The JOY OF CHRISTMAS
by Dr. Daniel C. Price, Phd, Price Publications LLC, Jackson, MI, ISBN 1-9664464-0-2, 2000; 748 pages, $14.95.

I read The Joy Of Christmas in one sitting and was moved by the simplicity of it. Dr. Price has a wonderful way with words and is able to tell a good story through easy yet lyrical language. Surely there are thousands of Christmas stories out there, but Dr. Price’s book is one man’s experience representing a most hopeful and inspiring point of view. “Look around and you can see how beautiful understand can be!” writes Dr. Price. Visited by an angel on a cold winter night’s drive, he learns more than he ever knew or believed before about all the traditional symbols of Christmas – from lights to trees to Santa Claus and more. Price discovers the true meaning behind the season. You will want to read this book each Christmas and remember how special you are, how important others are to you and how your are never along with so much joy, so many gifts and so much love in the world. I highly recommend it!

Reviewed by Sue Fracker

NEALE DONALD WALSCH ...on HOLISTIC LIVING
by Neale Donald Walsch, Hampton Roads Publishing,1999, $14.95, 99 pgs
...on ABUNDANCE AND RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
by Neale Donald Walsch, Hampton Roads Publishing,1999, $14.95, 130 pgs
...on RELATIONSHIPS
by Neale Donald Walsch, Hampton Roads Publishing, 1999, $14.95, 112 pgs

Neale is still talking to God ... thank God (pun intended!)

In this trilogy of easy-to-read-in-one- sitting books, Neale tackles the subjects of Holistic Living, Abundance and Right Livelihood and, the “biggie” Relationships. This book series is excerpted from talks that Neale presented before a live audience. Each book explores a specific topic. In the pure, clear fashion of his previous writings, Neale chats with God asking him those questions that we would ask if we were there. He acts as our “tour guide” to the Divine stream of consciousness and reports back to us mere mortals the wisdom he receives.

This series, subtitled “Applications for Living,” is quite appropriate because the information imparted is, indeed, a blueprint for improving the quality of life.

I can only say this about this series, or for that matter, anything Neale pens, I LOVE THEM! Don’t let the size fool you. Each little book contains so much good information that if you don’t have at least one “aha” moment reading them, I would be totally surprised. To me, Neale is like popcorn, once you start reading his books, you can’t stop, you become addicted and just can’t wait until the next one appears in your bookstore.

If you have not as yet read any books by Neale, I wholeheartedly encourage you to pick one up. This little series would be perfect to start with and then graduate into the larger texts. As those of us on the spiritual path know, you can never get enough good (read that God) stuff. And Neale keeps giving us more installments just when we need them. Keep on talkin’ Neale!

Reviewed by Cindy Saul

GOD SPEAKS 
edited by Charles Robb, Villard Books, New York, 2000, $14.95

In 1998, an anonymous client gave the Smith advertising agency in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, $150,000 to create an advertising campaign that would reach out to people who used to be faithful to a religion but had drifted. The result was a humorous, thought-provoking, non-denominational series of quotes from God, run on billboards.

The resulting GOD SPEAKS campaign became a national phenomenon. The Outdoor Advertising Association of America picked it as their public-service campaign for the year and began running it in two hundred cities nationwide. The billboards have since been featured on countless tv, radio and print media outlets.

Charles Robb was the creative director of Smith Agency and the one who came up with the phrases that made their way onto billboards. They were simple, white letters on a black background, but the messages were profound. I first spotted it on an evening news program and it mentioned a website, so I had to check it out. It was humorous and poignant at the same time. It inspired me to begin writing a story which somehow got misplaced, yet the messages kept clearly ringing in my head. Some little gems that stood out were:

I’ve missed you. –God 
We really need to work on our relationship. –God 
Don’t make me come down there. –God
I’m here when you need me –God
Last time things were this messed up, I sent a flood –God
Remember how we’d talk every night at bedtime? I miss that. –God
Talk to me. –God
Is this the sign you’ve been waiting for? –God
I’m in the Book. –God
Check with me on your way out. –God
Is there someone else? –God
We’re in this together, you know. –God

This little book contains all of these beauties and a few more treasures. It’s entertaining, funny, inspiring and soul-stirring.

The fact that these “God Speaks” phrases created a worldwide phenomenon is testament to the yearning in our souls for that personal connection to whatever we call our Divine Source. This book serves as a gentle reminder of the “bigger picture.” What a treat! Great gift to give to yourself or anyone you care about because God Speaks is a lighthearted reminder of what this life is truly about.

Reviewed by Cindy Saul

Psychic Living
by Andrei Ridgeway, Kensington Publishing, 1999, $12.00.

Ms. Ridgeway’s book is worth having in your bookcase. It’s easy reading and covers many subjects. I enjoyed how she explained that we have lost our ability to respond to life instinctually. She goes on to say everything thinks and feels for us, television, computers and video games. With an exercise at the end of each chapter, we are taken through the psychic growing up of the four character archetypes.

After each of these four are identified, she develops them with excellent examples. The four are empath, the seer, the warrior and the shaman. She composed a list of seven colors of the human body in accordance with the seven chakras.

We are told how to awaken the empath with feeling journal writing, breathing and meditation. Listening, a form of accepting, is a sacred activity. So listen to the voice that heals. We all have guides. There are spirits that walk with us our entire lives and live behind the veil on the other side of time. So, we are asked, are you in sync with your guides?

We are taken from rituals to symbols, including oracles, “the truth is an oracle is whatever you perceive it to be.” The ouija board, the tarot cards, the ching and runes are reviewed.

Reviewed by Betty Roberts

The Initiation
by Dr. Donald Schnell (aka Prema Baba Swamiji), Element Books, 2000, 131 pages, $19.95, www.TheInitiation.com.

The Initiation is a very enjoyable book to read for many reasons. While it is autobiographical – the story of the author’s initiation by his guru – it is much more than that. It combines the story of a seeker’s journey to find himself and takes us along with him in his forays into the spiritual side of India. We meet the eternal Babaji, connect with Kali, the Divine Mother, we travel in India with the elusive Babu and even more, we connect with our own spirituality as Babaji and his teachers answer the deep questions we may or may not have formulated ourselves at some point.

Reading The Initiation is somewhat of an initiation for the reader also. As you read of Dr. Schnell’s voyage into himself and into the center of love, you also voyage alongside. The book may read as easily as a novel, but is packed with spiritual insights and understanding like a hefty spiritual tome. While the book may be the story of Dr. Schnell’s transformation into Prema Baba Swamiji, it is really about each one of us and our transformation into the divinity we truly are.

Whether you read this story as a “manual to enlightenment” or simply as an enjoyable travelogue, it does not matter, as you will come out of the reading a changed person. It teaches about the power of mantras, of love, of breathing, of prayer and meditation and the simplicity of God. He writes that attaining peace and enlightenment is never far once you realize that you too are experiencing this same journey to self, wherever you are. Bliss is only a no-thought away and laughter, song, dance and play are essential to spiritual growth and happiness.

In response to someone who tells him “I’ve always made everything hard for myself,” Swamiji shares what Babaji has taught him. “Life is leela – a divine play. Let your prayers be poetic and from the heart. Learn to dance and let your dancing be a prayer. Celebrate God with your love. Prayer is action. Meditation is silence. Use them both and soar to the heavenly heights.”

Thank you Swamiji for taking us along on your journey and shedding light on ours.

Reviewed by: Marie T. Russell

One Degree Beyond – A Reiki Journey Into Energy Medicine
by Janeanne Narrin, Little White Buffalo Publishing Cottage, Seattle, WA, 1997, 287 pages, $14.95.

Reiki is an ancient healing practice rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui over 100 years ago. Although Dr. Usui was in Japan fasting on a mountain for 21 days when his breakthrough occurred, his research had taken him from the United States to India and back to Japan. A continuous line of successors and practitioners has passed on Reiki since. Janeanne accurately describes Reiki as “a gentle hands-on technique of energy exchange.” Janeanne Narrin’s professional background is in personnel psychology. Her self-stated goal in the Introduction is to guide Reiki practitioners to be instruments of positive change and to “contribute to a desperately needed shift in consciousness for out global community.”

If you have just received your first degree Reiki attunement, you may benefit from this book. Janeanne includes a lovely telling of Usui’s story and the history of Reiki. Additionally, she shares her own journey to Reiki in a way that unfolds in each chapter. Woven throughout is information about Reiki, its usage, possible benefits and the stories of several practitioners. For beginners (and possibly for experienced practitioners who need to rejuvenate their self practice) Narrin recommends a 21-day Reiki journey. To facilitate this personal journey she includes questions to complete and suggests using a 21-day contemplation journal. If the 21-day commitment seems too long, Narrin describes a “7-Day Reiki Break Time-Shifter Interlude... to re-discover your native capacity for well-being.”

The book’s main strength for a beginning Reiki practitioner is that it explains the reasons for intent, paying attention, choosing a comfortable environment, as well as benefits of touch. Interspersed are poems and quotations that explain or amplify the ideas presented. Janeanne concludes with information on Reiki organizations, locating a Reiki Master and additional resources.

Reviewed by Colleen Verbeke

The Secret of Shambhala: in search of the eleventh insight
by James Redfield, Warner Books, Inc., 1999, 238 pages, $23.95.

As readers of The Celestine Prophecy already know, James Redfield superbly integrates spiritual principals with a good read. The Secret of Shambhala keeps the reader turning pages to discover how the main characters can escape the soldiers pursuing them. Pursuit could easily be identified as the theme of this book. The heroes and heroines pursue the truths that will enable them to enter Shambhala (Shangrila). Chinese agents pursue them through the mountains of Tibet. This book contains enough excitement to qualify as a perfect choice for the beach.

The book’s narrator reluctantly leaves his peaceful mountain home to honor the synchronicity he experiences. His journey reinforces the importance of following intuition and he also begins to understand the value of setting intentions and keeping positive energy flowing. The lessons of enlightenment are presented in this book as extensions. The learning takes place under extremely fearful conditions as they search the mountains from Kathmandu to Lhasa and finally to Shambhala.

The first extension teaches us to breathe in the beauty around us to keep our energy flowing. The second extension explains the importance of setting our intentions and expectations by establishing a prayer field. The third extension deals with the effects of our energy on other people. We can have either a negative or positive effect on those around us. The first extension enables one to lift their personal vibration. The third suggests visualizing this energy overflowing to effect the vibrational level of others. The example of a person with exceptional charisma and the effect it has on others illustrates the point. All these lessons and more are integrated by the narrator as he overcomes crushing fear of the soldiers in pursuit. To discover the remaining secrets of Shambhala you must read and digest the book on your own.

Reviewed by Colleen Verbeke

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
by J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Press, July 2000, 734 pages, $25.95.

Given that I discussed the first three Harry Potter books for Book Talk (phenomeNEWS, Dec. 1999), I believe a follow-up review of the fourth book in the series is necessary. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire is a 734 page volume which may be great for adolescents, but overly heavy, in all senses of the word, for an under-ten set.

This volume and the preceding three Harry Potter tales are officially ranked as appropriate for children ages 10 and up, although many reports indicate that children as young as 8 have been enjoying the stories. For the first three Potter books I would agree in general with the age ranking, but with this fourth book, I think a PG-13 would be more appropriate for various reasons.

In the first two Harry Potter books The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets I was amused and charmed by the light-hearted humor and the author’s delightful creativity in describing imaginary creatures and inventing funny names. Even the gross descriptions in the first two books were typically “kiddie-gross,” like foul-tasting jelly beans.

I tend to think that author, J. K. Rowling, is maturing her books to parallel the maturation of Harry Potter. Given this possibility, readers won’t find any simple, child-like humor in The Goblet of Fire. After a somewhat slow start in the first 150 pages, the story finally gets rolling when Harry returns to Hogwart’s School for his fourth year. Then Rowling’s talent for exciting plot development manifests with Harry’s involvement in a TriWizard Competition. From this point to the conclusion, I was riveted by the story. Indeed, it is a good read.

But here’s my warning: it’s a good read for the 12 and up crowd and adults, but the violence and portrayal of evil in this volume could be too intense for younger children. I would advise parents to read the book before they put it in the hands of small children.

For example, the story includes the murder of an innocent classmate of Harry’s. Adolescents could see this as one of those tragic things that happen in real life. Young children, on the other hand, might be disturbed and frightened by this event. Moreover, Harry’s duel with the evil Lord Voldemort is extremely intense and painful. Therefore, I reiterate with my PG-13 rating.

As a retired English teacher I am thrilled to see the Potter books stirring such interest in reading. Moreover, I admire J. K. Rowling’s skills and creativity. As in any activity intended for children, however, the key is intelligent parental involvement.

Reviewed by Gayl Woityra

The Illuminated Prayer: The Five-Times Prayer of the Sufis
by Coleman Barks and Michael Green Ballantine Pub. Group, July 2000, 144 pages, $18.95.

It was the cover that attracted me to this one. I recognized the artist immediately, Michael Green, one of my favorites. It seems Green has collaborated once again with Rumi translator, Coleman Barks. The duo has teamed up before to create Rumi-based projects, including another personal favorite, a coffee table book, The Illuminated Rumi, as well as a greeting card line and a journal. Green's visionary and exotic artistic renderings are a perfect match for Bark's interpretations of the 12th century Persian poet and mystic, Jelaludin Rumi.

The Illuminated Prayer familiarizes the reader with the Sufi practice of Salat – coming to a prayer mat five times a day. The creators explore the historical and scriptural origin of this practice, but in such a way as to make it real and desirable for any seeker today. Through the poetic wisdom of Rumi and contemporary Sufi master, Bawa Mahaiyaddeen, one learns the deeper meanings of the movements and prayers.

On a practical level, enticing photographs show us exactly how to perform the Salat, detailed with the when and how of the ritual, when to bow, to kneel, to prostrate oneself and what to say at each juncture. It is a complete manual of prayer.

On an esoteric level, the sheer beauty of the pages in this book beckon the reader to come closer and seek the wisdom within. One feels the passion and joy of divine communion found within the words and artwork. This is most likely due to the fact that both Green and Barks are practicing Sufis, providing us with a finer degree of insight that might not be provided by other authors.

I particularly enjoyed the prayers that were recorded in the text: prayers for purification, protection or surrender. Any reader, regardless of faith, will love these heart opening prayers and feel compelled to use them in their own personal prayer practice.

The Illuminated Prayer is a love encrusted gift book, a precious jewel to give oneself and anyone who seeks a more mystically meaningful, yet contemporary and realistic approach to prayer. As Bawa Muhaiyaddeen says within these pages, “For those who have come to know God, the whole world is a prayer mat.” 

Reviewed by Jan Forrest

Aristotle Would Have Liked Oprah: Lessons for Living and Other Philosophic Musings
by Ethel Diamond, Health Communications, Inc. Deerfield Beach, FL, 1999, 220 pages. $10.95 www.hci-online.com

I love it when a book draws me to it. I'm almost always assured of a good read or at the least something unique. In this case, I hit the jackpot. I got both. A good read and a unique concept.

This book, by author Ethel Diamond, makes learning about philosophers and philosophy accessible and fun. While she presents compact, understandable sections on world famous philosophers with wit and charm, she also adds bits and quotes from contemporary “philosophers” who were probably way ahead of their time.

These include such notable quotables as the character played by Humphrey Bogart in the movie Casablanca who said: “I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.” Spike Lee's movie title, Do the Right Thing. Or Woody Allen's wry, “I am two with nature.” Even the Beatles get a mention with Let It Be. Or for you

Seinfeld fans, how about the all-purpose “Yadda, yadda, yadda” philosophy!

Don't get me wrong. There is a lot to this book. It is informative and wide-ranging. Frankly, if more books in college or even high school had this depth and this way of presenting what can be very convoluted subjects, learning “heavy topics” such as philosophy might not have to be a struggle. Students (whether in or out of school) might actually enjoy finding out about it!

Along with a “smorgasbord” of ideas and great “gems of wisdom” Diamond gives us the proverbial words to live by or at least to think about. She even lists a Top 30 thoughts and includes one of the most useful where-the-quote-came-from sections I've ever seen.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about the real philosophers behind the philosophies rather than the fixed jargons often presented in lessons. Read this book if only to think about your own beliefs. It's a book full of real information and revelations and a joy to read.

I for one will read it again as I am sure there is more to be revealed. Frankly, I'm looking forward to it.

Reviewed by Barbara K. Johnson