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New Book Reviews as of April 2004
Recreating Ourselves - Body,
Mind, Spirit!
NEW!
Online Exclusive Book Reviews
Previous
Reviews
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Kathryn Lanier: When
we seek happiness elsewhere or 'elsewhen,' we overlook
the fullness of what is at hand. - Josh Baran
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365 Nirvana
Here and Now - Living Every Moment in Enlightenment
Edited by Josh Baran, 2003
Element, Hammersmith, London |
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| Josh Baran
has edited a simply beautiful book in every sense of
the word. Each lovely page has an essay, a poem, quotes,
and often commentary by Baran himself. The authors he
has collected in this anthology are as diverse as monks,
actors, scientists, and enlightened masters. The central
message answers the questions, "When is now?," "When
is the present moment?," and "How do I know I am in
the present moment?" Each reading is thought-provoking
with a certain element of "how to." I cannot think of
a more beautiful gift for yourself or anyone in your
life who is wondering when enlightenment will strike!
Other Reviews
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I Spoke
with the Spirits of Plants
Petr Vackar, 2003
Animal Globe, Prague, Czech Republic
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| The word
that best describes this book is gentle. Petr Vackar
is a gentle man in his beliefs and in his desire to
share them with us. The history of plant use moves from
Ancient Greece to the Native Americans to the Czech
Republic. Vackar relates the story of his love for his
precious dog Bonty with supreme gentleness. That love
led him to commune with the Salvia plant Diva to learn
to heal the cancer ravaging Bonty's paw. Each illustration
is an abstract painting done in glorious blues, greens,
and highlights with gentle movement that leaves you
feeling as though you are witnessing an undersea world
of plant life. The illustrator is Katia Jirankova. During
an interview with Petr Vackar I learned that all proceeds
from this book are going toward building an Alzheimer's
Unit.
Other Reviews
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The
Little Book of Yoga Breathing: Pranayama Made Easy
Scott Shaw, 2004
Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, York Beach, ME
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| Odd to think that we
might need to be taught how to breathe, isn't it? How
many of us find ourselves breathing shallowly, sighing
constantly, or even holding our breath unaware? Scott
Shaw has written a short, practical book on how, when,
and why to breathe. Because these breathing exercises
require only the most subtle movements to revitalize,
rejuvenate, or calm the body, mind, and spirit, I cannot
imagine a more imperative book to have on your desk,
in your purse or backpack, even in your glove compartment!
When your energy wanes, when your concentration seems
to have left, when your emotions threaten to take over
in rage or in tears, pick up Shaw's book and find the
proper breathing technique for this time and place.
Just breathe!
Other Reviews
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Peace
Between the Sheets: Healing with Sexual Relationships
Marnia Robinson, 2004
Frog Ltd., Berkeley, CA |
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| Marnia Robinson has
researched the split and tension in modern relationships
between men and women. Her solution-a return to the
ancient ways of intimacy. Rather than devouring each
other and leaving each other empty and feeling a depressing
sense of lack, Robinson offers us not just theory but
the how-to of healing with sexual relationships. The
healing is not just physical and mental but spiritual.
The final chapter of Section I, before the how-to of
the Ecstatic Exchanges in Section II, describes a Divine
connection-one which the ancient Taoists and Tibetan
Buddhists have always known. You cannot be selfish and
generous at the same time; you cannot be hungry and
nourished at the same time. Therefore, with the sexual
energy transmuted through the heart center to nourish
each other, the flow of abundance in life balances with
the life force and merges us not just with our partners
but with the Source from whence we came.
Other Reviews
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Let
Go, Let Miracles Happen - The Art of Spiritual Surrender
Kathy Cordova, 2003
Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, York Beach, ME
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My favorite line in
this book is "What we resist persists." Kathy Cordova
does not just tell us that we have to surrender. She
tells us why and how in less than 200 pages. This sets
her book apart from any other that I have read on this
subject. Her writing is clear and straightforward. The
second part of the book backs up what Cordova has offered
us with 35 anecdotal stories that could be considered
case studies. The stories show us the immeasurable value
of learning to surrender that which is bigger than us
to that which is Higher than us. Her message to stop
struggling against and to flow with is potent with her
deep understanding that there is not just one way to
surrender to a Higher Power. If you are still struggling
with the concept of surrender, this book is a must have.
Other Reviews
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About
the Reviewer:
Kathryn Lanier lives in Colorado with her eight
year old twins. She is a freelance writer/editor/reviewer
educated at UNC-CH and the College of Charleston. Kathryn
is published internationally, designed and is teaching
In-Vision! Seminar for personal empowerment,
and writes and edits for international clients. Please
address inquiries regarding writing, editing, and seminar
services to TheWritingArts@aol.com.
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