Although the author and his teacher never mention Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, or neo-Gurdjieff exposure, this is clearly the tradition in which this sojourn happens. The storyline itself is about a poker player who has his ordinary experiences turned into remarkable opportunities.

This is a great book for all those that are struggling to become being number four in the Waterman map (click HERE to see the article where this numbered typology is discussed). Most particularly for those encrusted with civilized intellectual obfuscation. In itself, it is a wonderful and useful guidance away from the meaninglessness and subtle negativity of everyday life; not only the normal forms of externalized negativity but also the much subtler forms of accepted, adopted, and manufactured negativity. In other words, most of us learn patterns of negativity from our parents, our schooling, our society, our relationships, and our life experiences, which keep us from our potential. We access quiet perfection when we quit faking who we are. Drop the false views and see one-self as one is, see the world as it is. See and in that seeing you are traveling to a universe where too few have gone, a universe where everything and anything are possible – WHERE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

So do yourself the favor of allowing the incredible to come to you. Just get a copy of this book and read it as slowly as you need to, or as many times as you need to, but be certain that you hear it, that you digest it, that you understand it, that you have made the insights within it your own. It is important to integrate this material so that one’s launch toward the higher centers and possibilities can succeed. If one lives a life full of their own – or someone else’s – illusions and delusions, then you become like a gardener in the swamp trying to decide where to put all that muck. We “normally” eat, breathe, and live muck. It is normal, but it is certainly not natural.

The reader will soon realize that even amid entertaining interludes, effort is expected. This effort, and the sustaining of this effort, will give experience, depth, and insight into why we call this journey into the self “the work.”

From the perspective of Dennis I must add a few notes. I have recommended this book to many people since its appearance, most especially serious players of games. I have just finished reading it for a third time so that I could give all of you a fresh view and say definitively that this is indeed a very important text. When I read such books as this I bow to its usefulness, its practicality, its universality. My love of the inner, secret, and esoteric will only be shared by a few of the few so I had best not expect much interest. I contrast that insight with the (yes, I am saying it again!) usefulness of ANOTHER HEART IN HIS HAND.

Lastly this book is generously spiced with wonderful quotes from books, songs, poems, and individuals that often merit your attention and reflection.

PS: I am fully aware that Gurdjieff is quoted in the epigraph to chapter 17 and that other possible connections to his heritage exist within this book, but that is not the same as acknowledging lineage. Many neo-Gurdjieff teachers consciously choose to not acknowledge this connection as it gives them little additional validity (and the real validity can only come from the truth within, can only come from the usefulness within, the teachings and their application) and leaves them accountable to petty minds.

PSS: This particular petty mind will skip a few petty criticisms and give you the following from the cover of ANOTHER HEART IN HIS HAND:
“ All true stories aren’t necessarily about truth.”
“ All stories about truth aren’t necessarily true.”
“ This is a true story about truth.”

PSSS: Enjoy