Book Reviews
Only God Knows What He Intended
Jennifer M. Hollowell
Despite the many different cultures, opinions and faiths of humanity, there’s still one underlying constant among us all: the necessity to find a path, to find our way. This is true for all walks of life, both believing and non-believing individuals. What is it about this truth that sends so many reeling into disaster? There need not be disaster if we face the reality of giving credit where credit is due: to our Creator.
“I have written this book to share my experiences, feelings and spiritual insights with individuals whose sad lives have been damaged by the ravages of their upbringing or mental illness. I will always be a member of that group.”
– Pollack, p. 20
That’s the underlining theme for author Jerry Pollack’s book, Divinely Inspired: Awakening of a Soul. He describes his journey from childhood into his present adult relationship with God. His path leads him through experiences with bipolar disorder, mania, manic depression, hallucinations, clinical depression, ahedonia (loss of interest in activities), psychosis and neurosis among others. I name each diagnosis separately, despite their often times happening simultaneously, as he did in his writings.
In today’s society, stepping out on one’s beliefs is very challenging. Particularly when this individual is met with endless scrutiny and judgements both from people who don’t understand and don’t believe. However, when people are able voice these beliefs with strong supporting facts, as Pollack has done, it is quite a different story.
I found this to be true for Pollack’s book. He presents the acquiring of his beliefs through the many experiences leading up to them. His insights are supported by what he went through while achieving them. There’s no room for controversy because in no way is it evident that he had prior inclinations or a childhood upraising filled with spirituality or religion. At the same time, it must be pointed out that Pollack’s understanding of faith and God was always there. Understanding these principals and applying them are two very different things. This is a strong lesson taught throughout the course of the book.
Courage, wisdom, strength and the unrelenting desire to teach rather than preach are what this author arms himself with. The support of his wife, Marcia, is also of particular interest. When the phrase “for better or for worse” comes into play, Marcia Pollack provides a stunning example of how to live under these circumstances. Without her love, as pointed out in the book, who knows where Jerry Pollack would be today? More often than not, statistics show a marriage breaking up quicker than staying intact when facing the challenges this couple have. Although separation was discussed at one point, the true commitment between this married couple beat those odds.
Anxiety is covered quite well both in definitive terms and descriptions of the author’s experiences. Readers can easily relate to the challenges this man faced while trekking through the various symptoms and medical remedies. One fact I found of particular interest was his proclamation that those who suffer from anxiety are less likely able to be treated through use of prescription medications due to the high tolerances they build up. This certainly explains a lot to me on a personal level through the experiences I’ve had both myself and with my family.
Pollack delves into his treatments through use of ECT (electric shock) treatments and Primal Therapy. Both these forms of treatments aren’t common knowledge for me, so I found this to be quite a learning experience as he described his experiences with these alternatives. Upon completion of the book, I found it necessary to investigate these options further only to learn ECT treatments are met with great controversy. This is something pointed out statistically in Pollack’s book, but he used this form of treatment nonetheless. I think, after enduring the trials this man has gone through, I would consider the same option. The fact remains, however, that Pollack’s newly gained spirituality has lifted him from any need to seek such treatments again. This is refreshing to both his readers and himself. What a relief it must have been for him to climb out of the darkness to find well-ness and contentment.
At one point throughout the reading, Pollack describes his encounter with a cult while attempting to remedy himself. When those are faces with desperate feelings, more often than not sensory radar is disabled. This is the case with this author as he found himself almost engulfed in the teachings and the ways of “The Fourth Way.” Before he realized what was happening, his life went from receiving an herbal dietary program to being exposed to this group’s philosophies. While I’m not read in this area, I won’t dive into this group or this topic any further than Pollack did in his own writings.
I’m closing this dialog (reveiw) with the following thoughts and insights excerpted directly from Jerry Pollack’s book. These among many others opened my eyes as I continued on my own journey toward inner peace:
“. . . with God’s help, I’ll never have to fight an unseen challenge again.” – p. 164
“Faith is an integral part of one’s spirituality.” – p. 172
“Your soul is worth all the riches in the world.” – p. 210 (from a fortune cookie)
Ponder these for a moment as you begin or continue on your own spiritual journey. This book has had a profound affect on me, so sharing these truths has become an integral part of my own spiritual walk and work. I’m not only considering what is written among these pages as a description of experiences, I’m considering it a handbook for those seeking to get on the right path. Gather these seeds of knowledge and wisdom, plant and harvest them and watch them grow and flourish as a result of God’s work. Live for today don’t get lost in the past, embrace truth and love for they shall always last.
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