This is the last book by Dr Raynor Johnson (RCJ) and is composed of his lectures when on tour, first in the United States
and later in London.. The sub-title Thoughts Towards a
Philosophy of Life underlines that this is a distillation of his philosophical conclusions after more than forty years of searching. As a scientist and academic his writing is always precise and lacking in wild, unprovable assertions. His central theme is that to deny the existence of anything other than this one earthly life is to suggest that we live in a totally unfair world.
The book's first chapters concern
reincarnation and karma – the law of cause and effect - and Johnson points out that these are the twin pillars upon which can be built an understanding of life. In writing about reincarnation Dr Johnson gives a very lucid exposition ranging from the beliefs of the Buddhists and the Essenes through to accounts from contemporary individuals of integrity. He also touches upon the illogical thinking that denies the concept of reincarnation whilst espousing the belief that God is a a God of love. The unfairness of the alternative, a random selection where one child is born hopelessly deprived and crippled whilst another is both healthy and talented, seems more demonic than loving.
In examining karmic law RCJ continues this theme by asking the familiar questions whether we are merely victims of chance or is the path our life takes pre-ordained. He goes on to argue that if, as some would suggest, the whole of life is subject to chance happenings then the chaos that would prevail would grow to explosive lengths. He debunks the attitude of some that karma is a fatalistic doctrine and shows, by drawing on an analogy or two, that it is our attitude to the effects we experience resulting, as they do, from causes of our own making, that determine our future.
He opens the discussion concerning the survival of death by asserting that the denial of a post mortem existence suggests that we live in a world that is extremely unjust to many. To have one's horizons bounded by this one life offers scant comfort to those gallant souls who courageously cope with much suffering and deprivation. If death ends all their very existence seems pointless. Whereas by accepting survival and reincarnation as the means whereby the soul is gradually perfected they are offered hope and reassurance that life has some meaning. Raynor Johnson then proceeds to offer evidence of survival with some very striking examples of mediumistic skills. He draws upon his own experiences and also cites much researched evidence lodged in the archives of the London-based Society for Psychical Research,
Further chapters deal with the soul's great journey and expands upon the author's search for the reasons behind our repeated incarnations. Here he attempts to answer some very thorny philosophical questions and draws upon the teachings of some of the world's avatars, mystics and renowned philosophers. He writes too of faith and trust in God's support and this leads to a discussion of Masters, their work and the aspirant's relationship to them.
Dr Johnson teaches us to know the world for what it is and to render service wherever it is needed. At the same time he enjoins us to avoid allowing desire to anchor us to it. To stop wanting things for oneself because there is no permanent satisfaction to be found in such a world of desire.
The book culminates in an all-embracing chapter as the author pulls together the various strands of his spiritual searching into an appreciation of mysticism and the mystic. All in all it provides, for those earnestly searching for an answer to life's enigmas, much to ponder and supplies a basis for more in-depth studies. It is a primer and will certainly reinforce the reader's embryonic thoughts if searching for a life philosophy. Indeed it may help a few reach a point when they can say, with confidence, “I know”.