MR. EVERIT’S SECRET
by Alan Cohen, Hampton Roads Publishing, 2004. 106 pages. $16.95

Alan Cohen does it again. The wizard of words has penned another winner with Mr. Everit’s Secret.

Alan has been blessed with the talent to write modern-day parables that teach and inspire at the same time. He again plucks a solid note from our heartstrings with this latest gem.

In the introduction, Alan writes, “Life has an amazing way of sending help to those who need it... the story you are about to read is a chronicle of the answer to one man’s prayers... his heart was in deep pain and his spirit called out for relief. His answer showed up in the form of Bert Everit.”

It is the story of a young man who applies for a job in a wheelbarrow factory. He meets the owner Bert Everit and senses an immediate connection. He is hired. In no time, Mr. Everit takes him under his wing and begins to share things with him. Along the way, his life is changed. At the end of each chapter, our hero writes in a notebook, “What I learned from Mr. Everit”... “Other stuff he said”... and leaves hints the reader can ponder with “What I did” that lists actions he took as a result of the “lesson” he learned from Mr. Everit.

As you delightfully devour each chapter, the reader comes to the realization that they, too, are being offered the tools to transform their lives.

This is a book that you will read in one setting. And it will make you smile, chuckle and bring a tear to your eye.

Reviewed by Cindy Saul

Loving Yourself
by Daphne Rose Kingma, Conari Press, 2004, $12.95, 177 pages.

The most important relationship we have in our lives is with ourselves. As the lyrics of the song goes, “Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all!” Daphne Rose Kingma is to love what the sun is to a beautiful summer day. She is the female Leo Buscaglia. You know right away how she views this sacred relationship from the dedication in the front of the book. It reads, “For you, because you’ve finally decided to love yourself. And because your soul knows you deserve no less.” The adventure begins here. The first part of the book deals with how you got to where you are. I liked the chapter titled “How Don’t I Love Me? Let Me Count The Ways.” In Part Two, you are shown the path to self love and it sets out four steps to take to becoming the naturally loving being you really are. This book encourages us to our natural way of being… which is loving ourselves. Daphne concludes the book with a beautiful prayer her father used to say to her each year on her birthday. She writes, “When I want to remember to love myself, I recall the beauty of his prayer… “Dear ____, I ask you to hold me tenderly in your care, to honor me and cherish me, to celebrate all my gifts and powers, to comfort me in the difficult hours, to fill my heart and enlarge my soul, to walk with me in the path of service, so I can fulfill my purpose on this earth. May I know every day that I belong. That I am loved. That I am loving. Amen.”

Thank you Daphne, for gently and eloquently reminding us.

Reviewed by Cindy Saul

MY GREATEST JOYS ON MY WAY HOME
by Rev. Jay Samonie, Morris Publishing, 2004, 277 pages, $14.95.

The Reverend Jay Samonie, a senior priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit, continues his autobiography in this, his third book. Each of Father Jay’s books has presented a delightful picture of a warm human being living a life of dedicated service, while at the same time each book includes fascinating glimpses of the Detroit community, its history and people.

Whereas this review introduces Father Jay’s newest book, it is useful to also review his first two volumes; so we will do so. On My Way Home (Morris Publishing, 1998) told a story that was rather unexpected from a dedicated Roman Catholic priest. In this first book Father Jay revealed many mystical and spiritual events in his life and told of his various metaphysical studies (including the Edgar Cayce readings) and his interest in and teaching of The Silva Method of Mind Development. This introductory volume is highly ecumenical in nature and is a highly inspirational book to read.

In Reflections On My Way Home (Morris Publishing, 1999), Father Jay continued his exploration of the meaning of his life experiences and how he could serve others. In this book he explores more deeply the spiritual messages from the first book. He discusses the important spiritual issues that concern all of us. He uses questions from readers and lessons from his own life to reflect on their meaning. This book, too, is deeply inspirational. Moreover, it is filled with charming stories and deep wisdom. Its topics include: Letting go of the past; Guilt; Death; God’s grace; the Oneness of All; Prayer as a relationship; On being religious, spiritual or both; Meditation; the Power Within; and many more similar enlightening themes.

In his newest book, My Greatest Joys on My Way Home (Morris Publishing, 2004), Rev. Jay focuses primarily on one theme – the foundation of happiness. For this he quotes a verse from Hindu poet, R. Tagore:

“I went to sleep and I dreamed that life was happiness;

I woke up and I saw that life was service;

I served and I discovered that in service is found happiness.”

The book itself becomes a demonstration of a life of service, both that of Rev. Jay and of many others whom he honors in his recollections. The book focuses primarily on Rev. Jay’s years as the pastor of Holy Trinity Church in the downtown, “Corktown” area of Detroit. As such, the book provides an insightful, warm look into the operations of a unique inner city parish, the community it serves and its staff, parishioners and friends. The story glows with love. Readers will clearly feel the joy that comes with service to others.

The Rev. Jay Samonie is a gifted storyteller and spiritual mentor. His books are both intensely personal as well as inspiring and interesting to others. The first two books are still available from sources, such as Barnes and Noble.com. Some book stores may special order the new book or readers can obtain it directly from Father Jay. (Rev. Jay Samonie, 24666 Spring Valley Dr., Westland, MI 48185-9457. The book is $14.95; Michigan tax is $.90 per book, S&H is $3.)

Reviewed by Gayl Woityra

SECRETS OF THE CODE: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries Behind the DaVinci Code
Edited by Dan Burstein, CDS Books, 2004, 373 pages, $21.95.

Readers continue to be intrigued with the underlying themes of Dan Brown’s best selling novel, The DaVinci Code. The books that formed the basis for those themes have moved from near obscurity to near best-seller status. (See Book Talk discussions in phenomeNEWS in September and October 2003 and March 2004). Now various authors have put forth compendiums of the discussions about The DaVinci Code. One of the best, currently in the top 20 non-fiction best-seller lists, is Secrets of the Code, edited by Dan Burstein.

Burstein’s book is a well-balanced collection of discussions of the many provocative ideas in Brown’s novel. It includes interviews with many experts, including the authors of many of the works Brown referenced in his work. Experts also include theologians, like Elaine Pagels, professor of religion at Princeton University and author of The Gnostic Gospels; art historians like Diane Apostolos-Cappadona from Georgetown University; philosophers like Timothy Freke, author of The Jesus Mysteries; cryptographers like Simon Singh, Cambridge educated physicist; and many more.

In some cases, Burstein includes entire chapters from relevant books and sometimes, updated new material. His organization of this work is impeccable and easy to follow. This book – be prepared for fairly small print – contains a plethora of information. The clear-cut organization allows readers to pick and choose topics to peruse if they prefer that approach to reading the entire work from front to back. Burstein also includes a helpful glossary. Topics include: Mary Magdalene and the Sacred Feminine, The Lost Gospels, Early Christianity, Secret Societies, Mystery of Codes, Leonardo da Vinci, Temples of Symbols, and various reviews and commentaries on Brown’s novel.

I really enjoyed reading this book all the way through. I appreciate that it presents various viewpoints, resulting in a balanced discussion. This is an informative collection pertinent to the themes Dan Brown introduces in The DaVinci Code. It is a useful, even entertaining tool for those who would like to explore the topics without buying or borrowing a dozen or more books on the subject.

Reviewed by Gayl Woityra

Spiritual Power Tools: Support For Your Soul
by Jane E. Hart published by Center for Enlightenment, 2004.
ISBN 0-9753047-0-4, 71 pages, $9.95

Spiritual Power Tools: Support For Your Soul is packed full of revolutionary techniques designed to invigorate your spiritual growth. It is written by Warren, Michigan resident Jane E. Hart, the founder and spiritual educator of the Center for Enlightenment.

For thousands of years, the spiritual path has been shrouded in mystery. Spiritual Power Tools will de-mystify and de-glamorize soul growth. It provides a simple, step-by-step process that appeals to beginners on the path, as well as seasoned seekers who crave additional spiritual information. There’s no distracting details, just an outline of essential and practical actions.

You’ll learn compelling ways to create measurable changes in your thoughts, attitudes and decisions. You will read about soul evolution, how to meditate and develop your intuition. Hart also explains how past karma is lodged in your subconscious, dictating your present attitudes and future choices. Revealing how to uncover patterns, heal karma and gain mastery over your destiny.

Some of the actual “Power Tools” include the “Spiritual Thermometer,” which gauges your level of soul connection. Don’t make decisions when your “temperature” is low. Another is a seven step process to help release memories and circumstances that hold you back from new possibilities.

Although small in size, every chapter of Spiritual Power Tools delivers a major gift that makes every page count. Available at www.cfenlightenment.org, Renaissance Unity Bookstore or www.amazon.com.

Reviewed by Aluna Michaels