If Only You Knew What Your Body Knows

A new book by Philip Shepherd 

The basics 

My name is Philip Shepherd.  Three years ago I published my first book, New Self, New World.  It was written on pure passion, and took me ten years to finish.   I’ve been incredibly honored by the praise it has received from both celebrities and regular readers who have resonated to its message, and by the invitations to give interviews and talks and teach workshops based on its material. 

I’m now in the midst of writing my second book, which has the working title If Only You Knew What Your Body Knows.  It is shorter, simpler, and accessible to a wider audience.  A lot of readers have encouraged me to do this – to present the vision of the first book in a punchier, more direct manner so that more people can benefit from it.  I’ve realized, though, that my resources are too depleted from the decade-long task of writing New Self, New World to sustain me through the writing of this one.  That’s why I need your help.

So what’s the new book about? 

This book steps back for a bird’s eye view of our culture in order to make out why we act as we do with ourselves and each other, and with the world around us. What concerns me isn’t just the persistent damage we do to the ecosystem and other species, or the horrors of war, or the systematic violence inflicted on women; I’m also interested in why we deliberately create realms for ourselves – in malls and skyscrapers and on city streets – that are harsh, cold, ugly and inhospitable.  Why we seed strife into every corner of our lives, our relationships, and into our own bodies.

And why are these things happening? 

It turns out that for 10,000 years we have been developing a story of what it means to be human – and that story, unknown to us, tells us how to live.  It tells us our place in the world and directs our actions.  Unfortunately it is a story that leaves us divided within ourselves, and divided from the natural world, so that our interactions inflict damage both unwittingly and deliberately.  We start learning the story as infants, before we are able to question it, and it defines what we consider to be normal.  As long as the story remains invisible and unquestioned, though, it will continue to drive us even more deeply into imbalance.

How does the new book help?

It began as a simpler presentation of the material in New Self, New World – but it has since taken on a life of its own.  It not only looks afresh at assumptions that blindside our choices – it addresses what we need to do, as individuals, to reframe a new, more accurate story about what it means to be human, one that can free us from our seductive fantasies and draw us back into accord with the gifts of being a human on this miracle of a planet.

How can I check it out?

You can get a taste of If Only You Knew What Your Body Knows and the fresh perspective it offers, because I’ve posted a draft of Chapter One on my website, www.philipshepherd.com  Please have a look at it, even if you are not able to contribute to this fundraiser.  I think you’ll find its insights helpful, and deeply relevant.

So what’s the deal? 

If you believe in this work and can lend a hand, that would be awesome.  Any amount at all helps to make a difference – not just financially, but also as a heartwarming show of support.  There’s a schedule of incentives you may have noticed – including a signed copy of the new book, an invitation to the book launch, an original “Occupy Your Body” t-shirt designed by Allyson Woodrooffe (who also designed the award-winning cover of New Self, New World), a mention of thanks in the book, and so on – but the real reason for helping out has to be just that: the wish to collaborate in bringing this book to completion, ready for publication, and the gratitude that will come your way from me, for whatever you may be able to offer.

So I give you my warmest regards, and my thanks for reading this far. Please feel free to pass this note along to anyone who might be sympathetic to the cause.

All the best,

Philip

ps. If you have any questions, feel free to email me!