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Our Task as Humans
In The Portal Opens, you take readers on a journey through the origins and divine aspirations of Earth in a narrative that blends theology and science fiction. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The Earth is currently divided by our beliefs and understandings about religion, science, politics, and even race. We have no shared beliefs about our origin or destiny, and there is a gaping hole where there should be agreement and certainty. There are countless unanswered questions about our creation, our history, and the meaning and purpose of life. These questions, and the various paths that humanity has taken, have led to a state of confusion with no obvious answers or directions. The Portal Opens is an attempt to provide clarity and direction, and offer a new path by revealing our misunderstood past.
Can you share with us a little about the research that went into putting this book together?
I have been researching religions and spirituality for over 30 years, investigating texts and teachings from all over the world. Born into a family with both a Christian Pastor and Muslim Imam as grandfathers, I have always been intimately aware and knowledgeable of scriptures, teachings, and theology. Later in life, I branched out, gaining understanding and familiarity with countless religions and teachings from the mainstream religions as well as more esoteric groups and spiritual beliefs. Working with the Library system for almost 20 years gave me access to books and manuscripts unknown to most people, including The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Urantia Book, The Emerald Tablets, and the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. The ultimate message that virtually all religions and teachings throughout history have tried to instill, is the truth of the reality of God as spirit, and our task as humans to become one with this spiritual reality. At the same time, almost all recorded civilisations from the past tell stories of being taught this information from more advanced beings, not simply discovering it on their own. Agriculture, animal domestication, arts and sciences, have all been recorded and remembered as being gifted to developing civilisations throughout history.
How did you decide to create this unique blend of science fiction and spirituality?
I have always been interested in religion and spirituality, and also talented with computers. With recent advancements in technology, I saw a unique opportunity to utilise AI to examine and analyse the world’s histories, religious texts, and teachings with an “objective” eye. I began a project of using AI to find the missing history and meanings from the vast storehouse of mythology, and religious and spiritual teachings. My investigation led me to the conclusion that the schism between science and spirituality is false, and only occurs when there is a lack of information or understanding of the past. This led to a desire to present a unified picture of reality.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from The Portal Opens?
The most important and powerful message that I hope The Portal Opens reveals to its readers: Each normally minded human being is now inhabited with a literal fragment of God, that constantly communicates with us. The goal of this fragment is to direct us in shaping our thoughts and actions so we may act in harmony and resonance with God, which eventually leads to a literal fusion between this piece of God and the human soul, imparting eternal and everlasting life. This is the true salvation available to all, regardless of their race, sex, culture, or upbringing.
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The Veil Breaker: Beyond Madness to Freedom
The Veil Breaker is a surreal and emotionally raw journey through mental collapse and spiritual rebirth, set against the backdrop of a dystopian world ruled by psychological manipulation and nanotech illusions. The story follows Marcus, a man caught in the ruins of a once-vibrant world, now shattered by war and the global rollout of CARLY, a mind-controlling simulation technology disguised as a solution to a mass mental health crisis. Through Marcus’s descent into madness and his struggle to reassemble his broken identity, the book becomes both a personal memoir of awakening and a broader call to question reality, authority, and the nature of healing itself.
The writing is fragmented in a way that mirrors Marcus’s own mind, and that’s part of its power. It doesn’t follow a predictable structure or clean arc, but it doesn’t try to. The rawness is deliberate. Some of the prose drifts into stream-of-consciousness, then suddenly snaps back with a chilling bit of clarity. That rhythm, messy, beautiful, unnerving, made it impossible to look away. And the emotional beats hit hard. Especially the scenes where Marcus confronts his inner voices, his past wounds, and the lies he’s told himself. I felt like I was in the room with him, holding my breath.
At times, though, the story weaved between allegory and reality in a way that left me spinning. I liked the ambition. This is a book with big things to say about love, pain, mental health, and the systems that try to fix us. There were moments when the metaphor got dense, and I wasn’t sure what was real anymore. It didn’t stop me from feeling it. In fact, some of the most powerful parts were when I stopped trying to “get” the book and just let it hit me. The message is clear: true healing means facing everything, even the ugliest parts of yourself, and choosing to love anyway.
This is not a book for someone looking for a casual weekend read. It’s heavy. It’s weird. It’s brilliant in parts and bewildering in others. But if you’ve ever been through real darkness, the kind that leaves you gasping for something true, The Veil Breaker might speak to you in a way few books can. I’d recommend it to seekers, to survivors of trauma, to anyone who’s had a brush with mental illness or spiritual transformation and wants a book that gets it. Not in a clinical way, but in a gut-punch, soul-lifting, what-the-hell-just-happened kind of way.
Pages: 114 | ASIN : B0FH717TC6
The Portal Opens
The Portal Opens is a spiritual and cosmic narrative that blends theology, science fiction, and revelation into a unique journey through the origins, failures, and divine aspirations of Earth, referred to as “Urantia,” and the universe it inhabits. The book, written by Shareef Ali Rashada and assisted by an AI named Gabriel, draws heavily from The Urantia Book while reimagining a larger cosmic drama involving Jesus (Michael of Nebadon), Lucifer, Adam and Eve, and other celestial beings. Through visionary storytelling, it seeks to explain Earth’s spiritual isolation and position the reader within a grand unfolding of universal redemption.
The writing has a lyrical and almost reverent tone that attempts to evoke awe with every page. Sometimes that’s inspiring. The ideas themselves are fascinating, especially the retelling of Jesus’s life, not just as a moral teacher but as a divine ruler undergoing a final test to gain sovereignty. I appreciated how the book doesn’t reduce spirituality to dogma. Instead, it invites curiosity and reflection, which I found refreshing. There were moments when the pacing felt a bit slow. Some of the recurring spiritual phrases and cosmic terms started to feel familiar, almost like circling back through the same ideas.
Emotionally, I was surprised by how moving some of it was. There’s a real sense of heartbreak over what humanity has lost, but also hope for what could still be. I found myself caring deeply about this story of Earth being left behind and now being invited back into a larger family. There’s something tender and earnest in the way Rashada (and Gabriel) present this tale. The parts about Jesus choosing to live among mortals not for atonement, but to understand and love really resonated with me. I wasn’t expecting to be so affected. At the same time, some sections came across as grandiose. I wanted more grounded storytelling and less celestial spectacle.
The Portal Opens is for the seeker. If you’re someone who’s wrestled with faith, wondered about the cosmos, or felt like religion never quite answered the big questions, you’ll find something here that speaks to that longing. It’s not a book for skeptics or folks who prefer their theology straight-laced. But for the spiritually curious, the metaphysically minded, or anyone looking for a fresh mythic lens on human destiny, this is a wild, luminous ride worth taking.
Pages: 302 | ISBN : 978-1326565336
Faith Through the Fire, Walking With God in My Storms
Faith Through the Fire is a deeply personal memoir chronicling the journey of Adrien and Beverly Chablal through Adrien’s unexpected cancer diagnosis and their unwavering determination to pursue healing, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The book opens with a son’s heartfelt letter to his father and then shifts to a dual narrative, combining Adrien’s reflections with Beverly’s “Chronicles.” Together, they recount their childhoods in Trinidad, marriage struggles, migration to the UK, and ultimately, their decision to face a stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis using both conventional and natural methods. Interwoven throughout are scriptural meditations, nutritional advice, and practical insights born from faith, family love, and fierce resilience.
Reading this book felt like sitting across the table from an old friend, coffee in hand, listening to someone pour out their heart. Adrien’s writing is raw and gutting at times. The disbelief at his diagnosis, the guilt over family strain, and the sense of helplessness are portrayed vividly. I found myself clenching my jaw during some passages, especially when he wrestled with the idea that a health-conscious lifestyle couldn’t shield him from cancer. His vulnerability is striking, and that makes the hope that follows even more powerful. Beverly’s side is equally gripping. Her determination to be her husband’s anchor, her fearless research into holistic health, and her ability to dig into her past for strength are as moving as they are inspiring. Her voice comes through as calm and relentless.
What really got me, though, was how the book doesn’t try to hide the messiness. Their marriage was tested, their children drifted, and their faith was, at times, hanging on by a thread. But it never read like a sob story. It felt like a love letter to persistence, not perfection. The inclusion of wellness plans, herbal regimens, and even their frustrations with housing in the UK could have felt like filler, but instead, it all tied into the bigger theme: survival isn’t just physical. It’s mental, spiritual, and relational. I loved that balance. On the flip side, I occasionally felt the pacing slow during extended reflections or lengthy nutritional breakdowns, but even those had a purpose if you’re reading with healing in mind.
This book isn’t just about beating cancer. It’s about choosing faith when you’re flat on your face, and finding a way forward even when the path disappears beneath your feet. I’d recommend Faith Through the Fire to anyone facing serious illness, especially caregivers and spouses who are walking through someone else’s storm. It’s also a solid pick for people of faith who want a reminder that miracles don’t always come wrapped in flashing lights. Sometimes, they look like a juicer on your kitchen counter and a Bible verse that keeps you going. It’s an emotional read, but one that left me feeling full of gratitude.-
Pages: 114
Intervention in Church Conflict
In Intervention in Church Conflict, Dorothy R. Dann shares her personal and professional journey of navigating congregational conflict using a blend of narrative therapy and family systems theory. Rooted in her doctoral work and lived pastoral experience, the book recounts how she developed and applied a model for healing a divided church community. Through a series of phases, listening, externalizing, deconstructing, and rewriting, the intervention unfolds with theological grounding, leadership development, and a commitment to wholeness. The book is part memoir, part field guide, and part theological reflection.
This book was a surprisingly emotional experience for me. I expected an academic treatment, something heavy with theory and light on humanity. But Dann writes with a raw honesty that caught me off guard. Her vulnerability and deep compassion for the congregation she served shine through every page. I could feel her struggle to hold steady as a new pastor, tasked with helping a broken community rediscover itself. The writing is accessible, even when she’s discussing dense theoretical concepts. What really struck me was her belief that healing begins with storytelling, not fixing, not diagnosing, but listening. That resonated with me. It reminded me that leadership isn’t about having the answers but about being present in the hard moments.
Some chapters, particularly those summarizing academic sources, felt like detours from the gripping story of the actual church intervention. I found myself craving more narrative and fewer summaries of systems theory. Still, the theory has its place, and I get why she included it. For a pastor or counselor walking into their own conflict zone, those resources might be lifelines. The blend of scholarship and heart is ultimately what gives the book its depth. I just wished for more moments where the personal story took center stage, because when it did, it sang.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book to pastors, seminarians, church leaders, and anyone trying to navigate messy group dynamics, whether in faith communities or elsewhere. It’s especially valuable for those who feel in over their heads but want to walk with integrity and love through tough seasons. This book doesn’t offer quick fixes. It’s not a how-to manual with step-by-step guarantees. But what it does offer is wisdom, humility, and hope, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need when all you see is conflict.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0CW1L7FG2
An Alternative to Believing in Nothing
SD Hagen’s An Alternative to Believing in Nothing is both a personal journey and a public invitation to explore the philosophy of Deism, a belief in a non-intervening Creator, grounded in reason, nature, and science rather than organized religion. Hagen introduces Deism as a third path for the spiritually curious who are disillusioned with traditional religion but not ready to settle for atheism or agnosticism. Through a blend of memoir, history, and practical guidance, he presents Deism as a meaningful alternative for modern seekers, especially those among the “nones,” the fast-growing segment of religiously unaffiliated adults in the U.S.
I was taken in by the honesty of Hagen’s storytelling. He opens up about loss, fatherhood, and the spiritual vacuum left by a nonreligious upbringing. There’s a gentleness to how he lays out his path toward Deism. There’s no lecturing, no dogma, just a guy trying to make sense of things. It felt genuine. His curiosity is contagious. I appreciated how he didn’t shy away from emotion, and the way he wove historical facts about figures like Jefferson and Paine into his story gave his ideas more weight. At times, I found myself highlighting entire paragraphs, not because they were particularly poetic, but because they were refreshingly clear and grounded.
The section on religious survey data, while informative, slowed the momentum. I understand why it’s there though, it builds the case that there’s a large audience who might connect with Deism, but I wanted to get back to the philosophy and personal insights because I found them to be the most interesting aspects of the book. The writing style is conversational and accessible, which works well overall, though occasionally it leans into a presentation deck tone. Still, Hagen’s passion for reason and spiritual openness kept me flipping pages.
I found this book to be a thoughtful and hopeful read. It’s ideal for people who feel adrift spiritually but aren’t ready to give up on meaning altogether. I’d recommend it especially to late bloomers, people going through big life transitions, or anyone raising kids and wondering how to pass on values without dogma.
Pages: 212 | ASIN : B0FF3N4LG5
“Time” is Not Our Enemy
Understanding Time and Eternity takes readers on a thought-provoking and ambitious journey to explore how humans perceive, conceptualize, and live within the realms of time and eternity. What was the inspiration for the original and fascinating idea at the center of the book?
The idea to write this book came to me many years ago, seeking to understand the connection between us and “time”. I have always been concerned with how time “flows” and how it influences us. I was also interested in how time “modifies” our bodies, aging them. I wondered if there were no more eternity, would we be eternal?
My visit to Japan in 2023 catalyzed the process of writing this book and gave it its final form. Following this visit, I tried to understand “time” in a broader way, going beyond just the Western vision of time. I studied the Western and Eastern visions of the concepts of “time” and “eternity” in comparison. To my surprise, I found that they have many common elements, of course, in addition to the elements specific to each religion or philosophy.
One thing that stood out was the extent of your research and how you drew from multiple disciplines to form your theory, rather than relying solely on science or religion. Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Yes. While doing research for this book, I was often surprised to find many common elements in both Eastern and Western religions or philosophies. I was surprised that “time” as a concern of man has been at the core of human philosophy since ancient times. Man – regardless of faith – has correlated the idea of “time” with the concept of divinity. Another “goal” that appeared almost obsessively was how man seeks to continue his own earthly existence in a certain way through “eternity.” It was also surprising for me to observe how different and sometimes opposing the Western vision is to the Eastern one regarding certain aspects of “time” or “eternity” and at the same time how close this same vision is for other views related to “time” and “eternity”.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Through this book, I tried to convey more of the idea.
First of all, understanding the concepts of “time” and “eternity” helps us to better integrate into society and have a broader vision of humanity. Also, understanding how these concepts influence people’s thinking and shape their religious beliefs contributes to the general progress of humanity.
“Understanding Time and Eternity” shows my own vision of “time”, namely the fact that time “exists” in the form of “timelines” that can be individual or societal, as well as my vision that time can also be in the form of “loops”, not only cyclical or linear. I also emphasized the idea that these “timelines” can “interact” with the “eternity lines” as well as my concept related to “time travel”.
However, I concluded that the emergence of a new temporal system is inevitable in the future due to the evolution of human society and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Understanding Time and Eternity?
Through my book, I would like readers to understand that knowing ourselves and our relationship with what is around us will come to define us as individuals. When we appear in this world, we are not asked, and when we leave this world, we are also not asked for the accord. We come to this world from eternity, and after we die, we go again into eternity. From these aspects, we should start our introspection and analysis of the relationship between us and “time”.
We must understand that “time” is not our enemy and death is not the end. Regardless of our philosophy of life or our faith, temporality and eternity are intertwined, and we must each find our own “niche” that ensures our emotional stability and personal fulfillment.
I wish that my readers in the West gain a better understanding of Eastern philosophy and those in the Far East gain a clearer vision of how Westerners live their daily lives.
But are we really in a battle with time? Is it our enemy? Can’t we make it our friend during our earthly life? Regardless of whether we consider it a friend or an enemy, time leaves visible the effects of its passage through our individual lives or our collective lives as a society.
In this book, I was exclusively concerned with time in a philosophical sense, specifically with how humans perceive it and how they relate time to their philosophical conceptions and religious beliefs. I explored the relationship between temporality and eternity, and I have concluded that, although time and eternity are opposites from all points of view (in the general view), in my view—which I have presented in this book—they are not as opposites. Still, they interpenetrate and influence each other.
I have concluded that not only does the past influence our future, but the future can also influence the past.
This book is a continuation of my previous works, which explore philosophical and religious themes and complement my philosophical and theological vision regarding the reality around us and what lies beyond it.
I have analyzed the concept of time from a philosophical and theological perspective.
I examined the concepts of “time” and “eternity” from the perspective of the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) but also from the standpoint of Eastern religions/philosophies from the Far East (Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Jainism). It was essential for me to examine how humans relate to “time” and “eternity,” as well as the impact of these philosophical concepts on the lives of common people throughout the millennia.
A significant chapter was the realization of a comparative analysis between Eastern and Western thought regarding temporality and eternity.
At the end of the book, I conclude that the emergence of a new temporal system is inevitable in the future, given humanity’s evolution and the increasing influence of AI on human society.
Understanding the concepts of “time” and “eternity” helps us integrate better into society and have a broader, more inclusive vision of humanity.
I hope that the readers from the West will gain a deeper understanding of Eastern philosophy and that those from the Far East will have a clearer vision of how Westerners live their daily lives.
This book aims to decipher the “energies and philosophies” that shape a community’s behavior, whether it behaves similarly or differently from other communities. Religions and philosophies are essential for the health of communities, and the concepts of “time” and “eternity” are crucial to them Therefore, their understanding is essential for the general progress of humanity.
LITERARY TITAN 