Discovering the Source amidst the Holocaust
I just recently finished reading an amazing book by Immaculee Ilibagiza called “Left to Tell”
It was strongly endorsed and promoted by the late, great, spiritual teacher Dr. Wayne Dyer and is published by Hay House Press. That’s my overall favourite publishing house for the type of books I tend to enjoy reading the most.
Now, Immaculee’s story is “Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust” and is a wonderful message of joy, forgiveness, inspiration, and positive thinking. Please don’t let the name “God” turn you off like it does for so many people. Feel free to replace it with the word of your choice: Source, Higher Power, Divine Spirit, Love, Life or the like.
Anyway, I heard about this book years ago and watched a Wayne Dyer special featuring Immaculee as a guest speaker, but I hesitated buying and reading the book because of that specific word “God” in the subtitle, as well as what I thought was going to be the book’s emphasis – religious dogma and rituals. I’m glad that I finally got around to reading it and I highly recommend it.
Here’s just a few of my observations about the book. You may or may not agree with them. It’s OK either way.
Immaculee lost most of her family during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. That genocide by Rwandan Hutus against ethnic Tutsis resulted in some 1 million dead and many others raped and/or disfigured – physically and emotionally. Immaculee was 24 years old at the time and survived the horrific and brutal slaughter by hiding in a Hutu Minister’s small washroom with seven other starving females – women and children. For 91 cramped and terrifying days.
She describes in significant detail the atrocities committed by the cruel and vicious machete wielding perpetrators, and then explains how she forgave those very same people.
I admit I had some difficulty with how Immaculee ascribed the good things that happened in her life to an external God, since my faith is in the Source within, not out there somewhere. Much of what she recounted about her beliefs reminded me of my past as a Roman Catholic youth. She maintained that God and “Jesus” had a distinct impact upon her survival. She took comfort in miracles, and made use of symbols of religious devotion such as rosaries and scapulars. Not for me thanks.
I was, however, very impressed with how she used positive thinking, affirmations, meditation and prayer. How she took specific action to achieve all the wonderful things that she was able to accomplish, during and after her experience.
She not only survived, but she thrived. She was injured, she healed, she forgave, and she had a spiritual transformation.
Her amazing faith and connection to the Source carried her through her ordeal. And I wish that for both you and myself!
Keep manifesting only good things
Tony
If interested in getting a free copy of my mini e-book and subscribing to my e-mailing list click here