Love or Illusion? How to Know What You Feel

Mike George is the author of books on self-discovery and inner awakening. He travels around the world with seminars and psychological trainings, helping people find inner freedom and live in harmony with themselves. “Love or Illusion?” is not a guide to building relationships and not an instruction for finding the “perfect” partner. It is a reflection on why, in a success- and well-being-oriented society, love so often is pushed aside, confused with other things, or understood incorrectly—both in personal relationships and in the broader context of life.

The book helps unravel common myths about love: to see that love is not a habit, not an addiction, and not a desire to possess; to give up beliefs that happiness can be bought, success “earned,” and that other people know better than you what you feel. The author examines seven key misconceptions that cause relationships to lose their joy, and leads to the idea that well-being is not determined by external circumstances and—especially—not by the actions of other people. Happiness is satisfaction with your own life and the result of personal choices and decisions.

George suggests reading slowly: stopping, reflecting, meditating, returning to what you’ve read. This approach helps you better understand why it can be difficult to stay yourself, why you lose touch with your own feelings, and why “love” sometimes seems like something elusive and undefined.

This book is for those who want to find and make sense of love, are willing to observe themselves and give themselves time for inner work. For those who don’t want to blindly accept other people’s opinions, and want to become more aware and independent in how they live their life and shape their consciousness.

Michael George’s books and articles are read in many countries: his ideas are valued for their simplicity, lack of pressure, and sound logic—and, above all, for the call to listen to yourself first. The publishers hope the author will gain new readers in Russia as well.

Mike George lives in the Cotswolds (England), writes about self-discovery and enlightenment, and runs international seminars and trainings aimed at gaining inner freedom.

Key topics: love, emotions, relationships, feelings, psychology, “self,” consciousness, the soul, spirit, contemplation, hope, selfishness, attachment, happiness, bliss, personality.