Saturday, May 19, 2018

Interview With Author Dana M. Hayne




GPS for the Soul—Wisdom of the Master


1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?
In truth, I felt commanded out of compassion for the suffering of others both to write and publish GPS for the Soul. You see, I was just so incredibly confused growing up. And when I look around me today, I see similar confusion or outright disillusionment, growing exponentially. I see so many folks, young as well as old, but especially the young, asking, “What’s it all about—life that is? What’s the point of all this? Why am I here? What does it matter anyway?” And it would seem that no one has answers for them. And as a result suicides, addictions, violence and mental illness grow. I feel GPS offers not only understanding for these folks, but also solutions.

2. What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?
GPS targets readers who are searching or have questions—metaphysical questions: Who am I? Why was I born? What is the purpose of life? Is there life after death? How do I get what I get in life? These can be individual of any age or faith base, individuals recovering from addiction, those who have health challenges or who have experienced loss.

Back in the 50’s and 60’s, when I was growing up, I certainly wanted answers to those questions that folks are asking today. Roy Rogers and Ozzie and Harriett were beginning to lose their mythical hold on ‘all is well and wholesome’ due to the continuous succession of troubling world events —the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the multiple disheartening assassinations of JFK, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. All my trusted authorities—parents, teachers, church— were telling me one thing, but what I witnessed was quite different. How could one trust authorities who talked with forked tongue?

"Do as I say, but not as I do." Preaching non-violence while participating in endless wars. Preaching proper conduct and sexual integrity, while molesting young children and forcing young girls to abort or give up for adoption pregnancies imposed upon them through rape or force? Oh, none of it made sense! So, I packed my pack back and started circumambulating the globe looking for answers.

GPS for the Soul chronicles that search and its end result, which brought me right back to the United States where grace introduced me to a hundred-year-old wise man from Sri Lanka, who mentored me for over eleven years. Not only did His Holiness answer all my questions, but more importantly he resurrected my faith and awakened the station of wisdom inside me, whereby I might find answers for myself. Often he urged that one, "Seek even unto China for Ilm or wisdom."

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down?
I want readers to know that life is not meaningless, not random, nor are they victims or powerless. I want them to understand that they do have power, and that that power resides in the development of wisdom and discernment, which can overcome ignorance and enable right action. What should remain with them is a sense that there is a source of Universal Goodness available to them and that a life of peace is possible.

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?
Write what you know. Trust that your audience will follow.

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
Personally, I do not believe that every thought is print worthy and I think the explosion in self-publishing threatens to bury some gems under an avalanche of babble.  Also, many individuals are just reaching that age where they are beginning to understand and want to share their life’s lessons. Unfortunately, much of that wisdom is lost because these folks lack the computer and technological skills required in this day and age of self- publishing.

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book?
            a. Trusting that I had something to say.
            b. Working with modern technology
            c. Learning how to be appropriately intimate with my audience.

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?
My book does not just end when one finishes reading it. One is inspired to continue exploring the notion of wisdom and self-guidance.

Dana Hayne is a retired labor and delivery and maternity nurse. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, graduating magna cum laude. She lived and studied alongside His Holiness Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a spiritual teacher from Sri Lanka, for thirteen years until his passing in 1986. She continues to assist individuals in their healing journey as a medical tour guide to the Casa de Dominacio Healing Center in Brazil for the spiritual healer, John of God. She also volunteers with the chaplaincy and hospice services in her community hospital. Dana lives with Rodger, her husband of more than forty years, in the suburbs of Philadelphia where they enjoy their two sons and three grandchildren. For more info, please see: http://www.gps4thesoulbook.com.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”


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