7
STEPS TO FREEDOM
A Systematic Guide to What Everyone Wants
By Gilbert Mane
I
have been searching for and working on freedom and happiness for myself and others
for most of my life. I hope the format of the book - some facts and figures, some
stories, references to the great teachings from a range of traditions, personal
anecdotes and simple effective practices - will make going free easy and attractive.
- Gilbert Mane
Twenty years ago, Gilbert Mane became Headmaster
of the John Colet School in Sydney, a small primary school which was founded,
in part, out of a desire to give the children access to inner peace, presence,
focus and stillness; and therefore a way to lifelong freedom and happiness.
In
addition to teaching the core requirements, a simple ethical framework was built
into the basic syllabus. The children hear stories from the great teachers from
a range of traditions; they have a few moments stillness between each activity
during the day in order to connect with a still inner Self. The older children
meditate at the beginning and end of the school day. The rich curriculum includes
Shakespeare, Mozart, Classical languages (Sanskrit and Latin) and Philosophy.
And the children generally emerge with a remarkable sense of self-confidence and
presence which cause others - including their high school teachers - to comment
on their ability and self-possession, courage and generosity of spirit.
The
John Colet School has been influenced by the teachings of the School of Philosophy,
a School that began in London in 1936, with the first courses being offered in
Australia in 1967. Discovering the School in 1975, Mane learnt simple techniques
of self awareness, self-development and meditation, as well as the insightful
study of the deeper meaning of scripture and philosophical texts. Hugh Jackman
is one of the better known alumni of the School of Philosophy (he attends the
New York branch).
Urged by the community of John Colet School,
Gilbert Mane was persuaded to put down on paper the philosophy which underpins
his life and the ethos of the school. The result is '7 Steps to Freedom'. The
best part of putting these seven steps into action is that you live your normal
life while systematically feeling freer and freer - you become more engaged with
the needs of yourself and others. '7 Steps to Freedom' includes techniques designed
to achieve freedom from all that troubles us: fear, doubt, anger, jealousy; and
to help us achieve real happiness where we can confidently and effectively meet
all the challenges of life with ease and delight.
The 7 Steps
summarised:
1. Good Impulse - knowing there is more to life;
we begin to look for answers
2. True Enquiry - the search for a new way of
living; looking within ourselves
3. Purifying the Mind - habits begin to loosen
their grip
4. A State of Clarity - seeing a new world of refined consciousness
5.
Non-attachment - feeling free of attachments
6. Non-difference - feeling a
'oneness' of being
7. Final Liberation - experiencing undisturbed happiness
and freedom
This book is written from the point of view of
a fellow traveller on this journey and the tone is one of sharing (rather than
preaching). Mane's intention is to inspire others in the search for freedom and
happiness.
ABOUT GILBERT MANE:
Gilbert
Mane is a teacher and writer. He originally trained and practised as a lawyer
and made a welcome change to teaching twenty years ago. He has studied the spiritual
masters extensively and has sought to put their teachings into practice for over
thirty years and seeks to help others to do so as well.
'7
Steps To Freedom' is published by Delphian Books / distributed by Gary Allen (RRP
$29.95).
