The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago

Summary: Ani was quietly moved by Returning Home and there were a several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped in to Bookbag Towers to chat to us.

Date: 11 August 2017

Interviewer: Ani Johnson

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Ani was quietly moved by Returning Home and there were a several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped in to Bookbag Towers to chat to us.

• Bookbag: When you close your eyes and imagine your readers, who do you see?

Stephan Santiago: The book was written capturing one soul's awakening and the path to remembrance. We are but mirrors of each other and with that, the writings are intended to be received by anyone who is ready to look within for answers. However, being mindful that our conditioning binds us to differences. The words in this book will resonate best to readers who are on the path to remembering their soul journey.

• BB: Your new book Returning Home has just been published. Please could you tell us a little about it?

SS: It is a guide for readers to know how to awaken from the dream state and realize that they are a part of a collective consciousness. The book focuses on four core themes – the Dance, the Dream, the Awakening and the Return Home. Each theme contains a collection of experiences that one can identify with familiarity. The insights serve as pointers so one can reflect, appreciate the lessons and apply onto one’s own journey.

• BB: Which philosophies and people have influenced your ideas and beliefs?

SS: You will find that majority of the teachings from masters, past and present are not very different. They essentially capture similar viewpoints expressed in a manner to ensure all can understand when they are ready. My own journey has steered me to teachings by Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Rumi, Anita Moorjani, Thomas Merton and many more.

• BB: Some of the thoughts in the book, about love and the need for a wise source of guidance for instance, seem to run alongside the major organised religions. Do you see a place for traditional religion in this philosophy and why/why not?

SS: Religion, traditional or organised, when used for its primary intent serves as a guide and a natural compass for us to look within and find our true north. Used wisely, it is a confidant and a natural source of comfort and solace for us all. A universal truth remains and that is, we respond to experiences with either love or fear. Hence, it’s necessary to understand religion is not about separation, it is but reminding us to return to an often-forgotten truth and that is, we are love.

• BB: When you consider the state of the world in conjunction with mankind being interconnected souls, what you do feel has gone wrong to get us where we are today?

SS: The misplaced necessity on establishing differences and boundaries instead of natural acceptance and realizing we are not separate from each other. Cause and effect is often assumed to be a great cosmic law but really, we are active participants of this law. In understanding this, we realize the need to be accepting of ourselves and of each other in this university of life. We have forgotten this.

• BB: What are the most important things that we can do to get back on track?

SS: Realise that this life is more than seeking attainment, possessions and self-fulfilment. Many of us start this way and assume this is the true measure of a life well lived. We are all reminded eventually through a reset, that steers us back to the transient nature of this physical life. This reminder resets and forces us to seek within instead of seeking elsewhere. Once that connection is made and shift occurs, you start aligning back to your soul.

• BB: What reading do you suggest for anyone who wishes to look more deeply into the ideas in Returning Home?

SS: I would recommend Three Magic Words by Uell Andersen and The Impersonal Life by Joseph Brenner. However, it should be noted that the books will find you when you are ready to receive the teachings. There is a universal intelligence at play that awaits to support you.

• BB: What and who do you read for pleasure?

SS: I’m drawn to life experiences and books that aid me in remembering my true nature. Those who have shed the physical trappings of life and aligned to the spiritual nature of living. On my reading list now are Inner Engineering by Sadhguru , The untethered Soul by Michael Singer and A course in miracles by Dr. Helen Schucman

• BB: If you could leave your readers with one piece of advice, what would it be?

SS: Ram Das said it best We're all just walking each other home. With that, live a life that strives to aid and unite instead of separate and differentiate.

• BB: What's next for Stephan Santiago?

SS: Perhaps there is another book in me that would aid another. If so, I trust we will connect again.

• BB: We hope so too. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, Stephan.

You can read more about Stephan Santiago here.

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