How to Wake up from this Insanity
My story of waking up
Hi, my name is Maureen Fitzgerald and I am a recovering lawyer.
This journal is for those who know that life could be SO MUCH better. It’s for those who want to be happy but find that the external world is not enough to maintain true PEACE AND JOY.
In this journal I share my journey and specifically the process of WAKING UP - which is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN EVER DO.
About me
I practiced law for 20 years before I realized my true calling as a change agent and began writing books and articles about making the world a better place. I wrote books on mindfulness, raising girls, life purpose, restorative justice and equality - all highlighting a NEW way of being - based on love and connection rather than fear and separation.
However, it was not until I recently experienced a “dark night of the soul” that I truly woke up to who I really am and why I am here on this planet. I fell into a dark depression and became stuck in the deep existential questions about the meaning of life.
As a result, I read hundreds of books and watched even more wisdom teachers. But the real change only happened when I began to INTEGRATE my learning. It was then through direct experience that I realized that the ONLY solution to ALL our problems is to WAKE UP. Indeed, this is the exact thing that the many mystics and sages have been saying for centuries.
As for me, I lived my whole life searching. I kept thinking that if I obtained one more university degree or one more career, or friend or credential then I would finally be happy. But as you may suspect, nothing external to me brought me lasting happiness. And, I learned (the hard way) that nothing can truly bring true joy if we are asleep. That’s why I say that NOTHING is more important than waking up.
What’s In it For You?
Whether you are a lawyer or not, if you are reading this then you know at some level that there is absolutely a better way to live. You have probably been questioning the status quo for years, but don’t really know how to “turn your boat around.”
Many of my insights are from the book I am currently writing, called “Wake the F Up.” Most are from my prior books, my own personal journal entries (I journal every day) and quotations from many brilliant writers and thinkers.
This journal is about my path of waking up. It’s about realizing who I am and how I am to serve. I share with you my two aspects to waking up:
How to wake up to what’s going on INSIDE of you. This includes looking at your body, your thinking, your mind, your ego and your shadow. I talk about how to surface all of this and inquire into how “your insides” might be preventing you from being your highest self and finding peace and joy.
How to wake up to what’s going on OUTSIDE of you. This includes looking at the environment you live in - from your family, workplace and community to the whole world. I talk about how we are socialized, your cultural indoctrination and the institutions and systems you live within that are probably holding you back.
I promise you that your eyes will be opened. I hope too, that your mind and heart will be opened as well.
My mentors
If you are a fan of Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Ram Dass, Ramana Maharshi, A Course in Miracles etc, you will both relate and enjoy hearing about my bumpy ride. I truly hope you enjoy my attempts to simplify and apply their teachings.
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. It’s good to have company.
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