The Way We Are

The Way We Are is an account of a life passed in England, Saudi Arabia, and 50+ years in post-war Japan.

How a search for peace of mind became an attempt at self-realization – “satori” or enlightenment, and an acceptance of why we cannot be other than we are – involving (for no clear reason) an induction into a local secret society, learning to deal with voices in the head and telepathy, hypnotism and “Ki” (being manipulated by another person’s will), prescience, visual and other apparitions, 'ghosts', 'poltergeists' etc. All personally experienced without the influence of any stimulants.

This book deals with questioning the limitations of ‘self’ as sufficient identity in this truly modern world, a world where every single one of us is now almost certainly, at some stage, going to be obliged to recognize themselves as that very much rejected and unwanted ‘other’. It also explores moving the mind away from conflict as a solution and examining the fine line between political, commercial, philosophical/religious guidance and control.

Born on the outskirts of Manchester, Northern England, in 1946, Geoff Olton attended St Peter’s College, Oxford, majoring in mathematics. After failing his final examinations, he spent a year teaching English to Saudi Arabian Air Force cadets before moving to Kobe, Japan, where he has since lived for 50 years, working in teaching, interpretation, and translation.

His writings include a 5,000-page analysis of the spoken English language in its relationship to Japanese and similarly grouped languages, and a novel, The Anemone Bowl, (both as yet to be published).