The Heart Knows What the Mind Cannot See by Toby Negus

 Please welcome Toby Negus author of  The Heart Knows What the Mind Cannot See

Toby Negus will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Heart Knows What the Mind Cannot See

by Toby Negus

 

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GENRE: Self-help, mind body spirit.

 

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INTERVIEW:

What or who inspired you to start writing?

I wanted to put down on paper the perceptions and learnings of life I had found. They were for me, profound and I needed a way to ‘remember to remember’ the values that they gave.

As an artist, the idea of illustrating my work was a thrill. Putting the right image with the right text was a journey in itself and helped me express the sometimes, elusive aspects of my work

 

What elements are necessary components for this genre?

 

The genre is Spirituality and Self Help so the work needs to be both down to earth and inspirational. It cannot be condescending and must be heart felt. And of course, it’s got to be useful and applicable. Above all the work need to generate a sense of trust in both the author and the work that is being presented.

 

How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

Book Extract: In my journey to the heart of myself, it became apparent that there was, within the heart, something far greater than I thought possible, something that was powerful and most benevolent. It may have been the soul, spirit, the higher self, source, universe, or God. I did not care what name it had. It existed and I wanted it – wanted to join this part of myself. 

 

It was my journey to this part of me that inspired the book.

 

 

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

From the angsty teenager, searching for the meaning of life, to the somewhat chilled-out older man I now am. There has been a hunger that has never left me.

I have always been driven by a passion for the truth; the truth of myself, and the truth of life. To know why we do what we do and to understand the forces that cause what is, to be. I have spent 40 years, 25 of them in a modern-day Mystery school, studying the hermetic laws and a host of esoteric and spiritual subjects

During this time I have been my own greatest teacher

 

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I do talks and workshops on my work and sell my art at Mind, Body & Spirit shows.

 

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I would love to write an a mythical adventure story full of heroes and villains. Of quests and of course, love. 

 

Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?

Book Extract: There is within ourselves, a dream we carry for this life; a knowing and a wish that is faithful to a greater vision of ourselves. It is our heartfelt feeling of love about life and our story within it. Its actuality is known only by ourselves and it is only we who can give it the light of day.

 

When we go with our heart, it is always an adventure, a trusting in an unfathomable thread. When we can do this, we become the hero of ourselves. We remake our life with the indisputable truth: the heart of us.

 

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

After writing about spirituality and self-development issues for many years, (mostly for myself) I had created quite a pile of work. I wanted to synthesize it into a useful book for people. A book that carried down to earth wisdom for the modern age.

 

What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The best advice has always been to write what you know about, to draw from your own experience. This approach has always given me confidence and resources to create with. The worst advice was… curtesy of my own mind Lol

Worst advice, from my mind! - Book Extract:

Who do you think you are to write about these things? You have got to be kidding! No one wants to read your stuff, it’s just dribble. And anyway, you’ve got no proper education, you can’t spell, you’re dyslexic and your grammar is crap. You’re not really a writer. It’s a fantasy. Every time you try to do it you know it feels impossible. You’re just not strong enough, and wise enough, ha! What’s the point anyway, you’ve never succeeded at anything really, it’s just another waste of time.

 

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I tend to just write stuff down and get some content, and then, when I begin to get lost in it all, go to an outline version. 

 

How do you maintain your creativity?

I try and keep several irons in the fire at one time so there is always a variety of things to choose from. I am an artist as well and that helps as an escape from the workdesk. But also, other creative things like cooking, gardening, trips to the sea shore, always help me come back afresh to the work of writing.

 

Anything else you might want to add?

Book Extract:

When we share what we love with a kindred spirit, more than who we are happens. The heavens open and a thousand lights rain upon us. 

 

Love is the source of all heroic deeds and all the lights of the world, for all great achievements are born from an idea of love. Without love, hope has no home, courage no direction, and fortitude no purpose. 

It is why we dance and why we give. It brings meaning to life for without love there is no colour, no passion, and no joy. Its presence can sustain us through the darkest hours, the wildest storms and can give comfort in the loneliest of times. It calms the troubled mind, mends the broken heart, and brings home the wandering soul. It is a bond that can bring a nation together, a family together and its presence holds our self together. It gives strength for a leap of faith, a trust in life, a wish for tomorrow and a living of the day. 

Love is why we live.

 

BLURB:

 

This is a thought-provoking and enlightening exploration of spirituality and perception. The text functions as a guide to self-improvement, with a mixture of autobiographical elements and snippets of universal wisdom. The speaker provides accessible solutions to life’s difficulties, and an outlook of optimism applicable to any circumstance. The illustrations and graphics are thoughtfully chosen, and the interactive textual elements give this work an originality that sets it apart. The speaker’s own experiences and conclusions are at the heart of this fiction, and the first person narrative voice creates a sense of proximity between author and reader. The text describes itself as ‘a journey to the heart’, and this truthful discovery of the self is reflected in the speaker’s revelation of his whole self through the text.

 

Frequent use of direct address and rhetorical questions promotes an active reading experience, in which the author opens up a dialogue with the reader. The text includes prompts and activities for the reader to engage with and learn from. Encouraging readers to take part in the text is emblematic of their journey to self-fulfillment and love, in which they must take responsibility for actively creating their own happiness.

 

The speaker depicts his process of enlightenment as a framework for others to emulate, and the format of the text demonstrates the transfer of agency to those who take part in the speaker’s challenges. This work ultimately teaches us that ‘we are the cause of what is’ and thus sheds light on the crucial idea that every individual has the power to create themselves and their world positively.

 

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NOTE: This book is on sale for $0.99.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Real learning is not what we expect.

If we could expect it, it wouldn’t be learning.

 

I looked in the mirror today and saw more than who I thought I was; within the eyes was a million years of purpose. I saw the depth of the universe and felt its unfaltering love. It was as if I had seen the divine within myself, the truth of who we are. The us that never dies, the custodian of our purpose, the love of our life. 

 

This wasn’t what I expected and was somewhat sobering. There was no blinding light, no sound of trumpets, and no big handshake with an almighty. But it was as profound as if there had been. For it seemed I was touching an eternal part of myself, an authority within that could create my heaven on earth, that was already in heaven on earth! It was a glimpse of something other than the me I thought I was. Its light questioned the lack of self-care and love I held for myself. And its presence would eventually crack and then dissolve my view of what I thought it meant to be human.

 

Doing a spiritual journey and tackling self-development issues can give many profound perceptions, and I have had my fair share of them. But this was different, this was personal. It was my eyes that were looking at me, something that I could not escape from. It could not be brushed off as a ‘perhaps’ or a nice perception that subsided over time. Its truth seemed to embed itself into my very soul.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Toby Negus has studied and taught spiritual and personal development in the UK and around the world for over two decades. He is qualified in advanced counselling, as a life coach and as a Cognitive Behaviour therapist. He is an Amazon best-selling author of a collaborative Conscious Creators book and has illustrated and self published two books on the subject of self-awareness and the spiritual journey. He is also a published author of a children’s book The Boy Who Dreamed in Colour. He has given talks and run workshops in support of his published work within the UK.

 

In the last few years, he has created many pieces of artwork that are a reflection of his spiritual journey. These have appeared in magazines and have been exhibited in the UK.   

 

Website: www.tobynegus.com

Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toby-Negus/e/B00PS7U9VK

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/boathouse01

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OriginalArtWords/

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Toby Negus will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

RAFFLECOPTER:

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3999