question your inner authority involves the impartial observation of your actions, thoughts, behaviour and personal agendas. The impartial observation results in self-knowledge about how you actually are, not how you believe you are. It will identify what motivates and directs you from a perspective that was not present or possible before. The observation must be driven by a desire for truth about yourself and why you are here. Not for any other reason. Today, man's behaviour and thoughts are influenced and manipulated more than ever before because of "advances" in technology, mass communication and social sciences. So called "motivational analysts" or "motivational researchers" now advise not only corporations wanting to sell their products or services, but also advise all manner of organizations ranging from governments, NGOs to charities wanting to influence and control your thoughts and behaviour. Over time man has become more materialistic and influenced and conditioned in ways that he does not recognize and we can say that he has become divorced from both reality and the natural world. Materialism, consumerism and greed combined with the misuse and the inappropriate application of logic, due to conditioning by external influences, often create false worlds or perceptions in the minds of many. The above paragraphs describe a left brain dominated, conformist world where man does not and cannot communicate with himself nor strive to be his true self. In this type of world the conditioned, conformist man becomes more and more dependent on external influences and in doing so is easily manipulated and directed because he cannot see beyond what is presented or question the validity of what is presented to him. We could say that the left brain, conformist man's inability to think intuitively, that is, without external influences makes him dependent upon external instructions and direction, and therefore reliant upon unseen spin-doctors who can easily manipulate his beliefs and values. The near, what may be termed, exponential rate of greed and materiality has created both economic instability and environmental instability. By environmental I mean both nature and societal as both are intertwined. However, as a generalization, man (that is society) behaves as if he is above the laws of nature. Therefore, the fragility of the state of both the economic and natural world should impel many to reflect and actively observe their state of consciousness given the uncertainty that prevails in the world.

A COAL HILL REVIEW special edition. Carson's words strike the most personal cords of Irish and Appalachian life by exploring what it means to be both. These poems are vivid and moving.