Question and Answer

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1 - Who and what inspired you to do this book

My profound gratitude goes to my dearest, wisest and most God-conscious mentor, confidant and best friend Mrs. Parvin Farjadi, who with her deep love and spiritual insight remains the greatest source of inspiration and solace to me. And who by the grace of God also happens to be my lovely mother. As well as all the messengers of the Divine and all those who positively inspired and empowered others throughout history in any field.

As in regards to what inspired me, … I would say a variety of influences and experiences. ... I always wished to improve the life condition of all humanity and the rest of creation. The sufferings, injustices, atrocities; the psychological and environmental chaos as well as the spread of disinformation and misinformation led me to search for the central system, a clear path, a universal roadmap that would elevate the human condition and thus the world at large.

This great adventure led me to rediscover the meaning of life, love, faith and our authentic purpose and mission in them.

2 - How long did it take you to finish this book?

After more than two decades spiritual quest and seven + years of concepting, artistic rendering, writing, designing and production; a wonderful treasure came into manifestation inform of a book by the name of "Rays of Universal Wisdom".

3 - What made you choose the title "Rays of Universal Wisdom" for your book, and why is the title not on the book cover?

The book's focus is on wisdom, rather then its labeling source. Metaphorically speaking, every universal wisdom is like a ray of sunlight, and as each ray of sunlight can be traced back to the same sun, so can every element of truth and expression of wisdom be traced back to the same Source, the One Ultimate Reality.

Since this book is an artistically interpreted collection of ninety-nine timeless inspirational quotations and commentaries, I felt that a title on the book cover directly cannot really do justice and so I placed the title on the spine and on the back of the book.

4 - What basic ideas and philosophies do you express in your book?

The treasures we seek in the outside world have their fountainhead / source within the self
Liberation and fulfillment come as a result of redirecting our allegiance from the creation to the Creator. (A reprogramming that leads to an alignment with universal higher values. A true "real-i- zation"!
There are as many ways to God as there are created souls. What appears in different disguises is one in essence.
Our lineage is one of purity, not the heritage of physical being. And only that which is rooted in virtue shall reside within bliss throughout eternity.
Our diversity is the result of our uniqueness, and if we contribute the best of our uniqueness to our common good, then harmony is promoted, justice is promoted, peace is promoted and well-being is promoted.
Everything we think or do in the present moment has eternal consequences. Good begets good and evil leads to evil.
Our legacy is the reflection of our values through which we even transcend the gateways of death.
AND in the final analysis it is between the individual and the Creator; it was never between one's self and anyone or anything else anyway.

5 - What do you consider to be the greatest threat in the world and how can this book help address this challenge - how can it be remedied?

Self-deception. Leading to alienation of the self from one's essence and thus from the Creator and the rest of creation.

We should realize that at every stage of life, the preservation of balance and the struggle for justice begin with the self. And that we are responsible for all that is under our control, including aspects of what we inherit beyond our physical attributes. It is our ethical awareness and moral maturity that will enable us to deal with the challenges emanating from these traits.

Ultimately we cannot build a better world unless we have improved individuals, and that should be the starting point of all change.

Our task is accomplished by mending the parts that are within our reach, through which we become active partners contributing to the welfare of the world.

6 - How is your book different from other books in the same category?

The book is a fusion of art, spirituality and symbolism, written in a very universalistic style. There is "no specific category" that the book would actually fit into, ... It has in fact created a new category of its own.

7 - Whom do you consider as your audience?

Rays of Universal Wisdom is for all those who see and seek a deeper sense of the purpose of existence: seekers of truth, lovers of art, appreciators of wisdom and hidden mysteries, students of life, and all who seek enlightenment and inner peace.

The book will also speak to those spiritually and religiously mature individuals who find confirmation of their principles in universal values, and want to promote a shared purpose within diversity. That goal, if realized, could be the foundation for success and harmony at a personal, interpersonal and global level.

Reformers, innovators, visionaries, healers, leaders, counselors, teachers, transformers, revolutionaries, and seekers of excellence will find this book a source of inspiration and hope that gives direction to their purpose in life.

8 - How would you recommend this book should be read?

This book can be read in two ways:

Because of its universality, this book can be utilized (consulted) as a profound source of advice relating to any situation where one might require guidance to clarity. This means that if someone approaches it with a sincere, respectful, clear intention and a quest for an answer, the book can be opened up at any page, in any place or time and its wisdom will speak to each individual’s situation accordingly.
It can be read like any other traditional book from cover to cover. With the difference that the insight of this book is so universal and the wisdom it expresses is so enduring that, no matter how many times you contemplate them, they continue to reveal new depths of meaning.

My recommendation is to read this book in four circular steps. Learn, connect, synergize, excel, ... (Come back to the first step, learn, connect, synergize, excel and so on and on) …

9 - Is this a new religion?

No.
This book is an artistically interpreted collection of timeless inspirational wisdoms, gathered from the "essence" of universal values that are part of many religious and philosophical traditions.

10 - What is the difference between what you are proposing and the teachings of the Unitarian Universalists?

The Unitarian Universalists consider themselves a "religion" with historic roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions. What I am proposing is not a "new religion", rather some of the eternal universal wisdom that are contained in many monotheistic traditions as well as philosophies.

I believe that it is the task of every individual to do the research, compare and think for themselves while they live according to the highest wisdom they receive so that more wisdom will be given to them.

11 - What is your religion?

Well, ... That depends on your interpretation of religion.
Since many of the meanings of the words, concepts, ideas and ideals are deluded and corrupted, we first need to establish a common ground relevant to the true interpretation of the word itself.

This is one of the reasons why I did this book. So I would suggest reading and reflecting on the book before we continue our conversation.