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"The Person Inside"
I believe it was G. I. Gurdjieff who likened an individual to a traveling coach, pulled by horses. The coach is the body; the horses are the emotions which provide the drive; the coachman is the intellect, which must reign in and guide the emotions; but what is the true self, the reality of the person? It is the owner of the coach, fast asleep inside. Once he wakes, he can assume command of all the facets of his existence, and complete his journey of fulfillment.

Let's change this a bit: instead of a coach, we have a 20-foot sailboat, driven by the wind, which perhaps can be considered the spiritual drive. Inside, in varying degrees of spiritual awakening, is... More > Randall Williams, the author of "The Sea Inside." This fascinating book details his simultaneous journeys: the physical trek from Sweden to Morocco, and the interior quest, as the "personality" with which he negotiates the world discovers its true nature as a Person.

I am a confirmed landlubber, but I willingly got on board the "Inshallah" with Williams, as he describes the sorry state of his despondent life, flirting with self-destruction, yet following some strange compelling whim to buy a boat, learn to sail, and take off solo across the Baltic and North Seas. Yes, it's a "rite of passage" sort of memoir, but an excellent example of the genre. Detailed descriptions of marine equipment and vivid scenes of conditions at sea alternate with honest appraisals of his emotional ebbs and flows, and the havoc he sometimes wreaks in, and the joy he sometimes brings to, the lives of others.

"The Sea Inside" takes its place on my shelf next to Robert Pirsig's "Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance" and William Least Heat-Moon's "River-Horse."

I must add that I have met Randall Williams several times, and though we hadn't a chance to talk in depth, I was as enchanted by his music as I am by this book. < Less

"The Sea Inside by Randall Williams" The Sea Inside is book I found hard to put down. If you are a sailor with any level of expertise you will devour the details of this fellow’s adventure. If you are a traveler with any experience, or someone who simply likes to travel vicariously, you will be intrigued by Williams’ description of places and people. If you are someone who has ever deeply contemplated your place and part in past and future relationships, his journey may remind you to take stock of your own romantic history. If you are a person who has been driven to understand the inner workings of your heart and soul, this book will resonate with you as you consider your own. The story arch yields suspense and the writing is clean and engaging. As you become involved in Williams’ story, you pull for this man to succeed on every level, simply because he’s so bold and honest with himself. We should all take journeys as brave as the one Williams took.

Review by Rita Golden Gelman Author, Tales of a Female Nomad, Living at Large in the World Struggling with a failed marriage, self-doubt, and serious depression, Williams, who has never sailed before, buys a boat and takes off from Sweden, heading toward Morocco. The amazing part of the story is that he survived to write this. Not so surprising is that the challenges he faces on a daily basis teach him to trust himself and understand his strengths and limitations. He even ends up a pretty good sailor. A lot of waves, weather, and near misses combine with an honest running account of his psyche. A rocky ride and a good read.