My major influences are from many quarters, but for inspiration concerning the subject of meditation, I have been tremendously influenced by the many teachers of yoga who have presented the principles of spiritual living in their works. Teachers such as Swami Sivananda, Paramahansa yoganada, and the spiritual philosopher J. Krishnamurti, for example. I have also been influenced by the beautiful teachings of the Hindu scriptures found in works such as the Bhagavad Gita and in the philosophy of Jesus. But Nature itself has been a profound influence in my life and an endless source of wisdom and inspiration.   I have a great love for classic literature as discovered in the writings of Dickens, Austen, (no relation!) Shakespeare, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Jack London, Herman Melville and Cervantes, naming just a few amongst a plethora of other great writers whom I admire for the richness of their writing quality and depth of literary expression.  My motivation in writing is not only to inspire but to teach, to pass on something new and of interest to the reader that may be utilised in some practical way in their daily life. It is my hope that what the reader gains will inspire them to become more of what they hope to be; to improve their character, to push towards something higher and greater than their everyday self. I also love to entertain simply by telling what I hope is a good story.