Searching for Truth: Illusions or Realities

Searching for truth is not a search for God. It is a journey into the self and what shapes humanity on earth. Truth seeking involves deep introspection and reflection, an open mind and the courage to look into life in our society and our earth. Experiences are examined with the intention of drawing on the knowledge and experience of others to illuminate the self.

Considering current world events, what understanding of Truth is emerging: illusions or realities.

Along my journey, I acquired experience through my work, my career and my life. Some of it came spontaneously, while other aspects came from looking back, trying to understand what happened, how it happened. That has informed and shaped my perspective on many topics. I worked hard on the quest for certainty, the wisdom of uncertainty, the practice of humility, the art of living with paradox and the learning of compassion.

As I wrote this book, I relied on my inquisitive mind and creativity to take me on a path of facts and truth-finding in my life. They became the topics of which I have written about. Some texts are a cumulation of personal information, while others are research-based, providing examples of change in our society and how one can navigate the momentum of change. As I engaged myself in interests that pique my curiosity, the focus was on examining my thoughts and broadening my perspective and awareness of human well-being.

I found that writing on these various themes was humbling and generated a sense of optimism in myself, of quest for wisdom in the extraordinary time we are in. I hope the reading material is inspirational at many levels, including personal, collective and global. I believe more and more in the well-deserved rewards of aging.

Jacques G. LeBlanc M.D., F.R.C.S.C., trained in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Toronto (1980-82), Toronto, and Tulane University (1982-83), New Orleans, Louisiana. Practicing as a pediatric cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, he was responsible for the surgical care of children with congenital heart defects throughout the province of BC. As Director of the Cardiac Sciences Program at BCCH, he lead and fostered the expansion and development of Cardiovascular Services, for the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery program, Fudan University Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China. After his retirement in 2009, he developed a volunteer partnership with The Apollo Children's Hospital in Chennai, India, mentoring a young surgeon and a new pediatric cardiac surgery program for 7 years.

He has authored four books: "The Operative and Postoperative Management of Congenital Defects", "Medicine for Life: a Practical Guide for Success", "Path of a Healer: a Time to Reflect", and "A Coeur Ouvert: un recueil de pensees". He published 86 medical articles and has given 106 verbal presentations. He is a Professor Emeritus of the University of British Columbia.

In his spare time, he exercises, cooks, and enjoys walking with his wife and their two mini-dachshund dogs.