In July 2006, Jan and I submitted our book proposal for The Book of Us to several publishers. We were extremely careful; selecting only those whose mission statements resonated with our own. In addition, we chose only publishers who accepted direct submissions from authors, wishing to bypass the middleman process of an agent. From its inception, we trusted the energy and value of the book to stand on its own and find its place, going against conventional practices and the energy of the times.

Over the past year, we have received many polite form letter rejections, and some heartfelt, personally written notes of encouragement to: “find a place for this very worthy book,” and this “fascinating story.” Presently, there remain three publishers who have been considering the book for over a year. On September 25th of this year, I had the very strong feeling that it was time to publish the book on our own. Jan and I had let only a handful of people read excerpts from the book, though many others have asked me about its publishing status on and off over the past year, anxious to read it. It suddenly dawned on me that we were holding back valuable information, while waiting for someone else to decide the fate of our book. I simply couldn’t justify that. If this book can help people now, I thought, it should be made available. In my characteristic fashion I proposed to Jan, “Let’s just do it ourselves!” Also, in characteristic fashion, I asked Jan to ask Jeanne for feedback, and she challenged me to question the I Ching, our two most faithful guides. Following, are the synchronistic commentaries from these two voices of infinity. First, Jan notes some interesting synchronistic experiences of her own before posing her question, while I was in another room asking the I Ching for guidance.

Dear Jeanne,
I have a question to ask you. Today, and yesterday, Chuck has been posing the question of whether or not we should publish The Book of Us ourselves, in E-Book format, and offer it for free on our website. I have been a little bothered by, what I call, his impatience, preferring to sit and wait. But I realized this morning, with clear insight, that my patience and ability to sit and wait is partially fear. I am still often afraid of public exposure, preferring to remain private, though I push it aside and keep going forward.

Today, as I walked Spunky down a tractor path in a field, I posed the question to you. “All right,” I said. “Just give me one sign so I’ll know if it’s time, now, for us to publish The Book of Us ourselves.” Then I waited, looking around, wanting a concrete sign, a blatant, apparent sign: A tattered old book in the grass, a slip of paper with the word “yes” on it, or straw on the path spelling out “Yes” or “No.” Then I thought, “Oh, she’ll make me work for it, as usual.” When I turned and started walking back, two butterflies, one white, and one yellow, flew out of the field in front of me, doing a lovely dance, back and forth in the pathway, and I thought, “Oh, The Book of Us.” Then a third, a yellow butterfly, joined them for a while, dancing with them, then flew off again. And I thought, “That’s Jeanne, that’s The Book of Us,” and I took it to mean yes.

Now, we’ve been talking about what to do. I feel sad and a little empty, but I think those are my own feelings about ending this very private and intimate life we three have shared. Going public and publishing the book, exposing ourselves to public opinion, also scares me a little, but the ending of that wonderful time we’ve had together really saddens me. So, I wonder if you can comment, right now, as Chuck throws the I Ching to ask the same question. Is it time now, to publish The Book of Us, as an E-Book that people can download for free? Can you give us guidance on this question?

Do not worry about what you lose, but think instead about what you gain as you allow yourself to be swept up into positive energy that is now awakening, even as the dark energy swirls about with such disturbing rancor. Underneath the darkness is there new light, a new sun, seeking to rise; and that new sun brings new light, new seeing, clarity, and energy that the darkness keeps hidden. Yet is it there, awaiting discovery, even in the darkness.

I do not advocate running from the inevitable, nor do I advocate hiding from the truth underneath the darkness. The light will abide by the rules of good energy, and this you must focus on. On top of light is there yet more light as it radiates outward, into the universe. Find your place now more firmly in this mission as you go ahead with your plans to publish, for life cannot wait any longer for dilly-dallying. I dare say it is the way to go, though do not be surprised by the progress that others hope to gain from it. By this I mean, monetary. Stick to your mission, no gain, only what you absolutely need, and give the rest away where it is best used, though monitor it sharply, for sharks and hustlers abound, even in the world of light.

You have come far, yet must you push onward to continually progress the mission. Yes, do it so differently that there can be no dispute that these two people have goodness of purpose, and undeniable love for the journeys of all, in their hearts. No personal agenda exists, just the spreading of the mission, and the opportunity for evolutionary growth. That is what these two people seek to offer. This I applaud, along with their courage, and their conviction to remain always growing, and changing, and meeting the challenges that arise. This is you two, my dearest Chuck and Jan, that I speak of. For my part, I am not attached to the book unless it is read, for otherwise I do not exist! If no one knows about me, and my group, then how can I exist, or have impact? Pick up your pens and pencils of the future, and begin the process now. Tell my story, and yours too, and let’s get the show on the road, moving now at a faster pace.

What about waiting for another, legitimate publisher?

Legitimate? Who is more legitimate than you? Let others catch up, that will be their fate, yet do I risk saying they will never, for that is not the method. No gain. Go for it.

Jeanne Marie Ketchel channeled by Jan Ketchel
September 25, 2007

For my part, I threw Hexagram #64, the final reading in The Book of Changes, with special emphasis on the ruler of the hexagram, 6 in the fifth line. This closing, optimistic reading in the I Ching, the time of Before Completion, depicts a time of transition, from chaos to order, from winter darkness to spring light and life. The seeds of new life, long germinating in the darkness of the earth, are about to spring forth with new life. The ice over rivers is melting, and the I Ching draws attention to the plight of the fox, moving circumspectly over such precarious fragility, suggesting caution over unbridled enthusiasm. Nonetheless, the ruler in this case, gives unbridled support to the light of the superior man, taken here to mean the book. All has indeed been prepared for, and this true light is favorable for accomplishing this transition to new life.

The future of this hexagram turns into #6, Conflict. Indeed, the controversial nature of The Book of Us will undoubtedly lead to conflict on many levels, from the decisions Jeanne and I made with cancer, to the validity of channeling itself. We make no claims to absolute truth, or the absolute “way”. The book however, is deeply the truth of our experiences and our journey, and is intended to support, and further, the journeys of those with whom it resonates. Both commentaries from infinity were extremely similar, and supportive of our decision, hence we launch The Book of Us.

Chuck Ketchel
Red Hook, New York
November 19, 2007