5 comments about Answered Prayers.

1. 
   This book was one of the top selling religious books in 2004.
   
   Why is it called "Answered Prayer"? Let us say that you are dealing with any of a number of personal challenges, and in the middle of them, you are hoping to hear some word from the Lord. Perhaps you are worried about diminished income, or you are wondering if you are a loveable person. You may have concerns about life being dull and humorless. You are weary. You are afraid to reach out to someone in friendship. You are afraid to take the risk of trusting another. Cameron addresses these and many more concerns, in her book.
   
   The book is like a journal of prayer, but most prayer journals record the voice of the one who prays. Not this book. Instead of prayers that are addressed to God, these prayers are presented as responses to the one who prays, in other words, as if one is hearing back, from God. It sounds like this: "I am the peace that passes understanding." Or, "Open the door just a foothold. I can work with you as you are. You are not the first disillusioned one I have encountered." (Page 149).
   
   Every chapter is a prayer. Every prayer is deeply steeped in Scripture. You will find these prayers to be in accord with God's many promises we find there. These "love letters from the Divine" allow us to hear what God longs to say to us, when we find ourselves in deep and troubled waters.



2. This is an incredible book. I don't buy the whole "religion" thing myself, but do try to connect with something bigger on a semi-frequent basis. There's no mention of any particular denomination, faith, or creed, just God, or Higher Power, or Great Spirit, talking in ways you wish would explain stuff. It's very loving, and understanding, and patient, and comforting. I'm still wary of anything smacking of dogma or moralism, but this was anything but. Perfect for stuck people, depressed people, and people who claim not to need the big "G", but still want some reassurance alone at night. Some of the "shepherd" refrences could have been dropped, though.



3. This book is simple, yet meaningful and worthy of contemplation or meditation. I have given this book as a gift to about 20 people and every person has called me to tell me how much they love the book and the thoughtfulness to give something that is a little different than flowers or chocolate to someone going through another phase in their life.
   
   There is also something I think about when I hit a spiritual roadblock.



4. When I ordered this book I thought it was a catalog of "I prayed for this and was answered like that," but it is not. It is written as if God is talking to you, the reader, and expressing His thoughts, concerns, feelings, and love about you, and describing Himself in the process. If you were raised in the kind of church that depicted God as an angry, impossible, pyromaniac, this book just might heal those corrupt files in your heart, head and soul. It is exquisitely beautiful. Give it a try.



5. This book has been a divine encounter for me. Each page I turn to seems to hold a message just for me. It's always exactly what I need, when I need it. The book was recommended to me, and I have since recommended it to others as well as given it to others. It has been a divine gift.

5 comments about Self-Inquiry - Dawn of the Witness and the End of Suffering.

1. What I like about Yogani's model or conceptual framework is the wise selection of importances from all the different pieces of yoga data floating around out there that you could choose to emphasize. A slight shift in emphasis, a slight misunderstanding, can mean the difference between staying on the right course or veering off into the ditch or taking a wrong turn.
   
   This is where Yogani excels. He cuts thru all the philosophical confusion and gives stable data which you can use to navigate and chart your course. In clear and simple language, he makes plain the requisite fundamental concepts and outlines the game plan of what needs to be done for steady progress into higher and higher states of consciousness.
   
   The emphasis is on self pacing and maintaining a steady practice above all else because, as he says, it is practice that creates experiences, not vice versa. He creates the necessary map that will allow steady progress in the right direction and above all explains the nature and growth of the self in a way that has real world applicability.
   
   It is a very useful little book, a little gem.



2. For thousands of years the subject of Spirituality has been steeped in superstition and dogma. Yogani, in Self-Inquiry, and all of his other writings, is clear and no-nonsense about the practices of Yoga. I have studied the subject of Enlightenment for over 30 years and Yogani is one of the only people I have come across to offer his guidance, obviously drawn from first hand experience, in a way that both supports us on our Path as well encouraging each seeker to know for themselves the Truth. He states very clearly that each must find it within. Very good for those who know, in the end, we must be accountable to only ourselves and the inner teacher. Thanks Yogani for your diligence and caring.Self-Inquiry - Dawn of the Witness and the End of Suffering



3. Information on how to do self inquiry can be obtained from many sources. However in order for self inquiry to be effective it is necessary to go beyond the mind. It is almost impossible to "get" the mind with the mind (intellectually).
   
   Yogani's book covers this aspect of self inquiry, emphasizing the importance of having a daily meditation practice in place that will help transcend the mind and increase inner silence (awaken the witness in you). Once the witness is awake, self inquiry becomes a way of life rather than something you have to work at to "get". He explains how self inquiry is not about running away from the world, but to be completely immersed in your world, filled with love and compassion, without being mentally and emotionally attached to it in a clingy way.
   
   
   This book covers the five stages of mind on the way to spiritual maturity: Pre-Witnessing, Witnessing, Discrimination, Dispassion, and Merging of Subject and Object in Outpouring Divine Love. The stage of mind will determine what kind of self inquiry will work the best. Taking on more than you can handle will definitely slow down progress. Self Inquiry works best when the witness is present. In this book, Yogani calls self inquiry with the witness already established (through meditation), "relational self inquiry."
   
   
   Two main kinds of self inquiry are covered in this book. There is self inquiry that arises in our every day life. We can inquire into things that worry us or bother us or make us unhappy, things that are considered "mental baggage" and how to free ourselves from this. The other kind of self inquiry is for the ultimate truth. These are questions that arise in us like "Who am I?" and "Who is doing this?" The answers to these questions are found by letting go into our silent witness.
   
   He points out the pitfalls the mind can fall into along the way on a path of self inquiry, and how to avoid them -- over analyzing, being deceived by the feeling of having "arrived," and claiming life to be "unreal" while retreating from responsibilities. He also shows how self inquiry fits into the 8 limbs of yoga, including covering the intimate and powerful relationship between samyama (an advanced yoga practice) and self inquiry.
   
   
   Most of what Yogani has written has been my experience too, and I definitely recommend this book for people who are thinking of starting out with self inquiry. This will give you a good set of guidelines to follow as you move along. If you are into self inquiry already, it will be a good book to go through for a reality check.
   
   It does not matter whether one follows a down-to-earth approach to self inquiry like Byron Katie or Eckhart Tolle, or an "ultimate truth" approach like Ramana Maharishi or Nisagardatta. This book is very useful for understanding and effectively utilizing any system of self inquiry.



4. I have found Yogani's book "Self-Inquiry - Dawn of the Witness and the End of Suffering" to be a very clear and well-written guide to the understanding of this and related subjects of the spiritual path. It deals with questions like "Who am I?", "Who or what is God?", "What is the real nature of things?" And so on. The key factor in finding the answers to these questions is the presence of what we call inner silence, also called pure bliss consciousness, the Self, or the witness. One very effective way to cultivate this state of consciousness is with daily deep meditation.
   
   When self-inquiry is based on inner silence, then there can be a true relationship between the experiencer, the witness, and all thoughts, feelings and perceptions of the body and external phenomena. Such self-inquiry is called relational, and seeks to dissolve the identification of awareness with all of these perceptions. If there is not enough inner silence present, and self-inquiry is based on and identified with the external thought process itself, then we have non-relational self-inquiry, which is much less effective.
   
   Yogani goes over the details of all these considerations, and then further discusses the fruits of effective spiritual self-inquiry, namely Enlightenment, transcending duality through divine love, and the end of suffering, which unfold naturally on the spiritual path. The book is only about 100 pages, and is easy to read, but contains a lot of profound teaching for its size.



5. 
   I really enjoyed "Self-Inquiry, Dawn of the Witness and the End of Suffering" by Yogani, I found it to be consciousness expanding which so few books can really claim. I found Yogani's insights incredibly helpful and think it is a must read for anyone who is truly dedicated to making lasting spiritual change in their lives.
   
   The sections on "Practical Applications of Self-Inquiry" and "Pitfalls of the Mind" were excellent and would help spiritual seekers avoid the many distractions or wrong turns that anyone is capable of making while navigating the sometimes hard to see spiritual path.
   
   The only reservations I had on the book were in the areas of readability. I felt overall, that particularly the beginning chapters of the book could have used more real-life examples to get past the limitations of language. I found myself needing to re-read a lot in order to understand some of the author's points. I also felt one of the primary points of the book, that self-inquiry needs "the witness" present in order to be effective, could have been made with more brevity. I personally would have preferred to see more time spent hearing Yogani's unique perspective and wisdom on the practical applications of self-inquiry instead.
   
   Overall, a mind expanding read which I would recommend to any advanced spiritual seekers.

5 comments about Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames.

1. By publishing a poem showing his anger at the USA. Thich Nhat Hanh
   is one of the worst liar. He is the most hated personality among the
   Vietnamese community who knew him very well as a communist in disguise.



2. In a society where anger is "normal" this should be required reading. The author is one of the great spiritual teachers of our time and is very naturally a profound and compassionate psychologist. This is not about "getting it out". You learn to let those hot feelings cool so that you become less and less habituated to angry responses and discover more and more about self-control and, with that, essential self-respect. Strongly recommended even for people without obvious "anger problems". We all live in an angry world. We all need to understand these absolutely debilitating issues.



3. I picked this up after my anger started careening out of control, especially at work. This book was responsible for putting me back on the dharma path. Thich Naht Hanh's writings on Buddhism are incredibly lucid, and easy to apply to your daily life. Since discovering this book, I've read four others by Thich Naht Hanh, and am currently working on a fifth. My life has been transformed since reading this book, but keep in mind that I've also been meditating daily and meeting regularly with a sangha. Whether you're looking to "walk the path" or simply gain some control over your emotions, this book is an effective resource.



4. I picked this book off my parents' bookshelf because the title intrigued me. Little did I know that the way I looked at anger would change forever. I now understand that I do not have to be a victim of my emotions and that through the practice of mindfulness I can transform. I have recommended this book to friends and they have had the same experience. Thich Nhat Han has changed the way I look at everything!



5. It's an interesting read. He delves briefly into Buddhist-oriented practice, "eating healthy food and drinking milk from happy cows" comes to mind. Whether or not that resonates with you, or makes you want to throw the book away, the actual lessons in the book are really something good. It's a very easy to read, quick primer on a working method to ending problems with anger issues.
   
   The lessons repeat throughout the book, and essentially boil down to the Buddhist idea of mindfulness; to pay attention to things, including yourself. If you're angry, stop what you're doing and figure out why. There is rarely anything more important than *stopping* when you find yourself angry. Practicing not being angry, over time, makes it much easier to not be angry, and so on.
   
   As far as "easy to read", many self help books - heck, many books of many genres - seem to make the text more difficult, to make the author sound more important. This doesn't make that pretense, at all. It feels like an incredibly well written book report, written by the world's most enlightened fifth grader. It makes for an easy conversant tone, and a quick read, and a quick re-read.
   
   For some people, the lessons and stories in the book might be very obvious. For others out here, it helps to read it once. If you've had problems with anger, if you have two to four hours to read through this, and trying to improve yourself is worth $10 to you, this book is certainly worth a shot.

5 comments about Forgetting Ourselves on Purpose: Vocation and the Ethics of Ambition.

1. I absolutely adore this book. I've grown tired of books on vocation that have a "pie in the sky" approach to living a spiritual life, as if everyday working people have the financial resources to devote themselves to a life of good deeds. Brian Mahan has a great way of bringing two worlds together---the need to pay the bills and the need to make a positive contribution to the world. Turns out you can do both!

   I also like his "spiritual retreat" approach. He incorporates spiritual exercises at the end of each chapter which really help to focus attention on living a life of integrity. Finally, this is a practical and inspiring book---but a book with a humorous edge---that unites compassion and ambition in a fresh, new way.

   Read this book!




2. This is a fantastic book, not so much because it tells you how to resolve the tension between ambition and vocation, but because it accompanies you on the journey of working through these preoccupations yourself. You will not find any "5 Easy Steps to Success" here nor will find any "How to Find God's Will For Your Life." Rather you will find a philosopher who walks with us the razor's edge between our desire to get ahead in this world and our desire to live a meaningful life. Mahan is not sanctimonious in his approach to this all-too-human struggle. He does not condemn or issue platitudes. Rather, he invites the reader into a introspective, somewhat guided, tour of his or her deepest convictions regarding both "mere success" and "true success."

   In a sense, Mahan's book is an extended meditation on Thomas Merton's call, "If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the the thing I want to live for."

   However, this is not an "easy read." In parts, it gets a bit dense. (I found myself reading certain passages several times to get at Mahan's point.) However, I do think it would be a great book for audiences as diverse as college students who are trying to figure out what to do with themselves, mid-career executives who are struggling to move form "success to significance," as well as anyone striving to find some order in their lives as they pursue both their ambitions as well as their vocations. Heck, this is a book for all "baby boomers" who at one time felt they had been called to "change the world" in the name of "love,peace and justice" only to find themselves becoming precisely what they, at one time, detested.

   The book includes a number of wonderful "practices" reminiscent of Walker Percy's "Lost in the Cosmos."

   I encourage anyone who asks how to live a meaningful life in a world that forevers seeks to drain us of life to read this book.

   I would give it more stars but Amazon only allows five.




3. This is no ordinary book.  As author Brian Mahan says his in preface, `reading this book is not a spectator sport.'  In many ways, this is just like life - we have to get into the mix (or, to take another example from Mahan's introduction, join in the dance) for it to become meaningful, worthwhile, and all the other positive words one would normally insert here.  This is a book that invites active engagement.  Mahan does not argue so much as persuade, and even then, it is more of a presentation than a direction. 
    
   Mahan developed this book out of a course he taught at the University of Colorado, and later Emory's seminary and high school advancement programme - the course has always been popular, Mahan states, but it isn't always clear why.  Mahan attaches some of the popularity to the presence of the word `ambition' in the course title (which is also part of the subtitle of this book) - the focus of the world is often on success, and rising high school and college students are often ambitious in various ways.  However, it is not the kind of political/corporate ambition, or the kinds of ambitions that make soap operas interesting to watch sometimes, that Mahan develops here (although these types are not disconnected from what Mahan writes).  Mahan is looking more directly at the ambition toward self and self-fulfillment. 
    
   Mahan develops ideas of paradox throughout the text.  How can we honestly pursue self-abandonment if the very pursuit shows an attachment to self?  When can success end up being a failure, and how is failure often a success?  Mahan uses personal stories and experiences as well as the tales of those around him to illustrate the various points - he also draws on history, sometimes the lesser known bits.  For example, to highlight the failure of success, Mahan draws upon the curious dinner between film star Rudolph Valentino and curmudgeonly writer H.L. Mencken - Mencken was ostensibly consulted on how to deal with the press, but figured out later that what Valentino really sought was validation and direction in how to turn his failure of a successful career into something with true meaning.
    
   This is perhaps the heart of Mahan's text as a whole - the search for meaning in life.  What is point of success if it has no meaning?  Meaning requires more than simple (or even elaborate) gratifications of the ego, the flesh, the persona.  It requires an honest appraisal of who we are as individuals, how we relate and fit in to our communities (large and small), and how our lives are responding to the vocations, the `higher callings' if you will, that have been given to us. 
    
   Mahan is a Roman Catholic layperson, so many of his stories draw from this tradition.  However, Mahan's text is drawn broadly enough to incorporate people from all faith traditions, or those with no particular tradition or affiliation.  Mahan's story about sneaking into heaven is a good example - as a child, Mahan had experiences with a particular convent in Boston, and he felt in many ways he found a way to commune with God there that was if not directly at odds with the officially line, at least in some ways apart from how one, as a good Catholic, would get into heaven.  Mahan's image of God being one who does not just stand among the alabaster and marble statues, but also works in the kitchen (where `you could have cooked maybe a hundred turkeys at once and the mashed potatoes to go with them').and welcomes even the not-quite-so-good children in the back door. 
    
   Each of the chapters comes with suggested practices (remember, Mahan is a teacher!).  These are spiritual practices that can be deceptively easy.  They are truly worth engaging in long-term and introspective ways.  They are practices that may come forward again and again, and do not constitute a set of `been-there, done-that, moving-on' kinds of activities to simply get through.  The reader who takes the time to engage herself or himself fully in these practices will find a transformation taking place. 
    
   One of the key differences between ambition in the more worldly sense and the type of vocation and ambition that Mahan discusses is the connection to others.  Mahan quotes James Fowler's summary of vocation, including the observation that those in vocation are `augmented by others' talents' rather than finding them a threat or competition (often the case in politics and corporate models of ambition).  We also see our limitations as important as, if not more important than, our gifts and strengths. 
    
   Mahan writes about the differences between occupation and preoccupation, saying that vocational awareness has more to do with the latter.  Fitting into a life of our true vocation requires awareness of who we really are, as opposed to what it is we are doing.  We also need to be flexible and allow for change (something often more easily done in our preoccupations than our formal occupations). 
    
   The spirituality of Merton is very present; the spiritual sense that infuses many religions is on every page. This is a great book for the seeker, those longing for direction, and those who want more out of life in the most meaningful of ways.



4. Forgetting Ourselves on Purpose is the most mediocre book I have read all year. Although this blithe collection of anecdotes attempts to tread into the hallowed ground of sublime wisdom, it fails on every count. Any sort useful wisdom that might have been distilled from the book has been lost in its tedious and unorganized narrative. After finishing the book I feel horrible not because of some deep self-realization, but because I have wasted another four hours reading a book that repulses me.
   
   If this is not enough, the awkward six by eight dimensions of the book make it disrupt the clean lines of my bookshelf. Dear publisher: what were you thinking? Do you even own books?



5. I first read this book in 2002 and have reread it several times. I have also bought copies to give away- something I never do! I affirm all the great reviews that have been written and I would not even need to write another, but for the one angry one. Not that other opinions are impossible- but this level of disgust seems out of proportion. By reading the editorial reviews- which give a fine idea of the type of literary/conversational book this is-and using the "look inside the book" function- there is no need to make this kind of mistake. Likewise, why would someone spend four hours on a book they don't care for? (And if you zip through this book in one sitting you have failed to follow some of the experiential suggestions.)

5 comments about Landscape as Spirit: Creating a Contemplative Garden.

1. This gorgeously made and printed book will inspire ANY gardener or person who enjoys gardens. The photos take you into a world of amazing gardens. I'm not a garden nut, but I love a beautiful book and this one is on my coffee table. The writing is clear, creative, and very informative. This book is an excellent gift to anyone who loves architecture, design, or landscapes.



2. this book's title, if the picture of the cover is real, is different from the Amazon title. who proof's this stuff?



3. This book is remarkable in at least three regards. First, it is so finely produced that we, as readers, can actually feel our way into the gardens it is showing us. Second, the principles of garden-making it offers us are profound, simple and flexible: we can see how the Mosko gardens emerge from them, and how our own might too. Third, and most unusual, it is deeply spiritual, coming from years of meditative practice in the Zen and Tibetan tradtions, as well as in unnamed native traditions of spirit. In the deepest sense this book is beauty as instruction.



4. This is a great book that one can return to time after time. It presents landscaping principals in the context of the garden as a place for reflexion and meditation. As gorgeous as the photos are, I find the text even more meaningful.



5. This book is not Landscape as "Spirit" but Landscape as "Symbolism". Which is ok but that is not why I purchased this book. I wanted a book that taught or "pointed" towards how to create or how a Zen garden is created. To see what the inner Zen world looks like when projected outward into a Zen garden.
   
   The book starts out with the idea that a garden designed from the Zen perspective is a Mandela. Then the Mandela is created using elements in the garden to symbolize Heaven, Earth and Man. Then the book goes on to say that one level down, the garden can be created using garden elements to symbolize Earth, Fire, Water, Fire, Air and Space. For me this "Spirit" theory was very incoherent. A Zen Master experiences "The Tao" and reacts intuitively. This Spirit theory seemed to contradict Zen teachings. In fact the arrangement of stones in many of the photographs and plans are "too" ordered; too balanced and unnatural; unintuitive.
   
   Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful book with many beautiful "details" to learn from. But good eastern minded landscaping "responds" to the site NOT created things like miniature mountains, miniature trees that represent fire, perfectly placed stones, perfectly placed plants in between perfectly placed stones and so on and so on???
   
   Nature and Zen are natural not contrived. Zen is natural or consists of "a suchness" or an experience of "The garden IS" not something that reflects levels of symbolic hierarchy.

2 comments about The Anubis Oracle: A Journey into the Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt.

1. I have eagerly awaited this treasure to arrive and am not disappointed. I have been searching for this "Egyptian vibe" since 1986 with Murry Hope's Cartouche cards. Various tarot decks tried to capture the magic, yet fall short. Then came the "holy grail" of Egyptian divination-Athon Veggi's "Book of Doors" in 1996. The artwork and colors were a little disappointing, however. The Anubis Oracle fulfills all hopes.
   
   Egyptian Magic is lost in the sands of time. Yet, some writings have been translated and the images endure. Its true, this is reconstruction mysticism with a "new age" slant. It is the Egypt I have always imagined. Indeed, it lasted 5000+ years. Most of these images survived and are just as universal today! This may be the closest thing to the origins of the tarot there is. A historic achievement, indeed.
   
   The colors are bright and warm. Children can easily connect with the cards. The archetypes are potent and soothing. Perhaps this deck will open the doorway for a new generation to spend hours in the Egyptian wing at their local museum. Educational and empowering!



2. LOVE LOVE this oracle
   
   Beautiful pictures, well thought out layouts and explanations - these girls know their stuff and get it right.
   
   If you want to make a connection with the Spirit of Ancient Egypt this will get you there

1 comments about Celebrate Christmas: And the Beautiful Traditions of Advent.

1. I was hoping for some readings we could do together as a family to point our hearts toward the true meaning of Christmas. I ended up skipping over most of the sentimental mush in the book.

5 comments about Life Beyond Belief, Everyday Living as Spiritual Practice.

1. Amazing book! In this deeply personal account, Alice Gardner invites us to join her as she shares her own human story, her journey to spiritual awakening. Now like never before, I see the value of my own ordinary, everyday life. Truly it has opened up for me a "Life Beyond Belief", where compassion for my own conditioned patterns and beliefs is replacing my struggle with confusion and self-doubt. I go back to the book over and over. Each time I see a little clearer that my everyday life experiences are in the service of waking up to realizing the Peace and Freedom available and possible, already! Thank you Alice.



2. Life Beyond Belief is a must read for anyone who wants understanding in
   their pursuit of living Truth. For those of us who wonder at their lack of "progress," even when there is beautiful knowledge of our spiritual makeup, this book is incredibly helpful. With clarity and an obvious foundation of knowledge, Ms. Gardner presents the case that we are actually not backsliding when our thoughts and emotions take over. Instead, she give us the perspective that this is a necessary clearing of old fears and doubts. This perspective lightens our hearts, giving readers a much-needed relaxing into "what is." I highly recommend this book.



3. "Life Beyond Belief" is a well-written and accessible guide to awakening from the dominion of the ego to the Heart of Life. Alice Gardner writes in an honest and sometimes humorous manner that reflects the joy of living in the present moment."
   - Katie Davis,
   Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment



4. Excellent book, beautifully structured, written, and edited.
   
   Alice Gardner's personal touch creates a bond with the reader. She leads you from exactly where you are -- physically, emotionally, spiritually -- through layers of beliefs, programming, and conditioning, to a place of greater freedom.
   
   Gardner says you find the truth of your existence regardless of the context in which your life is currently being lived or what your mental conditioning is. You don't have to go to a monastery. You don't have to get divorced. You don't have to go on a diet. You don't have to do anything other than look where Alice Gardner points you.
   
   Gardner talks about marriage, eating for emotional reasons, family, relationships, body image, self-esteem, deep listening, layers of emotionality, love. The writing style is breezy and calm, organized and focused, and at the same time revelatory and demanding. Don't expect your life to become perfect, it won't, but what seem like problems will ease. You'll have a whole new view of your world.
   
   "Comforting" spirituality has its time and place. However, we can also face the truth of our lives and the truth of who we are, even if some of our emotional reactions may never change. Alice Gardner is an excellent person to take you into the world of radically honest spirituality. Go with her.
   
   Jerry Katz
   One: Essential Writings on Nonduality



5. In this personal account, Alice Gardner tells about her awakening in 2002 after spending a week at an Eckhart Tolle retreat. What makes this book different is that while many spiritual books imply that our "humanness" is what prevents us from awakening, Gardner believes that it can be our greatest teacher and is an important and even necessary part of the spiritual path:
   
   "A common error that so many of us make is to believe that just because we made our personal stories up, that there is something wrong about the human part of us and with the stories that we have created and lived." pg. 18
   
   "The separate self is seen to be a constructed entity but it will not entirely go away and we don't want it to! It is needed as an important tool for living and a sacred and integral part of the bridge that we become between earth and spirit." pg. 19
   
   "In spite of what we might have thought, our histories are perfect just as they are." pg.19
   
   For me, just reading this felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Resist nothing includes our humanness! Another highlight is when she talks about how she perceives the world now vs. before her awakening. I like that she gets into the details. Somewhat surprisingly, she found awakening to be initially unsettling. (Likewise, I remember Eckhart talking about after his awakening how he didn't really understand what had happened to him.)
   
   This is a must read for those that want to hear from someone who awakened who considers herself to be just an average "Joan," i.e., not special in any way. Again, it's Alice's personal and honest sharing of details that helps you connect with her and makes this book so special. Highly recommended! (I also enjoyed watching Alice's videos on her website.)
   
   
   -Michael Jeffreys
   Author, Success Secrets of the Motivational Superstars
   Organizer, The Santa Monica Eckhart Tolle Meetup
   (My website lists my "Top 10 Spiritual Books," which includes this one!)

5 comments about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values.

1. I agree with many of the other one-star reviews, this is actually the worst book I have ever read, out of thousands read, in my entire life. The worst book designation goes to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance because it is extremely, extremely, over-rated. I found it to be one of the most self-absorbed, self-pitying, whining complaints I had ever been exposed to - and I know about those, because I'm a former junior high school teacher.
   
   Not only did it not contain any philosophical insights whatsoever, the book is just plain boring and badly written. The only book I have ever thrown in the garbage can - it's just rubbish, and that's where it belongs. I'm sure the author is a fine human being. I just think he wrote a very, very, bad book. Please don't waste your time on this book.



2. Despite the high brow reviews by self proclaiming philosophers and intellectuals who think this is a book about philosophy, it is not. It is also not a "how to" manual on maintaining a motorcycles.
   This is a book about overcoming intellectualism and becoming whole. If you are contemplating reading this book please disregard the reviewers who flex their imaginary philosophical and intellectual muscle and just read it. Yes, there will be parts that seem to endlessly pursue some thought or idea but by the end of this book you will be very glad and satisfied you read it.
   ...of course if you have ever ridden a motorcycle, experienced the landscapes temperature changes, sounds and elements and/or struggled with and beat mental illness this book will take on a special dimension.



3. I re-read this book after about 15 years and enjoyed it just as much as the first time, but I got something different out of it this time too.
   
   This book has a great calming effect on me. It's so interesting on so many subjects, and so accesssible. This is such a relevent read.



4. This was a thought provocing and very enjoyable read. Although it isn't "action packed" or anything, that isn't the point. The author's naration tells the tale of his philosophical journey cross country with his son on his motorcyle. Not only was this book inspirational, but provides new insight in terms of how one sees the world around them. A must read!



5. For those who are unfamiliar with philosophy, this is a very accesible book with some nice insights.
   It reads like a train (although you might want to pause once in a while to think about some paragraphs).
   
   It is a bit outdated, and I have some personal remarks concerning a few topics.

5 comments about Kabbalistic Astrology: And the Meaning of Our Lives.

1. This is a totally different way of looking at astrology. By using the chart at the back of the book you figure out what zodiac sign you were in a past life and what your correction is here this lifetime. Interesting material. Very entertaining.



2. Just when you thought there wasn't anything more credible than the Kabbalah as currently constituted, along comes P.S. Berg's "Kabbalistic Astrology," which adds the precision of astrology to the mix.
   
   I happen to practice the casting of bones, so naturally I'm interested in Berg's oeuvre. As soon as I figure out the meaning of the third metatarsal, I'll be adding my spiritual gifts to this mass of wisdom.



3. I should preface this review by stating that I have read other books by Philip Berg and by his sons, and therefore have some familiarity with the material and the terminology. The book that introduced me to this system (Kabbalah)was "The 72 Names of God," which for me was an amazing eye-opener. Specifically with reference to the Astrology book, I would like to say that the information it has given me regarding my birth sign and my particular "tikune" (correction in this life) are right on target based on what I have recognized to be the areas in which I am lacking and the challenges that life has thrown my way in order to help me overcome those deficiencies. I therefore see this book as a very helpful tool.



4. He is a book factory and runs the kabbalah center pricey place of learning Kabbalah. This and other leaders not so greedy have some good information as well. Wood have given more stars but not a huge fan of the center of greed.They do help many and have a following but it is sold to the masses.Not bad but could be done for less.



5. This book offers an overview of the astrological signs in the Hebrew calendar so there is a need to convert your birthdate first from Gregorian to Hebrew, as your constellation of birth is not always the same in both. It then gives a list where your correction or tikkun sign can be found. I have found the comments for each sign quite applicable, as a birth sign as well as for the tikkun sign. Furthermore it gives us the general character of each month, and its effect on all of us, which is interesting to know.