James Burkard

James Burkard

My bio contains the same apparent contradictions as my novel, “Eternal Life Inc.”. I am an avid science fiction fan and also obsessed with science and devour scientific books and articles, especially those that question accepted paradigms. I’m open to any theory that can grab my imagination and make a logical case for everything from Graham Hancock’s or Zecharia Sitchin’s alternate view of the origins of humanity to the latest beyond superstring theories of a holographic multiverse.
On the other hand, I have studied Zen Buddhism, Feng shui, practiced yoga for many years, and have a fair working knowledge of acupuncture. I have also studied the works of Yogananda and later learned Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I taught TM for a number of years and have taken the advanced siddhi techniques which I still practice.
Maharishi’s teachings, especially those relating quantum physics and consciousness, were seminal events in my life. Recently, I have also become interested in Christian mysticism with the discovery that this “old-time religion” still contains wellsprings of vitality that produce modern-day saints who speak holy prophesies, talk to God, and call down hierarchies of angels.
As you see, the two apparently contradictory strands of science and spirituality that are found in “Eternal Life Inc.” are also wrapped tightly around my own life. The contradictions are all an illusion. Behind the smoke-and-mirrors is a single desire to push beyond all boundaries whether they are the physical boundaries of dogmatic science or the spiritual boundaries of everyday consciousness. I want to open up the world from the inside out and the outside in; to step into a multiverse of endless possibilities.
I suppose I was born with that desire and that’s why I wanted to write science fiction ever since I was seven years old and read my first “Lucky Starr” novel. I quickly learned, though, that reading it and writing it were two very different things, but I persisted trying to write all the way up through the University of Buffalo where I studied American Literature and finally had to admit that I was a terrible writer with very little to say.
Instead, I became a professional artist of very minor repute based mostly in Europe, but I never gave up my love of science fiction and my dream of someday writing it.
Life is such a surprise. Like a wonderful box of mixed chocolates, as Forest Gump would say. You never know what you’ll bite into next. After all these years, my life came full circle to the “Lucky Starr” kid’s dream, and I started writing again, and I discovered something magical had happened along the way.
I discovered that writing was suddenly “child’s play” and I was really good at it. That doesn’t mean it’s not tough sometimes, but it’s always “child’s play”… the highest form of “child’s play”. It’s why writers, artists, composers, etc. suffer any kind of economic, social or personal indignity to keep doing it. It’s simply exciting, mind-expanding fun, especially when a minor character suddenly takes on a life of its own, hijacks the story, and takes it in a whole new, unexpected direction, so much like life itself.
It’s the wonder of creation, and with science fiction and fantasy all the stops are pulled and a multiverse of all possible and impossible worlds of the imagination are open to “child’s play”. So why not step into my “Eternal Life Inc,” sandbox and let’s play together.
"Eternal Life Inc." is the first book of a planned trilogy. The second book, “The Nano Tree”, is complete, and the third book is halfway there. The world is filled with so many wonderful sandboxes.

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