Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings - More than Mere Human.

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Phyllis Reid author of  Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings - More than Mere Human. 

Phyllis holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, an Honor’s Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science. She works as a Psychotherapist, Behavior Modification specialist and Traumatologist with adults and children. She is trained in Journalism and Dramatic arts and worked in Journalism and Stage and Film. She has been a metaphysical/truth practitioner for over 30 years.

Good day Phyllis and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

What is a metaphysical/truth practioner and how does one become one?

Phyllis:

Both Truth (with a capital T) and metaphysics deal with the Spiritual, the Divine. Truth is the study, the spiritual study of the Divine - the Creator of all that is, all creation, all thought, all life, It is the study and practice of the Laws of Being, of all Life – of the universe and all therein … God is the only Truth and Truth is the study of God.

The scripture tells us that God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Humankind is Divine Spiritual beings inhabiting a body to which we are totally conditioned. We must return to the study of Truth to learn how to live in our true nature as spiritual beings, offspring of God.

Metaphysics is the science which investigates first cause of all existence and knowledge. It goes beyond the physical and seeks to understand the Divine pattern, Spirit or first principles in the nature of all. God the Divine is Truth therefore metaphysics seeks to present God; the only true reality, which is spirit. To become a metaphysical/Truth practitioner one must understand the reality and nature of God the Divine or Spirit. Aspects of the Divine must be attained spiritually and mentally, not all at once of course. In attaining spiritual understanding, this will give on the True understanding of the self and impact the consciousness to facilitate a spiritual transformation.

This is accomplished through mental and intellectual studies, but most effectively through the disciplined practice of prayer and meditation. This study is not just for knowledge but must take the form of practical application of the laws and discipline and study of Truth, to impact the mind, body and spirit and facilitate transformation.

Norm:

I noticed on reading your bio that you were a journalist and that you left the field and focused on spiritual pursuits in the early to middle 1980s. Could you tell our readers what made you want to study spirituality? How is this changed your life?

Phyllis:

I studied journalism a decade earlier as well as dramatic arts. I was well trained and well versed in many aspects of communication. I migrated to the United States in the late 70’s due to the well-documented political upheaval in my homeland of Jamaica.

 Arriving in America fairly accomplished, to start over adjusting and coping as a female, black female, foreigner or “alien” – the term used then, was difficult. As the President of a large corporation kindly pointed out to me, “You have three strikes against you; you are black, a female and a foreigner.”

I was always positive in my outlook; nothing stopped me from attaining what I wanted, so to feel blocked and locked out on the basis of race, color, ethnicity and nationality was extremely frustrating to me. My search for answers to cope, while maintaining my dignity and forging ahead, lead me to a deeper study of spirituality.

I had practiced Spirituality/Truth for 2-3 years while living in Jamaica. I continued the practice as I landed here. However, at a low point of frustration, crying on the phone to a Pastor he told me that I lacked faith in God. When I asked him what is faith he said he did not know I just needed to have it and things could change in my life. My Minister at the Unity church I attended also kept telling me to turn to the Christ within for deep answers. So I set out to know and trust this God that was inside of me.

Norm:

Will you share with us a little bit about Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings - More than Mere Human?

Phyllis:

In my pursuit of Truth I took from 1980-1989 to devote to the study and practice of metaphysics and Truth principles. It became a devotion that took me through intense focus and practice of study, prayer and meditation.

By 1985 I was working at temporary assignments to allow me the freedom to devote to my practice. I spent several hours per day in prayer, meditation and contemplation, especially meditation. I believe the key to spiritual transformation is meditation; this is when we become still and allow the Spirit of Truth – God/Christ to teach us, this is real spiritual knowledge.

By 1986 my life had totally changed. Gone were the pangs of fear, anxiety, frustration and insecurity. In their place came a level of peace that I did not know could exist. Though I was still working minimally a friend told me, “You are the only person I know who is living rich on no income.” Yes, in the spiritual transformation that took place in me I regained my poise, self confidence, peace and pride in the realization of my true nature as a spiritual being, a child of God/God being, as well as a human being, confident and proud in my race, nationality and gender.

In 1988 I decided to write down some of the things I learned and practiced that contributed to my transformation. I compiled a manual that I used as I presented seminars on spiritual transformation. I called the program “Mountaintop Living – moving from human to spiritual consciousness.” I mailed the booklet to some friends and was told of its effectiveness in healing conditions in their lives and the lives of friends and they suggested I publish the material. I completed the book and had the cover design and held onto it for almost twenty years, seeking the time to focus on it to get it published.

As career changes demanded my attention and consumed my life, my book laid on the shelf along with three other manuscripts awaiting, “time to deal with them.” I worked as a Psychotherapist from 1999 to 2007. I worked with mostly inner city children and their families. The work was demanding and left little or no time for the self and personal pursuits. I loved helping the families cope and solve their problems. It was such joy to see failing children gain confidence and soar to new heights of accomplishments.

One of the main observations in my job was the level of frustration, hopelessness, stress, anxiety and insecurity, not only among the less privileged clients, but also among the professionals in the schools, in my field, among nurses and other professions in general. Outside of my assigned job activities, I would spend several hours counselling others and helping them to find alternatives to cope with the stresses and stressors in their lives.

“Divine discontent” began to take control over me. I began to miss a deeper spiritual practice. By the end of 2006 it had become overwhelming so I decided to give up my well paid clinician position and all the benefits and return to a full focus and practice in spirituality. The middle of March 2007, I dusted off my “Mountaintop Living” manuscript, decided to change the title to “Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings – More than Mere Human” and get it published.

As I said, the book chronicles some of the materials that lead me through spiritual transformation. It is a compact guide book that will give accessible information and materials and avoid a decade of searching, attending hundreds of seminars and workshops and endless classes and reading books. More than anything, my hope is that it gives the millions who are suffering through stress, anxiety and frustration, hope that change is possible and peace through spirituality is real and lasting.

Norm:

Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

Phyllis:

My research was actually living, experiencing and going through the spiritual transformation process with thousands of others over a 30-year period that began in 1975 through 2007. This is first hand knowledge and experience. Along the way I read and studied most of the major religions of the world, came in contact with hundreds of Spiritual ministers, teachers, workshop and seminar presenters and many spiritual retreats. I acquired a library of thousands of spiritual books. In giving credit in the book I had to give a blanket thank you to the spiritual organizations, teachers, writers and presenters of Truth, as it would be impossible to chronicle all the writers and organizations that impacted, and continue to impact my spiritual pursuit.

Norm:

Why do you feel that Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings - More than Mere Human was an important book for you to write and for all of us to read at this time?

Phyllis:

Uppermost in the hearts and minds of world leaders and individuals today is PEACE. Along with its opposite, “war” nations are focused on peaceful endings for national and civil wars. This coupled with today’s fast paced lifestyle, economic woes and threat to the planet have contributed immense frustration, insecurity, anxiety and stress on many aspects of the population. It is seen and felt by children, the schools, families and parents, communities and organizations.

Rampant crime is an offshoot of the restlessness and frustration among segments of the population. The paradigm shift of the past 4-5 decades left their imprint on generations, as it should. It is now time to create new paradigm shifts that will enhance the quality of life for humankind and our world. We must facilitate dialogues to focus and re-ignite the flame of peace, love, harmony and unity among individuals, person to person and nation to nation. We must give hope, inspiration, support and courage as we offer easily accessible and hands-on tools for change. Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings – More than Mere Human is one such tool. It offers a form of transformation that is known to work and which will last – enlightenment through spiritual transformation.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Phyllis:

There were no challenges with printing the book. It was a matter of finding the time to go within and bring forth the dictation from within. Again, in writing the book I stayed true to what I was spiritually guided to write. Of course many spiritual writers, persons and organizations contributed to my knowledge, but I made the conscious choice to listen to and follow the dictates of my mind and heart. As well, the guidance of the Spirit. I set out on the path through my strong desire to know God and God guided and provided along every step of the way.

Norm:

How does Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings - More than Mere Human differ from others than have been written on the same subject matter?

Phyllis:

Truth is Truth is Truth. In its beliefs that impact language, expressions and style, there are major similarities and common ground. It is one Spirit, one Mind working through all humanity. As I re-read my book I can hear the teachings of many such as Charles and Myrtle Fillmore the founders of Unity School of Christianity, the organization through which I did most of my studies.

In changing the title of my book I had to do a good amount of rewriting. I focused intently on keeping the book simple to avoid confusion and remove the mystery so often associated with living the spiritual life. I wanted it to give Truth to the beginner as well as the experienced and this was confirmed to me by some readers from both metaphysical/Truth organizations as well as the secular religions. In my study and pursuit of Truth it would often take me hours to research and gain the understanding of certain words and terms I was reading. I did not want this for the readers of Anchor in the Spirit as God Beings – More than Mere Human, I wanted to keep it simple, Truthful, joyous and optimistic to facilitate transformation in the process.

Norm:

As there does not seem to be any authoritative standards that exist for books such as yours, how do you know that it is up to par? How do you check out the authorial competence?

Phyllis:

I have presented the book to several Metaphysical/Truth Ministers, Teachers and Practitioners and have had “wonderful” responses and praise for the contents, some of which are contained on the book web page www.anchorinthespirit.com. In books covering this area written by Emerson, Norman Vincent Peale, Charles Fillmore, Myrtle Fillmore, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Louise Hay, Dr. Johnnie Colemon, Og Mandigo, Emmet Fox, Joel Goldsmith, Dr. Barbara King, Dana Gatlin, Eric Butterworth, James Dillet Freeman, Rev. Ike, Ernest Holmes, Michael Beckwith and more recently Joel Osteen and Bishop Jordan, verbalize the Truth and attest to the validity of the contents of my book.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Phyllis:

When I left my Psychotherapy position on March 9, I knew that I would have my book published but did not know how. One thing I knew was that I needed to get about the business of teaching, sharing and walking my spiritual talk as soon as possible. Upon investigation of the process and sources for publishing I learned of the time frame in getting a manuscript accepted and finally published. I knew that I did not have two years or more to wait around while I acquired a publisher so I made the decision to self publish. Over a 3-month period I consulted with a best selling author who self published and she guided me through some of the processes. During Book Expo America in June I made contact with the two largest distributors for the spiritual genre – DeVorss & Company and New Leaf Distributing and they accepted my book for distribution.

Norm:

Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

Phyllis:

I am focusing on getting the message before persons who are stressed, anxious, frustrated. This takes the form of small church groups, speciality and gift shops, small private and large corporate bookstores, “new Thought/Metaphysical” churches and groups, New Age establishments, corporate and association workshops and seminars. Of course this entails travel nationally and internationally. I am laying the groundwork for a grass roots network peace club where adults and children will use the book as a focus point to establish peace, unity and community spirit. I am also targeting specific metaphysical/Truth/New Age groups through mailings and advertising.

Norm:

What do you think of the new Internet market for writers?  Will your be using the Internet to promote yourself and your book and if so, how?

Phyllis:

It is fantastic! It is the wave of the present and future. I have attended trainings on publishing that highlight this medium and its importance in changing the face of publishing. In keeping with the current trend I have had a web page for the book established – www.anchorinthespirit.com. I have also begun a monthly e-letter based on aspects of the book and giving tips on spiritual transformation and its impact on aspects of daily living. My book is available through Amazon.com and listed with Barnes and Noble. I am in the process of having special internet marketing done for the book as well as preparing blogs, etc.

Norm:

How can our readers find out more about you?

Phyllis:

Through my web pages www.philmar2000.com and www.anchorinthespirit.com E-mails: Philmar@philmar2000.com and Philmar@anchorinthespirit.com. The usual methods of telephone and the mail are also available. P.O. Box 381881, Miami, FL 33238, 305-759-0236.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered and what is next for Phyllis Reid?

Phyllis:

Yes, I am really committed to youth and their plight in our communities. Eleven years ago when I saw the plight of children in the inner cities and their need for mentoring, I set out to establish mentoring programs for them. However, due to my heavy schedule at that time, and the shortage of financial support I did not complete the program. I did establish a non-profit organization for youth development at that time.

I am now in the process of re-establishing my non-profit youth development organization. This time I want to focus heavily on the issue of traumatized youths who are not getting any care and attention of the communities. These are the kids who are creating havoc in the schools, homes and communities. The schools are not equipped to deal with them, they are branded as bad, get placed in juvenile jails and end up in adult prisons. Already we are seeing the increase in juvenile felony crimes throughout the country. This issue must be given priority attention.

In conjunction with youth development, I am in the process of completing a companion boy/girl volume for inner city children, to help them address and overcome the poverty, crime and degradation in their communities. I have first hand knowledge working with these children and their families for almost two decades. I also have thorough knowledge of the school system, certainly in Miami and neighboring counties, to focus on the issues facing children in the schools that give rise to the high drop-out and crime rate. Once this is done I will return to completing my three manuscripts for publication in the spiritual genre.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

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