Book Blurb:
True reality can only be found in the present, since the mind creates its own reality, but true perception is in the here and now, only in this moment, only in this place, but not in any other place that implies the time one can be so close to the world’s reality, to the universe, to life, only in this immediate present does the truth of “everything” exist, and the rest is no more than “nothing”.
The novel offers the reader an easy to relate story about self discovery. Some questions may rise and some answers may be given by this accessible and yet profound narrated chain of events. At first it would seem that things are presented in a naive manner but shortly it is proven to the reader that following the path of the Eagle’s Journey might be, if understood at a deeper level, the best choice to make in one’s life.
The story starts when two men go in the wilderness to observe an eagle. Their trip becomes a journey of self-discovery. Peter is an old wise man who tries to show David that in some way there is a resemblance between him and the eagle. Their first trip ends only to be followed by several others at the site. During this time both David and the eagle go through a journey of self improvement.
The easiest way to be aware of the surrounding reality is through senses and thought. Understanding the meaning and using a language to express ideas gives us power over ourselves and others. However the power of thought when wielded without a sense of control can lead to unwanted effects.
Being present in the present is a task that seems difficult at first for David until he understands that the easiest way to live and experience the reality is by living in the “here and now”. In theory it’s easy to accomplish this but he has some childhood issues that need attention and he goes to a professional psychiatrist to help him.
But how can anyone reach this connection to the present moment? Silence. The inner silence is the key to connect to everything that surrounds us. Our thoughts are our best servants but they can also be our strongest enemies. Can we control them or do they control us? Can we silence our minds to allow ourselves the clarity that the nothingness can offer?
After struggles with the habits and prejudices that rooted inside human mind for years due to the various environments that offered an education and thus a metamorphosis from the freely minded child into a socially accepted adult, can anyone be truly free? Completely thought-silenced? One with the flow of life itself?
David finds on the path of the eagle his own path. He becomes the journey of his own life. He understands the reality from a different perspective after confronting his inner self in the psychiatrist’s office and after each of his returns to the place where the eagle shows him a path of self improvement. Therefore he realizes that his journey is one of a better life and acts upon it patiently.
The spiritual journey the reader is invited to make is accompanied by the main characters of the novel all along which allows the author, Carlos Martinez, to share with the public some life changing philosophies and ideas that have a great impact and challenge the readers.
Excerpt:
Day 7
A SPECIAL INVITATION
We were now at the seventh day of this experience, and at last we had reached the rocky ditch, after an extensive trek along a path, that as we went up, it became more and more rocky and narrow, taking us away from the initial path. Despite this, it was as if nothing had started. Nothing. I kept asking myself, what was I doing in this moor, which we had reached, and me, exhausted, freezing cold, with the wind that wouldn’t stop blowing, furiously, fearlessly as if it were up against the world and we were its prize. At some point along the path, Peter said, he who insults the wind insults himself. I didn’t say a thing and I tried to be as calm as possible. After a while, as if understanding my purpose, Peter smiled pointing to the leaves, the twigs, saying that we had to learn from them, unavoidable friends of the wind. “Unavoidable” is what he said. And he added, upon taking some steps, some arduous steps up the slope “that the leaves, the twigs and even the grass had a responsibility to this friendship. This is why they are unavoidable to the wind, until the ultimate consequences. I became quiet, I was tired, worried and to add to it the wind and the dust that didn’t let me see, the clouds, getting thicker and darker, announcing one of those storms that you feel like being at home, in bed, rolled up in blankets, really warm. Peter stood against the wind and as if knowing what was happening to me, told me the place where we were. At last, I said to myself, at last this hike has ended! I stopped going round, fighting off the wind. I stood still; breathed deeply. Standing in the ditch which we had reached we could see the moor where we would set up camp; it looked intriguing, as if everything and the wind itself left its footprint to reveal itself in this immense green that didn’t stop stirring and involving this new landscape, so full of life with its long and restless stream zigzagging like the very devil’s tail. From the moor I could see a huge stone barrier that ascended from the esplanade where we were standing, with its plants growing from the rock unions, and just like that, facing the sunlight, nurtured from the humidity that flows from there. How wonderful! -I thought to myself “as if everything could be in agreement and be everything, as if everything followed its own path, and every path belonged to everything! I was absorbed just being there, when Peter told me that it was exactly here where, what we came to see happens, and something in me knew that this was so. At once, we started to put the cameras in strategic places to capture all the action, but maintaining a careful distance. We put a camera on top of a large tree full of branches. And when I say “we put” I mean to say Peter climbed up the large trunk and put it there. This man looks like a monkey- I thought ” subdued by the lightness of his movements. Peter indicated to put a couple of cameras tied to the smaller trees, and that I put another one between two big rocks. It was by no means an easy feat for me, with the wind at my face and then having it on my back.
Author Interview
Q: Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
CM: My name is Carlos Martinez Robalino and I can be best described as a charismatic, spontaneous and spiritual individual. I was born in Riobamba, Ecuador under the sign of Gemini, 41 years ago. I am a passionate author, a traveler and a devoted ecologist living in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA, where I share my home with my youngest brother and my beautiful niece. I derive joy from music, writing and movies, three forms in which I constantly communicate and share my experiences.
Q: Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?
CM: I have a tendency towards literary arts and I have won at the age of 15 a poetry contest, “The Boy Who Sold Newspapers”. I also write musical pieces, my portfolio counting over 100, of which 8 registered on vinyl and CD.
Q: What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?
CM: The inspiration behind my first novel, “The Eagle’s Journey” was Eckhart Tolle, the author of “The power of now”.
Q: Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
CM: My characters are based on real people that I have encountered during my lifetime. However, my characters are fictional, meaning that some of the experiences in the book are the result of my imagination.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?
CM: Sure, I would love to. My latest and in the same time, my first release is a novel about self discovery. The spiritual journey my readers are invited to make is accompanied by the main characters of the novel, David and Peter, all along which allowed me, the author, to share with the public some life changing philosophies and ideas that have a great impact and challenged me as well as it will challenge them. The premise of the plot is a young man discovering how the journey of the life of an eagle mirrors his personal journey as he travels through manhood. The basis of action is the different trials and circumstances that interfere with Peter and David trying to capture footage of the eagle. David also struggles with living in the outdoors, while trying to learn all that he possibly can from Peter.
Q: What do you love most about the writing process?
CM: I see writing as a gift of giving, therefore, I chose writing Self Discovery books as I truly believe I can bring a positive impact on people’s life by encouraging them to grow on a spiritual level. Writing this book became my therapy and I considered my first release a transformational quest for my own personal beliefs. I found that publishing a book is a challenging process, filled with ups and downs, yet rewarding in the spiritual sense, as now I can say I have a written legacy – my first novel, and hopefully, not my last. During this process, I met a lot of talented individuals who helped me and for whom I am extremely grateful, as they helped me share my story with the rest of the world.
Q: Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?
CM: My favorite character is Peter, an old yet very wise man who guides David, the main character towards a spiritual path, which will be his transformational quest, journey which will be spiced with deep impressions, beauty and adventures.
Q: What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?
CM: I can’t say I have experienced a surprise until now. I usually don’t plan things. I just let the story flow, as I consider this process more challenging and surprising. I believe that planning everything deprives the joy of the unknown. For that, I am always emphasized by a quote: “When I am, I don’t think; When I think, I am not here”.
Q: Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?
CM: I am a writer, a traveler and a devoted ecologist! I am trying to create my environment on what I love to do. On the other hand, yes, I also work during the day… but I wouldn’t want our readers to be deprived by the joy of the unknown! J
Q: Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years? Do you have any other books in the works?
CM: I am not working at a project for now, but I plan to start a new book soon. Especially now that I overcame some of the challenges a published author experiences. I would really want my readers to be satisfied with my work – that would be the most amazing thing ever: to know that I have brought a positive impact on someone’s life as a result of reading one of my books.
And now, just some little random questions!
Q: Favorite city?
CM: Tibet – it’s filled with deep spiritual impressions.
Q: Favorite food?
CM: Tuna, eggs and rice.
Q: Favorite book?
CM: “The power of now” written by Eckhart Tolle
Q: To conclude, is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
CM: To whoever reads this interview, my advice to you is to have confidence in your powers and to enjoy the journey wherever it may take you. And on a side note, it wouldn’t hurt reading my first novel, “The Eagle’s Journey”. J
Q: Where can we find you online?
CM:
Please check by and say ‘hi’ at www.carlosmartinezrobalino.com
To stay connected, please use the social environment, where you can find me on:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/Author.Carlos.Martinez
Twitter – www.twitter.com/ca__martinez
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16275752-the-eagle-s-journey
Now, if I made you curious and you want to purchase my book, you can do so by going at:
Amazon – Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle
Barnes & Noble – Paperback | Hardcover | Nook
PDF download
Author Bio:
Carlos Martinez Robalino was born in Riobamba, Ecuador, in 1971. Having a tendency towards literary arts, he won at an early age a poetry contest titled “El nino vendedor de peridicos”, translated “The Boy Who Sold Newspapers”.
In 1986, at age 15, he starts writing musical pieces, his portfolio counting over 100, of which eight registered on vinyl and CD. Carlos derives joy from music, movies and writing, three forms in which he constantly communicates and shares his experiences. Raised in the generous soil of Latin America, Carlos is passionate about nature, being a devoted ecologist, fighting to stop deforestation, which, he truly believes disrupts the planet’s ecosystem.
Besides his great pleasures, music, movies and writing, Carlos finds fulfillment in travelling, having visited many places in Europe and North America, as it offers him a fresh perspective, inspiration and amazement in front of nature’s beauty. Carlos is empowered by the quote “When I am, I don’t think; When I think, I am not here”.
Purchase Links:
Amazon: Paperback | Hardcover | Ebook
B&N: Paperback | Hardcover | Nook
Social Media Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads
