An Announcement.

[Anthony Peake]

Hi Poppy,

Thank you so much for your kind words of support. I really feel that if somebody invests money in buying my books, time in reading the book and then even more time in writing to me it is the least I can do to respond to that communication. But for me it is more than that. Whatever people who have never met me think I am simply a person who has had the good fortune to have publishers sufficiently interested in what I write to publish my work and people stimulated by what I have to say to respond to it (negatively and positively). I write my books because I am trying to understand the world around me, my thoughts, perceptions, and how my mind processes this information. In this way my work is more like a personal journal of discovery that I am sharing with others. This is not to believe that I have anything of real validity to contribute, just that it intensely personal and a narrative of my own journey. My observations and conclusions may be flawed in the extreme. I may make howling errors of fact or interpretation. Indeed such errors are inevitable because I am far from an expert in what I write about, just an enthusiastic amateur. However what really hurts (annoys) me is when people question my integrity. I am more than happy to take criticism if I confuse a photon with a proton (which was, in fact, a simple typo error in the the first edition of ITLAD), I am also pleased to acknowledge my lack of skills in interpretating the implications of quantum physics. But these are errors of ignorance not deliberate mis-representation of facts in order to prove one case or another. I am pleased that my errors are pointed out because I am more than happy to acknowledge them and change my point of view..... Because I am not writing from any Belief or Faith position, am am simply a seeker after understanding, nothing more and nothing less.

Each of my books have involved a considerable amount of reading and research. I try my best to ensure that any material I use in my books is cross-referenced so my readers can check things out for themselves. I make no claims with regard to myself; I am not a guru, Ascended Master or somebody chosen by the Grand Council of the Planet Tharg to be their messenger on Earth. I am just a regular guy with lots of questions ..... Nothing more and nothing less.

Your words really touched me far more than you can imagine ..... And thank you for taking the time to post them.

Tony.

[Anthony Peake]

Ruth (RaFromCa),

One of the greatest things to come out of me writing my books is how it allowed me to meet up with individuals such as yourself. Without the facilitator of ITLAD we would never have known of each other, nor would we have had the chance to meet up in New York. Of course without Susan Marie's generosity (and extraordinary organisational skills) the event that brought about our meeting would also have not happened. Last week I was interviewed for potential inclusion in a forthcoming documentary movie calledPunk Science. In the interview I discuss how I genuinely believe that we have all been brought together for a purpose. This purpose may simply be to help each other understand the true nature of this greatest of all mysteries .... The one most people think about when they wake up in the early hours of the morning, "why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence? - indeed what is the point of self-reflective consciousness?"

I have met up with some amazing people because of my writing, wonderful human beings who really have helped me understand why I am ... And I know that we have only just started in this mutual quest in which our ever-expanding Collective will help each of us in our own search for truth and understanding .....

Tony

[SM Kovalinsky]

Tony: I think your Cheating the Ferryman theory and your eidolon/daemon dyad are unique, innovative, and give your readers a superb context for viewing experiences within alternative consciousness, and for speaking about ideas regarding "life after death". For me, CTF is indeed "a new paradigm of existence" as stated in the original online essay, and I and many others will always be grateful to you for this. Anyone who knows you and has dealt with you personally has no doubt about your work ethic, nor about your kindness, your decency, and your integrity. What Poppy says is an echo of how the majority view you and feel about you. I would like to see that movie when it is released....

[Poppy]

Hello Tony,
So glad!

[Inisfree]

I genuinely believe that we have all been brought together for a purpose. This purpose may simply be to help each other understand the true nature of this greatest of all mysteries .... The one most people think about when they wake up in the early hours of the morning, "why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence? - indeed what is the point of self-reflective consciousness?"

I am one hundred per-cent in agreement with you there, Tony. This mirrors my belief to a T.

[CFTraveler]

I've been gone for a while (too busy) and hadn't been back here, and was surprised to see this post- I am glad Tony changed his mind about closing the forum. As someone who administrates another forum I have seen every kind of troll there is, and it always amazes me that a person can become so emotionally involved with someone they have never met in person that they feel a need to lash out against them for some perceived slight.
Of course, there are also the trolls that belong to a specific group that espouses a philosophy that is at odds with yours, and they may make it their mission to try to 'set you straight', and when they find that they can't match your intellect, then revert to name calling and intrigue. I think you have both instances of this here, and it's probably really one person or two, creating multiple accounts and attacking. They probably need professional help for their outlet.
I do think you need some very dedicated moderators (I'm sure you already have those) with very specific rules to follow regarding trollish behaviors, and will have to get thicker skinned, because those people are not worth the anguish they are causing you.
This I say with affection Tony, I have enjoyed your books and other works and consider you one of the good ones.

[Anthony Peake]

CFT,
God to see you back and posting. I have been concerned that the disruption brought about by the troll attacks and the spammers had effectively killed off this Forum. However over the last week or so there has been a noticeable increase in activity. I would lime to thank you and the handful of regulars who have kept the Forum going through this difficult period. I feel that it is on the way back .... All we need to do is get some of the other regulars back from Facebook and on here again.

Cheers

Tony