I wrote GoneAway Into the Land with these questions in mind. I do not usually reveal the true meaning behind GoneAway. I have allowed readers to get what they want from it.

The perceived meaning of paranormal may preclude GoneAway, but the broader meaning may in fact embrace it. GoneAway Into the Land deals with the space that exists between life and death. It says that, in most cases, there is no such thing as death, as you will see if you read the novel. The main character slips into that space without knowledge of having done so. It is an infinite space without time or universal cycles. The energy that John carries with him seeks to cleanse itself of that which went wrong during his short life. Much went wrong for John, and for his family. He spends nearly the entire novel searching for answers while the dark forces continue their tireless work of poisoning the World. This is John's journey into the Land; a twelve year old boy who grows in strength and character, but is he gone away.

As many readers have said, GoneAway is a very unique novel that explores the infinite second from the viewpoint of a boy. GoneAway Into the Land is wonderful story of self as it is motivated to reconcile the worldly life in order to possess peace in the outer world, referred to in the story as The Land. It may lean more toward the Vedantic philosophy where the goal is ultimately to transcend self identity and become one with all things, beyond qualities or attributes; beyond subject and object; the source of all Being; Intelligence; and Bliss. The belief is that there is a seamless division between the universe in its spiritual, mental, and physical appearances; creator and creation; doer and deed; cause and effect; the underlying truth amidst the Universe of Unreality; One; self-existent; all-there-is; all-that-has-ever-been; all-that-ever-can-be; One-and-Only; Alone, with Nothing within Itself; and Nothing outside Itself; Unique.

So, if you read GoneAway Into the Land you will be taken on a journey along with a boy who has been severely mistreated in his Worldly life. Ultimately your emotions are caught in a tangle with his and you travel a path that is unique to him but which eventually leads to the understanding of the Precepts: that which is common to all things good and the common sense to pursue the Precepts, as well as their protection from those who follow the illogical and destructive path of opposing goodness.

After having written the book, my belief that the energy of all things is ever present was strengthened. The energy may reveal itself to us at anytime, or may never reveal itself at all. Our own preconceived notions and convictions dictate our ability to either wall-off the energy or allow it to surround us and nurture us and carry us along its timeless path.

I hope you will read the second-edition of GoneAway Into the Land. The latest review is on my website.

www.jeffreyballen.com

Thank you for reading,

Jeffrey B. Allen