Latest Book Reviews

Reviews for 12/04/08

 

Spirit of Color, Connie Smith Siegel

Spirit of Color brings exciting new ideas to the creation of art and the use of color—ideas that combine meditation, art therapy, and hands-on exploration of the creative experience. Sensory awareness, the technique used here and in the companion volume, Spirit of Drawing, is similar to Buddhist meditation. Author Connie Smith Siegel takes readers through a series of visual experiments that teach the relationships between touching, seeing, and moving. Soon, artists are able to find the movements, shapes, and colors that express what they are experiencing in the moment. Exercises build to help artists create more complex color visuals—visuals that express our lives through color; explore the elements of air, earth, fire, and water; celebrate the expressive freedom of collage; reveal the union of drawing and color; and use color as a healing language. Part art instruction, part art therapy, Spirit of Color captures the true spirit of artistic self-expression.  Connie Smith Siegel has more than forty years’ experience as an artist and teacher; her work has been exhibited across the country. She has studied meditation, Gestalt theory, and expressive art therapy in depth. She lives in Woodacre, CA.

 

 

Emir

 

Emir's Education in the Proper Use of Magical Powers (Paperback)

by Jane Roberts (Author) "Once upon a time a small prince named Emir lived in a brand new kingdom..." 

 

From the cover:  Come along for adventure in a time when the world was new and death was unknown.  As his kingdom quickly becomes crowded by people, plants, and animals who live forever, young Prince Emir must discover the answers to some most perplexing questions...

 

 

Jane Roberts touched millions  with her Seth books. Now this same gentle heart reminds spirits young and old to honor the cycle of life, the seasons, and world diversity with this charming fairy tale for all ages.

 

 

Inside, Chuck Brown

"Inside is a reminder to readers that we are all human and desrve basic human rights, no matter who we are.  This book will ignite discussion and stimulate change that is desperately needed."  Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking

 

Author Chuck Brown provides hope by giving them the chance to reach out to a higher power.  He is a conduit for the letters from inside.  These are the private thoughts, fears, and frustrations of prisoners trying to cope with the demons that have removed them from society.  No matter what your faith or creed, this will give you a whole new look at what really goes on behind the walls.

 

 

Quiet Mind, Susan Piver

 

A growing body of scientific research is showing that meditation can reduce stress, improve mental performance, and make us happier. For those who are curious about meditation and would like to give it a try, Quiet Mind is a great place to begin.This unique book-and-audio program brings together six of the most respected Buddhist teachers in America, each known for presenting meditation in practical, accessible, and inspiring ways. Each teacher offers a short written teaching along with an audio recording of a guided meditation practice from his or her Buddhist tradition—including Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, and Vipassana (or Insight Meditation). An additional section presents yoga poses and stretches useful for meditation practitioners.Contributors include:Sakyong Mipham on shamatha, the practice of tranquillityLarry Rosenberg on vipassana, the practice of clear seeingEd Espe Brown on zazen, the practice of freedomSharon Salzberg on metta, the practice of loving-kindnessJudith Lief on tonglen, the practice of transformationTulku Thondup on using meditation to heal the body and mindRichard Faulds on yoga and meditation

Piver (The Hard Questions) brings together the collective insight of six noted teachers of meditation in the Buddhist tradition, including Sakyong Mipham on tranquility, Larry Rosenberg on vipassana, and Sharon Salzberg on loving-kindness. For all the variety and richness of experience these teachers offer, there is a remarkable unity in the simplicity and focus of their brief essays. Both Buddhists and non-Buddhists will find this introduction brief and clear. For most collections. (Accompanying CD not heard.)

$14.00 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

The Story of the Root Children, Sibylle Von Olfers

 

The root children spend the winter asleep deep underground under the care of their wise Mother Earth. When spring comes they wake up, sew new gowns and capes, clean and paint the beetles and buts, and go forth into the world.  After playing in the fiels, on the ponds an in meadows all summer, in autumn they return once more to Mother Earth who welcomes them back into their home underground.

Sibylle von Plfers (1881-1916) blend of natural observation and use of simple design has led to comparisons with Kate Greenaway and Elsa Beskow.  She also wrote The Story of the Snow Children, Princess in the fForest, Story of the Wind Children.

$17.95 --Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

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A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini

 

 

AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS ON THE BESTSELLER LISTS, KHALED HOSSEINI RETURNS WITH A BEAUTIFUL, RIVETING, AND HAUNTING NOVEL OF ENORMOUS CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years—from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding—that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness—are inextricable from the history playing out around them.

Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heartwrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love—a stunning accomplishment.

Hosseini's depiction of Mariam and Laila's plight would seem cartoonishly crude if it were not, by all accounts, a sadly accurate version of what many Afghan women have experienced. The romantic twists and fairy-tale turns are not so accurate. But, as in The Kite Runner, they are precisely what make the novel such a stirring read. Childhood promises are sacred; true love never dies; justice will be done; sisterhood is powerful. It's unrealistic, and almost impossible to resist. B+.

Afghan-born physician Khaled Hosseini rises at 4:00 every morning to pursue his second career -- as buzz-worthy, bestselling author. His first effort, The Kite Runner, is "a vivid and engaging story that reminds us how long his people have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence," reflects The New York Times.

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret Destiny of America, Manly P. Hall

 

 

Manly P. Hall's two classic works on the hidden history and occult mission of America—The Secret Destiny of America and America's Assignment with Destiny— each redesigned and reset in this special two-in-one volume.

Drawing upon often neglected fragments of history, The Secret Destiny of America presents evidence for a mysterious Great Plan at the core of the nation's founding. Preeminent occult scholar Manly P. Hall argues that humanistic, esoteric, and mystical orders collaborated in setting aside the American continent for a world-shaking experiment in enlightened self-government and religious liberty.

The author locates the seeds for this plan one thousand years before the beginning of the Christian era, exploring figures such as the Pharaoh Akhnaton, Plato, and Plotinus. Once hatched in the colonial age, the great experiment involved: · Christopher Columbus, who may have been an agent of esoteric order connected with Lorenzo de' Medici and Leonardo da Vinci;

• English intellectuals Bacon and Raleigh, who played unique roles in the court intrigue surrounding the settlement of the continent;

• founders Washington and Franklin, who had esoteric associations;

• and a network of Rosicrucians, mystics, and Freemasons whose ideals of religious freedom traveled to American soil.

Whether discussing the symbolism of the Great Seal of the United States, the prophecy at George Washington's birth, or the role of a mysterious stranger who swayed the signers of the Declaration of Independence, The Secret Destiny of America is the sole volume to link together the fascinating strandsof esoteric history that lie at America's heart.

Manly P. Hall (1901-1990), widely regarded as a sage and teacher steeped in the wisdom of antiquity, was one of the leading esoteric scholars of the twentieth century. In 1934, he founded the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, which continues his educational mission.

$16.95 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

 

Zero Limits, Ihaleakala Hew Len Ph.D

 

 

Zero Limits reveals the breakthrough self-improvement approach that is proven to help people who are overworked, overstressed, and just plain overwhelmed deal effectively with removing self-imposed limitations in their lives that are often manifest as chaos, disease, and poverty

Joe Vitale was once homeless. Now, he's the millionaire author of numerous bestselling books, an Internet celebrity, and an in-demand online marketing guru. What did he do to create all of that success? Was it hard work, divine providence, or both? The answer is surprising. It wasn't until he discovered the ancient Hawaiian Ho'oponopono system that he finally found truly unlimited success.

Updated for modern times, Ho'oponopono is a self-help methodology that removes the mental obstacles that block a listener's path, freeing his mind to find new and unexpected ways to get what he wants out of life. It works wonders both professionally and personally. It works so well in fact, that Vitale had to share it with the world, so that others could experience the fulfillment and happiness he feels every day.

Teaming up with Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, master teacher of modern Ho'oponopono, Vitale tells the listener how to attain wealth, health, peace, and happiness. They walk him through the system, helping him clear his mind of subconscious blocks so that destiny and desire can take over and help him get what he truly wants from life. It clears out unconsciously accepted beliefs, thoughts, and memories that he doesn't even know are holding him back.

Joe Vitale is President of Hypnotic Marketing, Inc., a marketing consulting firm. He has been called the "The Buddha of the Internet" for his combination of spirituality and marketing acumen. His professional clients include the Red Cross, PBS, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, and many other small and large businesses. His other books include The Attractor Factor, There's a Customer Born Every Minute, and Life's Missing Instruction Manual, all from Wiley. He is also one of the stars of the hit movie The Secret. For more information, visit mrfire.com.

Ihaleakala Hew Len, PhD, teaches workshops on the Hawaiian method for achieving wealth, health, peace, and happiness. He has worked with thousands of people, including groups at the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Peace Conference, Healers for Peace in Europe, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

$24.95 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

Turned Upside Down, Marko Pogacnik

 

Whether we like it or not, we earthlings are about to enter a dramatic period of change. The physical earth is changing; it is entering a multidimensional form. The purpose of physical earth as we know it was to help us individuate. Now it is time to enter a new series of dimensions.

The earth is about to give in to a new multidimensional consciousness. However, this cannot happen unless we understand that, as human beings, we are being asked to change. We are being asked to let go of our attachments to physical things. We must learn to let go. Resistance and panic will only hinder the inevitable processes of evolutionary transformation.

Marko Pogacnik describes what we can expect and how to prepare ourselves to deal with it. He presents simple exercises and meditations that will not only help us survive and adapt, but will alsoand more importanthelp the Earth herself bring forth her true Self.

Born in 1944 in Kranj, Slovenia, Marko Pogacnik studied sculpting at university and acquired an international reputation in conceptual land art. He has developed this further into earth lithopuncture, whose goal is to heal disturbed landscapes and power points. He leads seminars in earth healing in several countries and provides advice on landscape matters for communities and businesses. Marko Pogacnik is a lecturer at the Hagia Chora school for geomancy which was founded in 1995.

 

 

When the Past Is Present, David Richo

 

 

In this book, psychotherapist David Richo explores how we replay the past in our present-day relationships—and how we can free ourselves from this destructive pattern. We all have a tendency to transfer potent feelings, needs, expectations, and beliefs from childhood or from former relationships onto the people in our daily lives, whether they are our intimate partners, friends, or acquaintances. When the Past Is Present helps us to become more aware of the ways we slip into the past so that we can identify our emotional baggage and take steps to heal it.

Drawing on decades of experience as a psychotherapist, Richo helps readers to:Understand how the wounds of childhood become exposed in adult relationships—and why this is a giftIdentify and heal the emotional wounds we carry over from the past so that they won't sabotage present-day relationshipsRecognize how strong attractions and aversions to people in the present can be signals of own own unfinished businessUse mindfulness to stay in the present moment and cultivate authentic intimacy

David Richo, PhD, is a therapist, teacher, and author who leads popular workshops around the country. He is the author of numerous books including How to Be an Adult in Relationships and The Five Things We Cannot Change. He lives in California.

$14.95 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

The Common Heart, Netnael Miles-Yepez

 

For twenty years, a group of spiritual seekers from many religious traditions met in various places around the United States under the rubric of the Snowmass Conferences to engage in the deepest form of interreligious dialogue. The experience was intimate and trusting, transformative and inspiring. To encourage openness and honesty, no audio or visual recording was made of, and no articles were written about, the encounters.

 

When these encounters came to an end, it was agreed that reflections on what had happened emotionally, spiritually, philosophically, and theologically during the Snowmass dialogues should be written down. The result is The Common Heart.

 

Here is an extraordinary exploration of the wealth of the world's spiritual traditions combined with dialogue from the heart about the differences and similarities between their paths of wisdom. Participants include Fr. Thomas Keating, Roshi Bernie Glassman, Swami Atmarupananda, Dr. Ibrahim Gamard, Imam Bilal Hyde, Pema Chödrön, Rabbi Henoch Dov Hoffman, and many others.

Netanel Miles-Yepez is the cofounder of The Sufi-Hasidic Fellowship and a Murshid of the Chishti-Maimuniyya Order of Dervishes, the Executive Director of the Reb Zalman Legacy Project in Boulder, Colorado, and the editor of The Way of Contemplation and Meditation (Spiritual Paths Publishing, 2002) and Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of the Hasidic Masters (Jossey-Bass, 2003).

 

 

The Way of the Prisoner, Jens Soring

 

Centering Prayer is a modern adaptation of the ancient practice of contemplative prayer, a process of inner purification and an opening of the mind and heart to God. In this remarkable book, Jens Soering, an inmate in a Virginia prison, tells how Centering Prayer and its corollary, Centering Practice (contemplative prayer in action) enable him to survive the daily pain of prison life. Through a moving true story of personal redemption that shocks and inspires, Söring shows how we can all transform our crosses, our prisons (literal or metaphorical), into the means of our salvation.

Jens Söring is a German citizen and Centering Prayer practitioner who has been incarcerated since 1986. His case has been featured on Court TV and A&E’s City Confidential. His writing has been published in This Rock, Justice Reflections, Pastoral Life and Faith@Work.

 

 

Turned Upside Down, Marko Pogacnik

 

Whether we like it or not, we earthlings are about to enter a dramatic period of change. The physical earth is changing; it is entering a multidimensional form. The purpose of physical earth as we know it was to help us individuate. Now it is time to enter a new series of dimensions.

The earth is about to give in to a new multidimensional consciousness. However, this cannot happen unless we understand that, as human beings, we are being asked to change. We are being asked to let go of our attachments to physical things. We must learn to let go. Resistance and panic will only hinder the inevitable processes of evolutionary transformation.

Marko Pogacnik describes what we can expect and how to prepare ourselves to deal with it. He presents simple exercises and meditations that will not only help us survive and adapt, but will alsoand more importanthelp the Earth herself bring forth her true Self.

Born in 1944 in Kranj, Slovenia, Marko Pogacnik studied sculpting at university and acquired an international reputation in conceptual land art. He has developed this further into earth lithopuncture, whose goal is to heal disturbed landscapes and power points. He leads seminars in earth healing in several countries and provides advice on landscape matters for communities and businesses. Marko Pogacnik is a lecturer at the Hagia Chora school for geomancy which was founded in 1995.

 

 

Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Diabetes, Third Edition, Tell Me What to Eat Ser., Elaine Magee

 

 

Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you can't enjoy life, eat well, and live healthy!

Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Diabetes begins with a detailed, but non-technical overview of diabetes, specifically Type II diabetes. Elaine clearly presents the latest medical findings on what causes diabetes, available treatments, and the dietary implications of this disease.

This revised edition of Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Diabetes includes:
• How to use an individualized carbohydrate budget.
• Practical tips to lower dangerous blood lipids.
• Quick guide to understanding and using the glycemic index and glycemic load.
• Revolutionary fiber tips (because you can't talk about carbohydrates, Type II diabetes, and great health without factoring in fiber).
• A list of new foods that may actually help people with Type II diabetes.
• Everything you need to know about alternative sweeteners.

What's new in this edition?
• An updated section on trans-fatty acids and how to be a "trans-fat" detective.
• A new section on smart snacking.
• The 10 food steps to freedom.
• The latest research and findings on diet and Type II diabetes.
• The key steps that have been particularly successful for weight loss in people with Type II diabetes.

Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Diabetes includes dozens of healthful, practical, mouth-watering recipes, plus supermarket and restaurant advice. The recipes all include familiar, easy-to-find ingredients, and involve minimal preparation time.

Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, is the author of the celebrated syndicated column "The Recipe Doctor." She is a frequent guest on Portland's morning show AM Northwest. Magee is a regular contributor to Parenting magazine and the author of 10 previous books on nutrition and cooking, including the best-selling Fight Fat and Win, as well as other titles in the Tell Me What to Eat Series, covering Diabetes, IBS, Menopause, Colon Cancer, and Breast Cancer.

$12.99 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

 

The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis, Marc J. Seifer

 

 

The ability to write by hand is a pinnacle of human achievement. As a form of self-expression, handwriting reflects a person's thoughts about the self and reveals aspects of a person's personality.

Written in a step-by-step fashion, The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis begins with the history of the field and then teaches you how to analyze any handwriting, starting with objective criteria, including variables such as organization, speed, size, shape, slant, and symbolic features. Then you learn how to combine these variables to create a full personality profile.

There are more than 100 handwriting samples, including those from Paul Newman, Bill Clinton, Marlon Brando, Donald Trump, Sigmund Freud, Thomas Edison, Osama bin Laden, Bruce Springsteen, Benito Mussolini, Napoleon Bonaparte, Michael Jackson, Robert Redford, Barak Obama, and Charles Darwin.

Part II discusses how handwriting is organized by the brain and includes many examples of the link between handwriting and various illnesses and brain disorders, from dyslexia and epilepsy to stroke and coma. It ends with a discussion of the link between different personality types, their brain organization, and their handwriting.

Part III is an in-depth look at the field of questioned documents, including such topics as free-hand forgeries, tracing, disguised handwriting, and anonymous notes. It features an in-depth discussion of how forgeries are created and how they are detected.

. If you are interested in any aspect of this topic, The Definitive Book of Handwriting Analysis is definitely the book you need!

Marc Seifer, PhD has been a handwriting expert for more than 35 years and was editor-in-chief of The Journal of the American Society of Professional Graphologists for more than a decade. He has worked for the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office and Crime Laboratory, the Department of Defense, Undersea Warfare, United Parcel Service, and numerous banks, insurance agencies, and lawyers. He was featured on the History Channel discussing Howard Hughes, Mormon Will, and on Associated Press International TV on the handwriting of Osama bin Laden. He has lectured at Oxford University, Cambridge University, Brandeis, Cranbrook Retreat, and numerous conferences around the world. Dr. Seifer teaches psychology and forensic graphology at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.

$18.99 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond 2012, James Endredy

 

War, catastrophic geologic events, Armageddon . . . The prophecies surrounding 2012—the end of the Mayan calendar—aren't pretty. James Endredy pierces the doom and gloom with hope and a positive, hopeful message for humankind.

For wisdom and guidance concerning this significant date, Endredy consults Tataiwari (Grandfather Fire) and Nakawe (Grandmother Growth)—the "First Shamans." Recorded here is their fascinating dialog. They reveal how the evolution of human consciousness, sustaining the earth, and our personal happiness are all interconnected.

Discover what you can do to spur the transformation of human consciousness. See how connecting with our true selves, daily acts of compassion and love, focusing personal energy, and even gardening can make a difference. Endredy also shares shamanistic techniques to revive the health of our planet . . . and ourselves.

James Endredy is a teacher, mentor, and guide to thousands of people through his books and workshops. After a series of life tragedies and mystical experiences as a teenager he changed direction from his Catholic upbringing and embarked on a life-long spiritual journey to encounter the mysteries of life and death and why we are all here. For over twenty-five years he has learned shamanic practices from all over the globe, while also studying with kawiteros, lamas, siddhas, roadmen, and leaders in the modern fields of ecopsychology, bioregionalism, and sustainable living. James also worked for ten years with Mexican shamanic researcher Victor Sanchez learning to share shamanic practices with modern people.

On a daily level, his experiences have inspired him to live a sustainable lifestyle as much as possible while still working within mainstream society. He writes, leads workshops, mentors private clients, visits schools and community centers, speaks at bookstores, and volunteers in his community. His books have thus far been published in four languages. Ecoshamanism is his third book.

$16.95 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

 

Oneness with All Life, Eckhart Tolle

 

Beautifully packaged with evocative artwork and design, Oneness with All Life highlights the most inspiring and beautiful insights of A New Earth.

In A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle describes how our

current ego-based state of consciousness operates. The purpose of this book is to bring about a shift in consciousness, or in his words, an awakening. An essential part of this awakening is the recognition of the ego, and our attachment to things, the past, and enemies. In this new edition, Eckhart Tolle has picked the essential phrases and paragraphs—the gems of the book—that he feels are most important. These words are displayed in a lavish design that will surely make this edition the most sought-after book for the holidays.

Eckhart Tolle is a renowned contemporary spiritual counselor and bestselling self-help author. At the core of his simple yet profound teachings lies the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution.

$25.00 - Order Online from Quest

 

 

 

You're Not Who You Think You Are, Albert Clayton Gaulden

 

 

 

Albert Clayton Gaulden -- internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and founder of the Sedona Intensive -- reveals step-by-step how you can live authentically and discover your true self.

 

A leader in the spiritual community, Albert Clayton Gaulden has helped thousands of clients achieve personal growth by harnessing their inner power. In You're Not Who You Think You Are, he uses the same techniques, insights, and exercises to guide readers to a place where they can uncover the obstacles that hinder their fulfillment and find answers to their deepest questions.

At a time when so many people are looking to the world around them for spiritual renewal, Gaulden focuses on looking within. In You're Not Who You Think You Are, Gaulden candidly discusses his own path to peace after years of struggling with alcoholism and includes power-ful, inspiring stories from clients who have used his self-healing methods.

For all those who are looking for a life filled with lasting joy, You're Not Who You Think You Are is a thoughtful, practical, and endlessly illuminating guide.

Mary E. Jones - Library Journal

 

In his latest attempt to help readers find fulfillment and contentment, psychologist Gaulden (founding director, Sedona Intensive; Signs and Wonders) emphasizes exploring one's inner feelings in order to become the person one was meant to be. Gaulden guides readers through eight stages of exploration designed to help convert the ego, find forgiveness, and connect to the divine within. Gaulden's message consists of New Age spiritualism, which revolves around the teachings of Carl Jung, Edgar Cayce, transpersonal psychology (which studies the spiritual dimensions of humanity), and astrology. Gaulden includes techniques and exercises such as yoga, prayer, visualization, and dialog (self-talk) as well as inspiring stories of people he has worked with and his overcoming alcoholism. Gaulden's book has a simple and straightforward message designed to help the average person looking for ways to break through the barriers of society and family to find peace within. This reasonably well-written guide should be of interest to readers who enjoy books that bring together a variety of teachings of a spiritual nature. Recommended for larger public libraries and libraries with patrons into alternative therapy.

Biography

 

Albert Clayton Gaulden, founder and director of Sedona, Arizona's popular alternative therapy program, the Sedona Intensive, is also the author of Clearing for the Millennium and Signs and Wonders. The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC World News, and publications such as the Chicago Tribune have featured Albert Clayton Gaulden and his transforming work. Visit his website at sedonaintensive.com.

 

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