In the Oneness of Time: The Education of a Diviner

Diviner Horden (The Toltec I Ching) meanders with intent through vignettes of essential moments of learning from a cast of teachers. His graceful storytelling demonstrates his perception that "the entire world is filled with the song of souls moving between lives." Though a few anecdotes concern his formal instruction in the sudden enlightenment school with Master Khigh Alx Dhiegh, he learns from shamans and brujos, cowboys, children, and even sea lions and parrots as he travels from Ohio to Mexico and Australia. These lessons take place in cliffs and ruins, a rainforest and a monastery, a youth shelter and a musician's parlor. The simple dialogue of the encounters feels both mundane and mythic, and Horden also gives his impressions of the "In-Between" world of spirit. Horden's chapters are emotionally complete even when the back story is not fully explained; an extended set of endnotes offers additional information about how he met the people involved, their cultural backgrounds, and occasional supplementary thoughts on the lessons. It is rare to see such a lucid and appreciative summary of a life so well lived, and readers will be inspired not only by the tales Horden tells, but by his example of learning with an open mind and heart. (Nov.)