2 comments about Small Pleasures: Finding Grace in a Chaotic World.

1. This is an extraordinary collection of essays,which will enhance and enlighten your daily life.Justine Toms draws upon a rich treasure trove of life experience that includes spending time with literally hundreds of the world's leading social architects,creative artists, scientists and spiritual teachers.
   M.A.



2. I am familiar with the voice of Justine Toms as the sensitive, insightful, intelligent interviewer on New Dimensions Radio. Getting to read her words at a very sweet slow pace, just as I need to hear them or before I go to sleep at night, is such a treat. It is a HUGE pleasure to read Justine's varied reflections of a life well lived on a spiritual path.
   
   Linda Merryman

4 comments about Staying Focused in the Age of Distraction: How Mindfulness, Prayer, & Meditation Can Help You Pay Attention to What Really Matters.

1. "staying focused" is a wonderful, practical guide. It invites into the "reflecting pool" of your life and choices and offers a real life plan for making the changes that will bring you closer to the things that matter most. A wonderful read!



2. Use Staying Focused in the Age of Distraction : How Mindfulness, Prayer & Meditation Can Help you Pay Attention to What Really Matters to hone attention and block out the ads, expectations and values of others whether they come from Internet, television or more. These modern distractions can create a desire for a more meaningful existence which is an illusion: learn how to avoid meaningless activities and interests and develop both a spiritual and a refined lifestyle through a book which cuts out the media expectations inherent in everyday living.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. This book really made me take a step back and look at my life and how I have wasted a lot of it with meaningless task that I don't even enjoy. It teaches you to pay attention and devote your time to the things that really matter. I highly recommend this book for anyone who like myself leads a hurried life or feels like they have forgotten what brings them joy. Buy this book!!



4. To be honest, I had misperceived it to be a self help book full of tactics, skills and tools that helps me focus and perform better in my daily work. In fact, this is a highly spiritual book, very strategic, riding heavily on the ideas of Thich Nhat Hanh and Thomas Merton, promoting a zen (not necessarily Buddhist) style of life. Anyway, I found it helpful and enjoyable, especially those sections on Mindfulness. In short, recommended!

3 comments about Faith.

1. I am so surprised that these books are not more well-known... There should already be ten reviews here. I've read all three of A. C. Ping's books in this "series": BE, DO, and FAITH. Now, I am going to re-read them all and try to put what I've learned into daily practice.
   
   Not that Ping is trying to give you 5 easy steps to enlightenment or anything like that... rather, he provides clarity and insight on many of the things that hold you back and drag you down, and points the way toward a healing, all-encompassing kind of faith--not limited to a particular religion or religion in particular.
   
   What makes Ping's voice so unique: He walks a tightrope above New-Age, Pseudo-Science, and Religion... but walks the tightrope exceedingly well. He never falls into the safety net of what has already been said a million times in a million self-help books. His voice is fresh without being trendy or commercial. He spices things up with the occassional curse word or two.
   
   He's down-to-earth, witty, and doesn't try to be your guru.
   
   He's more like a great friend who offers wonderful perspective and insight without coming across as a flawless, know-it-all. So rare!!
   
   I recommend these books highly! Start with BE, follow up with DO, and then feel the refreshing healing in FAITH. You won't regret it!



2. As a fan of Alistair's "Be" and "Do" series, I looked forward to reading his recently released "Faith." I suspected he'd shared most of his practical, real life wisdom in the first two books, and wasn't expecting hugely revelatory insights in "Faith."
   
   Instead, I found myself dog-earing page after page of brilliant quotes, revelatory life stories and universal perspectives. Every interesting conversation I had for the following weeks related back to something I'd learned (or remembered) in Ping's "Faith."
   
   It isn't just that he has mastered (and shares) the basics of life, but that his presentation style is amazingly engaging and entertaining. What more could we ask?
   
   As an attraction coach, I recommended it to every client I work with who could benefit from one all-encompassing down-to-earth text.
   
   Jeannette Maw, Good Vibe Coaching



3. Like many, my e-mail box is stuffed with aphorisms, witty sayings, proverbs and quotes from friends, students and colleagues. Many of these say pretty much the same thing, but use different kinds of expression. So I just delete most of it.
   
   As well, in picking-up Ping's little book, I thought I would find in its pages pretty much the same old thing - a colorful and perhaps even childish account of the nature and meaning of faith. But I was wrong. Ping's book is neither a collection of feel good pap, nor is it a complicated essay filled with obscure theological "insights." His messages are simple, powerful, democratic - and needed. What are those messages? We have a reason to be here even if we don't understand it. Our lives matter, even if we don't think so at times. We can change our lives radically, even when we are afraid, or we can let the fear control us. We will face challenges when transforming ourselves, even loneliness and despair and thoughts that we have done something monumentally stupid, but all of that can be used to teach us important lessons as we look to become what our spirits are calling us to become. We can stop being afraid, because there is nothing to be afraid of - not really. And, we must learn to trust events rather than try to control all the details of the journey.
   
   Regardless of your religious tradition, Ping's words can ring true. But first, you must have a little faith. Just a little. For, according to Ping, a little faith goes a long way.

1 comments about Wise Choices: A Spiritual Guide to Making Life's Decisions.

1. This is a wonderful book, packed with a lot of very focused, good advice and guidance---and without a lot of unnecessary stories (something I, personally, get bogged down in reading other growth & wisdom books). The only complaint I have---which is something my partner appreciated---was the formatting of the text in the book: All of the text is centered on the page. My partner appreciated that, because it allowed her to break up each of the sentences on the page into a thought---like reading a poem. However, I am very visually sensitive, and the formatting added an additional challenge to my reading experience. But don't let that stop you from reading this excellent work!

5 comments about The Seven Whispers: Listening to the Voice of Spirit.

1. What I love about this book is that weeks later I can still remember Baldwin's seven whispers and have been able to incorporate them into my busy life. I know I should be doing a better job at whisper #2, "Move at the pace of guidance," but even at the pace I'm moving I find these lovely sayings and the essays that accompany them reside in my mind. Many times a day they float to the surface of my mind and help me stay connected to spirit all week long. This book lives on my bedside table and I read little paragraphs over and over. It's a great gift. I've bought half a dozen copies for people of different religious persuasions and they all like it as much as I do.



2. I love Christina Baldwin's work and the way she is able to incorporate spirituality in writing and daily life without dictating a certain dogma. Her book is a wonderful boost to anyone's spiritual practice.



3. Christina Baldwin has written a masterful book on the importance and wisdom of spiritual practice and guidance...and of cultivating the ability to listen to our inner voices. This material is compact, precise, and powerful and is a magnificent addition to the library for any serious student of authentic, spiritual living. Plus, Ms. Baldwin is a superb storyteller, and weaves beautiful tales throughout the book that any reader can strongly relate to. This is,very simply, an outstanding book!



4. Christina Baldwin's "The Seven Whispers" has become a cornerstone text in my life. Rich with practical spiritual wisdom, Baldwin's stories and suggestions teach us how we might be more authentic people who can create a compassionate world. I've even started a Seven Whispers Study Circle so that friends and I can go deeper into each "whisper" and emerge the better for it. Thank you, Christina Baldwin!!!



5. After reading Christina Baldwin's Whispers several months ago, I find myself coming back to it on a regular basis. Comapnioned by her book I am integrating the seven truths, the whispers, into my daily practice. Of the seven, the most persistent whisper for me is "Move at the pace of guidance." I am discovering how to move through life at the cadence of my inner knowing, honoring my wisdom, my gifts, and those of others. Christina's book is gently powerful, inviting the reader into that space where we recognize the "voice that invites a dialogue only we can hear."
   As a clergywoman I have recommended the book for small group study. As a counselor I refer clients to it regularly. And personally, I feel that the holy is whispering to me through Christina's words.

5 comments about The Spiritual Art of Being Organized.

1. In The Spiritual Art Of Being Organized, Claire Josefine reveals that having and living a successfully organized life necessitates a foundation of spiritual underpinnings. Josefine emphasizes the necessity for a conscious approach to organizing our daily lives with an emphasis on living simply. Of special note are the "12 Basic Principles of Organizing". Offering a text laced with humor, poetry, quotes, and non-judgemental advice to understanding our clutter, The Spiritual Art Of Being Organized is welcome and highly recommended reading for anyone who feels overwhelmed with life's chaos and persistent disorder despite all of their previous attempts at trying to set up organizing systems without first modifying their own beliefs and behaviors in order to use those applied systems to clean up and clean out the debrie of their lives. Easy, accessible, inspired and inspiring reading!



2. This book was very helpful to me because rather than addressing merely the do's and don'ts of household organizing, it deals with the underlying attitudes that cause chaos in the first place. Have you ever seen the supposedly humourous placard hung in a disaster of a home, declaring that "A clean house is the sign of a sick mind?" Claire Josefine's book shows how the opposite is true, without making any such judgments about the psychology of slobs, of course. She only points out that if we are not fearful of letting go, or afraid of having it all together and getting on with our lives, we can eliminate clutter and disabling excuses based on confusion. A tidy home, or desk, or time schedule, is actually the sign of a healthy mind.
   Claire's book doesn't dwell exclusively on these spiritual or psychological factors, however; she also gives us the tools to pare down, simplify, order, and prioritize effectively. The book is about half of each: self-help attitudinal assistance, and hands-on training for practical application.
   All in all, an extremely helpful book. It would make a lovely gift for somebody who seems overwhelmed by the logistics of life. And the beautiful cover makes the volume itself welcome on any coffee table--part of your newly appealing decor!



3. that along with two others, Choosing Simplicity and How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free, I reread yearly for perspective and motivation. The Spiritual Art of Being Organized by Claire Josefine is the one that is read first. Without organization, it is pretty hard to simplify or to be happy, wild and free. With the author's gentle guidance, you will find her 12 organizational steps, i.e., Think!, K.I.S.S., Create and Use, Habits and Schedules, Be Realistic, etc., will help you to create the best system for you. Each of the author's 12 basic principles has its own chapter which explains the reasoning for the step, ways of integrating it into your lifestyle, and a question/answer conclusion providing additional clarifications as to how it works. Appropriate quotes from others are included at the beginning, and sometimes within, each chapter. You can pick and choose the principles that are best for you at the moment in time when you are reading the book, or you can choose to take advantage of all 12 at the same time. The 12 principles are followed by a chapter on clearing clutter, something those of us with organizational skills that are not as finely tuned as we wish they were can definitely use to our advantage.
   
   This little book will help you to enjoy a simpler, better-organized life. Recommended.



4. The Spiritual Art of Being Organized examines the problems and underlying psychological issues surrounding office and home clutter. The author suggests that often we put off putting items away in their rightful place thinking that we simply don't have time. We think, I will get to it later, right now the dog needs water, supper needs to be made, or I'm late for work. However, the author points out that one stray bill or one dirty cup quickly evolves into more and more clutter. Soon, even the mere thought of cleaning up this massive mess is too overwhelming and potentially time consuming to even consider dealing with the resulting clutter. With this book, the author aims to illustrate how to create and apply practical, useful storage systems while making use of realistic clean as you go methods that reduce impending clutter while not adding significant time to already busy schedules. The author also guides the reader through the cleaning and organizing of current clutter in short rational blocks of time to reduce the overwhelming nature of this task.
   
   The Spiritual Art of Being Organized is a great organizing resource that teaches the reader to think about clutter in a different way. We often think about cleaning as time consuming. However, with proper forethought and planning, cleaning can actually make our lives easier and give us more time for other activities. This book will be useful to even the most chronic disorganized chaotic individual.



5. I loved this book. Claire doesn't come in like a bulldozer and demand that you throw away everything you haven't touched in 6 months. She is gentle, encouraging the reader to look at the reasons for their clutter or disorganization vs. demanding a completely clutter-free outcome. She touches on time management, gratitude, decision making, and asking for help. After reading this book I felt a sense of clarity and a purpose when it comes to dealing with my "stuff," my time management, and my decision making process.

3 comments about Dios usa lapiz labial: God Wears Lipstick.

1. este libro es en definitiva DEMASIADO BUENO! de verdad que Karen es una extraordinaria maestra, sabe expresar de manera clara y puntual todas las ideas y conceptos que desea impartir a sus lectoras. la influencia de sus escritos es positiva y aprovecho para recomendarles tambien los libros de sus hijos y su esposo que tambien son fantasticos
   
   pienso que sea que quien lea tenga o no devocion mistica-espiritual, este libro igual le sera de gran ayuda porque recordemos que todos estamos en la misma busqueda y vivimos en el mismo barco llamado PLANETA TIERRA. es tiempo de mejorarnos a nosotros mismos si queremos que el mundo tambien mejore porque el cambio viene de adentro hacia afuera y no al contrario
   
   gracias a la familia Berg por compartir la kabala con el mundo y que Dios los bendiga siempre con todo lo que sus corazones deseen y necesiten



2. lE RECXOMIENDO ESTE LIBRO ES EXCELENTE, ADEMAS QUE TE DA TANTAS HERRAMIENTAS PARA LA VIDA..DEBES TENERLO.



3. How can i could explain what Karen means to me? Is a wisdom her self. Thanks for do this instead of still being in the confort zone.

3 comments about Kahuna Healing (Quest Books).

1. Stay positive about life, and treat yourself to this fascinating introduction to Huna!

   Serge Kahili King writes with a practitioner's interest in the psychic, an anthropologist's approach to culture, and a linguist's delight in the Hawaiian language. The result is a historical and philosophical overview of Huna shamanism which is remarkably clear and concise.

   There are four basic principles of Huna:

   1. "You create your own reality (Ike)." 2. "You get what you concentrate on (Makia)."

   3. "You are unlimited (Kala)." 4. "Your moment of power is now (Manawa)." (p. 37)

   Huna has much in common with visualization and affirmations. However, Huna is not exactly like either of these techniques. Huna shamanism has some rather sophisticated philosophical underpinnings which have subtle but important implications. For one thing, time is conceived a bit differently. The present is defined as the span of time which can be influenced by your current actions. Another important aspect of Huna is the idea that your beliefs don't just mirror the environment that surrounds you, your beliefs actually create your environment. Working with these beliefs is the essence of all healing practices. Other challenging concepts include the Huna viewpoints on the self, karma, the conscious, the subconscious, the emotions and the intellect.

   Positive thinking is the basis of Huna. One of my friends who has been studying Huna for several years reports that the Huna philosophical concepts are very helpful for figuring out why some positive thinking techniques work and others don't. Traditional Hawaiian psychic techniques, healing techniques, and bodywork are described with brief summaries, rather than by using case studies or practical exercises.

   I can't judge the historical or anthropological authenticity of this material. However, the author claims to have spent considerable time with traditional people in West Africa, and his way of expressing philosophical concepts shows an indigenous influence of some sort in his thinking. It's a fascinating world view which is quite unlike the one I grew up with in the suburbs!

   Highly recommended for those with an interest in healing, the psychic, Eastern or Western philosophy, psychology, history or anthropology.




2. We highly recommend this 17 year old book to any student of natural medicine. It has stood the test of time. We have recommended it to all our students.

   As King states (1) "Ye shall know them by their fruits". (2) "We are the creators. Change your thoughts to change your world". etc.etc. We commend you on your book, it is in line with all our teachings. We acknowledge you and your work.

   A great book and essential reading to all serious students of natural medicine.

   The Grand Duke of Avram, The Royal Order of Humanism and Health




3. At the beginning of this book; Mr. King spins a yarn of his father in Egypt seeking refuge in ruins during a sandstorm.

   What self respecting sun worshiper would have an altar in a room underground?

   Then the book goes even farther out into left field about the secret organization that his father and then he were inititated into.

   The part of this book that really ticked me off was that Mr. King renamed the three seleves (Aumakua, Uhane, and Unihipilli These are the proper names (I studied Huna off and on for years)) and substituted the names Kane, Ku, and Lono.

   Kane, Ku, and Lono are hawaiian deities, here are some additional names of Hawaiian deity, Hina, Kanaloa, Pele, etc.

   If you want real HUNA books check these out. I recommend them in the order listed.

   "Fundamentals Of Hawaiian Mysticism" Charlotte Berney

   "Huna: A Beginners Guide" Enid Hoffman

   "The Secret Science Behind Miracles" Max Freedom Long

   "The Secret Science At Work" Max Freedom Long

   "Kahuna Magic" Brad Steiger

   I have heard positive things about "Huna Magic" John Bainbridge. I ordered "Huna Magic" from Huna Research Inc, but have not received it yet.

   Please E-Mail me if you have questions or comments about this review. Two Bears

   Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

5 comments about Escape Your Own Prison: Why We Need Spirituality and Psychology to be Truly Free.

1. What a fantastic read! Dr. Starr's omni consciousness has the potential to revolutionize anyone's life once it is practiced. We are all living in a prison of sorts, and if we were to be honest with ourselves, we would admit that we've all thought, "There must be more to life than this." Dr. Starr compares humans to characters in a play, repeating the same lines over and over throughout life. Who has not at times wanted to break free of the habits and patterns that have been our life script? This book will show you how to find and then fully express the real you that's been hiding inside. It's very thought-provoking, and anyone who wants to live life to the fullest will learn a great deal from the teachings in this book.



2. Starr's "Escape Your Own Prison" is a well-turned translation of Eastern philosophical thought into ideas Westerners can relate to. The idea of omni-consciousness dances at the front of my mind, just as a forgotten word can be on the tip of your tongue - I almost get it. That does not mean anything is lacking from the book. Far from it!
   
   The easy to follow discussions, examples and analogies, question-and-answer section, and affirmations sections are a delight. It is only that my ingrained Western thinking gets in the way of me fully comprehending everything on the first pass. The fact that I now recognize that there is a difference between my Western thinking of "me" and omniconsciousness shows how deeply the book reached me. This is a book to read many times.



3. I have read many self-help books on western psychology and eastern mysticism, but I have never found one that explains both in such depth and allows such personal observation. There are insights to take from this book even if you feel that this way of personal enlightenment isn't for you. Much of the information in this book will stay with you and allow you to look more deeply past your outer ego into glimpses of your true self. A very thought-provoking read.



4. I have an interest in psychology and religion. Although I did not personally agree with everything in the book, I found it to be easy to understand and extremely thought provoking.
   
   The book was easy to follow. Anyone interested in self-help or spirituality should give the book a try.



5. Bernard Starr got it right. I was thrilled to see someone focusing on who we can become. The simple language explains in detail the finer points we sometimes miss. I especially liked the points made concerning infancy bonding. This is something many working people forget in the hustle of everyday life. This book is great for anyone of any age. You can learn so much of yourself in these pages.

1 comments about The Power of Kabbalah Card Deck (Technology for the Soul).

1. Reading and learning kabbalah is one of the first steps in knowing what kabbalah is. To really know, you must practice kabbalah in your own life by testing the information you learned. The Kabbalah Card Deck helps you do that. The 72 cards in this deck are large cards (larger then tarot cards). Each card has a different lesson, thought, excersise, or meditation for you to try. I have read the book "Power of Kabbalah" twice, and have a great understanding about kabbalah, since I have been studying the subject for 5 years. I'm reading the book "Power of Kabbalah" again and using this card deck as part of the experience. By doing this, this has opened more doors and helped me jump into the 99% realm, as explained in the book. This card deck is a great tool, purchase this deck and use it everyday to unlock "The Power of Kabbalah". Each experience with each card is different and you will get a different experience each time you use the same card. I hope you enjoyed this deck as much as I did.