In EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE, Tim Garvin opens by making the rather extraordinary claim that any two people, if they are honest and patient, are compelled by the nature of existence to agree about everything. In a sense, the rest of the book is an explanation of that statement.

Through the adroit use of thought experiments, admirably constructed metaphors and entertaining scenarios from ordinary life, the discussion moves from the nature of the conscious-unconscious junction, free will, humility, the sizing of desire and the destiny of all life (and even all that exists) to become fully conscious --- of everything. Garvin suggests that this process is the work of each of us, whether behind the scenes unconsciously as the invisible inner world directs our longings and intentions, or on the screen of conscious self-examination.

"The writing is fresh, concise, conversational and even full of quotable quotes.... EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE can and will provide focus for discussion groups, as well as companionship for individuals determined to search within and without for transcendence."

To open the inner world, Garvin uses a technique he refers to as close-noticing, which is a method of noticing the lying-around facts of consciousness --- a notice of what simply is in existence, as opposed to looking through the thought lens of the ideas and interpretations that have accumulated through the centuries. Still, the conclusions he draws, always with an easy open-mindedness, permit almost any idea to stroll into his thinking and be considered. This includes the nature of so-called physicalism, the hard problem of consciousness, empathy, AI, Darwinism, and even the mystery of cellular metabolism.

Garvin studied philosophy in academia but reports that its emptiness drove him to investigate other pathways. He was led first to the life and work of Eastern spiritual teacher Aurobindo Ghose and shortly afterwards to Meher Baba. He traveled several times to India to gain a fuller understanding of the latter, speaking at length with his mandali, those who lived their entire lives under his direction. Meher Baba remained silent from 1925 until his passing in 1969 but authored several books, some of which only have been published in recent years. Garvin deftly weaves the wisdom of these two spiritual masters into common, close-noticed elements of personal seeking. His wide knowledge of philosophical and spiritual traditions, his own cleverly constructed examples from everyday life, and his welcome good humor all make for a richly satisfying read.

The writing is fresh, concise, conversational and even full of quotable quotes. “[O]pinions are like rugs --- they give us a place to stand, but do accumulate dirt, and from time to time need to be taken outside for some sun and a good beating.” “A genius who knows only half the alphabet still cannot make as many words as a fool who knows them all.”

EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE can and will provide focus for discussion groups, as well as companionship for individuals determined to search within and without for transcendence. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Garvin seems to have taken that advice to heart.