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ROSE'S BOOK REVIEWS TRYING TIMES Man, oh man, are we trying—ever since the emergency calls went out on 911. And as happens during any time of trial, we are discovering what we are made of and what we truly believe. The War Against Terrorism is the first to be fought primarily in consciousness. All of us have become warriors. So choose wisely where you put your attention, on terror or a higher truth. You could even consider it your patriotic duty to avoid focusing on fears related to current events which, ironically, enables terrorism. Your greatest source of comfort these days will probably not be your TV set. Why turn it on when you can tune in awareness of God? No terrorist can take away that presence, nearer than the nearest and dearer than the dearest. Now’s a good time to use spiritual practice to discover in a real and conscious way how God is woven into the fabric of creation; for those of us who are spiritual seekers, nothing can remove this awareness except our indifference, fear, or pain. Ironically, these deep human habits are being brought to the surface by current circumstances, all the better to finally be released. In later years we will bless our collective release. Meanwhile, helping others can add to your sense of stability. See Instructions for Empathic Volunteer Work, for suggestions. Peaceful Earth: Spiritual Perspectives on Hope and Healing beyond Terrorism Lisa Hepner, editor 78 pages, $12 Hold the Vision 503-524-7151, or Order this book from Amazon Here’s the single best resource in book form for anyone seeking perspective about the War on Terrorism. This reasonably priced anthology shares a range of wisdom from some of America’s leading spiritual teachers. Commentary by Alan Cohen is his usual gold standard—wisdom that can ease your heart and awaken your spirit. Dan Millman, another outstanding New Age writer, explains “Let’s not give more power to a small group of zealots; let’s not let them live in our heads rent-free.” Other contributors include Jean Houston, Marianne Williamson, and Terry Cole-Whittaker. Their teachings may inspire you to write the most important commentary of all: the one electronically stored in your head. The Invisible String Patrice Karst Illustrated by Geoff Stevenson 31 pages, hardcover, $15.95 plus $3.95 shippingDeVorss Publications, (800) 843-5743.PO Box 550, Marina Del Rey, CA 90294 Order
online at www.devorss.com,
click on "new releases," then click on "The Invisible
String." You’ll laugh, you’ll cry—at least I did. You’ll jump at the surprise ending—at least my 10-year-old son did. Of course I can’t predict how you’ll react to this fabulous book about your connection to God, but I certainly do urge you to buy it for everyone on your shopping list, young or old. Illustrations by Geoff Stevenson are uncommonly effective: simple, attractive, expressive, and free-flowing. The visuals of this picture book are perfectly matched to Patrice Karst’s skillful text. It would have been so easy to make the words preachy or sentimental, yet she never crosses that line (narrower, even, than the slender string in her title). Karst’s author photo on the dust jacket also deserves recognition. As an aura reader and physiognomist, I always scrutinize pictures before I review a book. Especially when someone writes directly about experiencing God, I’m curious what deeper perception will reveal, spiritual magnificence or wishful thinking? With Karst it’s clearly the former (as one might guess from the eloquent simplicity of the book itself). But the regular-perception aspect of the photo is noteworthy, too. Never before have I seen a professional-quality author’s picture with such lifelike presentation. Without make-up or much of a hairdo, Patrice Karst sits in the photographer’s chair as if leaning over your kitchen table to talk to you. Wonder what typical author photos will look like well in the New Age? That’s it, I predict--no artifice or posturing, simply an honest presence. Which, in a way, is what the main character in this book is about, too. Inner Reflections 2002 calendar For more (and differently) inspiring photos, see the award-winning Inner Reflections 2002 calendar from Self-Realization Fellowship ($12.95). In this calendar, gorgeous nature photography is paired with inspirational quotes by Paramahansa Yogananda. For instance, imagine a photo of dwarf birch trees, turned red in Alaskan autumn. The thought you’re given to accompany this is, “Purity, peace, happiness beyond dreams, are sparkling and dancing within your soul.” To order, call 800-801-1952. The Book of Practical Faith D. Patrick Miller 84 pages, a bargain at $12 Fearless Books 800-480-2776 , or Order this book from AmazonGrab your highlighter pen before you sit down with this book. If you’re like me you’ll need it. Even though I don’t have problems with faith, this book taught me so much that I highlighted an average of one quote per page—a lifetime record with any book. If you know someone who agonizes over spiritual skepticism, do both of you a favor: give Miller’s extraordinary book as a present. And throw in a couple of highlighters. Miller is a brilliant writer, an original thinker who has distilled his life experience into practical wisdom. He’s never belonged to organized religion in any form. Perhaps that has hurt the marketing of his books in the short run. If he belonged to any mainstream denomination, his book would be stocked in its bookstores worldwide; it already could have become a mega-bestseller. Still, this is a timeless book of wisdom. I believe it’s destined to become a classic. Also see A Little Book of Forgiveness, another extraordinary book by D. Patrick Miller. Workout for the Soul: 8 Steps to Inner Fitness Chrissie Blaze 168 pg, $14.95 + $3 shipping Aslan Publishing 800-786-5427, or Order this book from Amazon Just holding this book in your hand is a privilege, for it represents over 25 years of devoted service and avid learning. Between the covers you’ll find a lifetime program for spiritual development. Of special interest are techniques for breathing, drawing energy from the sun and moon, and a knock-your-socks-off meditation with the violet flame. Blaze’s common sense balances the mystical practices. For instance, I couldn’t agree more with her advice about affirmations. “You should never lie to yourself…. it is a waste of time to affirm to yourself that you have no financial problems and that you are extremely wealthy if in fact you are deeply in debt. This lie can only result in confusion and, possibly, ill health.” (Her explanation can be found in the chapter on “Building a Bridge to Your Soul.”) Chrissie Blaze’s how-to culminates with the 15-minute workout in her book’s subtitle. Initially the idea turned me off—I figured it was a slick attempt to McDonaldize the search for God. But guess what? Because she systematically builds up to the final chapter, and has designed it with care, her workout works. A final reason to consider this book is the superb introduction to the very concept of doing spiritual practice. It couldn’t be more timely, especially these words: “While this book can bring you… benefits, that is not its main focus. Above all, it was written to teach you how to help others in a more powerful way—for this is the key to spiritual development. For once, let’s take the emphasis away from us and get on with the most important job of all—becoming a light in our dark world.” Virtual Foreplay: Making Your Online Relationship a Real-Life Success Eve Eschner Hogan, M.A. 116 pages, $13.95 Hunter House Books 800-266-5592, or Order this book from Amazon Since 911, many of us have found ourselves reaching out to others. And even before the anthrax scare, many of us were turning to e-mail rather than snail mail. We’re forming friendships, making business contacts, developing hobbies—and therefore, you can probably learn a great deal from Hogan’s perspective. It has relevance even if you’re not interested in online dating; if you are single and searching this is an important book for you to buy. As she explains, “virtual” is “a strange word that leads us to think of “almost, but not quite.” Virtual dating is dating in essence, but not in actuality. . . . Unfortunately, there are many times when the fantasy and the reality don’t ever converge, which, in the world of Internet dating, can be frustrating, deceiving, and time-consuming.” Practical advice from this thoroughly researched book includes developing an ethical code, identifying personal values, deciding on non-negotiable issues, appreciating what you have to offer, a consumer’s survey of major online dating sites, and “Fifty Ways to Delete Your Lover.” Even the list of emoticons is delightful. Next time you e-mail your Mom, how about sending her a kiss: :-x In addition to being an experienced relationship coach and emerging media personality, Eve Hogan is really a spiritual teacher. Her wisdom about relationships really transcends the topic of online meet-&-greet, and it’s matched by considerable finesse of expression. “Ultimately,” she writes, “it makes no difference whom we choose as a partner, if we ourselves do not have the interpersonal skills to support and maintain a relationship. Even if we find the mate of our dreams, we still need to be the mate of their dreams, as well.” When you buy the book, turn to her extraordinary analysis of the mechanics of falling in love, pages 66-67. You’ll find plenty of spiritual insights mingled with this book’s solid how-to advice. I’m sure I’m not the first reader of Virtual Foreplay to have fallen in love with Eve Hogan, or at least risen to a higher level of liking and respect. With or Without a Man: Single Women Taking Control of Their Lives Another interesting book about relationships is by local author Karen Gail Lewis, Ed.D.’s With or Without a Man: Single Women Taking Control of Their Lives, 246 pg., $18.95, Bull Publishing Company, www.bullpub.com, 800-676-2855. (Or, order this book from Amazon.) If you consider being single a problem, this book will take you step-by-step through an array of solutions. This is the book to give to those who worry, “What’s wrong with me that I’m not married?” Personal Pilgrimage: One Day Soul Journeys for Busy People Viki Hurst Hardcover, 224 pages, $21.95 Northstone 800-663-2775, or Order this book from Amazon “A pilgrimage is a journey one takes in order to receive enlightenment, to experience a sense of deepening, to find wholeness.” Retreat facilitator Viki Hurst has put together a soul-nurturing collection of practical pilgrimages in the form of spiritual day trips. Waits at the airports are long these days. Here’s an alternative. Let Hurst show you how to take a vacation close to home, spend your time wisely, and integrate the pilgrimage experience into your daily life.
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