Terah Cox

THE STORY OF LOVE & TRUTH

New Softcover with illustrations by Peter Fasolino & Davina Long

by TERAH COX
Stone's Throw Publishing House (2011)
Distributed by HEAVEN & EARTH WORKS

       In the beginning, Love and Truth were two halves of a seemingly perfect pair. Together with their different forms, yet sameness of heart, they were able to know and do all things in service to whomever they encountered. "It seemed they would spend all eternity opening what was closed, filling what was empty, healing what was broken and making crooked things straight." Then one day Truth got an independent notion to "see the world from its own single two eyes for once!" Without Love to slow it down or answer to, Truth made great strides in the world. From podiums to pulpits and grandstands, Truth became ever more powerful, eloquent and far-reaching. Soon, beings all over the world began to take away pieces of Truth and then go about claiming to possess the whole -- and only -- Truth. Then one day while leading a great battle between two opposing Truth-defenders, Truth was felled from its very high horse. As it lay in the mud broken and forgotten, only one thing could save it....

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This book came about very unexpectedly. Something was calling, but I was always in motion and too preoccupied with the demands of life to listen. So as the creative forces of life sometimes will do to get our undivided attention, while carrying some heavy boxes one day I fell down the stairs. The next day I could barely move. So I hobbled to the porch with my laptop for some enforced stillness. It was a quiet Sunday morning, and as a breeze swished through the trees and all the summer smells and colors washed over me, I started to let go and listen. Suddenly out popped two characters called, well, "LOVE" and "TRUTH," with a story to tell. So I gave myself over to the telling, and a story emerged that timeless day – a story about the urge for togetherness pressed up against the longing for purpose….about what happens in the world when Truth goes journeying without Love by its side…a search for the very things we have often willingly left behind...a tribute to the transformative power of compassion....an inspiring forecast of all we might yet become. This is a story I never knew I always wanted to write, a story I needed to hear, a story I feel so honored to share.
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EXCERPT….

One sunny afternoon in the hinterlands of time,
two were sitting under the shade of the Tree of
All-Knowing, discussing matters of the world
and the non-world. The Older invited the
Younger to ask one question that was
uppermost in her mind and heart.

So the Younger asked, “Wise One, please
tell me which is greater -- Love or Truth?

“Ahhh,” the Older slowly smiled.
“None is so wise to answer for another,
and some answers can be known
only in living the question.
But I will offer you a story,
the story of a yesterday that has
birthed all tomorrows, and yet
must be born again in every today.
Listen well, and know that
all which is sought longs to be found …”

* * * * * * *
        A long time ago, when all things and beings were made, they were created in pairs. Each had another that it fit perfectly with. That’s not to say they were alike, but their edges defined each other and their winding curves complemented and softened each other. And while they shared a sameness of heart, they reveled in the beauties of their different forms, thoughts and ideas. Together they were able to be and do the things they were each born to -- things that neither of them could’ve been or done fully without the other.

        But sometimes they forgot that they belonged together, and they would turn and wander off on their own in search of what seemed to be missing. Often, as each would try to fill the emptiness left by the missing other, it would develop more and more of its own individual talents and abilities. And that was good. What eventually did not feel good, however, was that no matter how accomplished or remarkable each became, there was always, still, something missing.

        Such was the case with Love and Truth. In the beginning, Love and Truth loved being together. They didn’t go anywhere without each other, and their together-light was so bright that everyone who encountered them instantly shined brighter in their presence. All basked in Love and Truth’s combined sense of justice and compassion, intelligence and heartfulness, strength and softness. Beings would come from far and wide seeking encouragement for their challenges, hope for their dreams and healing for their hurts. And Love and Truth loved to be of service wherever they could. It seemed they would spend eternity together opening what was closed, filling what was empty, healing what was broken and making crooked things straight.

        Then one day, Truth got an independent notion....

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*** REVIEWS & COMMENTS ***

“If you could read only one book over and over for the rest of your life, make it The Story of Love & Truth. It gets better each time you open it. The wisdom seems to multiply, the charm seems to expand, the insights seem to deepen. Perhaps it is that each time we absorb its timeless message, we expand and deepen and grow. It is a story to be savored as much as read. I defy you not to be moved!” Saskia Shakin, author of More than Words Can Say ~ The Making of Inspired Speakers

“The Story of Love & Truth is wonderful, just wonderful… beautifully created and a pleasure to feel and experience, turning the handmade pages and feeling the textured cover. The story is beautiful, clearly and imaginatively written with simple yet elegant, poetic language. The ending dialogue between Older and Younger brought tears to my eyes.” Jean Marzollo, author of the I Spy children’s series, The Bible Stories series & more.

“Magical, passionate and profound! Love & Truth illuminates why the marriage of heart and mind is so vital -- not only within the self and in relationships, but for the sake of the soul-of-the-world.” Dr. Kathryn Madden, author of Dark Light of the Soul and Editor-in-Chief of the Quadrant Journal for Jungian Studies

“This book is exquisite…the way it is bound, the papers and the words on the page…. It really put some thoughts together in my heart…I will cherish it as a precious manuscript of profound wisdom.” Kim McElroy, artist and author of The Way of Horse book, cards and journal and the Spirit of Horse line of paintings, prints, cards, journals, etc.

“So beautiful and moving…deep but simple, with layers of meaning that offer something more every time I read it.” Gittel Price, award-winning photographer and President of Women in Focus in Atlanta, GA