Duality & Non-Duality

Alberto Martín has spent many years studying and practicing Christianity, Sufism, Buddhism, and Advaita Vedanta (in that sequence) plus, at one time, the religion of the Crows (a native tribe of N. America). “For me, it has been universalism all along ever since I read Plato when I was 15 years old. Lately my attention has been focused on Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta and non-duality.”

For this author, Plato and Shankara say practically all that can be said about reality and the way towards its assimilation and exemplification.

In this work Martín answers many of the probing questions anyone of us is led to ask along our lives.

Donald John Trump: villain or hero?

In President Trump, we see a different sort of leader from those we have had in the past. He has not come out of the traditional political machine, having never served as a US Congressman or a Senator. He is rich, with business interests across the world. He is loud and bombastic. He has absolutely no doubts about his ability to achieve results through making deals. The question is: “What sort of a president will he be?” Has Donald Trump gone into politics in order to increase his wealth, or has he an underlying altruistic intent? Will he be caught up by the political machines and, gradually, become seduced into believing that being re-elected is the only game in town, or will he surpass all expectations to become, even if unwittingly, the most powerful agent for positive change that the world has seen in a very long time?

Democracy UK

The reader is asked to consider our democracy as it is today and whether increasing our level of representation in Parliament using a system of total voting will unite society and improve our governance. 

Having made the consideration the reader is then plunged into the ‘what could be,’ an array of thoughts, practises, and procedures that will bring society’s needs closer to governance.

Statistical data is set to a minimum so as not to divert the reader from the objective of making people think about what they have and then what they could have.

Deep Deceit

Andy Bonner, an ex-Special Forces soldier, is struggling in the civilian world after a dangerous life on the edge. Consequently, he loses his boring office job with a bang after a very steamy encounter with his superior. Along with a younger colleague and friend, Paul Brown, he embarks on a new venture, salvaging cargoes from shipwrecks and diving for lobsters off a popular east coast resort.

Two young unattached men, they relish in the abundance of female holiday makers. But the witty camaraderie and carefree life they are enjoying abruptly ends when they find a downed plane and discover evidence of a sinister plot implicating government, cabinet ministers and the PM himself. Brown is picked up and tortured in an attempt to repossess the damming documents. Bonner escapes to London in a last-ditch attempt to expose the plot and save his friend. On the run from the security services he once worked alongside, he has to use every trick in the book and more to survive. On a near impossible quest, Bonner learns that deep deceit is all around him in the form of venal civil servants and greedy corrupt politicians. However, when all seems hopelessly lost, help comes from a most unexpected source… and heads roll.

Café de Flore

Addressing the escalating global issue of mental health and suicide, Café de Flore is a serious book that provides inspiration and relief to those caught in the net of despair. Identifying the critical error made by mankind over the centuries. Café de Flore points towards an escape from the madness of the human condition.

An easily digestible form of philosophy, written with graceful authority, the book takes the reader on a journey that captures the sublime messages contained in the wreck of literature, poetry and prose.

Dostoevsky once said: “It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.” What more does it take?

Encouraging the world to stop thinking, to entertain a degree of madness, to live with passion and to laugh more. This book provides a fresh perspective on the perceived struggles and difficulties we find ourselves trapped in, in this sad and lonely world.

Bringing Politics into the 21st Century

The practice of politics and government in Canada was inherited from its previous colonial rulers in the United Kingdom, and the basic tenets have not been reviewed or modified since Canada became a country in 1867. On the other hand, business practices have continued to evolve and adapt in an ever-changing competitive environment over the years. Businesses that adapt will prosper and those that do not will cease to exist. The main purpose of politics and government in a western democracy is to serve and lead the electorate and, if possible, reflect the view of the majority while at the same time protecting the rights of the minority.Recent world events, highlighted by what is happening in the United States highlight shortcomings in existing systems; in particular, extreme political polarization. The authors, a pathologist and a lawyer, reviewed the various processes and functions of elections and government operations, applying business principles, though the lens of a “system approach” with the purpose of developing a “Democratic, Responsible and Accountable Government – DRAG”. 

A Concrete Bridge on Wooden Pillars

A Concrete Bridge on Wooden Pillars is a collection of opinions and wishes presenting how the African rural masses, who are the largest economic contributors, think how their rural problems can be resolved politically, socially and economically.

It is a culmination of the author’s early experiences of rural living. As a young boy he wonders why young men have to be hunted down by tax police in order to pay tax. He is intrigued and troubled by issues surrounding tax and the many difficulties of rural living, including poverty, hunger and conflicts.

The author ascribes all these problems to the destruction of rural environment that has been enhanced by incompatible models of rural habitation with changed demographic and economic models. He suggests neglect of the rural by successive governments whose erroneous policies have resulted in skewing of resources towards the cities and their exportation are to blame. He also argues that this has been made worse by continued use of carbon copies of western governance systems that provoke adverse political and social issues that create the environment not conducive to investment.

The author suggests that African governments need to develop adaptive governance systems and tap the eager and willing human resource that is desperate to escape poverty in order to achieve credible development.

Antisemitism and the 1753 Jew Law Controversy

Why did the very same British parliamentarians pass the “Jew Law” in June of 1753 and then repeal it within six short months? Why would such a law threaten the existence of a legitimately elected democratic government? What forces were at work?

Yoel Sheridan has shone a wide-beamed searchlight on this controversial subject and has revealed the reality that antisemitism is an evil amorphous concept that can, and has been, weaponized to promote hidden agendas that pose serious threats to democratic governments and societies. This was true in Britain in 1753 and in Germany in 1933. Are there not parallels today?

Sheridan has brought the past to the present, asked the questions, explored the many sources, unravelled the mysteries, and provided the answers – all in a concise and eloquent style.

This slim book makes a major contribution to the understanding of the wider implications of unbridled antisemitism.

Africans Have Sold Their Souls: Uhumwe the One Big Idea for Africa

For how long should Africa continue to be associated with hunger, poverty, desperation, corruption, and mediocrity? For how long will Africa’s natural endowments continue to be viewed as a curse instead of a blessing? When are our children going to put on new clothes instead of relying on second-hand clothes? When are we going to stop seeking handouts from other nations as if they owe us a living? Have we voluntarily agreed to be a laughing stock for the whole world? Have we and our unborn accepted to be labelled ‘third world’ forever?

It is time for African leaders to deliver their populace to the Promised Land through diligence and hard work. Africa needs to rise above the borders and boundaries, which were constructed by the Berlin Conference of 1884, and create a new society which is grounded in its rich cultural soils.

It is time we start showcasing to the world our rich cultural heritage. We need to innovate our products and services along with our cultural dexterity. The author proposes a set of solutions to these deep-seated and systemic problems. These solutions are rooted in the concept of Uhumwe, or ‘togetherness’, which he believes will provide both a strength of belief, and a concept which can help African business leaders, innovators, politicians, and others in realising the dream of prosperity for Africa.