James A. Cusumano Interview - I Can See Clearly: Rise of a Supernatural Hero ~ JeanBookNerd

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James A. Cusumano is the author of ten books, including a new novel I Can See Clearly: Rise of A Supernatural Hero. Cusumano has been a successful entertainer, scientist, corporate executive, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and holistic hotelier. The narratives in his books draw on his professional experience and expertise. His interests are the Nature of Consciousness and Inspirational Leadership, as they apply to the purpose and meaning of life. His books often draw on the intersection of quantum physics and Eastern thought. Cusumano is an alchymist and lives in Prague with his wife, Inez, and teenage daughter, Julia. They are the owners of Chateau Mcely, an internationally acclaimed castle/hotel/spa and forest retreat located on the edge of the city.

Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, grew up there, spent 30 years in California (Palo Alto & Ojai), and have lived in Prague for the past 17 years.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Publishing my latest novel, I Can See Clearly: Rise of A Supernatural Hero, in which I explored a new writing concept, at least, for me [See next point], and received a positive responses and endorsements from notable authors.

What inspired you to write I CAN SEE CLEARLY? How did this book come about?
For a number of years, my mission has been to inspire people to find and follow their life purpose. I feel that the more people do this, the better the world will be. I started by writing a number of nonfiction books on how to do this. Eventually, I felt I could reach a broader audience and be more effective in my vision by weaving my ideas and experience throughout the narrative of an entertaining novel.

What do you hope for readers to be thinking when they read I CAN SEE CLEARLY?
I would like them to think, consciously, or even subconsciously, “Hey, finding and following my dream—my life purpose—can make this a better world and bring fulfillment and happiness to me and to those around me—and it’s never too late to do this.”

What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating Luc’s character?
That you can “have it all” if you follow your values, put your intention and attention on your dream, and then detach from the outcome, letting the Universe handle the specifics to get you there.

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
I would introduce Luc Ponti, the prime protagonist in I Can See Clearly, to Santiago, the Andalusian shepherd boy and protagonist in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Santiago travels the world, and eventually to the pyramids in Egypt looking for his treasure, which is a metaphor for his life dream, purpose, happiness, and fulfillment. He eventually finds it right under his nose at home. You must first look inside, within your heart and soul. After going through many challenges in his travels, Santiago finds his treasure [his dream] was right in front of him all the time. Luc similarly travels a path of challenges, only to find that his dream was right in front of him all the while. He just had to look inside to find it.

TEN REASONS TO READ I CAN SEE CLEARLY: RISE OF A SUPERNATURAL HERO

1. In addition to an entertaining spy thriller, you will learn about the workings of the mind, meditation, and how to access altered states of consciousness, and can use knowledge to improve your life.
2. You will learn about the nature of consciousness and how it connects everything in the universe based on some of the latest findings in quantum physics.
3. You will learn about the fundamentals of Cosmic Consciousness, Collective Consciousness, Personal Consciousness and Unity Consciousness—how they connect, and how to access and use them to create a more fulfilling and happy life.
4. You will experience the intricacies of well-researched aspects of the CIA.
5. You will learn about important aspects of a near-death-experience (NDE) and how it can change your life forever.
6. You will learn the inside story of the CIA’s covert, multi-million dollar, research program at Stanford Research Institute, and at their own laboratories using out-of-body (OBE) spy techniques as a means to extract top secret information from Russia and other unfriendly countries.
7. You will meet Pham Tuan, a most unusual Buddhist monk affectionally known as Thay (It means teacher in Vietnamese), who counsels Luc Ponti and his SPI Team (Bella Moreno and Eric Evans). Thay was born to Vietnamese parents, who had settled in the Bronx after the Vietnam War. He studied in Tibet and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard with degrees in physics and theology. He’s a master chess player and has the highest black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He is a humorous and disarming person and speaks with a thick Bronx accent. Envision a bald, muscular, smiling, brilliant, monk, who speaks like he’s native to the South Bronx.
8. Luc, Bella, and Eric each have had an NDE, after which they developed incredible superpowers.
9. Historical, political, and scientific facts are seamlessly woven with fiction throughout the novel to create an exciting, believable espionage experience for the reader.
10. There is a surprised ending, which sets the stage for Book 2, Seagull’s Revenge.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
Something special they have wanted to do for a long time but were afraid to. For me it was climbing my first high-altitude mountain—Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. I had vertigo since I was a kid. That cured it, but more importantly—it was a spiritual experience.

If you could go back in time to one point in your life, where would you go?
My teens—16-18—especially id I knew what I know now!

What is your most memorable travel experience?
My most memorable travel experience was the first time I visited the Maldives—sun every day, beautiful white sandy beaches, and incredible sea-life. It’s a tragedy that climate change will put them underwater over the next 50 years.

Sixteen-year-old star basketball player, Luc Ponti wins an important tiebreaker game for the Palo Alto Vikings with a three-point basket during the last few seconds of play. He is simultaneously critically injured with a flagrant foul by a player from the opposing team. Luc dies for several minutes but is revived after having a near-death experience (NDE). He inexplicably begins to develop superpowers, which change the course of his life and have a profound impact on the world.

Luc becomes caught in a tangled web of espionage, blackmailed by the CIA to use his powers of remote viewing to spy for them. This creates conflict in his life, most significant—how can he pursue his long-time dream of playing varsity ball for a top college; major in engineering; and possibly go pro after graduation. I Can See Clearly is the story of a talented teenager seeking the Meaning of Life and his Life Purpose, while fighting the grip of the CIA.

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