The Grand Design: A Simply-Stated, User-Friendly Guide to Living in the Universe

In The Grand Design, Volume 2, Paddy McMahon continues recording information he received from "Shebaka," an advanced soul living in the spirit world who desires to share his insights about human spiritual evolution. Shebaka initiated contact with McMahon in 1981. Volume 1 explains that "we are all spirit beings who happen to be on a human journey for a short while." It also includes directions for contacting spirit guides for assistance. Volume 2 explores "the practicalities of spirit guides in our daily lives" and discusses day-to-day issues like sex, love, religion, and death. While the books do stand alone, readers will benefit the most by reading the first volume before the second one. Shebaka starts Volume 2 with the insight that "a person is what he thinks, not what he thinks he is. . . Every physical human condition, without exception, is subject to restriction. But a person's thoughts are exclusively his own." He advises that the only true freedom comes removing constraints against your thoughts. He goes on to say that "there is no evil, only apparent evil." He says this is because all souls are a part of God, and it is impossible for us to lose our divine nature, even though we may temporarily forget our divinity while on Earth. He emphasizes that God is not something outside of us, but within us. It's not necessary to reject any part of our material selves to know and accept God. In addition to good and evil, Shebaka discusses many other aspects of human life, including time and space, fear, Karma, schizophrenia, abuse, forgiveness, prayers, soul mates, sex, politics, religion, money, and Atlantis. He also paints a picture of utopian life on Earth in the future. He concludes with the observation that "maybe you're in an interim state which is, at times, somewhat confusing and things get on top of you sometimes. But don't forget that there's always somebody to hold your hand; not to walk for you, but to help you to walk." All you have to do is ask, and help is yours. The Grand Design is "a simply stated, user-friendly guide to living in the universe." Readers will find that they refer to both volumes repeatedly for loving guidance and wisdom.

If you want to know why you are here on earth then read these books. They changed my philosophy of life at the moment of reading by awakening in me something so strong that I felt I knew it all my life. I first read them in 1991 (the original version) and have read them several times since. They inspire me each time.

I have read a lot of "spiritual,inspirational" books over the years and none have ever come close to answering my questions as this book has done. The interesting thing about McMahon's books is even though I find them extremely helpful, I have trouble trying to put words on how much they really mean to me, other than the usual cliches which I have grown tired of. A truly unique book.

I have read both volumes of "The Grand Design". I was surprised to find that Mr. McMahon's views of 'the universal order' were very similar to my own. I like the conversational writing style and the short chapters make it easy to pick up the books often to read just a few pages at a time, perhaps on a particular topic. I have found the books to be inspirational and comforting and would highly recommend them to all.