BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 2 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! “THE GOOD HEART MAKES YOUR WHOLE LIFE BENEFICIAL.” Lama Zopa !

ELCOME TO “INTERESTING ’M SITTING HERE with a copy of CONTENTS WTIMES”! It seems there’s an elec- IGraeme Taylor’s Evolution’s Edge: tion every week or so, the “world the Coming Collapse & Transform- 5 Upcoming Banyen Events financial crisis” is a storm whose rip- ation of our World. While it arrived 6 Music ples affect us all with unforeseen too late to be reviewed, it’s an exam- 10 Art, Creativity & Music BRANCHES OF LIGHT twists, and the Canadian dollar is ple of the gist of “what’s going 10 New on DVD News & Reviews from tanking. Folks are nervous. At the down” in terms of evolutionary sys- 11 Poetry, Writing & Stories Banyen Books and Sound same time, the geese are heading tems theory. It “provides a rough 14 Yoga & the Hindu Tradiditions south; the bittersweetness of autumn map of the terrain that humanity 16 Buddhism & Zen ISSUE 33 Fall-Winter-Spring 2008-’09 is sharpening our wits, and the season will have to cross on the way to a 19 Tibetan Buddhism
of harvest and thanksgiving is darken- sustainable future... The alternative Publisher & Editor 22 Taoism, Chi & the Martial Arts Kolin Lymworth ing toward the time of firelight, can- to our cancerous consumer society is 23 BodyMind Healing dlelight, and Big Heart. not a new dogma and another mono-
24 Healing Energies, Healing Herbs Managing Editor & Production culture, but a critically aware and cul- 25 Bodywork & Movement Michael Bertrand SAY “BIG HEART” because that’s the turally diverse holistic civilization.” 26 Food, Nutrition & Healing
Irenewable resource The book’s purpose is “to Insides Laura Duncan Good Look Graphics 27 Recovery Cover Fiona Gamiet Articulate Design always with us. We can pull explain why the collapse 28 Inspiration & Self-Help of the current global sys-
together through these 29 Psychology, Therapy & Dreams On the Cover times. Perhaps the bursting tem is inevitable, why 31 Midlife Passages & ElderWisdom Bee landing for nectar-lunch just as I took of the bubble of “unlimit- constructive change is 31 Jungian & Depth Psychology picture at Vandusen Gardens... Photo set in ed growth” will bring us possible, and how we can swirling cosmos painting by curlykale 31 Mythology back to earth, return us to support the evolution of a 32 The Heart of Religion
The Banyen Staff the essentials of life and better world.” 33 Meditation In the Store: love and meaningful con- 33 Western Teachers & Teachings Mark Adam, Vanessa Fisher, Mahara nections. Skills. Gardens. LL WE OFFER at 35 Dying & Grieving Gabriel, Michael Galloway, Silvia Graber, Nature. Beauty. Sharing. ABanyen—oasis, con- 36 Transpersonal Psychology Mandalynn Halldorson, Bokudo Holy, For me, “Big Heart” is code for love nections, resources, heart-smiles, and 36 Entheogens Ingrid Jensen, Jonina Kirton, Shelley Klotz, and wisdom applied to our everyday, muddling inspirations—reflects this 37 Shamanism & Ritual Sandra Leigh, Armin Medani-Nejad, Tom Oakley, Tobi Panter, Levi Shulman, ordinary realities. evolutionary maturing of our true, 38 Native American Medicine Ways Jacob Steele, Tessa Thornley, human nature, as well as the diverse 38 Wicca, Magick & Pagan Paths Chris Turpin & Irene Zafiris-Pafos HIS ISSUE OF BRANCHES OF LIGHT skills and facets of “The Great Work.” 38 Celtic Spirit Store Manager: Tanis Phillips Tfeatures over 200 new titles in all We’d love to welcome you in the 39 Christian & Jewish Spirituality Events & Publicity: the fields noted in the Contents to store, send you mail orders or hear 40 Sufism, Islam & Rumi Michael Bertrand & Nicola Aimé the right.We’ve tried to bring you the your feedback. Email us at sugges- 42 Astrology, Tarot & Divination Purchasers: “cream of the crop” in the latest curls [email protected] with kudos, 43 Metaphysics & Philosophy Marina Gingrich & Rebecca Coates(books) kvetches, caresses, or..? And let’s keep Dawn Howlett, Karen McMahon of evolution. I think of it as “Good 44 Transmissions & Revelations & Suñi Tafoya (music, art & gifts) News from the Frontiers of Human in touch. By signing up for 45 Business, Work &Right Livelihood Receivers: Dean Regan & Chris Piedt Being.” We at Banyen offer all these BLOSSOMING, our monthly e-news, 46 Ecology, Community & Politics Accounting: Lorraine Burke & Jenny Chu titles and thousands more, plus a rich you can know what’s current, what’s 48 Eco-Philosophy, Deep Ecology
spectrum of music, videos, audios, hot, and what lovely events & books 50 Earth Energies & Eco-Design 17,000 copies printed at Coastal Web Press on yoga & meditation supplies, crystals, are coming soon: See “contact us” at 50 Gardening & Farming New Heron Paper’s Rebrite 100% recycled (75+% post-consumer, the rest sawmill waste— altar items, and unique, artful gifts. banyen.com to subscribe. xo –KL 51 Nature as Teacher & Healer and no chlorine bleach). About 65 mature trees 52 Science, Gaia, Brain/Mind were spared—and 45% less water and 70% less 54 Family & Parenting electricity were used—by “re-using” the ORDERING FROM BANYEN SHIPPING & HANDLING four tons of paper it takes to print this issue. Call us toll-free from U.S. or Canada, email, We will backorder to ship later any titles 55 Men’s Soul, Men’s Health fax (604--737-1636) or order from our website. temporarily out of stock, and you may cancel 57 Relationship & Sexuality
Before you call, make a list for reference. your backorders at any time. At your request, Publication Mail Agreement # 1494872 Please have ISBN number for each item (if we will ship your order C.O.D. within Canada 58 Women’s Spirituality & Healing Return undeliverable Canadian addresses you know it), your credit card & expiry date. only. It will cost you an additional $7.00. to: Banyen Books, 3608 West 4th Ave. EDITOR’S CHOICE Vancouver, BC V6R 1P1 RETURNS & DEFECTIVES SHIPPING COSTS IN CANADA The Banyen lotus in a review If unhappy with your order, return it to us “Expedited and Insured” means that title is a favourite
with a copy of your receipt, and we will give Basic Cost Per Book “Editor’s Choice.” In the spirit of partnership, and to help make you a full merchandise refund. (Please note Lower Mainland 5.00 1.50 BRANCHES OF LIGHT possible, the exceptions in the following paragraph.) Western Canada 6.50 1.50 PRICES printed reflect updates at press time, we do welcome selected advertising. Returns must be received by us within 30 days Eastern Canada 9.00 1.50 yet suppliers change their prices and Please direct all inquiries to Michael Bertrand of purchase date. Return a defective item with Canadian Orders over $89: FREE SHIPPING exchange rates are shifting, so please note ([email protected]) at the above address. a clear ID of the defect within 30 days—we’ll Delivery Times: 2-5 business days in B.C., that all prices in Branches of Light are subject to change without notice Fax 604-737-1636
Phone 604-732-4033. gladly replace it with a new copy. Opened 5-7 days within Canada +3 days to outlying areas . With this huge rise in the U.S.$, know that Review copies, catalogs & publisher Audios, Videos, Tarot/Oracle sets and the like prices now are lower than they will be soon. announcements are always welcome! are returnable only if defective. TO THE U.S.A.. Regular (insured, 6-9 days): $10+ $2 per book PAYMENTS & DISCOUNTS Express (insured, 3-5 days): $13+ $3 per book BRANCHES OF LIGHT Only credit-card payments can easily handle ( ( (: ON THE WEB : ) ) ) is published each Spring and Fall by changing prices, currencies, taxes, and ship- Alas, we no longer ship orders outside Banyen Books and Sound ping costs However, we also accept cheques Canada and the USA. Contact The Bodhi Tree Books Music Audios Videos Oracles (with your address & phone number on in Los Angeles, who ship worldwide. Phone 26,000 titles - over 5,000 full-length reviews 3608 West 4th Avenue them), drawn on a Canadian bank, and bank 310-659-1733: [email protected] Peruse... Ponder... or Purchase online Vancouver, B.C. V6R 1P1 Canada or postal money orders. Orders from U.S.:

payment must be by Visa, Mastercard, or To avoid delays in filling your order... Books: 604-732-7912 money order in Canadian Dollars. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL US A CHEQUE www.banyen.com Discounts (non-cumulative): 10% on 5+ of WITHOUT PHONING or EMAILING Music, Gifts, Tickets: 604-737-8858 same title. $250+ per order (before tax), or FIRST TO CONFIRM THE AMOUNT. Click “CONTACTING BANYEN” Mail Order: 800-663-8442 for seniors (65+). Public libraries, and prison, and please remember to GIVE US ... to sign up for - our (phone during store open hours only) hospital & school libraries: 20%. YOUR MAILING ADDRESS! BLOSSOMING monthly e-news of events & reviews e-mail: [email protected] Open Monday to Friday 10-9 Canadian ORDERS OVER $89 (before taxes) Click “READ OUR NEWEST Saturday 10-8 Sunday 11-7 REVIEWS HERE” to see our latest, GET FREE SHIPPING... A SAVING OF AT LEAST $11 arranged by subject.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 3 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 4 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009

! BANYEN EVENTS !

A pdf file for the Events page will be forthcoming from Michael of Banyen Books. Please strip it in to fit between the header and folio giv- en here. Thanks, Laura.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 5 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! HUMMING IN HARMONY !

Among his spacious selections are Deva Music on CD Chants to Lift Us Into Silence Premal’s “Incantation” and “Om Hraum Mitraya”; Benjy Wertheimer’s raga-like INTO SILENCE “Threshold Between Worlds”; Debussy’s THE TEN THOUSAND STEPS The Meditation Music of Deva Premal “Clair de Lune”; a modern version of Erik by Biomusique by Deva Premal & Miten Satie’s “Gnossienne 3”; a long excerpt $19.95, CD. Kosmic Music. $19.95, CD. Sounds True. from Steve Roach’s “Structures from isbn 9780010068146 54 minutes isbn 9789000086399 59 minutes Silence”; the pure and healing sounds of “Biomusique” is what singer Lisbeth Deva Premal and Miten will be playing here in Tibetan flutist Nawang Khechog; and oth- Scott and eclectic percussionist Greg Ellis Vancouver Sept. 24 (see events)! er pieces by Kip Mazuy, Jeff Johnson, and call their new Here for the first time are Deva David Sun. The finale is a touching ver- collaboration, a Premal’s most popular meditative sion of Lennon & McCartney’s “Let it Be” project that works collected in one album. Into played by Maneesh de Moor. brought the two Silence features her favourite chants for “awakening a long- All these artists are familiar with the Los Angeles mu- ing in the heart amidst the sacred space of silence.” realm of inner stillness and are able to sicians together Deva Premal has released 14 albums with her partner, create or perform from that dimension in a creative Miten. She is a classically trained singer and musician known and thus bring it into this world. This is process that Deva Premal & Miten around the globe for her serene, sacred chants. Raised in a why each piece of music has a certain spanned three German home permeated with Eastern spirituality, Deva magic to it. Each piece is eminently suitable for reducing or eliminating the months of inten- Premal was chanting the Gayatri Mantra by age five and has practiced meditation activity of thought in you, the listener. sive recording— throughout much of her life. The healing effects of her music are informed by her and birthed a work of sweeping, almost For this to work, however, there needs to training in shiatsu, reflexology, craniosacral therapy, and massage. Many of her be a willingness on your part to give your cinematic beauty that they’ve entitled The records have topped the New Age charts including The Essence, Love is Space, full attention to the sounds and to receive Ten Thousand Steps. Embrace, and Dakshina. them in a state of relaxed alertness. Then, Ellis’ multi-instrumental talents (previ- Visit www.devapremalusa.com for more info. let the sounds work their magic on you; ously enjoyed on albums by Vas) were “I love the music of Deva Premal and Miten. It is truly a portal into Presence. As let them take you deeper into stillness. broadly exercised to support and embell- you listen, the sacred space that lies beyond the mind emerges naturally and ef- ish Scott’s extraordinary, multi-textured fortlessly. Pure magic.” —Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now vocals, and he contributed not only the “Beautiful, beautiful music.” —H.H. the Dalai Lama THE DREAMING GATE shimmering pan-global sounds of his sub- Metamusic with Hemi-Sync tle, signature percussion—Balinese gongs, LIFT by Inlakesh / Monroe Products Tibetan bowls, African udu, Indian tabla & Bhajans from Yasodhara Ashram $18.95, CD. Music Design. nagara, Middle Eastern frame drums—but by the community of Yasodhara Ashram isbn 9780010067866 59 minutes also bass, piano, guitar, dulcimer and $14.95, CD. Timeless. Enter a shamanic “dreamtime” with the trumpet (the “rediscovered” first instru- isbn 9780010067231 65 minutes entrancing didgeridoo music of Inlakesh ment of his youth). This beautifully simple selection of devotional bhajans is and Hemi-Sync, His intricate, carefully crafted arrange- sung by the community at Yasodhara Ashram in Kootenay which helps you ments sensitively frame the tonal nuances Bay, B.C. Lift seamlessly blends Eastern melody and instru- safely alter your achieved by Lisbeth Scott’s luminous voice mentation with Western production and arrangement. brainwaves with in dreamily elemental performances, with Musician Adrian Wagner has produced a musical compila- multi-layered eclectic instrumentation surging bravely tion with such resonance, the album sounds as if it is unfolding deep inside the patterns of around some of her vocal tracks with un- Ashram’s Temple of Divine Light. The vocal arrangements display the diversity of sound frequen- derstated grandeur and a deft the community and the devotional singers. Lift features New Zealand kirtan cies. When you chiaroscuro—or in other pieces enhanc- singer/songwriter Sarah Marlowe. hear these ing her evocative lyrics with the delicacy of Recorded in the summer of 2007, Lift includes bhajans such as “Triloka,” through stereo fine filigree. Scott also plays piano and “Radhe,” “Kuan Yin Pusa,” “Be Thou my Vision,” “Radha Krishna Karuna Lola,” and headphones or harmonium herself. “The River is Flowing.” Liner notes include meanings, lyrics, and evocative photos speakers, your brain responds by produc- The songs weave a richly textural tapes- of the ashram and the community. ing a third sound (called a binaural beat) try of emotion and sound—a “sonic sculp- that encourages the desired brainwave ac- ture,” as Ellis describes it. Conceived as a tivity. Hemi-Sync can help you experience bum that will grow on you with repeated sort of “original score” to a spontaneous, ECKHART TOLLE’S MUSIC TO QUIET enhanced mental, physical, and emotion- listenings. While it can serve as a sweet am- internal, and quite pictorial series of song THE MIND al states by combining verbal guidance, bient background, there’s a depth of pres- concepts that emerged organically as the compiled by Eckhart Tolle music, pink sound and/or other audio ef- ence here worth listening closer for. $18.95, CD. Sounds True. players composed together over many fects with the binaural beats. The particu- Anyone who has seen Spielberg per- isbn 9789000086368 67 minutes weeks, the album as a whole has an epic lar elements for each recording are care- form in concert knows that the stories be- Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of quality that at once evokes a sense of the fully selected and integrated with the hind her music are almost as big a part of Now, speaks for the quiet mind, and he’s emotive scope and drama of film music. appropriate Hemi-Sync sound frequen- the concert as the music itself, giving in- now put to- Biomusique! cies to enhance the desired effect. sight into the individual pieces as well as gether a music Inspired by tribal cultures and ceremo- into the artist herself—truly a human be- CD—a hand- nial music from around the world, Rob ing like the rest of us with a family, a gar- selected collec- A NEW KIND OF LOVE Thomas and Tanya Gerard of Inlakesh (a den, pets, love, pain, joy, memories, and tion of his fa- Solo Piano Mayan term meaning “I am another your- all that makes up a life well lived. vorite pieces to by Robin Spielberg self”) have raised the bar for fans of the Spielberg’s liner notes also tell the stories transport you $19.95, CD. Play Mountain. spiritually evocative didgeridoo. Their isbn 9780010068092 60 minutes behind the music, and although they are to the space music conveys a profound respect for trib- A New Kind of Love showcases Robin cre- much briefer than the stories told live, and beauty of al cultures and their invaluable contribu- ating the kind of music for which she is they offer vivid pictures of how the music the Now. tions to the world of music and spirit. most famous: was inspired. AND, Spielberg is an amaz- Purposefully Their seasoned shamanic stylings are ac- melodic sound- ing pianist who puts heart and soul into sequenced for a grounding and calming companied by other “dreamtime” tools to tracks for her life’s her music, communicating a wide range of effect, Eckhart Tolle’s Music to Quiet the Mind mystically weave the sonic portals of The journey. emotions to the listener. offers a golden thread into the vast spa- Dreaming Gate. Instruments featured: Exploring friend- The tender, romantic, and playful fresh- ciousness and power of presence. didgeridoo, Tibetan horns, Gamelan ships, world beau- ness of great piano. Tasty. Music bypasses the conceptual mind. gongs, cello, tabla drums, tambura, vocals ty, the passage of Music does not give you food for thought, (tracks 1 & 9), indigenous chants and time and the tran- and no single note lasts for long. Every highly textured soundscapes. sition of seasons, sound, whether produced by the human The Dreaming Gate is not “meditative” in the CD is an inti- voice or an instrument, comes out of the the traditional sense. It’s shamanic “trav- mate listening experience and a treat for silence and quickly disappears back into eling” music. folks who love melodic creations for solo the silence. In that sense, music can be considered the most ephemeral, the most grand piano. impermanent, of all art forms. Silence not Robin Spielberg’s Steinway rings with only surrounds every sound, but also tender and playful heartsongs on an al- interpenetrates it.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 6 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! WORLD MUSIC !

HEALING THE HOLY LAND singing of the Middle East with stunning ographic boundaries. Joined by an all-star Afghan, yet res- A Musical Journey of Faith contemporary arrangements. Musicians cast of music luminaries including Enrique onates strongly by Various Artists include Jai Uttal, Azam Ali, Omar Faruk Morente, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, David with the spirit of $20.75, CD. Tekbilek, Fadia El-Hage, Gina Salá, Ofer Darling (cello), Steve Roach (sonic atmos- Indian raga. Soundings of the Planet. Golany, Peregrine Vocal Ensemble, Halla pheres) and long time collaboraor Brian The Afghan isbn 9780010066852 Bassam, Lydia McCauley, Rafe Pearlman, Keane, Faruk applies his unity-in-diversity rubâb is a dou- 62 minutes Rita Glassman, and Dean and Dudley approach to a collection of songs coloured ble-chambered These deeply moving and texturally lis- Evenson. It is a welcome follow-up to with traditional Sufi melodies, Middle lute with 3 main tenable sacred chants and songs bring Soundings of the Planet’s popular world Eastern flavors and distinct traces of folk strings, 3 long Jewish, Christian and Muslim music of the chant albums, Prayer: A Multi-Cultural and flamenco. The result: a contemporary drone strings, Middle East together in a spirit of peace. Journey of Spirit and Sacred World world music sound that is intuitive, uplift- and up to 15 sympathetic strings. In India Today the Chants. ing and exuberant. this instrument was modified to become ‘seed’ of Lovely liner notes tell the spiritual story Honoured as a peacemaker as well as a the more well-known sarod. In Sakhi’s Abraham of each prayer /chant / song. My favourite virtuoso, Omar Faruk Tekbilek’s openness masterful hands, the rubâb scintillates represents the cut is the amazing Rafe Pearlman’s “Lord’s to music from all cultures positions him as with history and musical intelligence, play- Jewish, Prayer in Aramaic,” but really, this whole the rare artist who transcends political ob- ing two traditional ragas and one piece in Christian, and magic carpet of an album is great, and stacles while maintaining traditional sensi- a style from northern Afghanistan. Muslim people. holds together in a tasty way. bilities. Tree of Patience is his personal ac- These “People For a listener, the perception of knowledgment of all the remarkable of the Book” continuous variations in pattern may have a shared people he has encountered and who con- become an act of contemplation of spiritual and TREE OF PATIENCE tributed to his development as an artist meditation, much like viewing the floral family history that goes back thousands of by Omar Faruk Tekbilek and a human being. and arabesque designs that figure so years and is deeply rooted in the Middle $16.95, CD. White Swan. Also by Tekbilek are Alif and Whirling. prominently in textiles and ceramics from East. The intention of this album is to plan isbn 9780010062908 54 minutes Iran and Central Asia. In performing North a new seed of possibility that someday, On his first release in over three years, Indian classical music from an Afghan perspective, Homayun reunites raga with these cousins, these great, great acclaimed Turkish multi-instrumentalist THE ART OF THE AFGHAN RUBAB grandchildren of Abraham will realize they one of its original sources, the cultivated Omar Faruk by Homayun Sakhi musical traditions of the Iranian world. all worship the same God and find a way Tekbilek, stay- $27.75, CD. Smithsonian Folkways. to get along. May this music carry the ing mostly on isbn 9780010061000 70-minute CD, Co-produced by the Aga Khan Music spirit to help bring the family together his primary in- 32-page colour booklet + 28-minute DVD Initiative, dedicated to presenting leading again. struments—the From Kabul to California, Homayun exponents of Central Asia’s rich and di- Healing the Holy Land is a sonically su- ney and the Sakhi is admired as the outstanding verse musical heritage to listeners outside perb and musically inspiring journey that kavala, both of Afghan rubâb player of his genera- the region, this beautiful offering includes will have appeal for anyone looking for a them soulfully tion, a charismatic virtuoso who a magnificent booklet with photos de- more universal approach to the “holy “breathy” end- has pushed the limits of his in- scribing the tradition, the instruments, the days” and for people who want to focus on blown flutes strument. With tabla player music, and the culture. Also included is a the sacred in any season. This gorgeous from his native Taryalai Hashimi (whose perfor- 28-minute DVD of a live performance. collection of music features world- region— expands his “Mediterranean mance on this CD will delightfully surprise renowned vocalists and musicians and is a sound” beyond political, religious and ge- you), Sakhi plays music that is uniquely musical merging of ancient devotional

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 7 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! MUSIC !

African Beats The Breath of Flutes

GATI BONGO LOST CANYONS by Baka Gbiné by Scott August $19.95, CD. March Hare Music. $18.95, CD. Cedar Mesa Music. isbn 9780010066937 52 minutes isbn 9780010067514 63 minutes Gati Bongo is the amazing and compelling debut album One of our greatest native flute players has taken it by Baka Gbiné, recorded live in the rainforest of a step further on Lost Canyons. Scott August layers gui- Cameroon in 2004 and 2005. It comes as the result of reg- tars, keyboards and all kinds of percussion, moving ular visits to the Bakas’ homeland by British members of from world fusion to airy ambiences. Afro-Celtic band Baka Beyond. Martin Cradick and Su August plays many instruments, among them flutes Hart of Baka Beyond have regularly stayed with the Baka (primarily the Anasazi flute which this recording in Africa, taking and donating a number of guitars as part of a 15-year collabora- seems to pay tribute to), piano, per- tion. Using these guitars alongside traditional instruments made in the forest, the cussion, guitars, ethnic instruments such as the kalimba gamelan, Baka Pygmies have created their own band, Baka Gbiné—together with a distinct and “textures.” His dexterous blending of synths adds just the right and irresistible musical style. amount to any song on which it’s featured. Never too over the top The album was recorded using a solar-powered mobile studio set up under a gi- yet also not so subtle as to make the listener question whether any- ant tree deep in the forest, and completed in England at Cradick’s studio in Bath. thing has been added at all. Two songs from the album, title track “Gati Bongo” and “Mosumana Collé,” were Lost Canyons contains everything from the plaintive beauty of the released on iTunes in 2006. Scott August opening “Morning Star” (Anasazi flute, alabaster chimes and tex- Music is an integral part of life for the members of Baka Gbiné and their com- tures) to the lively “Raven Dance” which intermixes percussion munity. Song and rhythm are essential to their lives for many reasons, including the from just about every continent with guitar, piano and Tiger Maple flute. And those sheer fun they bring. The Gati Bongo album captures this sense of fun perfectly, are just the first two songs on the album! bringing this joyous, spiritual and vibrant music to an international audience. “Where Spirits Dwell” marries tribal beats with Balinese gamelan and the cross- Royalties earned by Baka Gbine are channelled back to the Baka musicians and culture fusion is a celebration of the way music bridges disparate cultures. “Swallows their communities through the U.K.-based charity Global Music Exchange. This & Nighthawks” is the only solo flute song on the CD. money has already enabled them to win land rights and recognition as Showing he can dial up the energy and infuse more modern touches into his fu- Cameroonian citizens, as well as funding the building of a medical centre and a sion music, “Chasing the Sun” bounces along with kinetic energy, propelled by sev- beautiful “music house.” These positive steps help protect the Bakas’ forest envi- en different types of drum/percussion instruments and ambient-like electric guitar ronment and unique hunter-gatherer way of life. flourishes. And “Twilight Canyon” and “Evening Star” are great conclusions to the album, conveying the fading of daylight. AMAN IMAN: WATER IS LIFE “August sets the Native flute in a vibrant global landscape... and lets it drift into by Tinariwen ambient space. Lost Canyons is a place you won’t mind losing your map.” —John $18.25, CD. Outside Music. Diliberto, Echoes Radio isbn 9780010065947 58 minutes Having emerged from the Touareg people of Mali in the southern Sahara in 2001—where, as rebel fighters, ENCHANTED WIND they once carried guns as well as guitars—Tinariwen have Flute Meditations for the Heart and Soul become one of the most successful groups to come out of by Suzanne Teng Africa in decades. Aman Iman: Water is Life is their third al- $18.95, CD. Autumn Light. bum and by far their most accessible. The key to its appeal isbn 9780010068283 54 minutes Suzanne Teng is a Southern California–based musi- is that, as well as the circular Touareg vocals, chanting and rhythms, there are bluesy cian/local legend, whose music has enlivened many festi- guitar licks and an unruly energy that create sound like the raw elements of rock and roll. Here, then, is a record that will unite fans of Ali Farka Toure and Keith vals and scenes there. On Enchanted Wind Richards—no mean feat. With many of the tracks recorded in the open air at night she has woven some beautiful and heart- in the desert, this album has a rugged, epic atmosphere all of its own. warming meditations on alto flute, bass flute, bamboo flutes, and the rare contrabass flute with delicate accompaniment (by her Their guitar style of so many resonances has been developed along traditional sweetie Gilbert Levy) on bass dulcimer, harmonium, tambura, bam- Touareg lines without much direct input from the rest of the world. In their rhythms are boo windchimes, and zithers. Bobbie Jo Curley on celtic harp also strong similarities with Algerian and Moroccan music, while Ali Farka Toure’s Songhai guitar style is obviously a close cousin. But the dark pull of some melodies and the way touches in. the guitarists “worry” a note, pulling and flickering around, keeps drawing me back to Suzanne Teng Among the cuts are “Breath of Love,” “Dark Moon,” “Floating the North American blues. And suddenly they play a tune and you swear it’s a lilting Bamboo,” “September’s Angels,” “Loltun,” and “Light of the Heart.” Irish melody… Your head starts to spin and there’s no better place to be when your A deep-breathingly, let-it-flowingly easy hour of—as the liner notes say—“quiet head spins than under the stars in the Sahara desert… music for quiet times.” The breath of these flutes will accompany you, carry you, Tinariwen’s music may take them around the world, but you’ll always hear a part and soften your edges in a warm and healing way. Good music for the many ways of of them that’s never far from that campfire, out in the desert, under the stars. unwinding, “unlaxing,”… and casts a harmonizing, ambient spell in any space.

UNSPOKEN lowing the listener to bask in the waves of chanting with layers upon layers of exotic The Music of “Only Breath” music as they move from joy to grief to in- instrumentation. The CD closes with the by Jami Sieber & friends toxication to stillness. heart-opening track “Returning,” set in a $18.95, CD. Lush Mechanique. From trance-dance rhythms to prayerful quartet of cellos with guitars, percussion isbn 9780010067552 stillness, Unspoken dissolves boundaries of and organ. A HOLE IN A FLUTE 63 minutes musical genre, melding indigenous chants Unspoken is a textured journey beyond Cellist Jami Sieber uses her instrument and rhythms with visionary compositions ordinary consciousness, equally attractive I am like a painter, adorning her musical canvas that quiet the mind and set the body danc- to those who crave grooves that move the A hole in a flute with washes of vivid tones and reflective ing. Beginning with Sieber’s pulsing, am- body and those seeking the music of si- That the Christ’s breath moves through— moods. That im- bient cello and vocals in “Opening,” a cur- lence, inner reflection and prayer. Listen to this pressionistic, ex- rent of multi-layered sound carries the Among the musicians: Jami Sieber (elec- pressive nature is listener seamlessly from the contemplative tric and acoustic cello, and vocals), Ulali Music. more evident than depths of “Benediction,” through the (First Nations Womens Vocal Group), I am the concert ever on her gor- rushing torrent of percussion, flute, bass, Steve Gorn (bansuri flute), Benjy From the mouth of every geous album, vocals and cello in “The River Between” to Wertheimer (esraj and tabla), Julie Wolf Creature Unspoken. The in- Ulali’s primal cries at the close of “Night (organ and piano), Marjori DuMuynck Singing with the myriad strumental sound- Song.” In the centre of the journey, Benjy (duduk), and Rhiannon and David Word Chords. track of the recent Wertheimer’s esraj and Jami’s electric cel- (vocals). collaborative release, Only Breath, which lo weave a lush interior world that gives Among Jami’s other CDs are Hidden Sky features Sieber’s celloscapes in dialogue birth to the grooves of the two worldbeat and Only Breath (music with spoken poet- —Hafiz, from The Gift with mystical poetry, Unspoken is infused dance tracks “Broken Open” and ry). with the ineffable essence of the verses, al- “Unspoken,” which fuse Native American

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 8 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! CHAKRAS & THE SOUND OF LIGHT !

CHAKRA HEALING known as Chakras. These seven major where to add new depths and complexity vealed—a dy- by Dean Evenson & Soundings Ensemble energy vortices are located along the to this extraordinary music for mental and namic range of $16.95, CD. Soundings of the Planet. central meridian from the base of the somatic toning. Instruments include North colours vital to spine to the top of the head… You may isbn 9780010068108 64 minutes African tar drum, Arabic tar, Egyptian tam- our physical, tone along with the tracks while The latest from the dedicated musical bourine, Azerbaijani frame drum, surdo, emotional, and meditating on the optimum performance caxixi, and waterphone. spiritual well-be- family at Soundings of the Planet, Chakra of each Chakra. The liner notes bring to Healing is a deeply meditative musical ex- light some of the mysteries of the Chakra If you listen closely to your body and ing. Using scien- perience that system. follow its lead, you can “customize” the tifically designed beneficial effects of the music through the chimes and tun- seeks to create a If you’re not specifically resonating the ways you move. Bring your awareness to ing forks that vibrant, radiant chakras with this music, you might be en- the chakra for which the piece was written mathematically correspond to the electro- harmony among joying yoga, Pilates, meditation, or basical- all the chakras. and notice what sensations arise there and magnetic wavelengths of each colour, ly just relaxing. It’s beautifully harmoniz- elsewhere in your body as you move to the During their Theory translates the energy of light into ing! rhythm. Alternately, you can remain still sound. Light incorporates the principle of three decades and meditate, focusing mental energy on with Soundings the specific chakra while the music is “sonic biomimicry” by modeling these nat- urally occurring frequencies to support of the Planet, RHYTHMS OF THE CHAKRAS playing. healing modalities such as massage, Dean & Dudley Evenson have been asked Volume 2 This fresh new mix of healing timbres acupuncture, and bodywork. Here is a har- by many massage therapists and health by Glen Velez and rhythmic textures—all acoustic per- monically rich sonic tapestry that calms practitioners to create the definitive CD $18.95, CD. Sounds True. cussion & voice-toning—carries listeners the senses and nurtures the spirit, ready to for the chakras. The moment has arrived! isbn 9789000086375 50 minutes on a luscious sound wave into the dynamic bathe you in an atmosphere of therapeu- The CD packaging contains a full- Three-time Grammy winner and world- energies of each chakra. tic radiance. colour instructional guide that summa- class percussionist Glen Velez offers an Also by Glen Velez are the CDs Breathing rizes the basic aspects of each chakra (as- evocative follow-up collection to his con- Rhythms and Rhythms of Awakening. Each note represents a colour of the sociative colours, elements, organs, tinuingly popular rainbow. Sounded together, they create gemstones, functionality, and an affirma- Rhythms of the nuances of sonic color to calm, balance, tion for each chakra) and is an inviting Chakras. Drawing and illuminate your environment with Full LIGHT Spectrum Sound… and useful companion for this musical from his deep intu- Full Spectrum Sound Healing presentation for balancing the chakras. itive knowledge as by Alex Theory We are beings of light. I hope you too Dean Evenson plays keyboards, flutes, a master musician $19.95, CD. will be reminded of this as you listen. toning, and is joined by trance guitar, and sound healing Sounds True 9789000086351 69 minutes Alex Theory co-organized the 2007 harp, drum, viola, cello and percussion. pioneer, Velez pre- What is the sound of light? To find out, World Sound Healing Conference and the Evenson is a sound healing pioneer whose sents Rhythms of the innovative sound healer and musician Alex September 2007 Global Om project. He music is available at spas as well as yoga Chakras, Volume 2. This new blend of Theory created the unique set of ambient draws upon his extensive training in psy- and healing centers. He has many albums, rhythms, movements, and vocalizations, compositions captured on Light—the sec- chology, shamanic practice, and music among them Spa Dreams and Tao of fine-tuned to lead you into the dynamic ond installment in his soothing Full production to develop new modalities in Healing. energy of your chakras, was seven years in Spectrum Sound series (the first was his music and sound therapy. You are invited to enjoy a deeply the making. CD Water). When white light shines meditative, musical experience created to Velez draws on drumming techniques through a crystal or water, it is split into its resonate with your subtle energy centers from South India, Asia, Egypt, and else- component parts and the rainbow is re-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 9 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! MUSIC, MOVIES & ART !

GOLDEN RATIOS The more you imagine the various Pythagorean Harmonic Healing 1 THE FUTURE OF FOOD New on stages of your journey, the greater the by James Hopkins 2-Disc Special Edition DVD chances of completing your creative $27.50, CD. Art All Ways. a film by Deborah Koons Garcia work. I believe that looking at your creative process as a journey with a isbn 9780010068078 65 minutes $21.95, 2 DVDs. Lily Films. beginning, middle, and end gives you a is the first in a series of five isbn 9789000069651 88 minutes + extra features Golden Ratios longer and more realistic view than you There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on “vibrationally medicinal” CDs that will be normally have. The good news is that the released by the dinner tables of North America—a revolution that is journey is thoroughly known; the tough Harmonix transforming the very nature of the food we eat. The Future news is that you still have to find your Healing. This of Food offers us an in-depth investigation into the disturbing own way. But I can only strike the flint; music will broad- truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered you must fan the flame. en your experi- foods that have quietly filled our grocery store shelves for the Cousineau has divided his book into ence of “high fi- past decade. And it provides inspiration and resources for three parts: Inspiration, Perspiration, and delity.” taking action. Realization. Through this useful frame- As a result of From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this work, he guides the reader from the ini- independent re- film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively im- tial creative impulse on to finding the search on the life pacted by this new technology. The health implications, government policies and time and tapping into the source, then on and teachings of push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed to focusing, then on to failure and what to Pythagoras, James Hopkins was inspired to by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply. do with it, and finally to making it real. commission a series of unique musical in- Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and directed by Deborah Stoking the Creative Fires is a burn out struments for healing purposes. Koons Garcia, The Future of Food examines the complex web of market and politi- antidote for any creative process— Pythagoras was the first person to pre- cal forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to whether it’s building a business, an art scribe harmonic frequencies and music to control the world’s food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale project, or a life. treat human conditions. He industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions invented in- The artist must create a spark before he to the farm crisis today. struments and with the use of sound and can make a fire and before art is born the vibration he was able to bring an individ- While the word-of-mouth popular film offers a stunning revelation in almost artist must be ready to be consumed by ual’s attention to the awareness of their every scene (including interviews with, among others, Canada’s Percy Schmeiser), the fire of his own creation. Divine Nature in order to facilitate the a second disc also includes Special Features such as: —Auguste Rodin ! healing process. Hopkins has spent seven Michael Pollan on The Cost of Food - Excerpt from a Slow Foods panel event Also by Phil Cousineau: ! The Hero’s years dedicated to recreating and mani- The Happy Box - A film about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) by Erica Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life & festing these instruments for the purpose Filanc Work. of resurrecting this ancient tradition. ! How to Save Seeds from Vegetables - A film by Underwood Gardens ! The Divinely Inspired instrument Planting Seeds - A film about School Farming programs in Santa Monica ! recorded on this CD has 117 strings. All GE Free recipes by Deborah Madison, Mollie Katzen, and more... THE 7 SECRETS OF SOUND the strings are 7 feet long. They are ! Excerpts from 4 films about farmers —My Father’s Garden, Troublesome Creek, Ripe HEALING precisely tuned to frequencies that for Change and a film about farmer Michael Ableman by Jonathan Goldman generate infinite harmonic overtone ratios ! Taking Action Toolkit & web resources $18.95, Book+CD set. Book hidden within the fundamental note of This stylish film is not just for food faddists and nutritionists. Loaded with useful Hay House. each string. These frequencies emanate & CD resources on this issue (see also www.thefutureoffood.com), this documentary is an isbn 9781401917586 160- organically and combine mathematically eloquent call to action. page hardcover, b/w illustrations + music CD to create exquisite cosmic symphonic orchestrations that unfold geometrically. I On 7 Secrets of Sound Healing, Jonathan call them “audible fractals.” Within these hoaxing, balls of light associated with crop Goldman shows how sound can be used to overtones series you will hear fathomless circle appearances, the sacred site con- Art, Creativity & heal and transform. Through practical in- galactic choirs & instruments unimagined. nection, the media and people’s reactions formation and exercis- It is hard to believe this CD is entirely to the phenomena, and outlines the basic Music es, you’ll discover how acoustic! There are no synthesizers, no understandings arrived at so far [the film the power of sound computer generated effects, etc. I use only was released in 2005]. functions as personal my fingers on the strings which are Images of the major crop circles are re- STOKING THE CREATIVE FIRES vibrational therapy for attached to a wooden acoustic resonant enhancement of chamber (like a giant guitar body or a ally the star of the show—these mysteri- 9 Ways to Rekindle Passion and Imagination massive cello). It is designed to be played ously appearing “patterns in the fields” of by Phil Cousineau mind, body, and spirit. while a human being is literally lying on inexplicable, mandala-like beauty and in- $18.95, paper. Conari. This book provides top of it. Even more difficult to believe is triguingly deepening complexity over isbn 9781573242998 a basic understanding that all the strings are tuned to only two time. A narrative line dealing with the 222 pages, b/w illustrations of the principles of using sound as a heal- notes (D&A). This phenomenon is known mysterious aspects of the phenomena An award-winning author and filmmak- ing modality, and how it may be used to as the Lambdoma Sequence. threads it all together. er, Phil Cousineau gives readers the tools restore balance. It combines the ancient For more info & listening samples, Many are now coming to believe these they need to alleviate wisdom of how sound can heal and trans- check out www.harmonixhealing.com. mysterious symbols appearing all over the burnout and rekindle form with the modern understanding of planet (10,000 since 1980, and some in passion in all areas of the science of sound, where quantum Canada) are a communiqué to hu- their lives. Based on physicists echo the revelations of the sa- New On DVD mankind allowing a greater human con- thirty years of teach- cred texts that declare: “Everything is sciousness to emerge. That is, they are ing, he offers a multi- sound!” STAR DREAMS here to offer humanity at this time, an op- tude of stories, ideas, Goldman explores the many different A Feature Documentary portunity for an expanded consciousness and exercises drawn therapies that use sound to heal and Exploring the Mystery of Crop Circles and an understanding of how the world from historical and transform, including ancient, modern, by Robert Nichol works in the larger context of the inter- contemporary fig- and futuristic methods, and features a $22.00, DVD. Sacred Mysteries. New on galactic community. ures, artists of all practical application of knowledge and isbn 9789991546285 DVD This provocative and visually stunning kinds, and from his techniques that will assist you in leading a 84 minutes documentary will leave you in awe, won- own experience, to inspire readers on ways more harmonious life. An awesome feature-length documen- der—and discussion. to live a passionate and creative life. His An included CD of recorded examples tary by B.C. filmmaker Robert Nichol— All who would be open to these wonderful approach offers a simple called Peaceful Journey employs gentle am- what is going on moments of enlightened perusal of the Crop yet surprisingly effective bient music, subliminal affirmations, and here, anyway?— Circle images based on sacred geometry will be model to help guide you specific psychoacoustic tones and fre- Star Dreams shows affected by the impact of the geometric form on on your creative journey. quencies to help entrain your brainwaves many crop circles their brain-wave frequencies and body A noted mythographer, and synchronize your nervous system to themselves for all vibratory frequency. The DNA is stimulated by Cousineau uses fire as the calm and relaxation. In combination, the to see—and pre- the archetypical designs. symbol for the urge to cre- book and CD offer a solid foundation for sents commentary It is believed that Crop Circles are templates Phil Cousineau ate, the drive to express discovering how sound and music can be by many of the top for a new human reality about to emerge, one’s innermost self. A stu- utilized to benefit and enrich your life. crop circle re- suggesting that we recognize them on a deep dent, friend, and biographer of Joseph “Whether you are a novice or an expert searchers. It investi- psychic level as a galactic language which Campbell, he uses the hero’s journey as a in vibrational science, this book is a must- gates the overall as- invites us to remember our origins and our road map for the adventure of creativity. have for every healing library and a must- sumption of birthright as co-creators. read for everyone with a passion for heal-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 10 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! CHANTING POETRY ! ing and peace.”—Gregg Braden, author of and presence as the closest of the close, The Divine Matrix the dearest of the dear—our true beloved. Love Poems of Pablo Neruda Other recordings by sound healing pio- —Jai Uttal neer Jonathan Goldman are Frequencies: echoed in Sound of Healing CD and Chakra Chants CD. Poetry, Writing LOVE POEMS by Pablo Neruda, the secret of & Stories translated by Donald Walsh its grottoes $13.00, paper. New Directions. like the THE YOGA OF KIRTAN song in your Conversations on the Sacred Art isbn 9780811217293 88 pages, French flaps mouth, of Chanting THE TRURO BEAR AND OTHER and the Charged with passion, Pablo by Steven Rosen ADVENTURES flower that $33.00, Book+CD set. Poems and Essays Neruda’s love poems caused a scandal was born Folk Books. by Mary Oliver when published anonymously in 1952. between the isbn 9780615205106 $25.50, cloth. Beacon. In later editions, these verses became crevices of the 482-page paperback + 72-minute CD isbn 9780807068847 80 pages among his most celebrated, captivating stone For countless ages, seekers have jour- I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. readers with earthy im- with its neyed to the Ganges, or to similar holy I do know how to pay attention, how to ages that reveal in gen- secret syllable places, to absorb fall down tle lingering lines an spoke, as it into the grass, how to passed, your name themselves in sacred erotic re-imagining of kneel down in the the world through the of blazing plant mantras, hymns that grass, and the steep rock, raised have been passed prism of a lover’s body: how to be idle and Pablo Neruda like the wall of the world, down for generations. blessed, how to stroll “Today our bodies knew my song, well beloved, These same seekers through the fields, came vast, they grew to and all things spoke of would often perform which is what I have the edge of the world / and rolled melt- your love, my love, beloved, kirtan, celebrating been doing all day. ing / into a single drop / of wax or me- because earth, time, sea, island, special mantras with Tell me, what else teor…” Mostly written on the island of life, tide, song and dance. should I have done? Capri, where Neruda “took refuge” in the seed that half opens its lips in the earth, Much to our good for- Doesn’t everything die at last, and too the arms of his lover Matilde Urrutia, soon? Love Poems embraces the seascapes the devouring flower, tune, these mantras Tell me, what is it you plan to do the movement of spring, around them, saturating the images of have finally come West, and with your one wild and precious life? everything recognizes us. Book endless shores and waves with a yearn- kirtan now contributes to the This collection of new poems and When presenting the legendary & CD ing eroticism. rhythms of modernity as an beloved classics about creatures of all sorts Chilean poet Pablo Neruda These poems—they formed the basis exotic musical movement is is a companion volume to her earlier vol- (1904–1973) with the Nobel Prize for for the popular movie Il Postino—are emerging worldwide, turning age-old sa- umes Owls and Other Fantasies—about Literature, Karl Gierow of the Academy presented in a lovely bilingual gift of a cred chants into a new cultural meme. birds—and Blue Iris—about growing proclaimed, “Neruda is like catching a book for weddings, Valentine’s Day, and Kirtan is a Sanskrit word that means plants. condor with a butterfly net. Neruda, in other luscious dates. (But you better be “praise” or “glory.” Simply understood, it is The Truro Bear and Other Adventures a nutshell, is an unreasonable proposi- ready to read them aloud!) a form of song that centers on glorifying brings together 10 new poems, 35 of tion: the kernel bursts the shell.” The island of stone and moss God, commonly performed in a “call and Oliver’s classic poems, and 2 essays, all response” style of singing. Kirtan, in any about mammals, insects, and reptiles. The 20 LOVE POEMS AND A SONG OF DESPAIR form, is ecstatic. award-winning poet considers beasts of all The Yoga of Kirtan describes kirtan’s his- by Pablo Neruda, translated by W.S. Merwin kinds: bears, snakes, spiders, porcupines, $13.00, paper. Penguin. tory and origins, its different musical humpback whales, hermit crabs, and, of forms, and the instruments used in its per- isbn 9780143039969 60 pages course, her little dog, Percy; much loved First published in 1924, these poems reflect, in Merwin’s formance. But, most importantly, in The by dedicated fans, he appears and even words, “a poet who trusts his senses, his curiosity, and his di- Yoga of Kirtan we hear the voices of kirtan speaks in 13 poems, the closing section of rect and open experience of life. These are not abstract po- yogis from ages past—through the hearts the volume. and minds of their present-day representa- ems aimed at idealizing beauty or love, but the messy, scent- I Ask Percy How I Should Live My Life Their sensuous use tives, such as Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, ed perception of lived loves—and lusts.” of nature symbolism to celebrate love and to express grief has Vaiyasaki Das, Ragani, Deva Love, love, love, says Percy. y. This Premal/Miten, Snatam Kaur, and David And hurry as fast as you can not been surpassed in the literature of the 20th centur edition offers Neruda’s original Spanish text, with transla- Newman, among others. along the shining beach, or the rubble, Through the insights of these modern- or the dust. tions by W.S. Merwin on facing pages. Every day you play with the light of the universe. day chanters, we get a peek into the ecsta- Then, go to sleep. Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water. sy of the chanting process. By allowing us Give up your body heat, your beating You are more than this white head that I hold tightly to eavesdrop on their intimate conversa- heart. as a cluster of fruit, every day, between my hands. . . . tions with Vaishnava scholar Steven Rosen, Then, trust. My words rained over you, stroking you. they unlock the mysteries of this age-old A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body. yogic tradition, helping us to see why I go so far as to think that you own the universe. chanting is indeed yoga, and how easy and TEN POEMS TO CHANGE YOUR I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells, pleasurable it is to perform. LIFE AGAIN AND AGAIN dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses. The book’s accompanying music CD by Roger Housden $21.00, cloth. Crown. I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees. features over 70 minutes of chanting by isbn 9780307405197 158 pages various of the interviewees, including a I come down from the mountain previously unreleased live kirtan perfor- after many years of study over and over, again and again, with each more deeply lived and examined life. As in mance by Krishna Das.. and rigorous practice. I left my robes hanging on a peg new reading, and each new phase of our his earlier books, the essays provide an el- Kirtan is like a magnet, inviting and in the old cabin journey. egant and easy passage into the sometimes begging grace to enter our hearts and our where I had sat so long I have no doubt that, like all great daunting world of poetry, enabling read- lives. It is a most precious thing, and slept so little. ers to feel that in Housden they have something to be cherished and practiced I finally understood literature, these poems can change a with total gratitude, and those who learn I had no gift person’s life—in a heartbeat. found a trusted guide and mentor. how to enter into it will feel God’s grace for Spiritual Matters. That’s why poetry is dangerous. It gives Every one of the poems in this book —Leonard Cohen voice to our unspoken dreams; it is a mir- has struck me a blow, a direct hit, each of Every great poem in- ror to our own deepest joys, desires, and them, into the heart of hearts. Every one EVENT vites us to step beyond sorrows. It can tip us over into a new life, of them, in its own way, has opened a door for me to go deeper into my own what we know, what we into a new way of seeing and being, that a experience, my own longings, my own JAI UTTAL & DANIEL PAUL think we can dream or moment ago we might even have had no dare. Great poetry is a sorrows and joys, and into the silence that — An Evening of KIRTAN words for. surrounds all of this, all of us, always. catalyst for change: a In this new volume of his Ten Poems se- Also by Housden are Seven Sins for a Life Thursday, November 13 change of mind, a ries, Roger Housden takes ten great poems See p. 5 for complete info. Worth Living and Risking Everything. change of heart, a and in personal, intimate essays shows how change of life—and yes, they led him—and can also lead us—into a

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 11 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! THE POETICS OF DESIRE !

THE WISHING YEAR Collections of Allen Ginsberg A House, a Man, my Soul: A Memoir of Fulfilled Desire COLLECTED POEMS 1947–1997 our cultural heritage, profoundly influencing not by Noelle Oxenhandler by Allen Ginsberg only poetry and popular song and speech, but also $28.00, cloth. Random House. $29.00, paper. HarperCollins. our view of the world. isbn 9781400064854 282 pages isbn 9780061139758 1,216 pages The uninterrupted energy of Allen’s journey is One New Year’s, Noelle Oxenhandler Here’s the published verse of Allen clearly revealed in this collection. Seen in order of took stock and found that she was alone Ginsberg in its entirety, a half century of brilliant composition, the poems reflect on one another; after a long mar- work from one of America’s great poets. they are not only works but also a work. Included riage, seemingly Counterculture icon, Beat apostle, Buddhist here are all the poems from the earlier volume doomed to per- chanter, heir to William Blake, unapologetic ex- Collected Poems 1947–1980, and from his subsequent petual house plorer of intoxicating substances, world traveler, and final three books of new poetry: White Shroud, rental and sepa- political protest leader, celebrant Cosmopolitan Greetings, and Death & Fame. Enriching rated from the of gay sex, chronicler of New Jersey this book are illustrations by Ginsberg’s artist spiritual commu- Jewish heritage and of Lower East friends; unusual and illuminating notes to the po- nity that once had Side post-hippie bohemians, ems, inimitably prepared by the poet himself; exten- sustained her. She Ginsberg (1926–1997) became by the mid- sive indexes; as well as prefaces etc. that accompanied the orig- had just turned point of his career the most famous American inal publications. 50, and she poet of his era. Sleepless I stay up & deeply longed for Allen Ginsberg Allen changed the course of American poet- think about my Death three things: a ry, liberating it from closed academic forms —certainly it’s nearer house, a man and with the creation of open, vocal, spontaneous, and energetic than when I was ten years old spiritual healing. and wondered how big the postmodern verse in the tradition of Walt Whitman, With little left to lose, she launched a universe was— Guillaume Apollinaire, Hart Crane, Ezra Pound, and William If I don’t get some rest I’ll die faster year’s experiment in desire, forcing her- Carlos Williams. Ginsberg’s classics Howl, Reality Sandwiches, If I sleep I’ll lose my self to take the plunge and try the path of Kaddish, Planet News, and The Fall of America led poetry toward chance for salvation— Putting It Out There. It wasn’t easy. A uncensored vernacular, explicit candor, the ecstatic, the rhap- asleep or awake, Allen skeptic at heart, and a sodic, and the sincere—all leavened by an attractive and per- Ginsberg’s in bed practicing Buddhist as vasive streak of common sense. Ginsberg’s raw tones and atti- In the middle of the night. well, Oxenhandler had tudes of spiritual liberation also helped catalyze a A hefty, vivid and important tome, it should remind us just grown up with a strong psychological revolution that has become a permanent part of how much Ginsberg accomplished. aversion to mixing spiritu- al and earthly matters. THE ALLEN GINSBERG AUDIO COLLECTION him… It was old Allen, sad, ancient, funny and Still, she suspended her doubts and went for it all: by Allen Ginsberg beautiful, on stage those nights. —Geoff Manaugh Noelle a new love, a healed soul, $23.50, 3 CDs. HarperCollins. Included are Howl, Kaddish, Pull My Daisy, A Oxenhandler Book and the 2BR/1.5 BA of isbn 9780060734152 Strange New Cottage in Berkeley, A Supermarket in & CD her dreams. Thus began 3 hours + 64-page booklet with photos California, Sunflower Sutra, America, Many Loves, her initiation into the art of wishing This collection of poems by one of the greatest lit- To Aunt Rose, I am a Victim of Telephone, Kral brazenly. erary and cultural figures of the 20th century—in Majales, Who Be Kind To, City Midnight Junk The Wishing Year charmingly records a Allen’s own unique incantatory voice, recorded in Strains, On Neal’s Ashes, September on Jessore journey at once comic and poignant, light 1995 when he was in fine form just two years before Road, Mind Breaths, Jahweh and Allah Battle, Lay and dark, earthy and spiritual. Along the his death—is a rare treat. down Your Mountain, Don’t Grow Old, Father Death way she wonders: Does wishing have pow- Upon the release of his first published work, Howl and Other Blues, Plutonian Ode, White Shroud, Sphincter, Personals Ad, er? Is there danger in wishing? Are some Poems, in 1956, Allen Ginsberg became the unlikely force of a Hum Bomb, After Lalon, Put Down Your Cigarette Don’t wishes more worthy than others? And movement that would change a generation. Literature, art, Smoke, Charnal Ground, C’mon Pigs of Western Civilization, what about the ancient link between suf- sex, love, family, politics: nothing would ever be the same. The New Stanzas for Amazing Grace… fering and desire? To answer her ques- Beat Generation was born through Ginsberg and his friends. Awarded the medal of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et tions, she delves into the history of wish- This collection of more than two dozen poems in verse and Lettres by the French minister of culture in 1993, and co- ing, from the rain dance and deer song of song is the best of the best, celebrating someone who was of founder of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at primeval magic to modern beliefs about his time, ahead of his time, and whose legacy will transcend Naropa University, the first accredited Buddhist college in the mind over matter, prosperity conscious- time. Western world, Allen Ginsberg died on April 5, 1997. ness, and the law of attraction. Allen’s voice was a gravel-bed, a rumble that rolled from As the months go by, Oxenhandler is humbled to discover the courage it takes I CELEBRATE MYSELF Drawing on access to Ginsberg’s inner circle as to make a wish and thus open oneself to The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg well as on the poet’s largely unpublished private the unknown. She is surprised when her by Bill Morgan journals and letters, Bill Morgan offers a revealing experiment expands to include other $21.50, paper. Penguin. New in portrait of a complicated and flamboyant character. people and other places in ways she never isbn 9780143112495 720 pages, b/w Paperback Ginsberg was a tenacious man who was driven by imagined. But most of all, she is amazed photos throughout ambition and curiosity; he was plagued by self-doubt to find that there is, indeed, both power I celebrate myself… and always longed for acceptance and recognition. and danger in the act of wishing. For soon For every atom belonging to me, as good belongs to He also had a genius for living and networking. you. her wishes begin to come true—in ways —Walt Whitman, from Leaves of Grass When Allen saw that something needed to be done that meet, subvert, and overflow her ex- This lively and readable biography of poet Allen to prevent violence, he did it without consideration of pectations. And what started as a year’s his own safety. Ginsberg delves into previously unexplored territo- dare turns into a way of life. ry, framing him as a true American hero. It shows Examining Ginsberg’s life and impact on society A delightfully candid memoir, unfet- the daffy dalliances, the inner and outer trips, the from many angles—his political views, his battles tered, poetic, and ripe with discovery, loquacious candor, and how he put himself on with censorship, and his approach to drugs—he also provides Oxenhandler’s journey into the art and the line time and time again to fight for free- a more accurate picture than previously told of Ginsberg’s soul of wishing will inspire even skeptical dom and equality. A champion of free speech search for love (including his complex relationship with his readers to search the skies for the next with “a genius for examining himself wholly lifelong partner, Peter Orlovsky) and of his involvement with shooting star. and expressing himself candidly,” his example Tibetan Buddhism. This engaging life of Ginsberg also lists the “An elegant exploration of the way led a cultural change that swept the entire titles of Ginsberg’s poems in the margins so that the reader can thought shapes reality. With great person- world. see exactly what he was writing at any point in his life. al honesty, candor, and exhilarating Ginsberg Allen Ginsberg (1926–1997) knew every- Allen influenced and changed the lives of countless people prose, Noelle Oxenhandler takes us deep celebrating body, and was in the vanguard of every popular through his writing. He turned people on to poetry, he into the pain and glory of being human.” movement of the time, from the Beat introduced them to spirituality, he showed them that activism —Mark Epstein, author of Open to Desire Generation to the countercultural revolution to the interest in could achieve results on both grass roots and global levels. His Eastern spirituality. This biography is the only one to cover his words are a unique part of our heritage… and so is the story of the man who spoke them. entire life.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 12 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! POEMS & TALES !

Ferlinghetti’s Subversive Art Fairy Tales

THE COMPLETE GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES POETRY AS INSURGENT ART flames,” and answers his question, by Joseph & Wilhelm Grimm by Lawrence Ferlinghetti “What are poets for, in such an $23.50, paper. Random House. $15.50, cloth. age? What is the use of poetry?” isbn 9780394709307 864 pages, b/w illustrations New Directions. with short, beautiful, challeng- First compiled in 1812, The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales remains isbn 9780811217194 90 pages ing, arresting sentences which a classic of Western literature. Steeped in danger and dark en- Birdsong is not made by stand on their own, just a few of chantment and often reflecting the cruel reality of life in central machines. Give your poem them on each page. Strong and northern Europe, the traditional tales in this volume were wings to fly to the treetops. stuff! After a lifetime, this (r)evo- Poetry the common carrier collected by German folklorists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm as an lutionary little book is still a for the transportation of the act of cultural preservation, not children’s entertainment. Yet, work in progress, the poet’s ars public over the years, these magical stories of princesses and witches, poetica, to which at 88 he is to higher places evil stepmothers and talking animals have thrilled and delighted generations of constantly than other wheels can carry children—who seem to agree that the best yarns are always a little scary! adding. it. In this edition of over 200 tales, readers of all ages will discover old favourites like From the groundbreaking A Coney Your language must Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Shoes That Were sing, with or without Island of the Mind in 1958 to the “per- Danced to Pieces as well as lesser-known gems like The Devil and his Grandmother, and rhyme, to justify it being sonal epic” of Americus, Book I in 2003, The Poor Miller’s Boy and the Cat. in the typography of Lawrence Ferlinghetti has, in many Most people today know these stories only secondhand, in adaptations that great- poetry. books, been the poetic conscience of ly reduce the tales’ potency. Yet here are the classic fairy tales as the Grimms in- America. Now in Poetry As Insurgent Art, Lawrence This collection of re- tended them to be—rich, stark, spiced with humour and violence, resonant with the Ferlinghetti marks, aphorisms and he offers, in prose, his primer of what rhythms of folklore and song, unsettling but ultimately moral and humane. Enter exhortations about the poetry is, could be, should be. The re- this world of magic, myth, and enchantment and you will return to it again and nature and purpose of poetry—eternal sult is by turns tender and furious, per- again. verities (small epics) in the street lingo sonal and political. Grimm…was aware of “fragments of belief dating back to most ancient times, in of our times—began in the late 1950s, The poet by definition is the bearer which spiritual things are expressed in a figurative manner.” “The mythic element,” he when Ferlinghetti was just coming into of Eros and love and freedom and thus told us, “resembles small pieces of a shattered jewel which are lying strewn on the his own as a Beat poet and publisher of the natural-born non-violent enemy of ground all overgrown with grass and flowers, and can only be discovered by the most City Lights Books. the State. far-seeing eye.” “Their signification has long been lost, but it is still felt,” he says, “and imparts value to the story.” —from the introduction by Padraic Colum Strive to recover the innocence of If you are a reader of poetry, find out eye you had in childhood. what is missing from the usual fare you In a brief commentary which concludes the book, Joseph Campbell writes, “The are served; if you are a poet, read at folk tale is the primer of the picture-language of the soul.” After 50 years of revisions and addi- your own risk—you will never again tions, these pithy utterances speak di- look at your role in the same way. rectly to the poet in each of us, calling Poetry is a quiver on the skin of us further out of our closets into the eternity. ANGELA CARTER’S BOOK OF FAIRY TALES light, into our singing. It is the street talk of angels and by Angela Carter If you would be a poet, invent a new devils… $16.00, paper. Penguin. language anyone can understand. Poetry the last lighthouse in rising isbn 9781844081608 484 pages, b/w illustrations seas. He is “signaling you through the Once upon a time fairy tales weren’t meant just for children, and neither is Angela Carter’s Book of Fairy Tales. This stunning collection contains lyrical tales, bloody tales, and hilariously fun- ny and ripely bawdy stories from countries all around the A CONEY ISLAND OF THE the “Oral Messages” section world—from the Arctic to Asia—and no dippy princesses or sop- MIND recorded with the Cellar Jazz py fairies. Instead, we have pretty maids and old crones; crafty 50th Anniversary Edition, Quintet in 1957. women and bad girls; enchantresses and midwives; rascal aunts with Audio-CD Christ climbed down and odd sisters. And it is illustrated throughout with appropriately whacky original by Lawrence Ferlinghetti from His bare Tree woodcuts. $26.50, Book+CD set. this year and ran away to where This fabulous celebration of strong minds, low cunning, black arts and dirty New Directions. tricks could only have been collected by the unique and much-missed Angela isbn 9780811217477 no Bing Crosby carollers Carter, one of Britain’s most original writers, described by the literary editor of the 94-page hardcover + audio-CD groaned of a tight Christmas Independent as “a genius, a prophet, and a total intellectual minx who thinks like a The title of this book is taken and where no Radio City angels devil and writes like an angel.” from Henry Miller’s Into the Night Life iceskated wingless “A winner, full of various peoples, wicked, funny and bizarre.” —A.S. Byatt, au- and expresses the way Lawrence thru a winter wonderland thor of Possession Ferlinghetti felt about into a jinglebell heaven “Trumps Grimm with a world-wide selection of savage and funny stories.” —The these poems when he Book daily at 8:30 Observer wrote them during a & CD with Midnight Mass matinees short period in the 1950s—as if they were, taken together, a Christ climbed down cranks out For Idiots travel guides just to she finds a friend in Devi Das, a redhead- kind of Coney Island of the mind, a from His bare Tree scrape by. Yes, she has her sexy photogra- ed sadhu who refers to himself as “we.” kind of circus of the soul. Ferlinghetti’s this year pher boyfriend, but he’s usually gone— And when a holy lunatic on the street of- and softly stole away into A Coney Island of the Mind has become a shooting a dogsled race in Alaska or a vi- fers her an enigmatic blessing, Amanda re- some anonymous Mary’s womb modern classic, widely influential, trans- sion quest in Peru—or just hooking up alizes a new life may be in store for her— again with other girls. However, she’s sure her just not the one she was expecting. lated into nine languages with almost a where in the darkest night million copies in print. of everybody’s anonymous soul new assignment, Cushman brings devastating wit and a This 50th-anniversary edition comes He awaits again Enlightenment for Idiots, thorough knowledge of her subject to her with a CD of new recordings of the au- an unimaginable will change everything; first novel, evoking an India that fills the thor reading the sections “A Coney and impossibly now she’ll become the senses and stirs the spirit even as it occa- Island of the Mind” and “Pictures of Immaculate Reconception serene, centered woman sionally turns the stomach, making it pos- the Gone World,” as well as poems from the very craziest she was meant to be. sible for the reader to both laugh with and of Second Comings After some breakup sex, root for Amanda as she comes to terms she’s off to India to find a with her messy life. ENLIGHTENMENT FOR IDIOTS Review, has written a hilarious take on the new, more spiritual life. “The amazing thing is that you feel as A Novel quest for truth that manages to respect the What she finds, though you are reading about your own by Anne Cushman journey while skewering many of the trav- though, is an ashram run by investment life. The details are so honest; the writing $25.50, cloth. Crown. elers. bankers, a yoga master who trashes her so clear and sure-footed, and sprinkled isbn 9780307381644 371 pages Nearing thirty, Amanda thought she’d knee, and a guru with a weakness for fash- with great humor.” —Natalie Goldberg, Anne Cushman, a contributing editor to be someone else by now. Instead, she’s just ion models, among other disillusionments. author of Old Friend from Far Away Yoga Journal and Tricycle: The Buddhist herself: an ex-nanny yogini-wannabe who No, India is not what she had pictured. But

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 13 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! HINDUISM & YOGA !

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF spiritual leaders of the twentieth century. ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY A sage in the Shankara tradition, His GANESHA GOES TO LUNCH Creator of El Topo Holiness the 68th Jagadguru of Kanchi Classics from Mystic India by Alejandro Jodorowsky was one of the most beloved spiritual fig- by Kamla Kapur $21.50, paper. Inner Traditions. ures of the twentieth century in India and $16.00, paper. Mandala. isbn 9781594771736 much of Asia and Europe. But, despite isbn 9781601091024 160 pages, duotone illustrations, French 250 pages, 11 colour photos high praise from the likes of H.R.H. flaps In 1970, John Lennon introduced to Constantine, King This accessible and beautifully illuminated collection the world Alejandro Jodorowsky and the of Greece and of ancient India’s most insightful and philosophical tales movie, El Topo, that Indira Gandhi, for- and myths celebrates well-known stories and others that he wrote, starred mer prime minis- are small, unnoticed gems, not readily known to Western in, and directed. ter of India, he is readers. The movie and its not as well known King Kubera was the greediest man in the world. Hated author instantly be- in the West. came a countercul- and feared by many, he schemed to win the love of the Introduction to beautiful goddess Parvati… but learned an important lesson ture icon. The New Hindu Dharma when he invited her elephant-headed son Ganesha over for York Times said the therefore has the lunch one day… film “demands to distinction of intro- be seen,” and Epics of ancient India rank with the timeless myths of classical Greece and Rome ducing both the in the power of their language and the underlying moral lessons. The Ramayana Newsweek called it sage and his spiri- “An Extraordinary and Mahabharata, both written in Sanskrit, contain vibrant stories of kings and tual legacy to the princes, sages and tricksters, demons and gods, damsels in distress and mighty he- Movie!” But that Western world in the form of an irre- was only the beginning of the story and roes. Ganesha Goes to Lunch collects some of the most vivid stories from these and placeable introduction to Hinduism in to- other early Indian folklore and spiritual texts including the Vedas and the Puranas. the controversy of El Topo, day’s world. and the journey of its bril- These stories feature the gods of India in their celestial and earthly abodes, hapless The book consists of selections from the humans struggling with life’s many problems, and gods and humans interacting. liant creator. His spiritual more than 4,000 discourses of Kanchi quest began with the There are many delightful tales in this decidedly grown-up book. How about the Sankaracharya. It covers the topics of time that Vishnu sank into the ocean, was incarnated as a pig, and had a really won- Japanese master Ejo prayer and virtue, metaphysical truth, and Takata, the man who in- derful time? Monkey gods, talking toads, and beautiful maidens in distress… Even the conflict between traditional Hindu wild old stories from the author’s hometown, where naked, dreadlocked holy men troduced him to the prac- dharma and modernity. A good portion of Alejandro speed about on motorbikes! tice of meditation, Zen the book also addresses social issues like Jodorowsky Buddhism, and the wis- Assembled by Kamla Kapur, these stories illustrate the great spiritual and practi- the caste system and the position of cal themes of the human condition. Kamla Kapur brings her poet’s eye and ear to dom of the koans. Yet in women. this autobiographical account of his spiri- the retelling of these stories, recreating and dramatizing them to illuminate their The sacred art of India is inextricably relevance to modern times. tual journey, Jodorowsky reveals that it linked to its spirituality and this book is was a small group of wisewomen, far re- profusely illustrated with 112 evocative moved from the world of Buddhism, who photos in colour and in black-and-white of initiated him and taught him how to put the Jagadguru, the gods and goddesses to of the yogic philosophy in ancient India, YOGA FOR COMPUTER USERS the wisdom he had learned from his mas- which he refers, and of sacred places that with extensive commentary by Georg Healthy Necks, Shoulders, Wrists, and Hands ter into practice. were associated with him. Feuerstein, Subhash Kak, and Edwin in the Postmodern Age At the direction of Takata, Jodorowsky “The conversation with His Holiness is Bryant, the foremost yoga scholars. by Sandy Blaine became a student of the surrealist painter more fulfilling. That is my evening ! Archival footage of the excavation of the $16.50, paper. Rodmell. Leonora Carrington, thus beginning a meal.”—Mahatma Gandhi, when he was Indus Valley Civilization, the birthplace isbn 9781930485198 journey in which vital spiritual lessons reminded that he was late for his evening of yoga. 128 pages, 7x9, colour photos were transmitted to him by various women meal while meeting with the Jagadguru. ! An exploration of the Vedas and Upan- How long did you spend in a chair in who were masters of their particular crafts. ishads, the ancient sacred texts which gave front of a glowing screen today? How does These women included Doña Magdalena, rise to yoga. your body feel? who taught him “initiatic” or spiritual mas- YOGA UNVEILED ! Detailed commentary on Bhakti yoga, More and more sage; the powerful Mexican actress known Evolution and Essence of a Spiritual Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Raja yoga, Tantra people depend on as La Tigresa (the “tigress”); and Reyna Tradition yoga, and Hatha yoga. The great modern computers for D’Assia, daughter of the famed spiritual by Gita Desai New on masters and scholars share their insights work and enter- teacher G.I. Gurdjieff. $41.95, 2 DVDs. DVD on each branch. Rare archival footage of tainment, which Other important wisewomen on Yoga Unveiled. the great Swami Sivananda. means more and Jodorowsky’s spiritual path include María isbn 9780010064599 ! A biography of Swami Vivekananda, who more hours spent Sabina, the priestess of the sacred mush- 3 hours 15 minutes introduced yoga to America, with old pho- slumped in a rooms; the healer Pachita; and the Harnessing the colourful commentary tos, newspaper reviews, and Swami chair—and more Chilean singer Violeta Parra. The teach- of the most promi- Vivekananda’s speeches at the Parliament and more hand, ings of these women enabled him to dis- nent yoga scholars, of Religions in Chicago. wrist, neck, shoul- card the emotional armor that was hinder- teachers, and med- ! The life of Krishnamacharya, who pre- der, and lower back injuries. In Yoga for ing his advancement on the path of ical experts, Yoga served the ancient tradition of yoga and Computer Users, Sandy Blaine offers a pro- spiritual awareness and enlightenment. Unveiled reveals trained the greatest modern yoga masters, gram of preventive self-care. She presents How this man has lived into the koan of how yoga began, including his old footage. Also, the bi- twenty-four illustrated poses, exercises, his life is intriguing and vividly related. tells the story of ographies of Krishnamacharya’s great dis- and breathing and relaxation techniques The films of Jodorowsky can be found at yoga’s passage to ciples, Indra Devi, B.K.S. Iyengar, Pat- that increase circulation and range of mo- anchorbayentertainment.com. the West, describes tabhi Jois, and Desikachar, including tion, improve posture, and restore vitality. its numerous footage of each and the story of how each They can be practiced regardless of age or Yoga & the Hindu branches, recounts Yogi brought Yoga to the West. yoga experience, and are combined in se- the fascinating biographies of the fore- ! Yoga and Modern Medicine: interviews quences, ranging from quick 5-minute Traditions most yoga masters, and explores yoga’s with the pioneers in the field, including stretching breaks to a 15-minute practice considerable medical potential. Dean Ornish, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Herbert at the computer, to 30-minute at-home Fine cinematography, ornate visual dis- Benson, Mehmet Oz, and Father Joe sessions designed for morning energy and plays, and some stirring music create an Pereira, among others, with an overview evening relaxation. A special “Everyday INTRODUCTION TO HINDU enchanting viewing experience. For over of their alternative medicine programs. Yoga” section presents lifestyle tips that DHARMA three hours, the great devotees of yoga This video offers some very insightful help you learn to alternate mouse hands, by Jagadguru of Kanchi, Sri grace the screen with their profound wis- strengthen your core, schedule computer- Chandrasekharendra, commentary about the place of yoga in the dom and delightful manner. Yoga Unveiled free days each week, and—note this— edited by Michael Oren Fitzgerald modern world. You can see a preview at yo- also features commentary by Krishna Das, gaunveiled.com. schedule time for joy. $22.95, paper. World Wisdom. Vasant Lad, Dr. Timothy McCall, Pandit isbn 9781933316482 Rajmani Tigunait, and Dharma Mittra. 146 pages, 7x10, colour & b/w photos Key Features of the Documentary: Understand authentic Hinduism direct- ! The experts define yoga in their own ly from one of the most revered Hindu words, plus an overview of the formation

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 14 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! YOGA’S INNER MEANING !

THE INNER TRADITION OF YOGA A Guide to Yoga Philosophy for the Contemporary Practitioner by Michael Stone $20.00, paper. Shambhala. isbn 9781590305690 234 pages There is more to the tradition of yoga than toning and strengthening. At the root, there is a vast and intriguing philosophy that teaches the ethics of nonviolence, patience, honesty, and respect. Toronto-based yoga teacher Michael Stone provides an in- depth explanation of ancient Indian yogic philosophy along with teachings on how to bring our understanding of yoga theory to deeper levels through our practice on the mat— and through our relation- ships with others. This book is about how to cultivate a yoga practice, what constitutes a yoga practice, how to recognize and work with the different stages on the path, and Michael Stone how to keep the tradition of yoga a living tradition through committed practice and critical engagement. On a heart level, this book is about the cultivation of patience, honesty, nonviolence, wisdom, and the ability to meet life as it occurs from moment to moment without habitual forms of clinging. Whether you are just beginning your practice or you have studied deeply in a particular system, you should be able to find here some suggestions and encouragement for deepening your practice. There are two themes in this book: (1) The essence of yoga teaches us that all forms of clinging create suffering. Nothing can be owned as “I, me, and mine.” And (2) a disciplined and appropriate practice leaves no stone unturned… It brings yoga off the mat, out of the meditation hall and into the tangled world of our interpersonal relationships, our habitual psychological holding patterns, and the complexity of ethical action. This book moves back and forth between these two themes—practice and letting go—by weaving together theory and responsive ness craze, com- of the superficial and the profound. There for the millions who practice it for fitness action. plete with videos, are few maps to guide us in this buyer’s but want more. It provides an accessible yoga props and marketplace, where it is not initially overview of yoga’s diverse teachings and “Intense, poetic, wise, practical, inti- apparent if the producers and sellers mate, and visionary—the mind-body con- designer cloth- teachers and is full of colourful stories of ing? Yoga in- themselves realize what they are doing to ordinary people whose lives have been bet- nection has never been better explored or the product. explained.” —Sharon Gannon, cofounder structor Tom tered by embracing yoga’s underlying This book argues persuasively for a re- of Jivamukti Yoga Pilarzyk believes promise. A valuable guide for staying true turn to yoga’s roots: maintaining daily in- “Michael Stone details a practical and that something to the heart of yoga as well as a resource tention, welcoming difficulties that test re- pragmatic psychology of yoga that can pro- essential has for further practice, the book also includes solve, keeping the heart open, making vide all practitioners a way to engage with been lost as the an extensive listing of yoga centres and a positive shifts when feeling victimized or the deepest transformative possibilities 5,000-year-old study guide with discussion questions. exhausted, and remembering to breathe that yoga can offer. It is certainly what we tradition has “A must read for anyone who cares deeply and witness the spontaneous play need now.” —Frank Jude Boccio, author morphed into a about the future of yoga in the West.” — of activity all around. Yoga Beyond Fitness of Mindfulness Yoga $3-billion pop Kelly McGonigal, Editor, International culture phenom- offers a bridge to yoga’s serious meaning Journal of Yoga Therapy enon. In Yoga Beyond Fitness, Pilarzyk ex- plores yoga as a social phenomenon, de- YOGA BEYOND FITNESS I am part of the sun as my eye is part of me. That I am part of the earth my feet know Getting More than Exercise from an Ancient tailing the history of yoga since its arrival Spiritual Practice in the West in the mid-seventies. He de- perfectly, and my blood is part of the sea. There is not any of me that is alone and ab- scribes how yoga first emerged as a spiri- by Tom Pilarzyk solute except my mind, and we shall find that the mind has no existence by itself, it is $17.95, paper. Quest. tual path and how it has since been sub- isbn 9780835608633 sumed by consumer culture. only the glitter of the sun on the surface of the water. 260 pages, b/w illustrations Yoga is all around us, and it is —D.H. Lawrence, quoted in The Tao of Now Is yoga a spiritual practice or a new fit- undergoing rapid change today. Classes seem to be everywhere, filled with yogas

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 15 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! BUDDHA THE YOGI !

YOGA (solar) practices, she gives you all the A Yoga Journal Book tools you need to build and expand your New in The Buddha’s Teachings edited by Linda Sparrowe home practice to raise your vitality, fluidi- Paperback $24.95, paper. Universe. ty, and creative energy levels. This guided THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS ON PROSPERITY isbn 9780789399878 audio program features: At Home, at Work, in the World 454 pages, 7x8, b/w & colour photos ! CD One: Solar Wave progressions for by Bhikkhu Basnagoda Rahula For hundred of generations, yoga’s rich strength and flexibility, energizing exer- $18.50, paper. Wisdom. and varied tradition has always evolved to cises perfect for athletic beginners to in- isbn 9780861715473 226 pages meet the needs termediate practitioners Money and investing. Family. Relationships. Work and busi- of the culture it ! CD Two: Meditative Lunar Wave pro- ness. Sex. What could the Buddha tell us about such worldly serves. Ever- in- gressions focus on breath and energy concerns? Actually, quite a lot. The Buddha had an unusual- creasing num- flow, excellent for building confidence ly keen insight into what people with everyday concerns need bers of people for beginners or creating a balanced prac- to know, and you’ll find it all here. Some of it may well sur- come to the prac- tice for experienced yoga lovers prise you. tice and en- ! A 33-page study guide includes photo ref- [This book discusses] the freedom the Buddha offered to the counter its many erences for each session. layperson to be prosperous, and denies the popular but erroneous benefits: the Yoga Journal recognizes Shiva Rea’s flow view that the Buddha discouraged striving for success. Based on this false view, some union of oppo- approach as the most significant new evo- people mistakenly believe that being wealthy goes against the Buddha’s teachings—a misunderstanding that may make the Buddha’s teachings seem irrelevant to lay life. sites; an under- lution of North American yoga. standing of the Shiva Rea teaches flow yoga worldwide. This book delivers the particular teachings that he gave to all the many laypeople effect of the out- Her studies in the Krishnamacharya lin- he encountered—the people who, like most of us, were not monks or nuns, and side world on the body; a significant re- eage, tantra, ayurveda, and art infuse her sometimes not even meditators. Rahula bases his writing on the many rational and duction in stress; a path to liberation; and approach to living yoga. Among her many secular discourses in the Sutta Pitaka which the Buddha directed specifically to the discovery of one’s truest being. Above other titles are Fluid Power (2DVD) and laypeople—that is, us. all else, yoga has been and continues to be Shakti Rhythms (CD). The Buddha’s Teachings on Prosperity offers practical guidance for many of the im- about the process of transformation. portant challenges of our lives, including the five duties of good parents; taking Linda Sparrowe’s essay is a well-wrought care of aging parents; the question of inheritance; working with employees and introduction to the ancient and contempo- Buddhism business partners; finding and maintaining love relationships and marital partner- rary developments in yoga practice. She ships; making responsible and ethical financial decisions; and developing a healthy discusses yoga’s roots in the sacred texts personality. In short, the Buddha clarifies virtually everything that makes a layper- and provides a look at the 20th-century yo- THE BEST OF INQUIRING MIND son’s life prosperous, meaningful, and filled with inner peace and lasting happi- gis who brought it to the West—Swami 25 Years of Dharma, Drama, ness. Sivananda Saraswati, Indra Devi, and and Uncommon Insight “This is a beautiful reinforcement of the potential dignity of lay life and a clear, B.K.S. Iyengar, to name a few. Four hun- edited by Wes Nisker well-written and meticulous documentation of the Buddha’s attitude towards it.” — dred artful posture-illustrating pho- & Barbara Gates Larry Rosenberg, author of Breath by Breath tographs of the most famous yoga practi- $20.50, paper. Wisdom. tioners, including Rodney Yee, Patricia isbn 9780861715510 386 pages THE DHAMMAPADA For over a quarter century Inquiring Book Walden, Sharon Gannon, David Life, and Teachings of the Buddha & CD Richard Freeman, pull the reader ever Mind—a free journal of the Vipassana translated by Gil Fronsdal, closer to this powerful practice. community, published in Berkeley—has read by Jack Kornfield The true beauty of this book is in its been a path-blazer $22.95, Book+CD set. Shambhala. photography and the poses of the models. at the forefront of isbn 9781590306413 192-page paperback + 2 audio CDs Photos are arranged according to types of Buddhism in the If one is friendly by habit poses, such as standing, backbends, bal- West. Rich in in- And skillful in conduct, sight, humour, and One will have much delight ance, recline, etc. The models all do a And bring an end to suffering… splendid job in assuming these difficult world-renowned expertise, The Best asanas. All told Yoga is fabulous for the Oneself, indeed, is one’s own protector. skillful photography that captures the of Inquiring Mind is One does, indeed, make one’s own destiny. artistry of these masters at work. an unprecedented Therefore, control yourself gathering of wis- As a merchant does a fine horse. dom from the The Dhammapada is the most widely read Buddhist scripture, enjoyed by both YOGA WAVE minds of some of Buddhists and non-Buddhists. This classic text of teaching verses from the earliest by Shiva Rea the most influential period of Buddhism in India conveys the philosophical and practical foundations $20.95, 2 CDs. Sounds True. Book thinkers in the realm of modern Dharma. of the Buddhist tradition. The text presents two distinct goals for leading a spiritu- isbn 9781591796343 & CD “Inquiring Mind is a wonderful expres- al life: the first is attaining happiness in this life (or in future lives); the second goal 2.25 hours + 33-page study guide sion of Buddhism in the west—provoca- is the achievement of spiritual liberation, freedom, absolute peace. Many of the key “Wave motion is the movement of life,” tive, intelligent, creative and fun… sowing themes of the verses are presented in dichotomies or pairs—for example, grief and teaches yogini Shiva Rea. Just as every cy- seeds of wisdom, compassion and commu- suffering versus joy; developing the mind instead of being negligent about one’s cle of nature is nity wherever it is read.” —Sharon mental attitude and conduct; virtuous action versus misconduct; and being truthful expressed as a Salzberg versus being deceitful. The purpose of these contrasts is, very simply, to describe wave form, every “Inquiring Mind is like a splash of cool the difference between what leads to desirable outcomes and what does not. movement and water on your face in the morning; it For centuries, this text has been studied in its original Pali, the canonical lan- posture in Shiva wakes you up. Inquiring Mind is like a cup guage of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. This fresh new translation from Insight Rea’s yoga is a of fine coffee; it keeps you going with its Meditation teacher and Pali translator Gil Fronsdal is both highly readable and flowing wave that dharma and humanity. Inquiring Mind is scholarly authoritative. With extensive explanatory notes, this edition combines a unlocks the vital- like a banana peel; it makes you laugh. rigorous attention to detail in bringing forth the original text with the translator’s ity and creativity Inquiring Mind is simply one of the great personal knowledge of the Buddhist path. It is the first truly accurate and highly of your body. On Yoga Wave, this world- treasures of the Buddhist journals that we readable translation of this text to be published in English. renowned instructor invites you to turn have in the West.” —Jack Kornfield “The language is clear, precise, and inspiring, the phrasing spare and elegant, and your yoga practice into a communion with “Inquiring Mind captures the creative, the depth of these wisdom teachings apparent on every page. Gil’s wonderful work the fundamental cyclical principle that expansive expression of Dharma in the brings these timeless passages of the Buddha right into our hearts.” —Joseph nourishes the evolution of all life. West. It explores the on-going challenge Goldstein, author of One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism Shiva Rea uses an approach she calls of bringing the depth and timelessness of “wave sequencing” to help you create your the Buddha’s teachings to the specific own comprehensive experience of fluid conditions of our times. A wonderful inte- multuous times. Here is a publication that yoga. Taking you beyond yoga focused gration of dharma and daily life.” — walks its talk, is beautifully written, edited, solely on individual poses, Shiva’s ap- Joseph Goldstein, author of A Heart Full of illustrated and designed. Inquiring Mind proach on Yoga Wave guides you gracefully Peace speaks the living vernacular of engaged through a series of postures and asanas “Celebrating 25 years of authentic voice dharma practice for all beings.” — Wendy that become a single transformative flow. and spirit, Inquiring Mind is a true anchor- Johnson, author of Gardening at the With progressions that combine the medi- age for those who seek deep ground in tu- Dragon’s Gate tative (lunar) practices with the physical

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 16 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! BUDDHISM !

MONEY SEX WAR KARMA ant calm, and abiding happiness. Focused Notes for a Buddhist Revolution THE KINDNESS HANDBOOK and Fearless presents this ancient medita- by David Loy A Practical Companion tive tradition as interpreted through the $17.50, paper. Wisdom. by Sharon Salzberg practice of a contemporary American isbn 9780861715589 159 pages $22.00, cloth. Sounds True. teacher, and as such, it represents a land- What’s Wrong with Sex? * How to Drive isbn 9781591796558 172 pages mark shift in Theravadan Buddhism by Your Karma * Consciousness Why is it that kindness seems so hard to give just when bringing jhana into the reach of busy prac- Commodified * it’s needed most? With The Kindness Handbook, beloved in- titioners. The book speaks to meditators The Karma of sight meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg answers this from any or no tradition, helping those Food * The Three question and more in her practical companion to inspire who simply want to understand how to at- Poisons, generosity of the spirit in any life situa- tain extraordinary states with ease while Institutionalized * tion. Just as cruelty can ravage lives and offering a creative, contemporary slant on Why We Love trample hope, kindness for ourselves and this ancient path of happiness and wis- War… These are others can be the quality we choose to dom. This accessible, friendly, and wise just some of the steer our lives by, teaches Salzberg. guide is ideal for both novices and the more seasoned practitioner who wishes to chapters in this Kindness is the fuel that will help you ‘walk your talk’ of love—daily. brisk, brilliant explore advanced meditative states. book from David Sharon Salzburg Whether you’re deciding what to do when a plane is hours late, “Focused and Fearless is a wonderful book. Loy, who has be- your friend is unhappy and you just can’t seem to help, someone Shaila Catherine describes the paths of come one of the criticizes you, a cell phone user on a bike annoys you, or you and deep concentration and transforming in- Buddhist world- your partner can’t seem to get through to each other, her gentle guidebook will sight in a way that both inspires and en- view’s most powerful advocates, explain- help you respond to another—or even yourself—in a genuinely loving way. riches our practice. Her prose and her un- ing like no one else its ability to transform This handbook is a collection of stories, meditation exercises, inspirations, poems, derstanding are exceptionally lucid. This the sociopolitical landscape of the modern and teachings, all pointing to the power and grace of kindness… Love and compassion book is a treat to read.” —Joseph world. for ourselves is the oft-hidden ingredient that establishes kindness as a real possibility in Goldstein, author of One Dharma: The In Money Sex War Karma, he offers sharp our relationships, families, and work in the world… Emerging Western Buddhism and even shockingly clear presentations of This book is designed to be used progressively if you wish, as a guidebook through “The language here is so alluring and oft-misunderstood Buddhist staples—the the wide-ranging landscape of kindness. It can also simply be opened to any page— thorough that readers will, I am certain, working of karma, the nature of self, the what is presented on that page may help frame a contemplation on what is being be inspired to redouble their zeal for prac- presented in your life. causes of trouble on both the individual tice.” —Sylvia Boorstein, author of It’s and societal levels—and the real reasons It has been said that kindness is “compassion in action.” But kindness is not just Easier Than You Think behind our collective sense of “never about “being nice.” To Sharon Salzberg, it’s a profound spiritual practice. The enough,” whether it’s time, money, sex, se- Kindness Handbook is an important resource for anyone wondering how to cultivate curity… even war. an open heart, empathy, and inner peace—every day. SAILING HOME Loy’s “Buddhist Revolution” is nothing Sharon Salzberg has been leading meditation retreats since 1974. Among her Using the Wisdom of Homer’s less than a radical change in the ways we books are Lovingkindness and A Heart as Wide as the World. Odyssey to Navigate Life’s can approach our lives, our planet, the col- Perils and Pitfalls lective delusions that pervade our lan- poignant, living sense of impermanence; Impermanence is more than a beautiful by Norman Fischer $28.99, cloth. Simon & Schuster. guage, culture, and even our spirituality. the need to let go, learn to value and cher- record of the exhibit; it blends art, philos- isbn 9781416560210 234 pages ish the present, and realize how much we ophy, and everyday life to present a kalei- Buddha was more flexible and open- In Sailing Home, Norman Fischer—one minded than the institutions that all share. doscope of views on a topic—everything is of our most respected Zen teachers—riffs developed to preserve his teachings. What does it mean that we are constant- changing and passing away—that everyone on the universal Today we find ourselves in a situation ly changing? How do people confront has wrestled with. lessons and person- where that flexibility needs to be ideas like death and change? Though im- al guidance within recovered. permanence is a central Buddhist con- Homer’s Greek “Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a cept, it’s also a universal concern. We all FOCUSED AND FEARLESS epic. Buddhist Revolution might have a flashy grow up, change, A Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, title, but it is a serious and substantial and eventually pass Calm, and Clarity Maybe, like book that poses real challenges to the into another state. by Shaila Catherine Odysseus, we are reader… Loy argues with conviction that $19.95, paper. Wisdom. finally ready simply Impermanence: to return home to in order to have relevance in the West, the Embracing Change isbn 9780861715602 258 pages Now ordinary meditators (and non-med- what we are, to our dharma must find the middle way between provides a range of beauty and strength itators) can understand how to attain non- its many traditional Asian forms and the voices, profound as well as our contemporary Western feel-good con- and heartwarming, ordinary states with limitations. Maybe sumerism that characterize much of to- that address these questions. relative ease. we are ready to see day’s spiritualism.” —Buddhadharma This well-designed book/DVD combina- Blended with con- that what’s wanted “When a room gets stuffy and enclosed, tion provides an immersion experience— temporary exam- and needed is what was there all along, it’s good to open a window. David Loy intimate conversations with over a hun- ples, pragmatic ex- our animal life, our love and our presence. does better than that—knocking out en- dred intelligent, interesting people about ercises, and “how tire walls to let fresh thought and insight core issues that we so rarely get a chance to” instructions that The Odyssey is an ancient story that is sig- flow in. I know of no other book that holds to talk about. Based on a New York anyone can try, nificant for every generation: the struggle more promise for the survival and rele- Times–reviewed exhibit, Impermanence fea- Focused and Fearless of a homesick, battle-weary man longing vance of Buddhism in the modern world.” tures fascinating observations by people provides a wealth to return to love and family. Odysseus’s —Lin Jensen, author of Together Under One ranging from philosophers to gardeners, of tools to cultivate strivings to overcome divine and earthly Roof economists to spiritual leaders, doctors to non-distracted at- obstacles and to control his own impulsive patients. The authors promised them- tention in daily life nature hold valuable lessons for people selves that they would stop when the inter- and on retreat. facing their own metaphorical battles and IMPERMANENCE New on views started to duplicate each other—but Shaila Catherine has a friendly, wise ap- everyday conflicts—people who are, like Embracing Change DVD that never happened. Even the shyest peo- proach to rarely-talked-about meditative Odysseus, “heartsick on the open sea,” by David & Hi-Jin Hodge ple could talk about the topic for a long states that lead to liberating insight. whether from dealing with daily skirmish- $29.95, Book+DVD set. Snow Lion. time; even those who appeared far from In this book, jhana practice refers to a es at the office or an international war. isbn 9781559393072 144-page paperback, contemplative had thought deeply about traditional sequence of specific states of Sailing Home breathes fresh air into a clas- 108 b/w photos, 4-page colour insert + 22- impermanence. The result was incredibly absorption where the mind is secluded sic we thought we knew, revealing its pro- minute DVD moving. The Hodges’ installation consist- from sensory impingement and deeply found guidance for navigating life’s spiri- David and Hi-Jin Hodge interviewed unified with a chosen object. Attention is ed of a large, circular arrangement of tual challenges. 120 people about their experience of im- not distracted by stray thoughts nor mounted iPods on which the interviews Fischer deftly incorporates Buddhist, permanence. The subjects spoke with dig- affected by the flutter of moods. Even played simultaneously, each on its own Judaic, Christian, and popular themes, as nity and candor; the edited films became a physical sensations and sounds eventually screen. well as his own unique and sympathetic major multimedia installation in an art ex- fade as the mind becomes entirely Including both a book and a DVD so immersed in a single coherent focus. understanding of life, in his recasting of hibit. Like the crowds gathered around Odysseus’s familiar wanderings as lessons that the interviews can be viewed as they Jhana is a powerful meditative technique the Hodges’ work, those experiencing that everyone can use. With meditations were seen in the original exhibit, that opens the way to unfettered joy, radi- their book and DVD will come away with a that yield personal revelations, illuminat-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 17 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! THE ZEN OF BEING !

age… Fischer, beloved for his forthright Awake & Alive in the World We Have honesty and kind heart, guides us to un- derstand our own odyssey, our own hard- THE WORLD WE HAVE Hanh cites projects his own monastic community earned, vulnerable, mysterious life jour- A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology has undertaken that can serve as models for any ney, with genuine compassion and by Thich Nhat Hanh community. Both his “No Car Day,” observed once a newfound understanding.” —Jack $12.50, paper. Parallax. week, and the “Earth Peace Treaty Commitment Kornfield, author of The Wise Heart isbn 9781888375886 142 pages Sheet” can impact our ecological footprint on the Fischer, former abbot of San Francisco In this provocative book, Buddhist teacher Thich earth. Above all, he shows how acceptance of prob- Zen Center, also wrote Taking Our Places: Nhat Hanh offers a dramatic vision of the future of lems is that first critical step toward a deeper un- The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up. a planet and links his contemplation of environmen- derstanding of the best way to care for our earth. tal destruction to the Buddhist teachings of inter- To practice mindfulness and look deeply into the connectedness and the impermanence of all things. nature of things is to discover their true nature, the BRING ME THE RHINOCEROS Rather than seeing impermanence nature of interbeing. We find peace and can generate And Other Zen Koans as an excuse for disengaging from the strength we need in order to be in touch with to Bring You Joy the world, he argues passionately everything. With this understanding, we can easily by John Tarrant how engaging with the world can bring inner sustain the work of loving and caring for the Earth and for each $14.95, paper. Shambhala. peace and help us use our collective wisdom other for a long time. isbn 9781590306185 188 pages and technology to restore the earth’s balance. Offering a clear vision of the road ahead and modeling the Originally from Tasmania, John Tarrant Hanh writes heartfully on themes such as a conviction and courage that we will need to stay on that path, is a Jungian therapist turned Zen teacher Thich Nhat global ethic, diet for a mindful planet, nature The World We Have also features an introduction by Alan who also wrote The Light Inside the Dark. In Hanh and nonviolence, overcoming fear, and trans- Weisman, author of the bestselling The World Without Us, in Bring Me the forming our communities, and provides a which he writes, “The environment unites every human, of Rhinoceros, he offers number of very potent “practices for mindful living.” every nation and creed. If we fail to save it, we all perish. If we an un- New in usual The bells of mindfulness are sounding… All of us know that rise to meet the need, we and all to which ecology binds us— Paperback our beautiful green planet is in danger… We have to start other humans, other species, other everything—survive to- path to learning how to live in a way that a future will be possible for gether. And that will be peace.” happiness and a can our children and our grandchildren. Among Thich Nhat Hanh’s many great books are Peace is opener for your Mixing inspiring insights with his unique practical strategies, Every Step and The Miracle of Mindfulness. thinking. It doesn’t encourage you to strive for things or taries and practices on the awareness of breathing BREATHE, YOU ARE ALIVE manipulate people Commentaries on the Anapanasati Sutra meditation, as well as the author’s “Breathing and or change yourself by Thich Nhat Hanh Walking” Gatha (practice verse) set to music. into an improved, more polished version $16.50, paper. Parallax. “I am breathing in and making my whole body calm of you. Instead, it deftly shows that, rather isbn 9781888375848 160 pages and at peace.” It is like drinking a cool glass of than laboriously building happiness, you In this new edition of the Buddha’s most impor- lemonade on a hot day and feeling your body become tant and basic teachings on meditation, Thich Nhat cool inside. When you breathe in, the air enters your can just unbuild, unmake, toss overboard, Hanh presents three translations of The Sutra on the body and calms all the cells of your body... This is the and generally subvert unhappiness. Full Awareness of Breathing (Anapanasati) from the Pali key to meditation. Breathing brings the sweet joy of It can be consoling to and the Chinese. In his commentaries, Thich Nhat meditation to you. You become joyful, fresh, and discover that you don’t have Hanh outlines the methods of conscious breathing tolerant, and everyone around you will benefit. to believe in your own thoughts. taught by the Buddha and offers exercises for prac- “...an indispensable guide for anyone who wishes ticing them today. These commentaries give the read- to nourish themselves with the peace of joy and med- The secret to this path lies er access to the profound nourishment available itation practice.” —Karuna in the ancient art of Zen when we slow down and get in touch with our in-breath and Among Nhat Hanh’s many books are Peace is Every Step and koans—the stories or brief John Tarrant our out-breath. Walking Meditation. pointed encounters between This 20th-Anniversary Edition includes updated commen- a Zen master and a student that have been used in the Zen tradition THE ENERGY OF PRAYER GIFT BOX full-colour cards are organized into four cate- for more than a thousand years as a means by Thich Nhat Hanh, gories—Invocations, Chants, Meditations, and to liberation from suffering. John Tarrant illustrated by Debbie Berne Sayings—and each offers a thoughtful image to spent thirty years studying and teaching $21.95, paper. Parallax. accompany the prayer, chant, saying, or invoca- koans and in the process has discovered isbn 9781888375770 boxed set of book & cards tion. Selected to help direct readers’ thoughts ways to make them accessible and mean- This finely crafted card-and-book set makes it and intentions toward mindfulness, the cards are ingful to people living in the modern easy for even busy readers to incorporate prayer equally suitable for special occasions or everyday “whirled.” and mindfulness practices into their daily lives. life. Detailed instructions explain the use and ori- Tarrant vividly retells fourteen tradition- In the book, The Energy of Prayer, noted teacher gin of each card. al koans (which are partly paradoxical Thich Nhat Hanh addresses the question Why do we pray? and Nourishing Happiness questions dangerous to your beliefs and explores the applications and effectiveness of chanting, medi- Practicing the actions of a bodhisattva, partly treasure boxes of ancient wisdom) tation, and invocations in Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and I vow to look with eyes of love and a heart of understanding. from the point of view of the student to Islamic traditions. He introduces readers to several meditation I vow to listen with a clear mind and ears of compassion, help readers discover the joyful peace of methods that re-envision prayer as an open, inclusive, and ac- bringing peace and joy into the lives of others to lighten and mind available at any moment. Koans re- cessible practice that helps create healthy lives through the alleviate the suffering of living beings. main a precise and imaginative method * power of awareness and intention. for seeing past self-imposed limits and Birth and death are a game of hide-and-seek. So laugh with Everything is impermanent, which means that everything can me, hold my hand, finding freedom right in the middle of change. Everything goes in accord with the law of cause and let us say good-bye, our everyday muddle. effect. Therefore, if we have a new energy, a new insight, a new say good-bye to meet again. It is the job of a koan to take down the faith, we are able to open a new stage in the life of our body and We meet today, we will meet tomorrow, walls… to undermine your fictions. Then, our mind. we meet at the source in every moment, you might discover that you are not really Written by Hanh and designed by artist Debbie Berne, the we meet each other in all forms of life. suffering from other people or from circumstances. You are suffering from your maps, your stories, your fiction, your ing anecdotes from Fischer and his stu- The Odyssey’s metaphors helped me happens, rather than what prison. You are suffering from bad art. dents’ lives, and stories from many wis- and my students to understand the should. Sailing Home dom traditions, Sailing Home offers readers Buddhist path, and our own progress on it, makes the case for a spiri- * a new way to view their path: when to wait in ways we had not considered before. tuality that is intelligent, Compassion has to start somewhere, and when to act, when to speak their mind Religious texts, including those of Zen, flexible, humorous, open- and embracing your own life is itself the and when to exercise discretion, how to are often idealistic; The Odyssey is anything minded—and realistic. beginning of a change of heart. Some draw on their innate strength and distin- but. Following its episodes, Fischer “We all sail across the people do speak of a koan as a lover in their arms. guish between truth and deception, and found that he could speak quite effective- wine-dark sea, and Sailing Norman Fischer how to deal with aging and changing rela- ly about how messy and confusing life ac- Home gives humane, wise tionships. tually is. He could talk about what really instruction for our voy-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 18 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! ZEN HEART, ZEN EARTH !

MINIATURES OF A ZEN MASTER level we know it’s okay. by Robert Aitken, New from Daido Loori “This book is like a personal retreat. I’d introduction by Nelson Foster like to read it once a year… You will have $26.50, cloth. Counterpoint. to read closely, because the lessons are isbn 9781582434414 260 pages HEARING WITH THE EYE more difficult than they appear. At the Photographs from Point Lobos, with commentary on Master Dogen’s For more than four decades, Robert same time it is a beautifully simple reflec- “Teachings of the Insentient” Aitken Roshi has taught thousands of peo- tion on what it means to be, rather than to ple the Buddhist by John Daido Loori $27.95, paper. Shambhala. try to be.” —Thomas Moore, author of A practice of Zen isbn 9781590305423 144 pages, 8x9, colour photographs Life at Work meditation, and has These magical photographs of ordinary land- and water- “This is a lovely book for advanced stu- led hundreds scapes all share a mysterious quality of presence that calls into dents of Buddhism… He has deep insights through their prac- question any distinction we might make between ourselves and into the nature of mind that demonstrate tice of the study of the natural world. They thus represent renowned nature-photographer and Zen his experienced understanding and dili- traditional koans. master John Daido Loori’s teaching on the interconnectedness of all things. The six- gent practice of Zen Buddhism.” — He has authored ty-one astonishingly beautiful colour images are accompanied by Loori’s commen- Publishers Weekly more than a dozen tary on a text by famous historic Zen master, Eihei Dogen (1200–1253). The pho- books, including a tographs and commentary go together to make up a striking teaching on the celebrated apprecia- wisdom of the world around us. tion of Basho’s haiku; volumes of Riding the winding river deep into the night, Tibetan Buddhism commentary on sacred texts; works on both banks dissolve in darkness. Being found by the wonder of the flow, ethics, daily life, and social my way opens of it’s own. action; and one of the best- BUDDHIST HIMALAYAS loved introductions to Zen John Daido Loori is the abbot of the Zen Mountain Monastery in photographs by Olivier & Danielle Föllmi Buddhism, Taking the Path New York state, one of America’s major Zen training monasteries, & Matthieu Ricard and spiritual director of the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen $32.95, paper. Abrams. New in of Zen. After a long and re- John Daido isbn 9780810984059 Paperback markable life—he will be Loori Buddhism. 91 years old when this col- Loori is also an award-winning photographer and videographer, 424 pages, 7x10, 185 colour photos Robert Aitken lection is published— with a successful career in both commercial and art photography. This spectacularly beautiful book invites Aitken Roshi offers a col- He has had over a hundred one-person and group shows in the United States and the reader on a journey to a faraway exot- lection of 266 short texts. Some are clearly abroad, and his photographs have been published in leading photography maga- ic land—and into parables; others are simple stories, quota- zines, such as Aperture and Time Life. one’s own heart and tions, memories, and commentaries. “Just as ancient Zen painters expressed the truth of reality with sparse strokes of soul. The beauty of Resembling Benjamin Franklin’s Almanac the brush, Zen Master Loori captures the unfathomable mystery of our mind and the majestic or the epigrams of Chamfort as much as it love of the wilderness in extraordinary photographs of ordinary nature.”—Kazuaki Himalayan country- does work from ancient sages, this collec- Tanahashi, author of Brush Mind side, of the Tibetan tion of “miniatures” distills a life devoted people—spiritual to teaching and awareness. Any person liv- masters and humble ing a considered life, be they secular hu- TEACHINGS OF THE EARTH shepherds alike—and manist or religious seeker, will find this a Zen and the Environment of their sacred places by John Daido Loori book of uncommon inspiration. all inspire a desire to look within, in $16.95, paper. Shambhala. Liking Yourself search of an understanding of the essence You don’t take a step on the ancestral isbn 9781590304907 102 pages, b/w photos of Buddhism and the Himalayan spirit. path until you accept yourself, fully and According to Zen teaching, everything in the universe exists Contributions by eminent specialists on completely. In other words, you can’t interdependently, so valuing the welfare of one being over an- Tibetan culture—from photographer forget yourself unless you like yourself. other, or of humans over the planet, makes no sense at all. This Galen Rowell to the Dalai Lama himself— This is not a paradox. It is the way the Tao teaching, which can empower us to care passionately about the illuminate the cycle of birth, life, death, works. Give it a chance. Give yourself a earth and its future, is not only a Zen principle, it’s something and rebirth. These essays cover basic chance. that comes up for anyone who carefully investigates the nature Buddhist concepts, schools of Tibetan of reality. It’s a lesson found everywhere we look in nature. And Buddhism, Tibetan astrology and medi- Buddha’s Birthday the idea is also found in writings by figures as diverse as Lao Tzu, Walt Whitman, cine as well as profiles of village, monastic In pouring sweet tea over the baby Hermann Hesse, and Henry David Thoreau. John Daido Loori reveals the under- Buddha, we are purifying our own baby and nomadic life. Chilling accounts of the lying environmental ethic animating these teachings and shows how it can be a well- Buddha. Our baby Buddha is our own Chinese invasion and occupation and its innocent nature. It is the silence and total spring for our appreciation of the earth in the new millennium. results (1,200,000 slaughtered, over 6,000 absence of thought about a separate me. To practice Zen is to be in harmony with your life and the universe. To practice temples destroyed) convey the truth: this Once a year on the Buddha’s birthday we Zen means to study the self exhaustively—not just on the surface but on many lev- is a culture on the verge of extinction. share our promises overtly. Once a els, plumbing its depths. It means being deeply honest with yourself. It means tak- “Terma,” a Tibetan word meaning “re- moment we share them by example. ing responsibility for your life. If you don’t practice taking responsibility for your vealed treasures,” applies to teachings hid- life, you are not practicing Zen. It is as simple as that. den by ancient masters under rocks or in Lucky Among Daido Loori’s other books are The Art of Just Sitting and Invoking Reality. the earth to be found by future genera- Sometimes when I would complain tions; it also applies to this massive volume unreasonably, my father would say, “You’re lucky to be alive.” I thought the of photographs and text. The Föllmis have spent 25 years living, working and travel- old man was just rehashing his aphorisms. in the Zen tradi- Being-Awareness: Cultivating a larger Now after studying a bit of biology, I see tion—it’s just that sense of what life is, going beyond the ba- ing in the Himalayas with peasants, no- his point. You are indeed lucky to be the teaching is so sic awareness of the sensory world to trans- mads, monks and spiritual masters; alive. Moreover, you’re incredibly clear and useful that form the narrow experience into a more Ricard, a monk himself, has pho- fortunate to find yourself in a made-to- it transcends reli- spacious sense of being. tographed life in Tibet and Nepal for 30 order dojo with a splendid teacher. Now years and is the French translator for the the ball is in your court. gious boundaries. Being-Kindness: Connecting with the Here Ezra continues love and kindness that are our true nature, Dalai Lama. Their giant, glossy pho- in the mode of his and beginning to live from that joyful and tographs (often in two-page spreads) cap- ture the vividness of Tibet’s landscape and ZEN HEART books like Being Zen compassionate place. to show how spiritual The phases enrich each other to create a people in beautiful detail. Simple Advice for Living with Mindfulness Originally published in a very large for- and Compassion practice works in practice that works no matter what the mat hardcover volume, Buddhist Himalayas by Ezra Bayda everyday life. He complexities of your circumstances. is now available in a handsome paperback $22.50, cloth. Shambhala. breaks down spiritual practice into three The Me-stuff may always be there, but at a very reasonable price. isbn 9781590305430 198 pages basic stages: we can learn to hold it more lightly. Olivier and Danielle Föllmi, the official Ezra Bayda’s gift for taking Zen teaching The Me-phase: Uncovering our most ba- Leaving the world of Me-stuff and entering and relating it to every aspect of life has sic and tightly held beliefs about ourselves, into the unconditional friendliness of the photographers of the Dalai Lama, have made his books popular even with people observing our emotional reactions and heart connects us with the immediacy and also produced other lovely photography who aren’t Buddhists. It’s not that he’s patterns of behavior, and becoming inti- preciousness of life. Even when life appears books: Offerings, Awakenings, and Wisdom. nontraditional—he’s very firmly planted mate with our fears. to be a total mess, on some fundamental

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 19 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! TIBETAN BUDDHISM !

Among Pema Chödrön’s other books Dialogues with The Dalai Lama are When Things Fall Apart and The Places That Scare You. EMOTIONAL AWARENESS on a journey in the understanding of emotions. Overcoming the Obstacles to Psychological Balance and They address issues ranging from the importance Compassion of mindfulness, the evolutionary function of MIND BEYOND DEATH by the Dalai Lama & Paul Ekman moods, meditative breathing and the cultivation of by Dzogchen Ponlop New in $26.00, cloth. Henry Holt. compassion. Ekman and the Dalai Lama are articu- $18.95, paper. Snow Lion. Paperback isbn 9780805087123 288 pages late, deeply serious scholars, and their investiga- isbn 9781559393010 The lively bond sparked between the Dalai Lama, tions into “the varieties of anger,” the destructive 375 pages, 4-page colour insert one of the world’s great spiritual leaders, and psy- potential of contempt and the power of forgiveness A guidebook through the journey of chologist Paul Ekman, whose groundbreaking work contain a wealth of fascinating insights. The Dalai life and death, Mind Beyond Death weaves a helped to define the science of emotions, shines Lama’s humour and curiosity do much to enliven synthesis of wis- forth in this rambling intellectual the text. He and Ekman delight in invoking every- dom remarkable in treat of a book. These two luminar- thing from traditional Buddhist thought to Western its scope. With ies share their thinking about sci- philosophy, Darwin, communism and personal warm informality ence and spirituality, the bonds be- anecdotes in a single breath. and profound un- derstanding of the tween East and West, and the nature Emotions unite and divide the worlds in which we live, both and quality of our emotional lives. personal and global, motivating the best and the worst of our Western mind, the Edited from 39 hours of dialogue, Emotional actions. They save our lives, enabling quick action in Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche makes The Dalai Awareness prods and pushes toward answers to emergencies. Yet how we behave when we are emotional can Lama central questions of emotional experience. make our lives, and the lives of those we care about, miserable. the Tibetan teach- What are the sources of hate and compassion? Without emotions there would be no heroism, empathy, or ings on the bar- Should a person extend her compassion to a torturer—and compassion, but neither would there be cruelty, selfishness, nor dos—the intervals would that even be biologically possible? What does science re- spite. Bringing different perspectives to bear—Eastern and of life, death, and Western, spirituality and science, Buddhism and psychology—the veal about the benefits of Buddhist meditation, and can beyond—com- Dalai Lama and I sought to clarify these contradictions and pletely available to the modern reader. Buddhism improve through engagement with the scientific illuminate some paths that might enable a balanced emotional method? life and a feeling of compassion that can reach across the globe. Drawing on a breathtaking range of Accompanied by commentaries on the findings of emotion material, Mind Beyond Death shows us how Among the Dalai Lama’s other books is The Art of Happiness. research and the teachings of Buddhism, their interplay— the bardos can be used to Also by Paul Ekman is Emotions Revealed. amusing, challenging, eye-opening, at times moving—guides us conquer death. Working with the bardos means taking hold of life and WHY THE DALAI LAMA MATTERS mental changes that took place when apartheid learning how to live with His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, ended in South Africa, when the Soviet Union dis- fearless abandon. Tibet, and the World solved, and when the Berlin Wall was torn down. Exploring all six bardos— by Robert Thurman This book is my own vision of how he can and Dzogchen not just the three bardos $28.00, cloth. Beyond Words. should be better understood, his wisdom and Ponlop of death—Mind Beyond isbn 9781582702209 234 pages compassion more actively deployed to solve our Death demonstrates that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an extraordinary planetary problems… If more people recognize the the secret to a good journey through and example of a life dedicated to peace, communica- amazing planetary service he provides, they will beyond death lies in how we live. tion, and unity. What he represents, and what he magnify his efforts to the degree needed to get the job done. I mean really get it done. The way to meet death fully is to die has accomplished, heals and transcends the current every day, to every moment, to tensions between Tibet and China. In Why the Dalai Why the Dalai Lama Matters is not merely a book everything… even to our joy. Lama Matters, Robert Thurman explores who the about Tibet or the Dalai Lama. It is a revealing, Walking skillfully through the bardos of Dalai Lama is as well as the real his- provocative solution for a world in conflict, dealing dream, meditation, and daily life, Ponlop tory of Tibet. It also shows why he with the fundamentals of human rights and free- Rinpoche takes us deep into the mysteri- has earned the world’s love and respect, and doms. ous death intervals, introducing us to how restoring Tibet’s autonomy within China is Imagine how it would be if environmentalism, tolerance, their dazzling mindscape. This gives us not only possible, but highly reasonable, and ab- respect for diversity, generosity, and gentleness were taught every the knowledge to transform death, the solutely necessary for all of us together to have a day to every child, in every home and place of worship. Imagine greatest obstacle, into the most powerful peaceful future as a global community. if we had a model of how to resolve conflict—personal or opportunity for enlightenment. With both The Dalai Lama’s inter-religious dialogues, national—through respectful dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Robert nuts-and-bolts meditation techniques and Thurman honest, humble demeanor, and sense of com- Imagine if these teachings were made widely available on brilliant illumination, Mind Beyond Death passionate justice set him apart in a world at war television and the Internet, plentiful for all traditions. Imagine if people were thus taught widely and open-mindedly about the offers a clear map and a sturdy vehicle with itself. When China changes policy and lets Tibetans be commonalities between their faiths and those of others, that will safely transport the reader who they are, Tibet can, in turn, join with China in peaceful becoming immunized against religious prejudice and hatred. through the challenging transitions of coexistence. Imagine these things happening worldwide and you are seeing this life and the perilous bardos beyond Thurman believes that China can evolve as a leader of hu- the world the Dalai Lama leads us toward. death. man rights and create a global shift, very similar to the monu- “Very few things are more important than helping people come to terms with death—how to think about it, prepare THE COMPASSION BOX equanimity, intelligence and compassion ! a 45-minute audio CD of Pema Chödrön oneself and others for it, and, just in case, Book, CD, and Card Deck amid the turbulence of daily life. This offering in-depth instruction on tonglen navigate it oneself when the time comes. by Pema Chödrön Multimedia boxed set presents the tools needed to meditation (“taking in and sending out”), It is the great secret way to enrich one’s $36.00. Shambhala. Learning learn this transformative practice (called “a powerful practice designed to help or- life, to live more vibrantly, happily, and isbn 9781590300756 Kit lojong in Tibetan), presented in Pema’s ac- dinary people like ourselves connect with lovingly.” —Robert Thurman, translator book, cards, audio CD cessible, down-to-earth style. the openness and softness of our hearts.” of The Tibetan Book of the Dead For many centuries Tibetan Buddhists The Compassion Box contains: The slogans always introduce me to a Also by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche are have used a traditional collection of pithy, ! a set of 59 two-colour cards, with a Bud- bigger perspective, and I begin to gain Wild Awakening and Penetrating Wisdom. penetrating slogans to help them develop dhist slogan (such as “Don’t be so pre- confidence that I can use them to become dictable” and “Abandon any hope of less reactive and see things more clearly fruition”) on one side and original com- throughout my life. Even the most difficult EVENT mentary by Pema Chödrön on the other of situations have become more and more ! guided instructions on how to use the workable. REGGIE RAY cards as part of a daily spiritual practice Here is a sample slogan/commentary: Buddhism and Bodywork ! a fold-out card stand Abandon any hope of fruition. TALK—Fri., Jan 23 ! a 288-page paperback, Start Where You The key instruction is to stay in the 7:00pm $20 Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, a present. Don’t get caught up in hopes of Vancouver Public Library, popular guide to understanding and ap- what you’ll achieve and how good your 350 W.Georgia plying the slogans situation will be some day in the future. See p. 5 for more info What you do right now is what matters.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 20 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! BREATHING GREAT PERFECTION NECTAR !

Called the “Union presents core Dharma teachings and prac- Breathing with Reggie Ray of Sun and Moon,” tices from a fresh, conversational perspec- it is a dynamic sys- tive geared toward Western audiences. tem of trulkhor In telling my own story as a very YOUR BREATHING BODY, VOLUME 1 (movements) and typical busy person, outlining the Lam Rim Beginning Practices for Physical, Emotional, tsalung (pranaya- teachings and how they help me, it is my and Spiritual Fulfillment mas) and differs heartfelt wish that you will find in this by Reginald Ray from more wide- book something you can relate to, $85.00, 10 CDs. Sounds True. spread yogas in that something of value. Perhaps some isbn 9781591796596 10 hours it is done as a se- concepts or techniques will strike you as useful, while others may seem less so. And Our breath is the gateway to a universe of unlimited pro- quence of move- portions that lies within. This is the premise of Your that’s fine. Buddhism is very much more ments co-ordinated “à la carte” than “set menu.” Take those Breathing Body, Reggie Ray’s landmark two-volume breath- with breathing and work curriculum. practices which work for you as an specific ways of holding. This practice individual, where you are now, and leave Appropriate for everyone from beginning meditators to ad- helps us to relax and achieve a state of well- the others to one side. vanced practitioners, Volume 1 includes 10 CDs of sequential in- being and harmony, at the same time en- “...enjoyably practical advice on trans- struction in basic practices drawn from Tibetan yoga, qigong, Zen, hancing physical health, energy, and men- Theravada Buddhism, and indigenous traditions. Listeners join forming our everyday thoughts and ac- tal balance. At a more profound level, it is tions into a spiritual adventure.” — Reggie Ray as he combines his renowned scholarship with nearly an important practice to integrate body, four decades of practicing and teaching meditation to explore Venerable Tenzin Palmo, author of speech and mind in a state that is beyond Reflections on a Mountain Lake Reggie Ray Earth breathing, threefold breathing, cellular breathing, “ten- our normal dualistic concepts. Yantra Yoga points practice,” and much more. is a very rich body of knowledge that in- “Your breath is far more than just air moving in and out of the body,” explains cludes 3 preliminary series, 75 yantras Reggie Ray. “It is the pathway to everything you need for full realization.” With Your NATURAL GREAT PERFECTION (asanas), 7 breathing practices, 7 lotuses Dzogchen Teachings and Vajra Songs Breathing Body, this esteemed teacher gives us the ultimate breakthrough course— and the vajra wave—108 exercises in all. gentle, safe, and extraordinarily effective—for transforming our mental, physical, by Nyoshul Khenpo & Lama Surya Das Profusely illustrated with drawings and $16.95, paper. Snow Lion. and emotional lives. photographs, Yantra Yoga presents Tibet’s isbn 9781559393126 trulkhor yoga tradition as taught by one if 202 pages, 7 b/w photos YOUR BREATHING BODY, VOLUME 2 its master exponents. Yantra Yoga’s move- Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche is one of the Advanced Practices for Physical, Emotional, ments, exercises, and methods of concen- most eminent Tibetan meditation masters. and Spiritual Fulfillment tration are all based on an eighth-century He is one of the by Reginald Ray text by Vairocana whose translation is in- principal lineage $85.00, 10 CDs. Sounds True. cluded, illuminated by Namkhai Norbu’s holders of the isbn 9781591796626 10 hours commentary. Detailed charts for the tim- nonsectarian The second half of Reggie Ray’s “breath-training course ing of the breathing exercises are also in- practice lineage of a lifetime,” Your Breathing Body, Volume 2, presents cluded. of Tibetan advanced practices for deepening your investigation of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is one of the Buddhism. Lama this powerful art. Ten CDs cover organ and “skull” breathing, the seven “gates” or great living masters of Dzogchen. He is the Surya Das is physical centers, breathing into the natural state, and much more. author of The Crystal and the Way of Light Nyoshul Reginald Ray is one of the most innovative and experienced meditation teachers and Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State. Khenpo’s main currently teaching in the West, drawing on 38 years of study within the Tibetan tra- American disciple dition and many years of solitary and group retreat practice. He teaches within the and has estab- dharma and meditation lineages of the great siddha Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. BUDDHISM FOR BUSY PEOPLE lished himself as On the faculty of Naropa University since its beginning, he is the author of Touching Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World one of the most Enlightenment, In the Presence of Masters, Secret of the Vajra World, and other books. by David Michie dynamic and effective teachers of the tran- $14.95, paper. Snow Lion. scendent teachings of Dzogchen. isbn 9781559392983 235 pages view, Buddhist faith, and Buddhist prac- Natural Great Perfection is a collection of A CASCADING WATERFALL OF What does it take to be happy? tice, A Cascading Waterfall is a guide that Nyoshul Khenpo’s teachings, providing NECTAR Australian corporate communicationns by Thinley Norbu will never fail one. Penned by one of the the deepest possible insight into the prac- consultant and “busy person” himself, $18.95, paper. Shambhala. great modern masters of the Nyingma tice of the Dzogchen path. The teachings David Michie isbn 9781590305263 312 pages school of Tibetan Buddhism, it presents are followed by a collection of sponta- thought he had This long-awaited opus by a preeminent the ultimate view of Dzogchen or the neous vajra songs, composed in the tradi- achieved his life’s teacher will appeal to Western students of Great Perfection under the guise of being tion of Milarepa, as the delightful play of goals—the high-lev- Tibetan a commentary on the Dudjom Tersar wisdom consciousness. el job, the expen- Buddhism, espe- Ngondro (preliminary practices). The reader will find in Nyoshul sive city apartment, cially those en- Everything one needs to know about Khenpo’s personality and teachings the the luxury car, the gaged in the pre- Buddhism from its most basic teachings embodiment of this advice he quotes from great vacations— liminary practices up to and including the special ultimate the 19th-century master Patrul Rinpoche: but a small voice that are the foun- teachings of Mahamudra and Dzogchen is Beyond both action and inaction, the was telling him he dation of the tra- presented so eloquently. This is undoubt- supreme Dharma is accomplished. So wasn’t really happy. dition. edly one of the most profound Buddhist simply preserve the natural state and rest A chance remark Like a sponta- texts I’ve ever read (especially since it is your weary mind. from a naturopath neous cascade of written in such wonderful and subtle “This book is wonderful—a treasure sent him to his local Buddhist center. wisdom nectar, English).” —Sam Bercholz, Shambhala house of liberating Dharma. Nyoshul There he began the most important jour- the open and nat- Publications Khenpo’s heart-songs of wisdom illumi- ney of his life. ural words of “Read it slowly, like poetry, savoring and nate understanding like a bright sun in a In this simple but beautifully written Thinley Norbu contemplating each sentence, and you will cloudless sky. They open our minds and book, David Michie opens the door to the Rinpoche, uncomplicated by scholarly be rewarded with the highest Buddhist inspire our practice.” —Joseph Goldstein core teachings of Tibetan elaboration, flow here in the tradition of view.” —Melvin McLeod, Editor-in-Chief “A spiritual gem. These heart-songs and Buddhism. With wry, self- the direct transmissions of Buddhas and of the Shambhala Sun teachings of this spiritual master are es- deprecating humour, he Bodhisattvas of the past. Through com- sential reading.” —Daniel Goleman, au- shows us how he began to mentary on the Preliminary Practices thor of The Meditative Mind incorporate Buddhist prac- (Ngöndrö) prayer from the treasure text YANTRA YOGA tices into his daily life. He So get out of the construction business! of the great master Tragtung Düdjom The Tibetan Yoga of Movement explains how he came to Stop building bridges across the raging Lingpa, insights into many central prac- by Namkhai Norbu waters of samsaric existence, attempting to David Michie understand the difference tices emerge in order to deepen under- $34.95, paper. Snow Lion. reach the “far shore,” nirvana. Better to between the temporary standing of the foundations of Vajrayana isbn 9781559393089 424 pages, 45 b/w pho- simply relax, at ease and carefree, in total pleasures of ordinary life and the pro- Buddhism. tos, 835 b/w line illustrations naturalness, and just go with the found sense of well-being and heartfelt “There are so many books on Yantra Yoga offers the practitioner a primordial flow, however it occurs and serenity that comes from connecting with happens. And remember this: whether or Buddhism, so how is one to choose? If one unique approach to Yoga practice, parallel to the Hatha Yoga of the Hindu tradition. our inner nature. Buddhism for Busy People not you go with the flow, it always goes wants to delve deeply into the Buddhist with you.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 21 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! NATURAL INTELLIGENCE IS THE TAO !

LIGHT COMES THROUGH Buddhist Teachings on Awakening to Our Taoism, Ch’i Transforming War and Warriors Natural Intelligence by Dzigar Kongtrül & the Martial Arts $25.00, cloth. Shambhala. THE RULES OF VICTORY isbn 9781590305676 122 pages Strategies from the Art of War Our thoughts and emotions can take us CHUANG TZU: INNER CHAPTERS for Transforming Chaos and Conflict anywhere. In an instant they can bring us A Companion Volume to Tao Te Ching by James Gimian & Barry Boyce down or lift us up. If by Gia-fu Feng & Jane English $28.95, cloth. Shambhala. we don’t attend to $20.95, paper. Amber Lotus. isbn 9781590300855 304 pages the mind, the source isbn 9781602371170 164 pages, $34.00, 4 CDs. of all our thoughts 8x11, b/w photos & calligraphy isbn 9781590305126 4.5 hours, abridged Millions have read Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, the classic and emotions, it can This wonder-book evokes text on leadership and strategy, but how many understand seem like a runaway the depth of Chinese wisdom its profound teachings or know how to ap- train. Yet when guid- while its many photographs and ply them in modern life? The Rules of Victory ed by wisdom, our calligraphies speak to the natural being presents the core insights of The Art of mind can lead us to beneath our thinking minds. First pub- War, making them relevant and valuable to awakening. How do lished in 1974 in the same format as the anyone who seeks more successful and creative approaches to deal- we utilize this re- popular photo- ing with chaos and conflict, whether at home, in the workplace, or source? graphic edition of in the midst of any challenging campaign or project. The Buddha The Tao Te Ching According to Gimian and Boyce—who collaborated on a best- asked big questions from the same James Gimian selling translation of Sun Tzu’s classic—one of the essential teach- concerning the causes and conditions of translator/photog- ings of The Art of War is that when we seek to effect change, conflict is inevitable. happiness and suffering rapher team, it is However, we can learn to perceive the underlying dynamics of situations and we can and how we can shape our here republished learn how to work with them to transform potential conflict into victory. mind and attitude to sup- by Amber Lotus in One of the key teachings in this nimble book is that dealing effectively with con- port our well-being. an exquisite edi- flict involves becoming comfortable with uncertainty, ambiguity, imperfection, and According to the Buddhist tion with many gestation. teachings, when our natur- new photographs. In addition to a complete translation of the classical text, The Rules of Victory fea- al intelligence is sparked It’s a perfect book for times when things tures: by contemplation and have fallen apart, when there is more ! In-depth explanations of the essential principles, strategies, and skills of The Art Dzigar meditation, we discover openness to alternatives, when it’s obvious Kongtrül of War insights into what true that some of our rational, linear ways of ! First-person success stories illustrating how these teachings can be applied to a happiness means—and approaching things just don’t work. wide variety of professional and personal challenges how to achieve it. The distilled wisdom of While Lao Tzu (author of “The Tao”) ! Guidance on how to recognize, and even create, a critical turning point in any the Buddhist tradition leads us to clarity of can seem “perfect,” Chuang Tzu is more campaign or project you undertake. mind, and step by step, the light of our like one of us—just hanging out. Tai chi The Art of War is not in fact about making war, but is a manual on how to work ef- natural intelligence comes through. teacher Al Huang writes in his introduc- fectively and artfully with chaotic situations and thorny conflicts. War is any situa- With the humor and insight he is known tion: “I love and cherish Chuang Tzu. I ad- tion that demands hard choices about creation and destruction, life and death. And for, Dzigar Kongtrül engages us in a play- mire his penetrating insight, acerbic wit, victory lies in bringing others around to embracing a larger view—one that includes ful, and challenging, investigation of dis- no-nonsense clarity, and his ‘flesh and their own—without ever going to battle. turbing emotions, our relationships with blood’ humanity. And I treasure his others, the trap of self-centeredness, and wealth of delightful, thought-provoking anecdotes and parables, his original mind the practicalities of working with a ON THE WARRIOR’S PATH Buddhist teacher. Most important, he and ‘windflow’ personality. And most of all, I adore his humor and laughter... Philosophy, Fighting, and Martial Arts Mythology shows us the subtlest use of our natural in- by Daniele Bolelli telligence—its ability to recognize the na- “He is the master of paradox and rela- tivity. As a supreme storyteller, he liberally $20.00, paper. North Atlantic/Frog. ture of reality itself. isbn 9781583942192 200 pages Since our experience of both happiness exaggerates, sets free wild and imaginary Maybe today, even more than in the past, disciplines like and pain depends upon the mind, would- fantasies, and trusts that we, the readers, can keep up with his wit and romantic ad- martial arts are essential… Today many people spend eight hours n’t it make sense to learn how it works? a day sitting before a computer… Overworked minds, inert ventures. Just as we freely allow the hu- Demystifying the relationship we have bodies… We grow detached from the body. We forget its magic. with our mind, our thoughts and emo- morists to be outrageous and profound at We forget its power. tions, is the essence of the Buddhist teach- the same time, Chuang Tzu must be read and enjoyed with the same freedom.” The urge to forge one’s character by fighting, in daily life ings. It is like switching on the light in a as well as on the mat, appeals to something deep within us. dark room: no matter how long a room Do not seek fame. Do not make plans. More than a collection of fighting techniques, martial arts Do not be absorbed by activities. Do not has remained in a state of darkness, once constitutes a path to developing body, spirit, and awareness. On the Warrior’s Path we turn on the light, everything is illumi- think that you know. Be aware of all this is and dwell in the infinite. Wander where connects the martial arts with this larger perspective, merging subtle philosophies nated… with no-holds-barred competition, Nietzsche with Bruce Lee, radical Taoism and Light comes through, and instinctually there is no path. Be all that heaven gave you, but act as though you have received Buddhism with the Star Wars trilogy, traditional martial arts with basketball and we want to respond to it—to reach for its nothing. Be empty, that is all. American Indian culture. At the center of all these phenomena is the warrior. source. Though this archetype seems to manifest contradictory values, author Daniele The mind of a perfect man is like a Friend and teacher of Pema Chödrön, Bolelli describes the heart of this tension: how the training of martial technique Tibetan Buddhist Lama Kongtrül grew up mirror. It grasps nothing. It expects nothing. It reflects but does not hold. leads to a renunciation of violence, and how overcoming fear leads to a unique free- in a monastic environment and received dom. Aimed at students at any level or tradition of martial arts but also accessible broad training in Buddhist doctrine. This Therefore, the perfect man can act without effort. to the armchair warrior, On the Warrior’s Path brings fresh insights to why martial arts slender book has wisdom for practitioners remains an enduring and widespread art and discipline. Two new chapters in this of all levels. There is a comforting bravery Jane English’s marvelous photographs set these great enduring stories and ideas second edition focus on spirituality in the martial arts and the author’s personal in his thinking about the difference be- journey in the field. tween “trying to arrange the world accord- in a nest of nature’s patterns. ing to our preferences” and “delighting in In martial arts everything begins with the body. First, one gets acquainted with it, and slowly becomes intimate with it. The body is transformed into the best ally of the spirit. the way our experience naturally unfolds.” Then spirit and body become one. The sensorial windows are cleaned until they shine… Also by him is It’s Up to You. WOMEN’S QIGONG FOR HEALTH & LONGEVITY Being one hundred percent present here and now is the talent of a true martial A Practical Guide for Women Forty and Older artist. Through the practice of martial arts, we can learn to feel this presence, call upon by Deborah Davis it, cultivate it, make it part of ourselves… $22.00, paper. Shambhala. If you stop long enough to listen, the body tells you all you want to know. isbn 9781590305379 160 pages, 7x9, b/w photos Chinese exercises, breathing techniques, treat specific health concerns. Here is a detailed, easy-to-use massage, meditation, and vocalizations to Acupuncturist and longtime qigong prac- guidebook for women forty and older on promote health, fitness, relaxation, and titioner Deborah Davis explains the tradi- how to use gentle but powerful traditional mental clarity; improve stamina; and even tional Chinese approach to health and the

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 22 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! LIFE ENERGY & HEALING ! various powers of the soul. compo- Smiling Chi with Mantak Chia Superstition, nents of omens, and divine qigong spirits smack of practice; THE INNER SMILE madness. gives gen- Increasing Chi through the Cultivation of Joy But patients have eral health by Mantak Chia the same experi- routines $14.95, paper. Inner Traditions. ences. Life-threat- for women isbn 9781594771552 74 pages, colour illustrations ening illness or in specific The Inner Smile is a guide to a practice that focuses grat- surgery frequently age itude and joy on the internal organs to resolve the physi- brings dormant groups; cal and mental tensions that can lead to illness. In Taoism spirituality to life. and offers negative emotions—anger, sadness, depression, fear, and The soul often do-it-yourself practices and routines for worry—are seen as low-grade energy that causes chronic needs more than intensive care alone can specific health issues including insomnia, disease and steals our major life force by creating energy give. The Scalpel and the Soul explores hypertension and heart disease, blockages. Taoist chi master teacher Mantak Chia shows how premonition, superstition, hope, and menopause, sexual vitality, breast health, that the internal awareness produced by the simple yet faith not only become fac- breast cancer, osteoporosis, and depres- powerful Inner Smile meditation practice flushes the or- tors in how patients feel sion. gans of poisonous negative energy that may be blocking chi energy flow in order to but can change outcomes; nourish the entire body. it validates the spiritual Our body has the miraculous capacity Just as a genuine outer smile transmits positive energy and has the power to warm to mend itself and Qigong reawakens the manifestations physicians and heal, an inner smile produces a high grade of energy that promotes powerful natural healer within each of us. Through see every day; it empowers the past decade of prescribing Qigong for internal healing, deep relaxation, happiness, and longevity. Smiling to the organs patients to voice their spir- women’s health, I’ve simplified the and thanking them for the work they do helps to reawaken the intelligence of the itual needs when they seek programs and have included the most body, which, once activated, can dissipate emotional imbalances and inner dishar- Allan Hamilton medical help; and, finally, successful protocols in this book. A mony before serious illness manifests. it addresses the mysteri- devoted practice of fifteen to thirty This book, with its clear, colorful diagrams and energetic pathway and practice il- ous, attractive powers the soul exerts dur- minutes a day will enable you to lustrations, is intended to supplement individual training and to serve as a refer- ing life-threatening events. experience increased vigor, strength, and ence guide for these practices. The author recommends that “readers should not inner calm… undertake the practices without receiving personal transmission and training from Each chapter contains a comprehensive a certified instructor of the Universal Tao, since certain of these practices, if done PARTNERS IN HEALING Qigong plan, along with contemplations to improperly, may cause injury or result in health problems.” Simple Ways to Offer Support, Comfort, deepen your emotional healing. Mantak Chia, the Thai founder of the Universal Healing Tao System, is author of and Care for a Loved One Facing Illness Discussions of basic Chinese medical many books, including The Taoist Soul Body and The Multi-Orgasmic Couple. by William Collinge theory in relation to Qigong are $16.95, paper. Shambhala. accompanied with stories of women who WISDOM CHI KUNG isbn 9781590304150 222 pages have healed themselves through these Practices for Enlivening the Brain with Chi Energy When a spouse becomes seriously ill, programs. The Qigong routines are by Mantak Chia the healthy partner often feels a profound outlined in a four-step process to create a $18.95, paper. Inner Traditions. complete healing program: isbn 9781594771361 148 pages, colour illustrations sense of helpless- Taoist teacher Mantak Chia’s Wisdom Chi Kung teaches ness and despair. * Dynamic Exercises to move Qi and direct This book offers a healing to select organ/meridian systems; practitioners how to revitalize the brain: to repair func- tion, increase memory, and expand capacity. Every day we new sense of em- * Stances to build immunity and strength; use up so much of our brain’s capacity to function that we powerment for the intimate partners * Self-Healing Massage to relax and move have very little left at the end of the day. By thinking or of people living blockages; and worrying too much, the brain can use up to 80 percent of the body’s entire energy reserve. Learning to stop the with serious health * Meditation to calm the mind and emotions. brain, to empty the mind from the ceaseless chatter of the problems. The book consists of One of the main differences between “monkey mind,” and then Qigong and other exercises is that you recharge it with chi energy can increase our mental ca- fifty short chapters, center your attention inward on your Qi, pacity, focus, and clarity. each explaining instead of listening to music or reading, Using the Inner Smile meditation technique, practi- why and when to which is a common practice on the gym tioners learn how to recharge chi energy for the brain use a given strategy and concrete step-by- machines. This is a mind-body practice in a form that is most useful. Practitioners smile and step guidance in how to do it. The author, that combines concentration and a psychotherapist and researcher, also relaxation. empty the mind into the lower tan tien and the organs. Mantak Chia The organs then transform this chi energy. When the shares his reflections and insights from Also recommended is Deborah Davis’s mind is empty, the energy transformed by the organs is two decades of clinical practice treating hour-long DVD guide to daily practice, sent back to the brain to revitalize it. This process synchronizes the left and right couples who are going through serious ill- called The Spirit of Qi Gong. brain by activating and tapping into the body’s energetic potentials. As the mind ness. continues to empty, receive, and also enhance the transformed chi energy, it is able Partners in Healing is divided into seven to open itself to connect with universal chi energies and fill the body with enhanced subject areas: ! BodyMind Healing life force. Strategies of self-care for the caring part- ner Too many people are too disconnected from their bodies already; the last thing most ! Ways of involving family and friends in a people need to do is give their energy away to the universe. The Taoists say, cultivate this chi from the universe, for the sake of both wisdom and network of support THE SCALPEL AND THE SOUL ! Simple massage and touch techniques to Encounters with Surgery, energy. If we’re here on this planet, why not have as much energy as humanly possible?… When we do the Inner Smile, the energy rises into the brain, and the energy bring comfort and reduce symptoms the Supernatural, and the that develops in ten minutes during this time stays in the body for up to eight hours. ! Simple energy healing techniques Healing Power of Hope ! Among Chia’s many other books are Taoist Cosmic Healing and Energy Balance Distant healing using transpersonal im- by Allan Hamilton agery, mediation, and prayer $23.95, cloth. Tarcher/Putnam. through the Tao. ! Forms of “affirmative communication” isbn 9781585426157 254 pages that provide reassurance A young burn victim remains in a coma un- ! Simple rituals of caring and nourishment. til a ghost appears. volved in every one of them, and many for anyone who is battling cancer, or their Also by this author is The American A doctor discovers he can predict when a pa- more. Based on thirty years of medical ex- loved ones. Some of these stories will move Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to tient will die. perience, The Scalpel and the Soul tells the you to tears. Yet, you will finish the book Alternative Medicine. A clinically dead patient later recounts extra- unspoken stories behind remarkable pa- feeling spiritually cleansed in a way. ordinary details about the private lives of her tients and strange events, and shares the For physicians, supernatural inklings caregivers. moral and spiritual lessons found in them. and intrusions are disturbing. Doctors can- A physician needs the help of a Navajo Hamilton is a Dr. that you wish was your not be candid with colleagues or patients shaman to exorcise the spirit of his dead patient. own, someone who deeply cares about not because they are trained to disregard the These things really happened—and only healing you physically, but emotion- inexplicable and unbelievable. They’re neurosurgeon Allan Hamilton was in- ally as well. This book is an essential read taught to discount elusive, evanescent

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 23 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! HEALING ARTS !

DISTANT HEALING Surviving Cancer Healing Energies, How to Send Healing to People, Animals, the Environment, and Around the World ANTICANCER Healing Herbs by Jack Angelo A New Way of Life $19.95, paper. Sounds True. by David Servan-Schreiber isbn 9781591796084 $22.95, paper. HarperCollins. INTENTION HEALS 239 pages, 7x9, b/w illustrations isbn 9781554682218 A Guide and Workbook $75.00, 6 CDs. 258 pages, French flaps, b/w photos, charts by Adam isbn 9781591795704 7 hours Fifteen years ago, tests revealed that Dr. David Servan- $18.00, paper. Dream Healer. Most of us have prayed for someone Schreiber had a lethal cancer of the brain. He received isbn 9780973274851 facing a health challenge—only to won- conventional treatment of surgery and chemotherapy and 196 pages, b/w illustrations der if it actually the cancer went into remission, but he then suffered a re- Intention Heals (“the culmination of helped. What if lapse. years of facilitating individual and group there were a set As a physician, researcher and former director of the healings, presenting of skills you could Center of Integrative Medicine at the University of healing workshops learn to dramati- Pittsburgh, he had access to both the latest cancer research and a wealth of infor- and conferences cally increase mation on new approaches to treatment and prevention. Anticancer is the culmina- and discovering sci- your ability to aid tion of his research on and personal experience with cancer, both as a doctor and entific data which in the healing as a patient. It’s the book he would have read to avoid getting cancer in the first support my intuitive process? In place and the one he would have wanted by his side when he was fighting the dis- knowledge”) is “a Distant Healing, ease. guide and work- Jack Angelo Anticancer examines the many factors involved in the growth of cancers in the book designed teaches over 50 body and how we can use our own biology to fight them. We can avoid the pro- specifically to effec- exercises that draw on the power of spiri- gression of the disease by guarding against imbalances in our environment, by ad- tively activate your tual intention to allow you to send healing justing our diets to minimize inflammation and include tumour-fighting phyto- intentions and man- energy wherever it is needed. chemicals, and by understanding the psychological components that can slow ifest them into your Across millennia and diverse cultures, cancer development (that is, help us live well!). reality.” healing at a distance has been a treasured Included is a very useful yet concise 16-page removable colour “Anticancer Adam provides an overview of the sci- way of ministering to the sick. But now Action” guide. ence behind intentional healing; a work- more than ever, explains Welsh healer Anticancer highlights a combination of the best conventional treatments with of- book for examining and Jack Angelo, this universal skill is essential ten overlooked alternative therapies. Featuring his personal story, the cases of oth- changing your perception to address the challenges we face as a er survivors, and his in-depth scientific and medical background, his book empow- of events and for creating global community. Join this international ers readers with knowledge and tools to combat cancer. And, best of all—and the a more optimistic reality; leader in the field of subtle energy and reason this book is getting a lot of attention—the lifestyle he describes can prevent visualization exercises— natural spiritual healing for in-depth in- cancer from arising at all. the heart of the book; and struction covering: “Enormously compelling evidence and arguments for participating in our own submissions offering help- ! The anatomy of the human energy sys- health by supporting our deep, natural capacity for healing. Everybody should read Adam ful ideas about how others tem this book and enact its simple but potentially life-saving recommendations.” —Jon customize their visualiza- ! How to sense energy fields—your own Kabat -Zinn, author of Coming to Our Senses tion for wellness. and others’—and retrieve the vital in- “Meticulously researched and easy to read… A fascinating book that provides There is no such thing as an idle or formation stored there critical information on the enormous influence of lifestyle factors on the develop- neutral thought. This should be a huge ! Body-balancing and breathing exercises ment of cancer.” —Dr. Richard Belliveau, author of Foods That Fight Cancer motivation for you to practice positive to attune your healing energies thoughts. Specifically, just how are ! Amplifying the effects of distant healing proteins chemically changed by intentions? with groups ONE BITE AT A TIME Every time we think a thought, many ! Tips for restoring health and harmony Nourishing Recipes for Cancer Survivors and their Friends chemical reactions occur and every in plants and animals chemical reaction emits light. This has by Rebecca Katz & Mat Edelson ! How to send healing to global conflicts $25.95, paper. Celestial Arts. been known for decades. In fact, we use this light-emitting feature to identify a and to the environment. isbn 9781587613272 176 pages, 9x11, colour photos substance by running light through it and The ability to evoke a healing re- In One Bite at a Time, chef Rebecca Katz shares delicious, observing which light frequencies it sponse—in ourselves, in others, and even nourishing recipes with people who need food the most: absorbs and which light it emits. So a in places or situations—is a gift we all pos- cancer patients. Dietary restrictions, as well as damaged thought actually becomes a “light-emitter.” sess, teaches Angelo. It starts with the en- taste buds from cancer treatments, turn many patients off Healing is an innate ability all of us pos- ergy of love. Distant Healing gives you a of food, but Katz, whose San Francisco–area practice cre- sess to maintain our physical, emotional complete course of exercises and insights ates culinary solutions for people with cancer, reinvigo- and spiritual wellness. The key to harness- to harness this benevolent force as an rates the appetite through immune-building, sumptuous ing this amazing capability is intention. everyday offering for everyone and every- meals. Healing through intention is a teachable thing around you. Recipes such as Magic Mineral Broth, Poached Coconut-Ginger Salmon, Spinach skill. By using step-by-step instructions you “Healing intentions exert real, measur- Orzo with Pine Nuts and Feta, and Fruit Parfait with Almond Peach Cream use in- can learn to customize your own visualiza- able effects in our world, and they are af- gredients that support and bolster the immune system, are easy to digest, and taste tions, jump-start your own healing ability, firmed by compelling scientific evidence. wonderful. and learn the techniques to actively partic- As Jack Angelo shows, we can all be heal- Supporting chapters help loved ones understand the culinary ups and downs ipate in your own healing for deep and ers. In our suffering world, it is essential that patients experience, as Katz’s clients share anecdotes of the joyous impact lasting changes. This book builds upon that we claim this innate capacity, not only these recipes have had on their lives. At a time in your life when you may feel noth- knowledge gained from Adam’s earlier for others—but for the earth itself.” — ing is in your control, something as simple as creating a nutritious, delicious dish very popular titles: DreamHealer, Larry Dossey, author of Extraordinary for yourself or a loved one can be a reaffirmation of your humanity or a tangible DreamHealer 2: Guide to Self-Empowerment, Healing Power of Ordinary Things way to nurture someone you care about. The Path of the DreamHealer and the DVD, Also by Jack Angelo: Hands-On Healing. This full-color cookbook for cancer patients and their loved ones includes 150 DreamHealer: Visualizations for Self- recipes, nutritional information, anecdotes from cancer survivors… as well as spe- Empowerment. cific information on Pantry and Refrigerator Rehabilitation, Waking up Your Taste Buds, What Foods Are Best during Different Stages of Cancer Treatment, and How Friends Can Help. Is my soul asleep? No, my soul is not asleep. She also cross-references the most beneficial, sustaining recipes for various can- cers and treatment regimens. Have those beehives that labor It is awake, wide awake. Rebecca’s caring recipe notes will warm your heart and remind you that, along at night stopped? And the water It neither sleeps nor drams, but watches, with a good meal, laughter can truly be the best medicine. “Regardless of where you are on your cancer journey, you’ll find something in- wheel of thought, its clear eyes open, credibly useful and uplifting within these pages. In some ways this is far more than is it dry, the cups empty, far-off things, and listens a cookbook. It’s like sitting down with a compassionate friend… her words flavored with a savvy and wisdom that only come from personal experience.” —Eden Stotsky, wheeling, carrying only shadows? at the shores of the great silence. Director, Patient Education, Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Center —Antonio Machado, from Times Alone

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 24 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! ENERGIES, HERBS & MOVEMENT !

clear guide that will Balancing Your Energies with Donna Eden help readers under- stand the use and ENERGY MEDICINE alize or take advantage of; nature of herbal Balancing Your Body’s Energies for ! Addresses some terms that arise in energy med- medicine. Again Optimal Health, Joy, and Vitality icine—such as energy, subtle energy, soul, and available in a British by Donna Eden, spirit—and recognizes the language of the body’s edition, this book with David Feinstein energies as a language that can be learned; has been hailed as $20.00, paper. Tarcher/Putnam. ! Shows techniques for identifying energies with- authoritative and in- isbn 9781585426508 396 pages, 7x9 in and around us, and introduces methods of en- valuable by the Energy is the common medium of body, mind, ergy testing which allow you to tailor the proce- medical profession. and soul. Its wavelengths, rates of vibration, and dures in the book to your unique needs; Including over patterns of pulsation form their shared vocabulary, ! Gives a “Daily Energy Routine” that can un- 900 entries orga- much as fluctuations of tone and tempo form the scramble and bolster your energies; and gives a nized in an easy-to-read A–Z listing of vocabulary of music. The more fluent you become valuable approach for reprogramming your remedies and ailments, Bartram’s covers in sensing this shared vocabulary of body, mind, body’s response to stress. the full spectrum of herbal medicine. and soul, the more skillfully you can orchestrate their lifelong symphony. Part II, “The Anatomy of Your Energy Body,” Comprehensive coverage of common and details eight major energy systems: the meridians, rare disorders and their appropriate treat- Donna Eden has been teaching people for the chakras, the aura, the Celtic weave, the basic grid, the five ments; the actions, properties, and prepa- over 30 years to understand the body as an en- rhythms, the triple warmer, and the strange flows. rations of herbs, tinctures, and essential ergy system, to recognize their aches and pains Part III, “Weaving It All Together,” shows how to apply what oils; an overview of the major discoveries as signals of energy imbalance, and to reclaim you’ve learned to what you encounter in your life—focusing and developments in the history of herbal- their natural healing capacities. Her book on ways of meeting your body’s inevitable illnesses more effec- ism; and alternative herbal treatments for Energy Medicine, which explores a number of tively, relieving pain, and creating external and internal ener- many of the current prescription drugs innovative techniques for working with the gy fields that optimize your health and happiness. are included. Great for everyday use in mi- Donna Eden body’s energy systems to optimize physical vi- Integrated throughout the text are over a hundred procedures nor ailments as well as for more serious ill- tality and mental acuity, is updated and ex- I have adopted or developed after more than ten thousand nesses, Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal panded in this 10th-anniversary edition. individual ninety-minute sessions and hundreds of classes.... The Medicine is an essential resource for all Part I, “Awakening the Two-Million-Year-Old Healer procedures presented here have been designed for us with no those interested in exploring the natural Within”: special ability to perceive energy. Employing them, however, is a side of treating disease. ! Shows how we instinctively know a great deal more about our natural way to cultivate such sensitivities. As Bartram states in his introduction: body’s energies and how to optimize them than we usually re- Perhaps the real value of well-known alternative remedies lies in their ENERGY MEDICINE FOR WOMEN Blending a compassionate voice with a profound comparative safety. Though largely Aligning Your Body’s Energies grasp of how the female body functions as an en- unproven by elaborate clinical trials, the to Boost Your Health and Vitality ergy system, Eden presents what is sure to be- majority carry little risk of harm. Some by Donna Eden come a classic book on the subject of women’s have a great potential for good. The $20.00, paper. Tarcher/Putnam. health. therapy is compatible with other forms of isbn 9781585426478 352 pages, 7x9 The first two chapters serve as a primer, in- treatment. For more than three decades, Donna Eden troducing nine basic energy systems, including The revival of herbal medicine is no has been teaching people to understand the the chakras, the meridians and the aura. Eden passing cult due to sentimentality or body as an energy system, to recognize their explains how keeping these energy systems bal- superstition. It indicates, rather, a return aches and pains as signals of energy imbalance, anced and flowing can help prevent illness, pro- to that deep devotion to nature that most and to reclaim their natural healing capabilities. mote well-being and aid the body in self-healing. of us have always possessed, and which In this long-awaited new book, Eden speaks di- She also notes that while energy healing has seems in danger of being lost in the maze rectly to women, showing them how they can been labeled an alternative method, its influ- of modern pharmacy. It is an expression of loyalty to all that is best from the past as work with energy to tackle the specific health ence and importance has been increasingly rec- challenges they face. we move forward into the 21st century ognized by research scientists and mainstream with a better understanding of disease and Hormonal health is essential to a woman’s well-being, and in physicians. its treatment. this groundbreaking book Eden reveals that a woman can Eden then delves into a fascinating chapter-by-chapter dis- manage her hormones by managing her energies. In fact, en- cussion of health issues of interest to women, ranging from ergy medicine is effective in treating a host of health issues. hormones, menstruation, sexuality, pregnancy and fertility to Bodywork, Movement From PMS to menopause, from high blood pressure to de- menopause and weight management, with accompanying en- pression, it offers solutions to women’s health issues that tradi- ergy “exercises” related to each topic. Included are tips to re- & Somatics tional medicine often fails to provide. In Energy Medicine for lieve PMS symptoms and hot flashes, techniques that get sexu- Women, Eden shows women how they can work with energy to al energy flowing and a variety of movements designed to strengthen their immune, circulatory, lymphatic, and respira- maintain overall energy balance. ANATOMY OF MOVEMENT tory systems to promote health, vitality, and inner balance. Also by Donna Eden is the classic Energy Medicine. Revised Edition by Blandine Calais-Germain $38.50, paper. Eastland. ACUPUNCTURE AND THE CHAKRA philosophy, John Cross offers clinically System is a well-rounded guide for acupunc- isbn 9780939616572 ENERGY SYSTEM proven strategies for treating the causes of turists and other practitioners as well as in- 316 pages, 7x10, b/w illustrations Treating the Cause of Disease conditions, not just the symptoms. terested students. This breakthrough text from a French by John Cross The book describes the seven major and John Cross has spent over 35 years inte- dancer, physiotherapist and teacher is be- $22.95, paper. North Atlantic. twenty-one minor chakras in detail and ex- grating complementary therapy approach- ing widely used in coordination with the isbn 9781556437212 300 pages, 7x9 plains how each is related to the body’s es, including acupuncture and reflexology, Pilates method of physical conditioning Acupuncture and the chakra energy sys- aura, meridians, key points, endocrine into mainstream physical therapy. He lives and structural alignment, as well as yoga tem have both become increasingly main- glands, autonomic nervous system, and on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. and other body-arts. It is an exceptional stream in the West, but rarely have the two varying symptomatology. Focusing on how and outstanding book for seekers of how approaches been joined into one practice. to use the chakras in the treatment of life lives in our bodies. Acupuncture and the Chakra Energy System: chronic physical and emotional condi- BARTRAM’S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Anatomy of Movement is a dynamic, inte- Treating the Cause tions—osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthri- HERBAL MEDICINE grated approach to the study of the physi- by Thomas Bartram of Disease does just tis, low back pain with sciatica, insomnia, cal structures of the musculoskeletal sys- $26.00, paper. Robinson. that. By comparing hypertension, depression, menopausal tem and their functional relationship to isbn 9781854875860 470 pages the traditional ap- symptoms, and frozen shoulder, among the movements of the human body. In Now more than ever, herbal remedies proaches of others—Cross’s clear, in-depth explana- clear and concise text illustrated with are being used in conjunction with mod- Chinese medicine tions make his techniques easy for anyone more than a thousand graphic drawings, ern medications to treat illness—both ma- and modern to follow. Including appendices on how to the author takes the reader on a lively tour jor and minor. In Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Western acupunc- use the chakras with copper and zinc nee- of the muscles, bones, ligaments and Herbal Medicine, British herbalist Thomas ture with the dles and biomagnets, as well as which joints of the arms, legs and trunk. The fo- Bartram has compiled his lifetime of expe- chakra energy sys- types of patients respond to such treat- cus throughout the book is on anatomy tem of Ayurvedic rience as an herbalist in a thorough and ments, Acupuncture and the Chakra Energy not for its own sake, but in its functional re-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 25 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! BODYWORK & COOKING !

! Anatomy of Movement: Exercises psychologists, midwives, chiropractors, Concise Guides to Muscle Anatomy ! The Female Pelvis and massage and physical therapists. In ! Anatomy of Breathing this second volume, author Michael Shea goes deeper into the entire biodynamic THE CONCISE BOOK OF MUSCLES paradigm, analyzing the relationship of by Chris Jarmey CONNECTING THROUGH TOUCH trauma resolution, psychodynamics, and $34.00, paper. North Atlantic. The Couples’ Massage Book shamanism, and providing practical medi- isbn 9781556437199 by Peggy Horan tations, visualizations, and clinical skills to 208 pages, 8x10, colour illustrations throughout $18.95, paper. New Harbinger. restore physical, spiritual, and emotional A clear, simple guide for students of anatomy as well as isbn 9781572245020 health. an excellent resource for athletes, massage therapists, and 184 pages, 7x9, b/w photos The book opens by anyone interested in the workings of the human body, this There are more than 40,000 nerve end- exploring the mean- user-friendly book is organized around six muscle groups. ings in the human hand. With a little good ing of biodynamic, They include muscles of the face, head, and neck; the advice and a lot of followed by a discus- trunk; the shoulder and upper arm; the forearm and loving and sensitive sion of human embry- hand; the hip and thigh; and the leg and foot. Each of the practice, you can ology as a path to groups is given a distinctive colour to make it easy to iden- learn to turn each healing in any form of tify, and each muscle is shown in its relationship to the one of these points therapy. This section skeleton. Each gets a complete profile, including origin/insertion, action of the into a powerful offers a set of pioneer- muscle, which nerve controls it, movements that use it, and exercises and stretches tool for improving ing techniques based on perceiving still- that strengthen it. communication, ness—slow movement—as a fundamental Previous books on this subject have shown muscles as flat images. The Concise deepening intima- healing influence. The next section de- Book of Muscles takes readers “inside” the muscles, explaining their mechanics and cy, and sharing scribes the bridge between trauma resolu- function in words and pictures. Illustrated with realistic three-dimensional drawings love. From a found- tion therapy and biodynamic work, estab- by a leading medical artist, the book is designed with a handy lie-flat binding that ing member of the famous massage pro- lishes a new containment model, and aids readers in gaining a deeper understanding of each muscle. gram at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, offers skills for resolving shock and trau- The Concise Book of Muscles shows students exactly how to locate and identify spe- California, this book will show you how. ma. A special section contains fresh cific muscles, highlighting those that are heavily used and therefore subject to in- Starting with a simple setting that can strategies for anyone working with infants jury in a variety of sports and activities. This expanded edition of a leading anato- easily be accomplished with few special and children, along with a provocative my reference book includes 20 muscles not previously covered. preparations, you will learn, step by step, analysis linking the infant-mother rela- Chris Jarmey has taught anatomy, shiatsu, qigong, and bodywork therapy how to make a deep and meaningful con- tionship to the patient-therapist relation- throughout Europe. He is also author of Acupressure for Common Ailments, Concise nect with your partner’s body. Using a ship. Finally, Shea provides a unique per- Book of the Moving Body, and many other books. combination of strokes from the most spective on depth psychology, mythology, time-honoured massage traditions, you and healing. This includes the defining will learn to become mindful of where difference between biodynamic cran- THE CONCISE BOOK OF TRIGGER POINTS your partner holds stress and tension— Second Edition iosacral therapy and all other forms of and ways to help make that tension fade craniosacral therapy: the focus on the na- by Simeon Niel-Asher away. As the massage continues, you will $34.00, paper. North Atlantic. ture of spiritual disease and shamanism. enter into a profound nonverbal dialogue isbn 9781556437458 Michael Shea has taught somatic psy- with your partner, learning much from the 224 pages, 8x11, colour illustrations, French flaps chology, myofascial release, visceral ma- simple act of contact with another body. Most muscular aches and pains are caused or affected nipulation, and craniosacral therapy All of the techniques are illustrated with by untreated “trigger points,” localized tender spots in worldwide for nearly three decades. lovely black-and-white photographs. muscles. Understanding and treating these points can Elegant and refined, this book is a perfect lead to rapid and lasting pain relief. Trigger point thera- gift for a special someone or a friend in py is a powerful tool in the management of both acute love. As she says, “Relax and chronic pain, including such common problems as and be open to the exer- Food, Nutrition headaches, TMJ syndrome, and back pain. cises and suggestions… I Written in a straightforward style by one of England’s & Healing offer them to help awaken top osteopaths, The Concise Book of Trigger Points is designed for the student and prac- your senses and feelings, titioner of massage/bodywork, physical therapy, physiotherapy, osteopathy, sports to open your heart to the therapy, and any other health-related field. It functions as both an entry-level text- Peggy Horan love inside, and to show VEGANOMICON book and an authoritative reference for even the most experienced therapist. The you how to touch each oth- The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook first four chapters describe the physiology of trigger points and the general meth- er deeply with it.” by Isa Chandra Moskowitz ods of treatment. The following six chapters are organized by muscle groups; each & Terry Hope Romero Many of us have been totally two-page spread features detailed colour illustrations of each major skeletal muscle, $33.00, cloth. Marlowe. accompanied by an explanation of each muscle’s origin, insertion, action, and func- disconnected from the cathedral of our own bones and banished from the inner isbn 9781569242643 tion. The physiological implications of the trigger points in each muscle are dis- sanctum of our own body, often 256 pages, 9x9, colour photos cussed, along with treatment techniques. This edition contains updated text and a unwittingly by those whom we love. This book cooks! It’s by the very popu- self-help section addressing common pain complaints, including headache, neck Reclaiming the body is as political a lar authors who host the public podcast pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain, and TMJ syndrome. statement as it is personal. As we do this, vegan cooking show, The Post Punk Kitchen we are also reclaiming the power and (theppk.com), whose beauty of our sweet planet Earth… previous titles, Vegan lationship to the ac- musculoskeletal system, its functional Peggy’s book represents the next leg on with a Vengeance and tual movements of the anatomy and potential dysfunctions. This Vegan Cupcakes Take body in dance, exer- book is a ‘must-have’ for bodyworkers.” our journey. Now is the time to integrate massage into our homes, into our Over the World, are cise and other —John Upledger, author of Craniosacral bedrooms, and into our relationships with consistently on the physical disci- Therapy our loved ones. —Gabrielle Roth, from her cookbook bestseller plines. “This work is truly by one who under- foreword lists. In this newly re- stands movement. The text is a necessity The definitive, , a ma- vised edition for all dance teachers and students in comprehensive guide jority of the thou- their pursuit of further knowledge of the BIODYNAMIC CRANIOSACRAL to mastering the arts of vegan cooking, sand-plus art form.” —Moira McCormack, Royal THERAPY Veganomicon serves up 250 recipes, menus, illustrations are Academy of Dance Volume 2 and colour photos for dishes that taste new or have been “Our students love it! The consistent se- by Michael Shea even better than their non-vegan counter- modified by the au- quencing of information about each body $45.00, paper. North Atlantic. parts. Also offered is a goldmine of valu- thor from the orig- region helps students develop a thinking isbn 9781556437151 able information: the “how to” of practi- inal edition. The text has also been updat- process about that part, i.e., ‘This is how 535 pages, 8x10, b/w illustrations cally everything, including how to cook ed, and the sequencing of the it’s put together, so this is how it works.’” The first volume of Biodynamic every vegetable, grain and bean under the presentation of the musculoskeletal anato- —Pat Archer, Brenneke School of Craniosacral Therapy presented the basics sun in a variety of basic and easy ways. The my has been revised in part. Massage, Seattle of craniosacral therapy as a gentle, com- authors are witty, chatty, and share some “Calais-Germain truly understands the Also by this author are passionate healing art that can be used by good stories along the way.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 26 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! FOOD & RECOVERY !

means “bland,” trying some of these the pain and gaining control of your life. Eat Live, Eat Raw recipes will definitely wake up your taste Many people have learned to do it. You buds: Mushroom Tofu Burgers, Chocolate can, too… Velvet Peppermint Pie, Roasted Vegetable I’ve tried to round up some of the best, FRESH: THE ULTIMATE LIVE FOOD COOKBOOK Salad with Tofu, Thai Tofu Peanut Sauce Over 250 Recipes from the Raw Family Test-Kitchen most helpful thoughts on codependency. with Veggies, Chile Colorado—and lots I’ve included quotes from people I by Sergei & Valya Boutenko more. consider experts, to demonstrate their $22.00, paper. North Atlantic. Appetizers, dips, spreads, soups, salads, beliefs. I’ve also included case histories to isbn 9781556437083 204 pages, colour photographs main dishes, side dishes—even breads and show how people dealt with particular Cookbooks need not—indeed, should not—involve sweets (tofu cheesecakes, puddings, ice problems. cooking, say the authors of this lively, illustrated book. creams, etc.)—it’s all here, plus basic nu- Among Melody Beattie’s other books And they should know. Sergei and Vayla Boutenko are sec- tritional facts, kitchen savvy, and ecological are The Language of Letting Go and The ond-generation members of the Raw Family whose early context. Codependent’s Guide to the Twelve Steps. books pioneered the raw food movement in North Most of the original recipes have also America. Their mother, Victoria, is the award-winning au- been revisited and revised to bring them thor of Green for Life and her progeny are proving to be liv- up to today’s nutritional and cooking stan- LET GO ing confirmation of that title. Although young, they bring dards, and all new colour layout and lush A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits fifteen years’ experience to this collection of scrumptious, food photography bring soyfood cuisine by Martine Batchelor sophisticated recipes, and comprehensive guide to the rawlife. the arty lusciousness it deserves. $17.00, paper. Wisdom. Fresh covers the whole range of recipes, including savoury dishes, desserts, fer- As you gain experience using tofu, you isbn 9780861715213 190 pages mented foods, drinks, travel foods, and wild edibles. Techniques common to the can adapt many of your own favorite Negative patterns of mind may manifest recipes are introduced and clearly explained, including an inventory of uncommon recipes to include it. Many of the recipes as fear, avoidance, depression, addiction, fruits and how to handle and prepare them, as well as an immersion into the five in this book were adapted from old family judgment of self or basic flavours and the herbs, fruits, vegetables, and grains that help chefs best bring favorites when The Farm was pioneering a other—and any of out each flavour. The authors introduce the three stages of adaptation to this vegan, soy-based diet for the Western a host of other lifestyle and provide a concise review of minimal equipment requirements and ide- palate… Over the years, our tastes and physical, mental, or al appliance additions for the well-stocked raw kitchen. metabolisms have changed, new nutritional psychological “This book is a must-read for any aspiring health seeker—no question. What they information has come to light, and new foods have become available, so we felt forms. Let Go aims teach now is unbelievably cutting-edge, and everyone should know it.” —Karen at understanding Knowler, the Raw Food Coach that revising and adding to this classic book would be a good idea. what really lies at THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO RAW CULTURED the root of these VEGETABLES behaviors so we can Nutrition, Preparation, and Benefits Recovery reclaim their con- by Evan James Richards trol. Each chapter $21.00, paper. North Atlantic. concludes with an isbn 9781556436314 96 pages CODEPENDENT NO MORE exercise or guided What makes more basic sense—or has a longer tradi- How to Stop Controlling Others meditation as a tool for the reader to work tion—than a raw cultured vegetable diet? This ancient way and Start Caring for Yourself with negative habits in a new and creative of eating has caught the attention of foodies, fans of the by Melody Beattie way. You don’t have to be a Buddhist for slow-food movement, and the health-conscious for its pow- $17.95, paper. Hazelden. them to work. You just need to want to er to convert raw vegetables into cancer-fighting super- isbn 9780894864025 250 pages move on. foods. Raw cultured vegetables are a self-rejuvenating This modern classic touched a strong Exercises and guided meditations—de- source of non-dairy lactobacilli, including acidophilus and pulse in 1986, spending two years on the signed to build understanding of our neg- lactobacillus plantarum, important for the maintenance of New York Times bestseller ative habits, as well as the confidence and healthy intestinal flora and the alleviation of digestive disorders. The Complete Guide list and making codepen- skill needed to instead embrace our great- to Raw Cultured Vegetables, based on both scientific studies and the author’s extensive dence a household word. est qualities—appear throughout the research, provides a fascinating introduction to this nourishing and nurturing food It opened the door to un- book. Batchelor also looks at Mindfulness- tradition. Included are clear explanations how to culture vegetables, delicious derstanding and potential Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for de- recipes, and suggestions on how to incorporate this approach into an optimum nu- recovery for many people. pression, Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz’s use of med- trition diet. Her groundbreaking mes- itation to deal with Obsessive-Compulsive The book also explores the role of raw cultured vegetables through human his- sage, that taking care of Disorder (OCD), successful combinations tory, and why it is now surging in popularity. Increased vitality, happiness, and peace one’s self is a radical act of of meditation and Twelve-Step programs, of mind go hand in hand with this diet, says the author, in tandem with harmonious healing, continues to res- and offers her own innovations. digestion, glowing skin, and optimum brain functioning. The Complete Guide to Raw onate after 20 years and 4 million copies in “Boredom, loneliness, romantic love, re- Cultured Vegetables offers a simple, natural antidote to today’s overprocessed foods print! Readers are still learning the fine art placing one addiction with another—and and hectic, unhealthy lifestyles. of letting go of other people’s problems even stomach pains—are all explained, and taking responsibility for their own lives along with their remedies, in this delight- Every recipe in Veganomicon has been will probably change the way you think and happiness. ful book. I particularly liked the exercises kitchen-tested a minimum of seven times about and enjoy food. Containing dozens of at the end of chapters. There really are by the authors and their intensely engaged real-life examples, person- ways of becoming aware of our habits— fans to ensure user-friendliness, quick al reflections, exercises, and just try the ‘listening meditation’ ad- preparation, and amazing results. In addi- TOFU COOKERY and self-tests, this new vice here. Martine Batchelor is so sensible tion to featuring the authors’ signature at- 25th Anniversary Edition 20th-anniversary edition and kind, and makes it seem eminently titude and experimental, DIY philosophy, by Louise Hagler has a preface reflecting on achievable that we can break free. It’s a Veganomicon has been specifically tailored $21.95, paper. Book Publishing Company. Melody Beattie the history of Codependent marvelous guide to a habit-free life for to what you want most in a cookbook. No isbn 9781570672200 No More and pointing the Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, so if other vegan cookbook offers such innova- 186 pages, 7x9, colour photos way to a lifetime of healing and hope. you are looking for the perfect gift for a tive recipes for all occasions, convenience, This newly revamped edition of Tofu This book is not about how you can friend in need, this is it.” —Mandala easy-to-find ingredients, and gluten-free Cookery (originally published in 1983) help your alcoholic [gambler, foodaholic, “She is a compassionate and gentle and tofu-free options. comes from The workaholic, sexaholic, criminal, rebellious guide, leading us through the challenging Inspiration flows from many world food Farm in teenager, neurotic patient, another terrain of our own habitual patterns. She codependent, or any combination of the cultures to create such luscious dishes as Summertown, makes us feel it is possible to change, and Tennessee, where above].... This book is about your most in this book provides the tools and en- the amazing, crispy Chickpea Cutlets, important and probably most neglected Sauteed Collards and Mashed Spiced vegetarian and soy- couragement we need to actually do it.”— responsibility: taking care of yourself. It’s Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness Sweet Potatoes, Caesar Salad with Roasted food preparation about what you can do to start feeling Garlic Croutons, Seitan Piccatta with has been a tradi- better. tion since the early Olives and Green Beans, and so many “You have learned that you will never more. Desserts include the decadently 1970s. This classic learn everything there is to know,” he chewy Chocolate-Chocolate-Chip-Walnut contains more than replied. “And you have learned how to Cookies, Lemon Bars, and the divine 280 delicious ways stop the pain.” Smlove Pie. Veganomicon delivers the good- to use this most versatile and earth-friend- That’s what this book is about: stopping ies, lures you into the kitchen to play, and ly protein source. If you thought “tofu”

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 27 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! INSPIRATION, “GUIDE ME GENTLY…” !

Inspiration rational teacher presents The Life CREATIVE VISUALIZATION Visioning Process. In this pioneering two- Book CD program, you will join the founder & Self-help Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create & CD What You Want in Your Life: 30th Anniversary and director of the Agape International Edition Spiritual Center to learn the same power- by Shakti Gawain ful practice that he has taught to thou- SMALL PLEASURES $27.50, Book+CD set. New World Library. sands throughout the past 30 years. With Finding Grace in a Chaotic World isbn 9781577316367 192-page hardcover + 60-minute CD Michael Bernard Beckwith’s eloquent in- by Justine Toms A pioneering breakthrough book when first published struction, you will explore: $21.95, cloth. Hampton Roads. in 1978, and now in a new updated 30th-Anniversary ! The four stages of spiritual growth — Vic- isbn 9781571745866 Edition (with a companion CD of creative visualization meditations), Creative tim, Manifester, Channel, and Being — 178 pages Visualization helped launch a new movement in the self-help and personal growth and how to progress through each of Justine Toms, with her hus- field. It teaches skills using mental imagery and affirmation to change negative them band Michael, has hosted the habit patterns; improve self-esteem; reach career goals; increase prosperity; devel- ! How to catch “the eternal broadcast” New Dimensions Radio network op creativity; increase vitality and improve health; experience deep relaxation; and from the mind of the Divine for intuitive (newdimensions.org—“changing the more. In addition to describing the basics of creative visualization and offering guidance in projects both personal and world one broad- lifestyle suggestions, she offers many practical and intriguing imagery journeys and professional cast at a time”) for exercises. Some of them are: ! A complete Life Visioning session that al- over 35 years. In ! Grounding Yourself and Running Energy lows you to intuit “God’s idea of itself as Small Pleasures, ! Healing Meditations your life” she offers us a se- ! Creating Your Sanctuary The Life Visioning Process is about ries of short medita- ! Opening the Energy Centers engaging creativity at its utmost, tive essays that will ! Meeting Your Guide embracing transformation, and saying help readers to In short, as she says, “Your Life Is Your Work of Art,” and this is a book for artists. ‘yes’ to the best within us. turn aside from The Life Visioning Process gives you a re- their chaotic lives Every moment is a moment of creation, and each moment of creation contains infinite possibilities. I can do things the way I’ve always done source you can return to again and again, for a while to expe- them, or I can look at all the different alternatives, and try something as you create for yourself a reality that is rience grace and re- new and different and potentially more rewarding. Every moment literally beyond your imagination. Note: newal in the small but really important presents a new opportunity and a new decision. Excerpted from the full-length audio- things in life. What a wonderful game we are all playing, and what a magnifi- learning program Life Visioning (6 To keep myself in the game I say to cent art form.... CDs). myself, “I don’t have to do everything; Shakti Gawain “An open mind and heart, plus the desire to enrich one’s life, are however, I need to do something.” Therefore, each and every day I do all you need to bring to this book—then prepare yourself for some something. It might be an overt action, it rather startling and truly marvelous results.” —New Age Journal WHY WALK WHEN YOU CAN FLY? might be taking good care of myself, or it Among the other books by Shakti Gawain are Developing Intuition and Creating Soar Beyond Your Fears and Love Yourself might be having deep dialogues with True Prosperity. and Others Unconditionally others… by Isha $15.95, paper. New World Library. Justine’s seasoned reflections offer har- POWER FREEDOM AND GRACE intelligence of the cosmos. Instead, we al- isbn 9781577316374 142 pages ried overachievers a moment of respite, di- Living from the Source of Lasting Happiness low the universe to flow through us with ef- Those who seek change allow them- recting them through daily contemplation by Deepak Chopra fortless ease, and our lives are infused selves to fly. Those who feel inadequate and humble rituals to reflect on wide-rang- $15.50, paper. Amber Allen. New in with—you guessed it—power, freedom, cling to the branch. Which are you? If you ing topics—Buddhist proverbs, activism, isbn 9781878424853 Paperback and grace. are clinging to the service, connection with nature and the 220 pages, French flaps branch, what are you dynamism of “sparkle brain,” a flexible The real “I am” is the whole endless Power Freedom and Grace, edited from process of pure potentiality expressing holding on to that and adaptive mindset. The essays, orga- many of Deepak Chopra’s best talks over itself in different disguises: I am pure stops you from fly- nized under broad sections (“A Wider the years, draws on the ancient Indian potentiality. I am the universe. I am ing? What will you Landscape,” “Animals and Nature As spiritual tradition of whatever is happening… I am the light, not let go of? These Teacher,” “Be an Activist Without Driving Vedanta to explore and I am the eyes that perceive it… There questions are at the Yourself Crazy,” “Circles and Friendships,” the path to true and is no other “I am” than the one Being, the heart of spiritual entire universe… This eternal dance of and “Celebrations and Rituals”), offer lasting happiness. teacher Isha’s book. creation is our essential Being, the field of many ways for readers to “tune-in” to their Vedanta declares, pure potentiality. She offers a compre- daily lives and connect with what is good, “Know that one hensive introduction meaningful, and beautiful. One lovely thing by knowing Among Deepak Chopra’s recent books to the Isha System, piece, “A Sense of Place,” is a tender trib- which everything are The Third Jesus and Life After Death. using parables, mov- ute to childhood. else is known.” As ing stories, and hu- Rather than a cover-to-cover read, Chopra writes, “For mour to impart essential truths and pow- Toms’s slender book can best be accessed one who knows the THE LIFE VISIONING PROCESS erful tools, which she calls An Evolutionary Journey when needed and according to mood. Self, the limitations “facets”. to Live as Divine Love I can walk another mile when I’m of the world disappear.” The first facet involves grateful. I stay in the game; I’m a player on by Michael Bernard Beckwith When you realize that your body-mind $22.00, 2 CDs. Sounds True. embracing the present the field of life when I’m grateful. I walk is a field of pure consciousness, then you New moment; Isha explores with greater confidence, I have more isbn 9781591796169 on CD know that you have power, freedom, and 2.5 hours the many habits of the optimism, and I live with greater health grace. Therefore, happiness is knowing because gratitude actually affects my Perhaps you’ve felt it in a moment of mind that lead to suffer- your true nature, which is all of these Isha ing and offers a tool for immune system by relaxing me things. deep connection with nature, during med- physiologically and allowing more oxygen itation or prayer, or healing them. Second is into my system. Everyone has material, financial, spiri- while effortlessly accepting what is, without judgement; tual, and relationship goals, but the goal “Touches the heart or hits a nerve or in- doing something third is loving oneself and others uncon- of all of these goals is the same thing: hap- spires doing something on the spot. A wise “in the zone”: that ditionally; and the fourth facet is about piness. People believe that if only they book from a wise woman with a great in- unmistakable sense being one with the Universe. could achieve these things—that new car, ner kid.” —Jean Shinoda Bolen, author of that a power larger If you can rekindle the lost innocence raise, or partner—happiness will come. Goddesses in Everywoman than yourself works of childhood while at the same time But, as Chopra explains, as long as the “Justine’s mature spirituality shines in through you. maintaining the maturity and sense of happiness comes from outside one’s self, responsibility you have gained from stories and examples that you’ll be de- According to it is always at the mercy of the inevitable adulthood this simple system will work lighted to read and to share.” —Joan Michael Bernard ups and downs of life. The key to long-last- rapidly and profoundly, transforming your Borysenko, co-author: Your Soul’s Compass Beckwith, this is nothing less than the evo- life in ways you can’t imagine. ing happiness is in the realization that the lutionary impulse of the universe that very nature of the self is a joy that comes awaits your conscious realization of its in- Based in Uruguay, Isha has taken her Michael Beckwith EVENT from within and cannot be affected by ex- dividualized expression as your life. To system into high-security prisons, hospi- ternal circumstances. By knowing who we help you access this energy and unfold the tals, children’s homes, and to ex-guerilla Feb. 19 See p. 5 for details are, we no longer interfere with the innate highest purpose of your being, this inspi- soldiers. The teachings are practical and easy to incorporate into daily life, yet they

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 28 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! PSYCHOLOGY & THE ART OF LIVING !

in action. Being Generous is their gift to read- “healing the emotional wounds that sabo- WHEN YOU’RE FALLING, DIVE ers, written to encourage us in the way of tage our relationships.” Lessons in the Art of Living generosity. by Mark Matousek $27.50, cloth. Bloomsbury. THE HAPPINESS TRAP isbn 9781596913691 306 pages Psychology, Therapy How to Stop Struggling and Start Living Well, here’s a spiritual book with an edge. This guy by Russ Harris & Dreams $15.50, paper. Shambhala. knows everyone, tells all, and draws us into the conversa- isbn 9781590305843 244 pages tion. What if almost everything you believed Do survivors of life’s greatest trials possess a “secret WHEN THE PAST IS PRESENT about finding happiness turned out to be knowledge”? Is there an art to survival, a map for crossing Healing the Emotional Wounds actually making you miserable? Too many the wilderness—or even getting through the day? Why do that Sabotage Our Relationships of us are caught in the happiness trap: we some people blossom through adversity while others stop by David Richo think that we should be growing? Drawing on twenty years’ experience in this field, $16.95, paper. Shambhala. happy all or most of the using stories, parable, and scientific data, Mark Matousek isbn 9781590305713 214 pages time, and we believe that gives the first-ever comprehensive look at the mysterious phenomenon of viriditas, In this book, seasoned therapist David we can control the cir- the power of drawing passion, beauty, and wisdom from the unlikeliest places. Richo (he also wrote How to be an Adult in cumstances of our lives Matousek interviews hundreds of well-known survivors—including Joan Didion, Relationships and The Five Things We Cannot in order to avoid unpleas- Elie Wiesel, and Isabel Allende—and experts such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jonathan Change) explores how we replay the past in ant experiences. Kozol, and Sogyal Rinpoche. He includes extraordinary testimoni- our present-day relationships—and how we In reality, every life is als, from a Tibetan nun imprisoned by the Chinese at age eleven can free ourselves from this destructive pat- touched by disappoint- and the women of Calama, Chile, digging for their “disappeared,” tern. We all have ment and difficulty. among others. Drawing insight and advice from these heroic indi- a tendency to Ironically, it is our fear of negative experiences viduals, Matousek presents a chorus of wisdom for how to survive transfer potent that keeps us trapped in cycles of unhap- our own lives—the vicissitudes of being human—and prevail. feelings, needs, piness. Based on the insights and tech- The author, who has AIDS, interviews many survivors of trauma expectations, niques of a new form of psychotherapy Mark Matousek and loss, including Ram Dass, James Hillman, Eckhart Tolle, mystic and beliefs from called Acceptance and Andrew Harvey, poet Stanley Kunitz and Tibetan nun Nawang childhood or Commitment Therapy Sangdrol, among others, to inquire how deepest crisis forces us to re-examine our from former rela- (ACT), Harris offers key lives and move forward. After stating that “Transformation is in our wiring,” tionships onto principles and techniques Matousek concludes that the key to our survival is not cheating death but living as the people in our for escaping the “happi- passionately, creatively and courageously as possible. daily lives, ness trap” to create a full, Confronting our own impermanence is the skeleton key to a secret life… Mortality whether they are rich, and meaningful life. becomes a muse—the notion that fear disappears is absurd. But how is it possible to our intimate Russ Harris Harris shows how mind- stand up to the terrorists within? How do we live once the ground starts shaking? partners, friends, fulness and acceptance Using scientific data, psychological research and his own life experiences, he un- or acquain- can help us to overcome common emo- covers the essentials of enduring against all odds while answering his chief question: tances. This can tional problems. He presents the six key “What force flips a falling person back on his feet, reconstitutes him after disaster, become a major stumbling block in rela- techniques of ACT that have been proven helps him prevail in the face of great challenges?” Matousek shows an uncanny skill tionships, preventing us from seeing others effective in helping individuals to handle for merging spirituality, science and common sense into practical answers for sur- as they really are. Richo offers insights and painful feelings more effectively; escape viving our own lives. practical guidance that can help us to be- the grip of self-defeating habits, including come more aware of the ways we slip into addiction; and rise above fears, doubts, the past so that we can identi- and insecurities. produce a profound inner transformation, with every day: our fy our emotional baggage and returning the individual to a place of self- children, col- Take your time on this journey. Instead take steps to heal it. of rushing ahead, savor it fully. Stop when love. Upon experiencing this love, our leagues, parents, When the Past Is Present you find something stimulating or unusual. world begins to change dramatically. friends and the helps readers to: Explore it in depth and learn as much as “This is an important, even essential homeless folks we ! Understand how the you can. To create a life worth living is a book. We live in a time when millions are encounter in our wounds of childhood become major undertaking, so please take the time being called to spread their wings and fly, cities. David Richo exposed in adult relation- to appreciate it. bringing into manifestation a world that We learn that ships—and why this is a gift Refreshingly unlike any other self-help reflects our highest dreams. The only bar- the four most gen- ! Recognize strong attractions and aver- book you’ve read, it challenges readers to rier is fear, and Isha’s book gives practical erous words in the sions to people in the present as signals redefine what it means to be truly happy. ways to release fear’s hold over our lives English language that we may be reliving the past The book then presents a number of prac- and cut the branch. And if you want to are “I’m sorry” ! Heal emotional wounds of the past so that tical strategies that can be used to live a know what that means, you’ll simply have and “Thank you.” they won’t sabotage present-day relation- fulfilling life, despite the ups and downs to read this book.’’ —James Twyman, au- We learn that if we ships that all of us encounter sooner or later. thor of The Moses Code ask, “What do you need?” we may be sur- ! Use mindfulness to become aware of how The Happiness Trap is both easy and enjoy- prised how readily we can provide assis- we slip into the past in day-to-day life— able to read—organized into short, fo- tance, and how a single generous act may and to bring us back to the present mo- cused chapters you can dip into without BEING GENEROUS turn into something that circulates to in- ment and cultivate authentic intimacy. being overwhelmed—and it is also a useful The Art of Right Living clude many. Some of the chapter heads are: book for clinicians who want an easy-to- by Lucinda Vardey & John Dalla Costa Living and acting generously certainly ! What Transference Does and Why read, complete summary of ACT. $16.95, paper. Random House. has an impact on others, but the most ! Releasing Ourselves from our Myths “Carefully and creatively presents tech- isbn 9780676978841 296 pages transformed is the practitioner of ! Our Compulsion to Repeat niques that anyone can use to undermine Being Generous is a guide to living a full, generosity, for by being generous you ! Our Yearning for both Comfort and Chal- struggle, avoidance, and loss of the mo- balanced life from the heart. The authors become generous. This again is the art lenge ment. Harris systematically explores how introduce what they call the art of right liv- itself, living in and around you, the ebb ! Why I Love You But Don’t Really See You we get into the ‘happiness trap’ and then ing: making generosity an everyday prac- that fills and renews, and the flow that ! Letting Conflicts Help Us shines a powerful beacon showing us an- tice. This book offers the power to heal pours forth one’s gifts into the waiting, ! How Spiritual Practice Renews Us other way forward.” —Steven Hayes, au- and foster relationships, console and em- needful, ever-regenerating world. Love is giving and receiving the five A’s: thor of Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your power individuals, create community and Lucinda and John are a married couple attention, acceptance, appreciation, Life help save the world by providing a spiritu- who have committed to making generosity affection, and allowing. We say and al ecology for our daily lives. a central practice in their daily lives. What believe we want to be loved, but it takes That’s a bold claim, but it’s also true. they refer to as their art of right living, courage and skill to be loved by someone. Vardey and Dalla Costa show how generos- within family, work and community, is It takes openness to receiving, and that can EVENT ity can be much more than a special activ- both a mode of being and a value that in- be scary if we have to be in control of all ity only for special times. If we’re truly go- filtrates all others. Generosity inspires and that happens. WHY WALK WHEN YOU ing to help this troubled world, we must guides them, and continually tests and Richo provides a wealth of useful and in- CAN FLY?—with ISHA engage other possibilities for being gener- teaches them. This book is filled with true genious practices (both solo and with an- Mon., Nov. 10 SEE P. 5 FOR INFO ous as well, by helping those we interact stories they’ve collected about generosity other) that bring alive the felt realities of

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 29 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! THERAPY, FAMILY WOUNDS &“THE BLUES” !

Family Constellation Work Getting Through Depression

LOVE’S HIDDEN SYMMETRY THE MINDFUL WAY THROUGH DEPRESSION What Makes Love Work in Relationships Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness by Bert Hellinger, Gunthard Weber & Hunter Beaumont by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, New $44.00, cloth. Zeig Tucker & Co. Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn on CD isbn 9781891944000 330 pages, diagrams $33.00, 4 CDs. Sounds True. Hailed by psychotherapist Stephen Gilligan as “contain- isbn 9781591796657 5 hours ing the first new ideas in the field in many years,” Love’s If you’ve ever struggled with depression, take heart. Hidden Symmetry invokes a lively blend of narrative, story- Mindfulness, a simple yet powerful way of paying at- telling, transcript material, and poetic imagery to de- tention to your most difficult emotions and life scribe, and to demonstrate, how disturbances in what experiences—in the moment, as they happen— Hellinger calls “the orders of love” create can help you break the cycle of chronic unhappiness once and for all. In a legacy that must be reckoned with for The Mindful Way Through Depression, four uniquely qualified experts ex- generations to come. Hellinger’s basic plain why our usual attempts to “think” our way out of a bad mood or just “snap out tool for helping family members restore of it” lead us deeper into the downward spiral. balance is the use of family constellations. Through insightful lessons drawn from both Eastern meditative traditions and He demonstrates how family forces can be harnessed for healing cognitive therapy, they demonstrate how to sidestep the mental habits that lead to once they are acknowledged, respected, and gently redirected. despair, including rumination and self-blame, so you can face life’s challenges with Hellinger clarifies how this method can be refined and expand- greater resilience. Read by Mark Williams (from the book/CD set with the same ti- ed to galvanize the energy of everyone involved toward a greater tle), with guided meditations by Jon Kabat-Zinn, this is a very helpful audio pack- Bert Hellinger sense of well-being. The transcripts included in the book help to age for anyone seeking to regain a sense of hope and well-being. capture the extraordinary potential of working appropriately with Whatever your starting point, we encourage you to practice the exercises and family constellations. The profound suffering of many of these individuals is more meditations described here and on the meditation CD with a combination of patience, than matched by the opportunity for peace that is revealed in the therapeutic work. self-compassion, persistence, and open-mindedness… As best as you can, simply trust in your fundamental capacity for learning, growing, and healing as we go along through Hellinger’s ability to cut through to the existential themes hidden in people’s this process—and engage in the practices as if your life depended on them, which in everyday complaints gives the book a nonscientific immediacy. His language is hot; it many ways, literally and metaphorically, it surely does. The rest will take care of itself. wants to touch and move, not just to inform. In this sense, it’s literature or practical philosophy, a book for everyone interested in intimate relationships… “Whether you struggle with depression or simply want to understand your mind Bert Hellinger’s spirituality is close to the earth, embodied, passionate, life affirming… and emotions better, you will find this accessible and useful. Depression is epidem- It draws us into life rather than seeking to lift us above it. It celebrates the simple and ic in our society, and I would love to see this sensible treatment approach gain the ordinary, speaking to everyone who is wrestling with whatever limits the soul’s ground.” —Andrew Weil, author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health longing to reach its potential in the world. —from the introduction by Hunter Beaumont Hellinger has become a phenomenon both in his native Germany and across WRITING THROUGH THE DARKNESS Europe. His workshops are extremely well attended. This book translates his ideas Easing Your Depression with Paper and Pen by Elizabeth Schaefer and approaches for English-speaking readers and clinicians for the first time. $17.95, paper. Celestial Arts. Also by Bert Hellinger is Acknowledging What Is. isbn 9781587613197 216 pages ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT IS We all contend with significant grief and inner turmoil at Conversations with Bert Hellinger some point in our lives, and one in five of us will struggle with by Bert Hellinger & Gabriele ten Hovel depression. As a science journalist, teacher of creative writing for $22.00, paper. Zeig, Tucker & Co. people with mood disorders at Stanford University, and herself a isbn 9781891944321 162 pages sufferer from bipolar depression, Elizabeth Schaefer matter-of- In Acknowledging What Is, Bert Hellinger sheds light on his factly addresses the romantic link between creativity and crazi- unique use of family constellations to reveal hidden—often ness and clarifies the latest scientific research on the subject. destructive—family dynamics and to activate healing re- Writing Through the Darkness offers a variety of writing approaches—freewriting, sources. He also speaks freely and frankly about his observa- memoir, poetry, fiction, and storytelling—to alleviate the anguish and confusion as- tions of the forces at work in family systems and the contro- sociated with depression. Schaefer provides extensive exercises, inspirational versy that surrounds some of those observations. prompts, supportive instruction, and current mental health information. She also In this probing interview with a skeptical journalist, tough discusses the therapeutic value of sharing one’s writing and describes how to set up questions are met by equally tough answers—and as this ex- a writing group. traordinary dialogue builds, the formidable power of the family constellation ap- I think all artists, and especially poets, are forever in search of a community. It’s a proach begins to unfold. solitary act, and you need a community of like-minded souls to survive and flourish. — Sit in as the logical-minded journalist and the “caretaker of the soul” consider the Stanley Kunitz, U.S. Poet Laureate, 2000 human condition together. Quotes and writing samples from members of her writing program provide in- “A wonderful book for those who have seen Bert Hellinger in action, and even spiration and encouragement. Requiring only paper, pen, and a willing mind, this for those who haven’t. For those of us who have witnessed the integrity he brings sensitive guide outlines a new means to modulate mood, develop greater insight, into the art of helping people it is a book filled with the knowledge and insight he and feel a renewed sense of accomplishment and vitality. has gained experientially while working with family systems and setting up constel- There is no doubt in my mind that being in your writing class has been one of—if not lations. For those new to his breathtaking work it is full of things to spark one’s in- the—most significant parts of my recovery. —Hillary terest and inform. Do not dismiss this work. It is quite simply the beginning of something unbelievably profound and soul-enriching. It is in fact about working with the movements of the soul.” —a reviewer on Amazon.ca When I used the world “gifted” in the the prisons of their child- Also by Bert Hellinger is Love’s Hidden Symmetry. title, I… simply meant all of us who have hoods. survived an abusive childhood thanks to The once-beaten an ability to adapt even to unspeakable children still living inside far too many children grow into adults dri- cruelty by becoming numb… Without this THE DRAMA OF THE GIFTED adults often fear being “gift” offered us by nature, we would not CHILD ven to greater and greater achievements punished if they dare to have survived. The Search for the True Self by an underlying truly see, without illusions, by Alice Miller sense of worthless- In this book Swiss therapist Alice Miller what their parents did to Alice Miller $23.50, cloth. Basic/Perseus. ness. Never allowed to reveals how adults DO hold the power to them in their first years of isbn 9780465012619 133 pages express their true feel- free themselves from childhood pain and life. Once they understand that this With a new afterword by the author, this ings, and having lost suffering. danger no longer exists, they can liberate 30th-Anniversary Edition of a modern touch with their true This profound bestseller, which Robert their life. classic explains why so many successful selves, they act out Bly called “immensely important,” shows Among Alice Miller’s other books are children and adults are plagued by feel- their repressed feel- how narcissistic parents form and deform For Your Own Good and The Body Never ings of emptiness and alienation—and ings with episodes of the lives of their children. Alice Miller de- Lies. Readers can learn much more on tells how to break the cycle. depression and com- scribes with great poignancy how she lib- her website: www.alice-miller.com. As charming performers who skillfully pulsive behavior—and inflict the same erated herself from the ideologies of psy- reflect their parents’ expectations (learn- legacy of repression on their own chil- choanalysis and how readers can use her ing as children to hide feelings, needs, dren. new discoveries to free themselves from and memories in order to win their love),

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 30 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! MIDLIFE, MYTH & JUNG !

ling the subject of Midlife Passages aging, cutting across THE FIRE AND THE ROSE & ElderWisdom class, gender, and The Wedding of Spirituality and Sexuality physical status, by Bud Harris Rubin reveals that $20.95, paper. Chiron. no one is exempt isbn 9781888602425 202 pages GATHERING MEDICINE from the issues Our encounters with love, spirituality, and sexuality play a Stories, Songs, and Methods for Soul Retrieval raised by the new major role in shaping who we are. These powerful aspects of by Angeles Arrien longevity—not the our lives are woven into the pattern that forms our potential $22.50, 2 CDs. Sounds True. 40- and 50-year-olds for wholeness. Through growing consciousness, sexuality isbn 9781591794851 2.5 hours who are squeezed and spirituality can support our efforts to live more passion- Angeles Arrien is a highly respected an- between their de- ately and to understand love in all of its forms. In this stim- thropologist, author, and teacher of cross- pendent kids and ulating and inspiring book, Jungian analyst Bud Harris chal- cultural indigenous increasingly dependent parents; not the lenges us to reconsider our views of spirituality and sexuality wisdomways. Her 60- and 70-year-olds who are still caring for as opposites and bring them into harmony and creativity. Together, we can heal one wonderfully clear their parents, maybe still helping kids who of our culture’s great wounds of the soul. and straightforward haven’t quite “launched,” and desperately The more we grow the more we affect the world around us, avoid a “sickness of the teachings are laid wondering, When is it my turn to retire? soul,” and live up to our responsibilities to each other and future generations… out in her book The Will my parents have spent my inheritance Fourfold Way: In making this effort to know the truth of our selves, there is nothing more necessary by then? or potentially transforming than seeking to release the love in each of us struggling Walking the Paths of The burning issues that against great odds to be born. the Healer, Teacher, mark aging in our times Leader & Visionary, “Bud Harris addresses the neurotic split between divinity and the body, between are all addressed here: spirit and matter, and proffers a path of reconciliation and reclamation of sexuali- which is highly recommended for those What happens to sex and ty as a vital link to a fuller expression of spirit. Full of personal confession, case ex- who need to integrate what they have expe- how has it changed in the amples and exercises, this work offers both theoretical and practical tips to per- rienced and what they “know” into a co- post-Viagra world? What sonal and cultural healings.” —James Hollis, author, Finding Meaning in the Second herent, continuing way of life. do retirees experience Now here’s Angie on tape: her clear, Lilian Rubin Half of Life when they’ve lost their “[Bud Harris] invites the reader to meander in the labyrinth of the Self and there strong voice was recorded live at the work identities and still Common Boundary to engage with one’s particular monster. His wise counsel, to live the paradox of have two or three decades to live? What freedom through honest engagement with the shadow, is the Ariadne thread of a Conference in 1993. She happens to family life when adult children mature anima.” —John Beebe, Jungian analyst, author, Integrity in Depth bridges the past with the have to care for their aged parents? What present to find alternative “Explores with humility and wisdom the tension spirituality and sexuality brings is a good death and how can we have one? to individuals, couples and societies.” —Tess Castleman, Jungian analyst methods for gaining clarity And, more generally, this important ques- and direction in life— tion: What happens to a society when peo- methods based on the Angeles Arrien ple routinely live into their 90s, and when shamanic tradition. The 30 is too young to settle down and start a been largely ignored as a therapy for suc- Mythology shamans’ way, she begins, family? cessfully integrating past life experiences. is to “gather medicine” by reconnecting For boomers who may be reading these Some ancient soul memory was stirring internally with the self. This “soul work” words, I have a message. Old age lasts a in my unconscious and was on the point of utilizes imagery, reflective questioning, long time, and it will last even longer by breaking through, and during the night, it THE INNER JOURNEY dream work and storytelling to help listen- the time you get here… You can go on did. Myth, Psyche and Spirit ers integrate inner and outer experiences believing all the cheery good news about Using the results of twenty-seven years of edited by Martha Heyneman and recognize our personal truths. Thus the new old age, that sixty is the new forty personal and professional work, Lucas ex- $25.50, paper. Morning Light. we travel the four-fold path “back home” and eighty the new sixty, that if you eat plains that past life memories help us work isbn 9781596750234 340 pages, to the centre. With many stories, spiritual right, sleep right, exercise your body and out karma on the macro level and trauma French flaps teachings and ideas for using shamanic your brain right, you’ll never get really on a micro level. She Published since 1976 by the Society for principles in daily life. Very useful! old. Or you can take a long, hard look at the Study of Myth and the realities of the social and personal distinguishes three Topics include your body’s inner wis- Tradition, Parabola has world of aging I’ve described here. types of past life dom; the shape-shifter; the four rivers (in- dreams—classic, in- become the preeminent spiration, challenge, surprise, and love); Lillian Rubin has just sold her first formatory, and hy- magazine devoted to the three types of vocal energy; Rainbow painting at the age of 82. brid—and demon- myths, rituals, and art of Hoop and Medicine Wheel meditations; strates how to the world’s religious and and much more. distinguish these cultural traditions. The Jungian, Archetype Inner Journey: Myth, Andy Warhol the artist said that “Each from other dreams. art object can be looked at from 360 & Shadow Work Her dramatic case Psyche, and Spirit is an- different angles. I just forgot to do that studies illustrate the other beautiful volume with my life.” effectiveness of in the Inner Journey se- ries—the best from Parabola distilled into Also by Angeles Arrien are The Second dream therapy in PAST LIFE DREAMWORK theme volumes on various sacred tradi- Half of Life and The Tarot Handbook. recognizing and integrating the resonant Healing the Soul through Understanding tions. Karmic Patterns and recurrent circumstances and ethical by Sabine Lucas dilemmas that are played out in the sub- Myth is the secret opening through 60 ON UP $17.95, paper. Bear & Company. conscious mind. These stories bear witness which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human culture. The Truth About Aging in the New in isbn 9781591430759 262 pages to how individuals are made whole Twenty-First Century Paperback An advance always begins with through the integration of common —Joseph Campbell by Lillian Rubin individuation, that is to say with the strands of forgotten or repressed past lives. This rich collection of essays, stories, $15.95, paper. Beacon. individual, conscious of his isolation, Lucas shows that the integration of past and meditations is culled from Parabola’s isbn 9780807029299 192 pages cutting a new path through hitherto lives enriches the conscious self and also entire history and unfolds for readers the 60 on Up is a penetrating look at the pro- unknown territory. promotes universal tolerance through an —C.G. Jung majesty of the human task. Myths are not found changes—personal and societal— understanding of our psychic soul inheri- ideas, but direct communication from the that come with the new longevity. In Past Life Dreamwork, Jungian psy- tance. source of being to our own deepest reality. chotherapist Sabine Lucas examines “soul The baby boomers… will confront the To re-experience the previously They speak to the total human being awesome and frightening reality that they bloodlines”—character traits, talents, and unconscious feelings is the only way to about his struggle, his highest aim, the still have another twenty or thirty years to life issues that are the common elements eradicate them from the unconscious. dangers that beset every pilgrim on the live in a society that sees old age as and circumstances of successive past lives. Way. From the opening chapter that asks repugnant at the same time that it expends Found threaded through our dreams, Those who enter the gates of heaven are not “What Is Myth?” to the last exploring “The precious resources on the dream of these bloodlines reveal the forces mani- extending life still further. being who have no passions or who have Marriage of Heaven and Earth,” readers festing in this life, and, taken together, curbed the passions, but those who have are accompanied by the leading voices of The “golden years” can be anything but. they shape individuality as well as destiny cultivated an understanding of them. the last and present centuries. They in- With refreshing candor, social therapist within the reincarnation cycle. Though a —William Blake, clude such luminaries as P.L. Travers, A.K. Lillian Rubin digs down under the statis- wealth of past life material regularly sur- quoted in Jack Kornfield’s The Wise Heart Coomaraswamy, Carl Jung, Mircea Eliade, tics about our graying population. In tack- faces in dreams, until now dreamwork has

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 31 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! OPENING OUR DOORS OF WONDER !

THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES OPENING THE DOORS OF WONDER Third Edition Reflections on Religious Rites of Passage by Joseph Campbell by Arthur Magida $24.00, cloth. New World Library. $16.95, paper. U. of California. isbn 9781577315933 418 pages, b/w illustrations isbn 9780520256255 304 pages Since its release in 1949, The Hero with a Thousand Faces This pioneering book explores rites of passage in North has influenced millions of readers by combining the insights America by sifting through the accounts of influential of modern psychology with Joseph Campbell’s deep under- thinkers who experienced them. Arthur Magida explains standing of comparative mythology. In these pages, the underlying theologies, evolution, and actual practice of Campbell outlines the Hero’s Journey, a universal motif of Jewish bar and bat mitzvahs, Christian confirmations, adventure and transformation that runs through virtually all Hindu sacred thread ceremonies, Muslim shahadas and of the world’s mythic traditions. He also explores the Zen jukai ceremonies. In rare interviews, renowned artists Cosmogonic Cycle, the mythic pattern and “realizers” such as Ram Dass, Nobel laureate Elie of world creation and destruction. Wiesel, holistic guru Deepak Chopra, singer Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), actress/comedienne Julia Sweeney, cartoonist Roz Chast, interfaith It would not be too much to say that myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into maven Huston Smith, Tibetan scholar Robert Thurman, Sufi evocateur Coleman human cultural manifestation. Religions, philosophies, arts, the Barks, and many more talk intimately about their religious backgrounds, the rites social forms of primitive and historic man, prime discoveries in of passage they went through, and how these events shaped who they are today. science and technology, the very dreams that blister sleep, boil Magida compares these coming-of-age ceremonies’ origins and evolution, con- Joseph Campbell up from the basic, magic ring of myth. siders their ultimate meaning and purpose, and gauges how their meaning changes The wonder is that the characteristic efficacy to touch and with individuals over time. He also examines innovative rites of passage that are inspire deep creative centers dwells in the smallest nursery fairy tale—as the flavor of now being “invented” in the West. Passionate and lyrical, this absorbing book re- the ocean is contained in a droplet or the whole mystery of life within the egg of a flea. veals our deep, ultimate need for coming-of-age events, especially in a society as flu- For the symbols of mythology are not manufactured; they cannot be ordered, invented, id as ours. or permanently suppressed. They are spontaneous productions of the psyche, and each To affect us, rites of passage don’t necessarily have to hit a bull’s eye, forever bears within it, undamaged, the germ power of its source. wedding us to a faith, a God, a tradition. But just like a memory or a poem, they enter What is the secret of the timeless vision? From what profundity of the mind does it our blood and our glance and our gesture. As they become part of us, they provide derive? Why is mythology everywhere the same, beneath its varieties of costume? And another story for our narrative, a story that will exult, proclaim, exclaim, confuse, and what does it teach? befuddle. For all stories, all good stories, enlighten and bewilder and hold a truth that As part of the Joseph Campbell Foundation’s Collected Works of Joseph is holy and sacred and blessedly contradictory: elusive, fleeting, and above all, eternally Campbell, this third edition features expanded illustrations, a comprehensive bib- and enduringly momentous. liography, and more accessible sidebars. “Inside this wonderful book, renowned rabbis, Zen priests, authors, and even As relevant today as when it was first published, The Hero with a Thousand Faces comics and cartoonists recall the religious rites of passage that have shaped their continues to find new audiences in fields ranging from religion and anthropology lives. Through the humor and pathos of their stories, we are offered a vital, very readable to literature and film studies. The book has also profoundly influenced creative investigation of our society’s current spiritual condition. I highly recommend Opening artists—including authors, songwriters, game designers, and filmmakers—and con- the Doors of Wonder. In whatever way you can, walk on through.” —Scoop Nisker, tinues to inspire all those interested in the inherent human need to tell stories. author of Essential Crazy Wisdom “Campbell peers through centuries and shows us that we are all connected by a basic need to hear stories and understand ourselves. As a book, it is wonderful to Luminaries such as the Dalai Lama, Reality suffices. Why subject it to read; as illumination into the human condition, it is a revelation.” —George Lucas Pope Benedict XVI, the Chief Ashkenazi anything else? All is perfect. Thus, we no Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) was a writer, an anthropologist, and teacher. His Rabbi of Israel, Imam Muhammad Sayyed longer need consolation, hope or a last lifelong fascination with myth began at the age of six when he was enchanted by a Tantawi, and the Archbishop of judgment; the point is less to judge than performance of Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. He authored, co-authored and Canterbury appear alongside leaders in to understand, and less to understand than edited dozens of books on mythology in art and religion. Among his most well- to see. Reality: take it or leave it… the Shinto, Hindu, and Sikh communities. known titles are The Power of Myth and The Hero’s Journey. Ascetics leave it. Wise men take it. Each leader’s first-person account of his or More info: www.jcf.org. her spiritual path is illustrated with power- Can there be such a thing as “atheist ful photographs of private and public mo- spirituality”? In this powerful book, Laura Simms, Joseph Campbell, Helen ments, offering a unique look at the daily André Comte- Luke, John Matthews, Thomas Moore, The Heart of Religion lives of some of the world’s most impor- Sponville (A Small Diane Wolkstein, Edward Edinger, Trebbe tant spiritual figures. Gracefully inter- Treatise on the Great Johnson, Titus Burckhardt, and many spersed with the photographs are their Virtues) presents a more, speaking in lucid, loving prose IN GOD’S NAME thoughtful answers to the questions posed philosophical explo- Wisdom from the World’s Great about what is eternal and immortal in all by the Naudet brothers, whose prizewin- ration of atheism— Spiritual Leaders times. ning documentary film 9/11 gained them and comes to some by Jules Naudet, Gedeon Naudet startling conclusions. When Frances Harwood, $33.00, cloth. National Geographic. unprecedented access to these world spiri- anthropologist, asked a Sioux elder why tual leaders. He says we have al- isbn 9781426203718 lowed the concept of people tell stories, he answered, “In order There is a common link in all religion. 272 pages, colour illustrations spirituality to be- to become human beings.” She asked, Who is God? What is the meaning of That common link is humanity’s desire to “Aren’t we human beings already?” He come intertwined life? What is worth dying for? Have you touch the divine, to understand that there smiled. “Not everyone makes it.” —Laura with religion, and felt doubt? How do you explain fanaticism is a supreme creator or designer or Simms thus have lost touch with the nature of a and violence waged architect of the world, of our physical Chapter titles give a sense of the terrain: environment, of our society, that there is true spiritual existence. In order to in the name of God? What is Myth?, The Cosmic Model, something else. Humanity has always change this, we need not reject the an- Candid responses to Dimensions of Mythic Time, All our sought that. —Dr. Frank S. Page, President cient traditions and values in our her- these questions as Relatives, The Great Goddess, The Hero of the Southern Baptist Convention itage; rather, we must rethink our rela- well as profound as Warrior and King, Seekers and Lovers, In God’s Name offers readers “a gor- tionship to these values and ask ourselves comments by some Psyche’s Tasks, and The Marriage of geous, operatic collage.” —Boston Globe whether their significance comes from of the world’s great Heaven and Earth. the existence of a higher power or simply spiritual leaders are the human need to connect to one an- A certain kind of simplicity… accompanied by mag- THE LITTLE BOOK OF ATHEIST other and the universe. accompanies the descent of spiritual nificent, never-be- attention to the lower, earthier regions of SPIRITUALITY Comte-Sponville offers rigorous argu- fore-published im- New in the soul. As that attention lowers, it casts a by André Comte-Sponville ments that take both Eastern and Western ages of these wise glow on everything mundane, making $14.50, paper. Penguin. Paperback philosophical traditions into account, and men and women, as sacred and secular not opposites, but isbn 9780143114437 220 pages through his clear, concise, and often hu- well as ordinary people engaged in reli- inseparable companion qualities. — Taking the current atheist/believer de- morous prose, he offers a convincing trea- gious practices around the world. Their Thomas Moore bate to a higher, more humane level, this tise on a new form of spiritual life. voices span geographical and theological elegant argument for spirituality without distances yet come together to create a The point is not to heal the ego but to God is a real mind-opener for free heal ourselves of ego; not to save our spiritually satisfying and meaningful thinkers not afraid of surprising them- selves but to break free of them… worldview. selves. We are prisoners only of ourselves—

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 32 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! SEEING “THE WAY IT IS” CLEARLY !

that is, our habits, frustrations, roles, refusals, intellects, ideologies, pasts, fears, Meditation hopes, judgments… When all this MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS Book disappears, so do the prison and the Six Guided Meditations for Inner Clarity and & CD prisoner, and all that remains is truth, HURRY UP AND MEDITATE Cultivating a Compassionate Heart which has neither subject nor master. Your Starter Kit for Inner Peace and Better by Jack Kornfield $16.50, Book+CD set. Sounds True. We can do without religion and without Health by David Michie isbn 9781591799429 112-page paperback + 60-minute CD God, the author argues, but we can’t do For readers who have thought about trying meditation without fidelity and community. $15.95, paper. Snow Lion. isbn 9781559393065 182 pages but weren’t sure how to get started, Meditation for “Nor does he argue that religion is dan- Beginners presents a complete introduction to “Insight” or gerous, a stance in vogue among today’s If meditation were available in capsule form, it would be the biggest-selling drug vipassana meditation with seasoned teacher Jack bestselling atheists. God just isn’t logically Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart. Through step-by- necessary, but we can still have love, ethi- of all time. It’s been scientifically proven to deliver highly effective stress relief, step instruction in everything from breathing, posture, cal behavior and even the experience of and attention to working with difficult emotions and eternity. This former Sorbonne professor boost our im- mune systems, physical discomfort, readers from any presents big ideas with masterful and witty spiritual tradition will learn the essentials for creating a daily med- clarity.” —Publishers Weekly and dramatically slow the aging itation practice—and sticking with it. process. It has also The CD in this integrated CD learning kit includes six guided been shown to meditation sessions, recorded at actual meditation retreats, de- THE TAO OF NOW signed to give you a direct experience of the material presented in Daily Wisdom from Mystics, Sages, Poets, and make us much the book. That is, to help cultivate the inner tranquility, natural joy, Saints happier and more Jack Kornfield by Josh Baran effective thinkers. and mental clarity that are just some of the fruits of meditation. $19.95, paper. Hampton Roads. Given all the phys- They include: ! isbn 9781571745842 401 pages, 5” x 7” ical and psycho- Connecting with the Breath ! In The Tao of Now Josh Baran, a former logical benefits, Working with Sensations in the Body ! Zen monk, shows readers that nirvana is why aren’t more Working with Feelings and Emotions ! staring them in the of us doing it? Witnessing Your Thoughts ! face—regardless of In this enter- Forgiveness Meditation ! whether things get bet- taining book, David Michie explains the Lovingkindness Meditation ter, or whether true nuts and bolts of meditation. As a busy Offering the central training and teachings found in the best Buddhist monas- love happens, or professional, as well as a long-term medi- teries translated for Western society, these simple, elegant practices are so easy to whether the stock mar- tator, he also gives a first hand account of learn that you can begin enjoying the benefits of meditation immediately—while ket goes back up, or how to integrate meditation practice into laying the foundation for a lifetime of inner discovery and awakening. whether they lose ten everyday life. Combining leading edge sci- To begin to meditate is to look into our lives with interest and kindness and discover pounds. Nirvana hap- ence with keen insight, Hurry Up and how to be wakeful and free… to awaken the capacity that each of us has to live more pens when ordinary, Meditate provides all the motivation and wisely, more lovingly, more compassionately, and more fully. everyday experience is tools you need to achieve greater balance, This elegant book + CD set will be a gift for anyone curious about actually trying freed from perpetual seeking or wishing better health, and more panoramic per- meditation for themselves. for conditions to improve. Baran’s “jewel- spective on life. Among Jack Kornfield’s books are The Wise Heart and After the Ecstasy, the er’s eye” has chosen many great “wake-up” The idea of infusing our Laundry. quotes. daily schedule with new- To see clearly is poetry, philosophy, and found tranquility may sic In Search of the religion, all in one. —John Ruskin sound appealing—but not everyone is Western Spiritual Miraculous which offers an This collection of daily passages con- temperamentally suited to Teachers & Teachings electrifying record of the tains some of the greatest ancient and sitting around in the lotus teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff, modern teachings on the immediate expe- position chanting ‘Om.’ David Michie Ouspensky is recognized rience of enlightenment from such nota- Not to mention the fact that in his own right as one of bles as the Buddha, Ram Dass, Pema some of us just have very CONSCIENCE P.D. the giants of modern spiri- Chödrön, Eckhart Tolle, Rumi, Jesus, active minds. We’d like to meditate—but The Search for Truth tual philosophy and psy- we’re just not capable of switching off. Ouspensky Thoreau, Byron Katie, Thich Nhat Hanh, by P.D. Ouspensky chology. The five essays in Henry Miller, Alice Walker, Kabir, Ramana Whoa! Back up a little! These are what $16.95, paper. Morning Light. Conscience: The Search for Truth demon- isbn 9781596750227 157 pages Maharshi, Douglas Harding, I call the most common “buts” of strate the power and originality of his vi- meditation—as in “I’d like to meditate, The five essays in this collection are Krishnamurti, Rilke, Deena Metzger, sion of human nature, his investigations but...” And the amazing thing is that it’s based on P.D. Ouspensky’s talks and an- Gurdjieff—and many more. Baran adds into the problems of time and conscious- exactly the people who use the “too swers to questions, transcribed at private his own spare commentary below some of ness, and his method of guiding others busy,” “too hard,” and “too hyper” meetings in England the quotes. justifications who stand to gain the most step by step through the process of deep and the United States Peace has nothing to do with where you from meditation. self-inquiry and self-development. are and everything to do with how you see from 1931 to 1946. How can I be so sure of this? Because I Conscience is the simultaneous feeling where you are. They bring contem- was one of them. of all contradictory emotions; and porary readers the The Tao of Now is a wonderful compan- remember that the awakening of This book has been written for people djieff ion for any tired seeker who wants only to wisdom of Gur conscience is a necessary step for in a hurry, and its message is quite simple: as interpreted and re- know the living peace of true, immediate meditation is probably the best chance transferring yourself to the higher level of fined by a spiritual enlightenment. you’ve got to combat stress, cultivate consciousness. master in his own happiness, enhance your performance, Practice removing identification and We reach the understanding that the right. These essays ar- mind cannot grasp this luminous realize your goals, and attain mastery of imagination from negative emotions with- gue persuasively that awareness which enlightens it, and we your mental, emotional, and material out destroying them. You may get quite direct observation of become still. We have to make destiny. unexpected and very interesting results. self is the key to awak- acquaintance with this not knowing, to get “Direct and unsentimental, this is a The five essays are titled “Memory,” ening from the “waking sleep” that charac- used to this new dimension, to discover book for the skeptics, ditherers, and those “Surface Personality,” “Self-Will,” terizes life for so many. that it is not nothingness. This silent (many) of us who lapse in our meditative “Negative Emotions,” and “Notes on presence is not a mere absence of Early in the twentieth century the practices. If there is someone in your life Work.” Merrily E. Taylor provides a fine in- thoughts. It is alive. It is life itself. — Russian philosopher P.D. Ouspensky you’d like to introduce to meditation, troduction, offering a history to show how Francis Lucille searched extensively in both the East and Hurry Up and Meditate is an ideal conversa- “O”’s expression and ideas today can be a West for an entirely unknown source of ef- “This collection is the very compilation tion-starter.” —Amanda Sinclair, author of valuable introduction to the work itself. of teachings that has been sorely missed Leadership for the Disillusioned fective knowledge about humanity and the up until now in spiritual literature. It is an David Michie is also author of Buddhism universal world that could free humanity invaluable resource for anyone interested for Busy People. from the dominating material forces which in finding peace in the present moment.” he saw so clearly and which are now visible —Sharon Salzberg, author of in almost every aspect of our culture. Lovingkindness Widely known as the author of the clas-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 33 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! NEWS FROM THE EDGE OF THE CENTRE !

ENLIGHTENMENT The Path through the Jungle New Offerings from Eckhart Tolle by Dennis Waite $22.95, paper. O Books. FINDING YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE ence of this nimble and eloquent teacher, as he of- isbn 9781846941184 186 pages fers his unique guidance about: by Eckhart Tolle New on ! The beauty of effortless being, and how to awaken Enlightenment is the event in time when $22.00, DVD. Sounds True. DVD the mind realizes that we are already free. isbn 9781591796947 93 minutes to it ! Another book from the author of the If you’ve been searching for your true purpose in Tapping the vast power and intelligence of stillness ! monumental volume Back to the Truth: life, Eckhart Tolle has some straightforward advice: How to embrace the space rather than the form of 5000 Years of Advaita, stop struggling. For the primary purpose of every this moment ! this “path through human being is simply to be…fully engaged in the Unfolding your purpose through actions in align- the jungle” is ar- moment, and aligned with the natur- ment with the timeless present ! guably the clearest al flow of reality itself. On Finding How to see the deeper essence of another human book that has ever Your Life’s Purpose, this author of A being. been written on the New Earth invites you to discover the “You are the consciousness that illuminates the subject of enlighten- twofold intention of our human incarnation: world. Know yourself as that—that’s what life wants with you,” ment. It provides a to free yourself from the prison of “thought- says teacher Eckhart Tolle. With this liberating DVD session of detailed examination based reality,” and to express in your own way insights and “pointers,” you can enter this stream of luminosi- of the satsang phe- the grand vision that universal consciousness ty. has for your life. Among Tolle’s other titles are The Power of Now and Stillness nomenon (and its Eckhart Tolle more extreme, neo- This DVD brings you into the vibrant pres- Speaks. Advaita variant), con- trasting these approaches with the tradi- A NEW EARTH INSPIRATION DECK These potent quotations—one per card, one card for tional methods passed down from teacher 52 Inspiration Cards each week of a year—can free you from the habitual pat- to disciple for over a thousand years. What by Eckhart Tolle terns of ego and help you experience your true essence as is enlightenment? What is it not? Which $21.00, cards. New World Library. well as the true essence of the world. This process is essen- teaching methods will get you there, and isbn 9781577316510 52 colour cards, display box tial to personal happiness and also the key to ending con- The quicker you are which will not? Waite exposes the myths flict and suffering throughout the world. The box includes in attaching verbal a prop-up frame that allows you to display a favorite card and defines this misused term, explaining or mental labels to things, how the traditional methods work and why or a rotation of cards for ongoing, deeper reflection. people, or situations, With each card, Tolle guides you to embrace stillness, the modern, Western approaches—com- the more shallow and lifeless plete with their impressive vocabulary of your reality becomes, being fully present to each moment’s aliveness. Most people are so distracted non-dual awakening and “selfless pres- and the more deadened by their thoughts, ence”—are most unlikely to. you become to reality, the miracle of life so identified with the Seekers and teachers alike need to that continuously unfolds voices in their heads, reconcile themselves to the fact that there within and around you. they can no longer feel can be no short-term measures. We have the aliveness within them. In this elegant new card deck, Eckhart Tolle distills the wis- generations of wrong thinking to rectify so To be unable to feel the life that we may learn to look at ourselves and dom of his bestselling book A New Earth into short, carefully that animates the physical body, the world in a completely different way chosen passages for contemplation and inspiration. Each se- the very life that you are, that contradicts our present beliefs. lection reinforces the principles of the book, leading us toward is the greatest deprivation Instinct, habit and deeply-held opinion personal and, ultimately, global transformation. Tolle’s sage that can happen to you. can never be overturned by a brief guidance can help you transcend ego-based mindsets, to awak- Also by Eckhart Tolle: The Power of Now. question and answer session on no en to your life’s purpose, and to achieve a genuine peace of be- particular topic by individuals, each with ing. their own agenda. It requires a prolonged, coordinated inquiry, using proven techniques, with the help of teachers MEDITATIONS FOR A NEW EARTH a new sense of what is possible for humanity here skilled in using those techniques. Genuine With an Introduction by Eckhart Tolle and now. Kim then introduces and teaches a series seekers of the truth must find a teaching by Kim Eng of guided meditations. environment that satisfies these $20.95, 2 CDs. Sounds True. Included are eight guided meditations inspired requirements and the onus is on today’s isbn 9781591796909 2.2 hours by the bestselling book A New Earth, including: Western satsang teachers to provide it. Kim Eng travels and works extensively with ! Meditation for Releasing the Pain-Body “Offers necessary help to sincere seek- Eckhart Tolle, author of the bestsellers The Power ! Meditating on Sensations ers who wish to learn how to differentiate of Now and A New Earth, taking his ! Meditating in Nature Book the diamond-like brilliance of authentic teachings around the world. On ! The “Drinking Water” Meditation & CD Advaita-Vedanta from the rhinestone ap- Meditations for a New Earth, she pre- ! Practices for breathing, walking, experiencing proaches represented by popular neo- sents the first practice-oriented program based on As a facilitator of her “Presence through Advaita.” —Marianna Caplan, author of Eckhart’s profound teachings, with eight guided meditations Movement” workshops, Kim Eng has developed her own teach- Halfway Up the Mountain to help listeners experience the power of awakened conscious- ing modality, which is aimed at the transformation of con- Also by Dennis Waite are How to Meet ness. sciousness through the integration of spirit, mind and body. Yourself and The Book of One. The program begins with an introduction by Eckhart Tolle She sees our “God-nature” as living in and through our human offering an overview of the value of meditation in spiritual bodies. “When we awaken from unconscious to fully conscious awakening. He also explains what is meant by the idea of “A living, we are naturally aligned with our God-nature and thus 11 DAYS AT THE EDGE New Earth”—how there is a new flowering of awakened con- bring into creation a new world.” One Man’s Spiritual Journey into sciousness that is creating not just a new sense of “heaven” but Evolutionary Enlightenment by Michael Wombacher $25.50, paper. Findhorn. enlightenment as a collective emergence Wouldn’t it be great, I thought, to be demand for integrity—whose liberated isbn 9781844091362 498 pages —the emergence of a “higher we”—which able to take the reader day by day along consciousness and ruthless deconstruc- There was simply too much depth to he sees as the on this retreat, not only to discover the tion of the cultural and spiritual status flatten out into convenient soundbites. ground for the emer- radically profound teaching that continues quo have kept everyone talking. Cohen is gence of a new cul- to emerge from Andrew, but to see how head of What is Enlightenment? Magazine, In 11 Days at the Edge, the author joins that teaching strikes the soul of an average ture of enlightened which is changing its name to spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen—a self- seeker as he daily sinks deeper into it? described idealist with revolutionary incli- values. Here we find Wouldn’t it also be great to use my own EnlightenNext. In recognition of his contri- nations—in an exploration of an emerg- that place where our experience as a seeker as a starting point bution to the philosophy of religious ing new spiritual paradigm. In this spiritual longing in- for an examination of the state of the post- thought, in 2004 he was invited to address paradigm the traditional revelation of en- tersects with our care modern spiritual world and all its the Parliament of World Religions, an un- lightenment is explored in the context of for the world, em- complexities? With that I began the writing usual honour for a man of no established the evolving universe with truly mind-ex- powering both to lev- of this book. spiritual tradition. panding results. Cohen, once a teacher of els neither could at- Uncompromising in his call for human This book fleshes out what “evolution- “personal enlightenment,” now teaches tain alone. transformation, Cohen is presented as a ary enlightenment” could be—in almost radical spiritual figure—unyielding in his 500 pages!

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 34 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! ANYBODY HOME? !

THE END OF YOUR WORLD ration that he calls inquiry, we learn to live Uncensored Straight Talk on the Nature of Nonduality with Jeff Foster in the relaxed condition of simply “being Enlightenment ourselves,” without interference from feel- New by Adyashanti LIFE WITHOUT A CENTRE ings of inadequacy, drivenness toward $77.00, 6 CDs. on CD Awakening from the Dream of Separation goals, struggling to figure isbn 9781591799450 7.5 hours by Jeff Foster things out, and rejecting Underneath the turmoil of thought, $15.50, paper. Non-Duality. experiences we don’t want. emotion, and personal will, there is a flow. isbn 9780955399909 144 pages Almaas explores the many If you’re reading Jeff Foster is a Brit who reveals the extraordinary in the ordi- obstacles that keep us these words, nary, uncovers the spiritual in the material, and points to the from being present—in- you’ve probably freedom and enlightenment that lie in wait, always, right in the cluding defensiveness, ig- felt it—the nat- midst of life, a life which is finally seen to have no solid, suffer- A.H Almaas norance, desire, aggres- ural movement ing, separate person at its centre. sion, and self-hatred—and of life, the truth The three sections of this book represent three aspects of shows us how to welcome with curiosity that beckons be- liberation. Part One reflects the utter simplicity and obviousness of liberation: it is this, and compassion whatever we are experi- low the surface here, now—no attainment necessary. Part Two contains expressions of encing. of things. What the undeniable sense of freedom and release that may arise as the The good news is that no matter how would happen if existence of the apparent individual is seen through. Part Three reflects distant you are from yourself, something in you were to stop avoiding and instead the way in which liberation seemingly permeates the apparent life story your experience in any given moment completely embrace this universal energy? of the individual. As seeking subsides, certain aspects of life are seen in expresses who you really are… Whatever According to teacher Adyashanti, herein new ways. It is not a rejection of the life story, but a seeing through of your experience, wherever you are, its apparent solidity. Additionally, there are two sections of dialogues lies the heart of spiritual awakening—and whatever you are perceiving, is connected about the search for liberation, enlightenment, happiness, God, Nirvana, to what and who you really are. it’s likely to “end your world.” Why? a bigger bank balance. Because with spiritual Jeff Foster “The Diamond Approach is a superb awakening, instead of a Foster’s is a fresh, delightful voice: combination of some of the best of mod- new version of you, you Read this book slowly. Its words are meditations, not ideas for you to chew on ern Western psychology with ancient (and find no version of you— intellectually. Let the words penetrate, percolate, permeate. Take your time. Enjoy the spiritual) wisdom. I recommend the your true nature beyond spaces between the words. Pause occasionally to look around you. If you find yourself Diamond Approach as probably the most rushing through the book, ask yourself why. What do you want from it? What do you any point of view—“that balanced of the widely available spiritual hope to get? What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for something to click, for some psychologies/therapies.” —Ken Wilber which is continually par- sort of intellectual understanding? For some sort of spiritual enlightenment to descend “I love the unfolding Almaas! His clarity Adyashanti taking of all experience, in upon you in a flash of lightning?... each and every instant.” Virtually every sentence in this book is pointing back to the same thing, a thing which never diminishes, yet each book brings an Offering a map for those who’ve had a isn’t really a thing at all. And if you don’t get it from the first page of the book, you increasing simplicity and gentleness. As I glimpse of spiritual awakening only to see won’t get it at all. Because really there’s nothing to get. But as long as there is the belief worked with this latest material, I felt like it slip away after a few hours or days—he that there is something to get, there will appear to be something to get. Get it? I was receiving a transmission of pure com- calls it the “I got it/I lost it” phenomenon, Also by Jeff Foster are Beyond Awakening and Revelation of Oneness. passion. His strong, true voice reminds us and it perplexes many of us—The End of that beyond the endless self-improvement Your World presents Adya’s take on the re- BEYOND AWAKENING projects and idealized mystical states with ality of enlightenment and the total “re- The End of the Spiritual Search which the spiritual path is strewn lies the wiring” of your being that accompanies by Jeff Foster simple but exquisite taste of our own be- $15.50, paper. Non-Duality. it—what Adyashanti calls “our journey ing.” —Cynthia Bourgeault, author of The isbn 9780955399978 140 pages into the infinite, our true nature as pure Wisdom Way of Knowing consciousness itself.” This is a book about the utterly obvious. It’s about the spiritual Among Almaas’s other books are This in-depth course on the process of search, and the frustrations surrounding it. It’s about those ultimate Spacecruiser Inquiry and The Pearl Beyond goals we set ourselves: enlightenment, awakening, liberation, and spiritual awakening offers straight talk and Price. how those goals can never actually be reached, because—and penetrating insight, helping us navigate here’s the great discovery—the person who seeks them has no the pitfalls and cul-de-sacs that “un-en- more reality than a presently-arising belief. Dying, Near-Death lighten” us along the journey, including A sequel to Life Without a Centre, this book is filled with clear and vibrant expres- the trap of meaninglessness; how the ego sions of nonduality. The text gently points back to the futility of both the spiritual & Grieving can “co-opt” realization for its own pur- search and the “search to end the search” (another game the mind loves to play). poses; the illusion of superiority that may With great humour, compassion and clarity, Beyond Awakening will draw you into a accompany intense spiritual break- direct confrontation with your own absence, an absence which, paradoxically, is throughs; and the danger of becoming MORRIE: IN HIS OWN WORDS also a perfect presence. It may be the last book a spiritual seeker will ever need. by Morrie Schwartz “drunk on emptiness.” It was a very ordinary walk on a very ordinary, and very wet, Autumn day. And yet, $11.00, paper. Walker & Co. Full awakening comes when you in that ordinariness, the extraordinary revealed itself, shining through the wetness and isbn 9780802717177 144 pages sincerely look at yourself, deeper than the darkness and the sludge on the ground, shining so brightly that I was no more, that I In 1994 at the age of 77, retired sociolo- you’ve imagined, and question everything. dissolved into that brightness and became it. gy prof Morrie Schwartz, the hero of the Covering a range of topics ordinarily And yet, that makes it sound way too special. That day, in the rain, nothing really book Tuesdays with kept private between student and teacher, happened at all. It was just a very ordinary walk on a very ordinary day… Morrie, learned he is an invitation to an The End of Your World I boarded the bus and as the rain streamed down the dirty windows I smiled to had Lou Gehrig’s honest investigation of what you really myself. What a gift—to be alive now of all moments, to be in this body of all bodies, to disease: incurable, are—and how to live when you discover it. be here, in this place of all places, even though it is all a dream, even though it is all progressively dis- Among those topics are * A central step in impermanent, even though if we really look, we find nothing but emptiness. abling, and eventu- spirituality: asking, “What do I know for “After searching hundreds of non-duality books and teachers, here was a book ally fatal. Morrie certain?” * What it means to “live without that made me feel so insecure, hopeless, disappointed to the point that I had no al- chose to live as fully a center” * “Velcro thoughts” and how to ternative but to relinquish any idea of ever ‘getting it.’ Whatever ‘it’ is. The result: as possible, sharing release their grip * “Fierce grace” and the I was jarred into clarity… Jeff’s words resonate with honesty, integrity, and love— his evolving knowl- return to harmony with reality * Living un- which imbues them with the power to go beyond just words—and mind.” —Victor edge of living and divided on the level of heart, mind, and Davich, author of 8 Minute Meditation dying. Before he gut, and * The phenomenon of the en- died, Morrie finished the manuscript for lightened ego. THE UNFOLDING NOW summer retreat for the this book, which he saw as his greatest Adyashanti began teaching in 1996 after Realizing Your True Nature through the members of his spiritu- teaching opportunity. a series of spiritual awakenings. His books Practice of Presence al school—A.H. Almaas It is impossible to read this book and include Emptiness Dancing and True by A.H. Almaas presents a marvelously not learn some important things about be- Meditation. See adyashanti.org. $18.95, paper. Shambhala. effective practice for de- ing alive. He speaks directly to our fear of isbn 9781590305591 244 pages veloping the transfor- illness and difficulty with letting go in life, The keys to self-knowledge and deep mative quality of pres- writing with the nuts-and-bolts compas- contentment are right here before us in ence. Through a sion of someone who’s been there. this very moment—if we can simply learn particular method of Take in as much joy as you can to live with open awareness. In The self-observation and whenever and however you can. You may Unfolding Now—based on transcripts of a contemplative explo- find it in unpredictable places and situations.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 35 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! DYING, ESALEN & INTEGRAL LIFE PRACTICE !

BEING WITH DYING INTEGRAL LIFE PRACTICE Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness A 21st-Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional in the Presence of Death Balance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening by Joan Halifax by Ken Wilber, Terry Patten, Adam Leonard $25.95, cloth. Shambhala. & Marco Morelli isbn 9781570624698 202 pages $22.95, paper. Shambhala. Denial of death runs rampant through our culture, leaving us isbn 9781590304679 388 pages, line art throughout woefully unprepared when it is our time to die, or our time to help At last, a complete guide showing how to use Ken others die. We often aren’t available for those who need us, Wilber’s acclaimed Integral Approach to design a personal paralyzed as we are by anxiety and resistance—nor are we available program of transformational practice. for ourselves. Integral Life Practice (ILP) is a customizable, Zen teacher Joan Halifax’s Project on Being with Dying has been helping both user-friendly approach to spiritual practice the dying and their caregivers to face death with courage and compassion since that meets the needs of the whole person by including not only spir- 1994, but her work with the contemplative approach to the dying itual activities like meditation and prayer but also exercises for process goes back much further than that. Here, Joan offers the body, mind, and “shadow” (any part of ourselves that we repress or fruits of over thirty years of work with the dying, providing com- deny). ILP allows practitioners to choose the practices that most fort, inspiration, and practical skills for all those who are in the suit them, in a mix-and-match style, adapted to whatever belief sys- process of dying or who are charged with a dying person’s care. Ken Wilber tem or religion they may already be following. With its combination Halifax honestly faces the challenges of being with the dying of exercises, explanations, theory, examples, personal stories, and while seeing it as “a school for unlearning the patterns of resis- illustrations, Integral Life Practice will be the bible of a truly integrated approach to Joan Halifax tance... [it] enjoins us to be still, let go, listen, and be open to the practice for years to come. unknown.” According to Halifax, “bearing witness to dying” can Integral Life Practice is a way of organizing the many practices handed down teach innumerable lessons to the living—assuming “we give up our tight control through the centuries, using a framework optimized for life in the 21st century. It is, at strategies, our ideas of what it means to die well.” once, ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, speculative and scientific, and yet also something beyond those dichotomies. I believe that studying the process of how to die well benefits even those of us who may have many years of life ahead… For the sooner we can embrace death, the more “What if we could draw from the best of the world’s ancient contemplative tradi- time we have to live completely, and to live in reality. tions as well as contemporary psychological and somatic therapies, and weld them Halifax is a Zen priest, and while many of her teachings derive from Buddhism, into a powerful program for transforming our lives? Now we can, and Integral Life her beautifully readable book will attract readers of all faiths who will appreciate Practice is a happy result of this possibility.” —Roger Walsh, author of Essential her clarity and compassion and the poignancy of these stories of ordinary people Spirituality: The Seven Central Practices facing their final hours with quiet courage. “Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory has created a road map. Now Terry Patten, Adam Joan offers stories from her personal experience as well as guided exercises and Leonard, and Marco Morelli have added a GPS (Global Practicing System) with contemplations to help readers meditate on death without fear, develop a commit- Integral Life Practice. Travelers on the spiritual path will find this book indispens- ment to helping others, and transform suffering and resistance into courage. She able.” —Brother David Steindl-Rast, author of Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer says, “Why wait until we are actually dying to explore what it may mean to die with “Ken Wilber and the authors of this clearly written, sensible, well-informed book awareness?” are fellow explorers with George Leonard and me in the development of integral transformative practices. Such practices grow out of a philosophic vision dawning The meditations and practices offered here can be, with a few minor changes, done for oneself if ill or dying, for one’s dying loved one, for oneself if one is a caregiver, for across the world that joins our aspiration for personal and social transformation all beings, or simply because they make our living more vivid and tender. with both science and the contemplative traditions. This book will advance this de- veloping worldview and the disciplines needed to actualize it.” —Michael Murphy, Also by Joan Halifax are Being with Dying (6CDs) and The Fruitful Darkness. author of The Future of the Body and cofounder of Esalen Institute

Combining wise aphorisms, life lessons how these two maverick thinkers sought to and practical advice to help those who Transpersonal fuse the spiritual revelations of the East Entheogens / have chronic or terminal illness (all of us (“all those remarkable psychophysical sooner or later), and anyone close to Psychology techniques of accessing and cultivating Psychedelics them, Morrie offers teachings on how to contemplative states of consciousness and learn to live with physical limitations; to energy”) with the scientific revolutions of grieve for losses; to be kind to oneself; to ESALEN the West, or to combine the very best ele- REALITY 2.0 maintain an active involvement in life; to America and the Religion New in ments of Zen Buddhism, Western alchemy, Shamans, Psychedelics, relate to others; to develop a spiritual con- of No Religion Paperback and Indian yoga into “a utopian experi- and the Next Step in Evolution nection; and to come to terms with death. by Jeffrey Kripal ment creatively suspended between the by Daniel Pinchbeck A sweet, unassuming, and potent little $21.50, paper. U. of Chicago. revelations of the religions and the demo- $33.00, 4 CDs. Sounds True. book. isbn 9780226453705 cratic pluralistic, and scientific revolutions isbn 9781591796664 3.75 hours Be grateful that you have been given 544 pages, 32 b/w photos of modernity.” What is it that attracts shamans, mystics, the time to learn how to die. Esalen has always been on the edge. In their religion of no religion, the nat- and other visionaries to the realms of al- With its natural hot springs and stunning Dying is both a private act and a com- ural world was just as crucial as the spiritu- tered states? It is beauty on the face of the Pacific coastline, munity act. I have a loving family and al one, science and faith not only com- the understanding the institute has long many loving friends who have been mingled but became staunch allies, and that some wisdom been a world leader brought together by this tragic event, my the enlightenment of the body—through cannot be accessed in alternative and ex- illness and impending death. What we’re self-enhancement and, yes, free love— through ordinary periential education. doing is taking care of each other. I keep could lead to the full realization of our de- consciousness The big ideas, trans- in touch with them, and they keep in velopment as human beings. alone. On Reality formative spiritual touch with me. They come regularly, and Darwin, Tantric sex, cold war physics, 2.0, trailblazer of practices, and innov- we talk about what’s going on in the world, psychedelic research, golf, and, of course, non-ordinary reali- ative art forms of what’s going on with us spiritually; we ex- religion all come into play in a book that ty Daniel Henry Miller, Joseph change our loving feelings. We cry with can only be described as monumental. Pinchbeck shares a firsthand account of Campbell, Aldous each other. We talk about how meaningful Esalen’s story is a lens into our current fas- his quest for a “system upgrade” for hu- Huxley, Allen we’ve been to each other; we touch and cination with Eastern religions, our steadi- man society. Among his topics are redis- Ginsberg, Fritz Perls, Alan Watts, and hold each other… ly growing acceptance of spirit, touch, en- covering psychedelics, the many notable others are all a part of its re- New We all know that we’re dying…. day by ergy, and body-mind wisdom in daily shaman and the artist, the markable story. on CD day we’re getting closer to our death. The life—and a surprising page-turner. Burning Man paradigm, Scholar—and engaging storyteller— best way to deal with that is to live in a ful- “Kripal tells the story of this beautiful re- ecology and technology, the Mayan calen- Jeffrey Kripal here recounts the spectacu- ly conscious, compassionate, loving way. treat in California’s Big Sur—its history at dar, archetypes and avatars, visions of the lar history of Esalen and its birth in the Many people close to dying have said the once sexy, salacious, intellectual and polit- Hopi, from hierarchy to complementari- American counterculture. The institute same thing, and I think there is a lot of ical—with reverence and playfulness alter- ty, sexuality and relationships, and galac- was the remarkable brainchild of Michael truth to it. Don’t wait until you’re on your nating between the hushed tones of awe tic encounters. Murphy and Richard Price. Set against the deathbed to recognize that this is the only and the glee of partaking in Esalen’s ‘gar- Listeners can join this 21st-century ex- heady backdrop of California during the way to live. To quote Stephen Levine, den of delights.’ —Publishers Weekly plorer and philosopher-journalist for an 1960s, Esalen recounts in fascinating detail “Love is the only rational act.” intriguing investigation of:

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 36 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! SHAMANIC SKILLS !

! Shamanic cultures from Ball distinguishes between using mush- the Americas to the Ama- rooms in spiritual work as opposed to sim- ply having a pleasant psychedelic experi- THE WAY BEYOND THE SHAMAN zon, and the urgent mes- Birthing a New Earth Consciousness ence. Not a guide to how to have “fun” sages they have for Western by Barry Cottrell society with psilocybin mushrooms, Mushroom $24.95, paper. O Books. ! The 2012 phenomenon Wisdom is a serious investigation into deep isbn 9781846941214 192 pages Daniel and the possibility of a new spiritual nature, offering guidance through this potentially difficult and har- As the most ancient navigator of the human psyche, and Pinchbeck realization of time and beyond, the shaman embodies our innate longing to enter the space for humankind rowing process, and drawing on a wide ar- deepest levels of our being and to drink from the well-spring of ! Crop circles: de-bunked hoax or legiti- ray of both scientific disciplines and an- consciousness, from the source of life itself. mate transmissions from galactic intelli- cient shamanic practices. There was once a time, before the last ice age, when peo- gence? ple lived with a profound sense of belonging to the natural ! Potentials of plant medicines such as ibo- world, embedded in a landscape where rocks, animals, ga and ayahuasca to help address the spir- Shamanism & Ritual plants, rivers and winds were all known as sacred presences, itual crisis of our postmodern world and friends. Then something happened, something that ! Startling theories of Terence McKenna, forced upon the human mind an evolutionary contraction of consciousness and José Arguelles, and other pioneers in the dislocation from Earth’s embrace. Out of this splitting came the embryonic stirrings furthest realms of human consciousness. SHAMANS OF THE WORLD of intellect and the origins of the modern mind. Is our culture poised for the next leap in Extraordinary First-Person Accounts of While it has bestowed many benefits upon individuals, families, and cultures, to- human evolution? How is technology Healings, Mysteries, and Miracles edited by Nancy Connor, day the Western mind is in a collective denial of soul and spirit, which has led to changing us? Are we in the midst of a glob- with Bradford Keeney planetary degradation, and a crisis of survival for all forms of life on Earth. The Way al “quickening” that will transform our in- $25.50, cloth. Sounds True. Beyond the Shaman provides a refreshingly new and compelling account of how we dividual and collective consciousness— isbn 9781591799573 got into this state, and then charts a path, in lyrical channeled prose, towards a new and are heavy psychedelics required to 286 pages, colour photos Earth awareness and the restoration of our lost sense of “home.” participate? Pinchbeck explores these What would you see if you could view questions and more in this fascinating Whilst the traditional role and practices of the shaman will remain the specific the world through the eyes of a Diné heal- domain of the gifted few, this book is, in a sense, about the democratizing of look at the issues most relevant to those er, a Zulu High Sanusi, or a Shaker from shamanism. It presents a vision of shamanism as an experience which is accessible to curious about the future of our world. St. Vincent Island? The answer can be anyone willing to allow the transformative power and elemental physicality of Earth’s Daniel Pinchbeck’s books include the found in Shamans of the World, an intimate spirit into their lives. bestseller 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl encounter with traditional healers from “The Way Beyond the Shaman is a call for sanity in a world unhinged, and a tem- and Breaking Open the Head. He’s the edi- nine unique indigenous cultures. Through plate for regaining a sacred regard for our only home. There is a compelling rea- torial director of Reality Sandwich—check mesmerizing first-hand accounts of mirac- son to take this brilliant synthesis seriously: Our survival may depend on it.” — it out at www.realitysandwich.com. ulous transformation and healing, this Larry Dossey, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things book transports “The pressing need of our time is for a spirituality that puts us in touch with the you to the other- MUSHROOM WISDOM earth and with our physical selves, a spirituality that values and nourishes the world worldly reality of about us as much as it seeks a world beyond us. Barry Cottrell in this excellent book How Shamans Cultivate Spiritual the shaman. Consciousness outlines a vital path for just such a spirituality, one with its roots in our deepest past This global ad- by Martin Ball but flowering in the possibilities of a radiant present.” —David Spangler, author of venture begins in $15.95, paper. Ronin. The Laws of Manifestation isbn 9781579510367 the lands of the 186 pages, b/w illustrations Diné Nation, as Mushroom Wisdom explores the universal you meet Walking greater fabric of collective wisdom. worlds (Lower, Middle, and Upper), pow- aspects of the psilocybin mushroom expe- Thunder, the Welcome to an archive of global er animals and teachers, preparations for rience as it relates to spirituality. Medicine Woman wisdom, a conservatory of healing journeying, divination and healing jour- who reveals the im- traditions, and a collection of remarkable neys, and integrating your journey prac- Anyone can eat stories. mushrooms and ex- portance of living tice with your community. perience the pro- life with full appre- Also by Brad Keeney are Shaking The accompanying CD includes drumming found mind-mani- ciation. Next, you visit Brazil and faith Medicine and Bushman Shaman. for three shamanic journeys: festing powers of the healers Otavia and João, who embody “a ! 12-minute drumming track with whistles sacred plant, but ac- love that breaks through all boundaries of and rattles tually using them reason and rationality.” South Dakota and SHAMANIC JOURNEYING ! 20-minute double-drumming track with intent and pur- Lakota Yuwipi Man Gary Holy Bull come A Beginner’s Guide ! 30-minute single-drumming track by Sandra Ingerman pose for spiritual de- next, as you glimpse the inner life of one The most important advice I can give to $16.50, Book+CD set. velopment requires dedicated to the service of spirit. Then it’s Book you is to be patient with the process and Sounds True. certain techniques. off to the jungles of Paraguay, where the & CD be compassionate toward yourself. I have insights of Guarani Forest Shaman Ava isbn 9781591799436 never met a person who could not Martin Ball ex- 88-page paperback + 75-minute CD plains how mush- Tape Miri unveil the immediate unity of journey. However, I have met many The shamanic journey is a practice com- people who tried journeying many times room use can lead the spiritual seeker to all creation. The traditional healers of Bali share vital lessons on balanced living, be- mon to all indigenous societies throughout before they felt that something was profound states of self-awareness and radi- history. By listening to a drumbeat or other happening. I suggest that you keep up the cal understanding of the nature of the self, fore you explore the secrets of Japan’s masters of seiki jutsu. After hearing from rhythmic percussion, practice—relax, keep breathing into your reality, and the sacred. Topics include heart, open all of your senses beyond just the Shakers of St. Vincent, who use the the shaman enters looking into the spiritual mirror to uncov- “non-ordinary” reali- your visual awareness, set an intention, er an authentic sense of self, developing power of mourning and ecstatic prayer to and in time, you will be journeying. create community-based healing, you con- ty—an altered state “witness” consciousness to overcome self- With fascinating accounts of the power- clude your journey in Africa, witnessing of consciousness be- limiting concepts and judgments, and re- ful results of shamanic journeying and an- ceremonial dances of Kalahari Bushman yond time and moving obstacles of ego and self-induced swers to the questions you may face as you Mabolelo Shikwe, “the man who says and space—to access suffering to trigger the rich experience of begin your practice, Shamanic Journeying is knows everything.” spiritual guidance “spirit flow.” The book also addresses the skillfully presented, and includes every- With 24 pages of full-color pho- and healing, assist creation and use of ritual, sacred objects, thing you need to begin exploring the vi- tographs, and poetry and prayers from the others and the plan- and the importance of sound and silence. sionary worlds of the shaman. shamans themselves, Shamans of the World et, and reconnect What do the mushrooms teach? brings you authentic “first wisdom” di- with the cycles, rhythms and intelligences Primarily, mushrooms teach about the self. of nature. They open seekers up to the process of rectly from its source. Note: Drawn from the ten-volume This practice of journeying to retrieve their own mind and their means of reality information for change in every area of construction. They teach seekers about Profiles of Healing series edited by who and what they are. Bradford Keeney and published by our lives—from spirituality and health to When approached as teachers, the Ringing Rocks Foundation (www.ringin- work and relationships—is here presented mushroom experience, while profoundly grocks.org). in its clean core simplicity by renowned joyful, is primarily work. Learning is teacher Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul Nancy Connor selected passages from work… But it is work with profound and . the original books, doing so in a way that Retrieval Medicine for the Earth rewards. demonstrates how their contributions are The book provides an introduction to both distinctive and connected in the this “path of direct revelation,” the three

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 37 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! MEDICINE, MAGICK & THE GRAIL !

explanations of Native American these stories and THE WICCA HANDBOOK Medicine Ways the traditions by Eileen Holland that engendered $19.95, paper. Weiser. them. isbn 9781578634385 308 pages Imagine a The Wicca Handbook is both a tutorial for new witches and an THE SPIRITUAL LEGACY OF THE time when there exceptionally well organized reference book for experienced AMERICAN INDIAN was only a thin practitioners. It guides us through the first steps in becoming With Letters While Living with Black Elk line between the a witch and explores many Wiccan traditions, initiations, and by Joseph Epes Brown realms of magical practices. The Wiccan year—the eight Sabbats or $21.95, paper. World Wisdom. humans and “corners of the year”—along with many of its rituals and cer- isbn 9781933316369 animals, and they could speak to each emonies are examined. Holland also provides the back- 148 pages, 9 sepia photos other and share their knowledge, or ground of every facet of witchcraft, such as spells for every oc- The writings of Joseph Epes Brown (he transform from one into the other through casion, psychic protection, numerology, basic astrology, was author of Black Elk’s classic account of magic; imagine a world where Coyote makes the heavens by holding all the stars correspondences, and the lore of stones, metals, candles, animals, and much more. The Sacred Pipe) are High Priestess Eileen Holland’s helpful guide is rooted in practicality and in- considered amongst in a blanket and then throwing them into the sky, where they become the tended as a working handbook, not a simple beginner’s guide. The information is the most important constellations that we still see today; rich; clear directions are given, and its range of content is extensive. Spells, circles, studies on the North imagine a land where people emerged crystals, and colour magic, herbs, health, and healing are all covered with abundant American Indian un- into this world by growing like corn from direction on how to do it, when to do it, and suggestions for seeking guidance from dertaken in the 20th beneath the ground; imagine ancient the deities. Those who have been on their path for a few years will find this a great century. His works objects, amazing journeys, mysterious reference book to refer to time and again. have been translated symbols, and magical stories. Now into numerous lan- imagine that all these things exist, for in All Wiccans are witches, but not all witches are Wiccan. Wicca is a religion, a Native America, they do. distinct spiritual path. There are many, many ways to be a witch. I am a Wiccan guages and are re-ig- priestess, so this book is about the Wiccan way. niting interest in For thousands of years, tribal ways and American Indian reli- wisdom have been passed down in story, “I wish a handbook like this had been available forty years ago, when everyone gious tradition. The song, dance, and art from elder to child, was searching for the few published accounts of this ancient practice. Eileen has Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian: from tribe to tribe, and from Native peo- made it very complete, covering everything from the mythology, history and tradi- Commemorative Edition presents not only ples to the world at large. This book gath- tions to the variety of practices, religious and magical.” —from the foreword by his works on the fundamental and univer- ers many of these beliefs and traditions, Raymond Buckland sal characteristics of the American Indian enabling the outsider to appreciate the For more info: www.open-sesame.com. culture and tradition, but the previously vast and diverse world of North America’s unpublished correspondence sheds light First People. yond trauma, healing, and recovery into on Dr. Brown’s time spent on the reserva- Among the subjects addressed are the self-fulfillment and self-transformation. Celtic Studies tions immersed in the very cultures and meanings of certain animals and symbols, Combining both disciplines with methods peoples that he wrote about. Enhanced by what shamans and medicine people do, such as intentionality, autohypnosis, visual- previously unpublished photographs from and how the natural world, the animal ization, personification, and experiential CITY OF SECRETS Dr. Brown’s own private collection, The world, and the spirit world interact. The journeys, Farber creates a powerful system One Woman’s True-life Journey Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian is a book is profusely illustrated with paint- that opens the way to peak experiences, to the Heart of the Grail Legend fascinating exposition of the often repeat- ings, artifacts, and photographs, and in- self-knowledge, even cosmic conscious- by Patrice Chaplin ed Lakota phrase mitakuye oyasin, “We are cludes a glossary of tribes. ness. Rather than importing standardized $16.95, paper. Quest. all related.” Arresting in its presentation, with sharp healing images, readers learn to create isbn 9780835608718 “America has not produced another reproductions of artifacts from many cen- their own emergent metaphors and their 336 pages, 12 colour photos scholar of the Native American traditions turies and contemporary artworks pic- own creative strengths. City of Secrets is, perhaps, the very first who combined in himself, as did Joseph tured on beige parchment-like pages, this Atem is a living Magus, an icon for the nonfiction title to combine the stories of Brown, profound spiritual and intellectual beautiful book is a delight for the eyes. twenty-first century. Part transpersonal the legendary Grail phenomenon with insight and traditional understanding, the shaman, part inner guide, part inner heal- that of a modern-day deepest empathy for those traditions, no- Wicca & Magick er, part role model, Atem becomes a per- love story. This is the bility of character and generosity towards sonal therapist, a guide to self-discovery true story of an his students and everyone else who wanted and self-initiation. As healing fiction, Atem Englishwoman, writer to benefit from his unrivalled knowledge helps readers to create their own cathar- Patrice Chaplin, and of the spiritual legacy of the first inhabi- META-MAGICK: THE BOOK OF sis—emotional clearing that frees energy how she helped reveal tants of this continent.” ATEM from internal conflict to flow creatively the secrets of the Achieving New States of Consciousness —Seyyed Hossein Nasr into new expressions. famed Rennes-le- “This commemorative edition of a land- through NLP, Neuroscience, and Ritual Château and Abbé The only terra firma is the guarantee of mark work furnishes new material which by Philip Farber Saunière mystery. $16.95, paper. Weiser. access to this collective act of ongoing dramatically illuminates hitherto unknown creation… Meta-Magick is truly a “meta” Patrice first went to aspects of the lives of both the author and isbn 9781578634248 170 pages the ancient Spanish In Meta-Magick: The Book of Atem, Philip magick—a menu-to-menu creation, an his most important informant, the Lakota open-source approach to magick that puts town of Girona in 1955 as a fifteen-year- Farber combines traditional ritual sensi- sage Black Elk... Provides a richer context each participant in the role of contributor old girl. She fell in love with the town and bilities with contem- within which we can appreciate anew the and propagandist. with Jose, its favorite son. Over the years, porary concepts of beauty and profundity of this primordial Meta-Magick is an invitation to she returns again and again to Girona and neurolinguistics and spiritual tradition.” —Harry Oldmeadow, participate in several levels of practice: the her lover. Caught up in a world she bare- memetics to create a remapping of one’s own mind, the author of Traditionalism: Religion in the ly knew existed, she sees and hears many unique entity— development of memes that can be Light of the Perennial Philosophy unusual things: people talking about a Atem—the essence transmitted to others, the use of media, and the implementation of social change. wealthy priest named Abbé Saunière of of an entity encoded Rennes-le-Château (the mysteries sur- in the book and acti- It is a picture of a world in which we all COYOTE SPEAKS contribute to the landscape and its bylaws. rounding him, it turns out, are at the cen- Wonders of the Native American World vated by the reader. tre of the modern Grail phenomenon), by Ari Berk & Carolyn Dunn At the same time, the —Douglas Rushkoff, from the foreword an old house with an amazing garden $27.50, cloth. Abrams. book is a comprehen- More info: www.meta-magick.com. owned by a mysterious Frenchwoman, a isbn 9780810993723 sive manual of evoca- strange ceremony in this house, and sev- 160 pages, 9x10, colour illustrations tion, containing dozens of easy-to-follow eral intriguing characters, including Jean A one-of-a-kind compilation of beliefs, rituals and exercises for exploring and Cocteau. stories, and cultural artifacts from Native creating magical entities of every sort. Later, in 2003, Patrice finally starts to American tribes, Coyote Speaks explains Farber teaches readers to wake up from make sense of everything she has seen. how to look at and appreciate Native their habitual trance, to reprogram them- Her lifelong friend and former lover, Jose, American culture. The text is a rich mix- selves to stand in the Mystery without un- has a heart attack, and decides it’s time to ture of Dunn’s poetry and folk tales and necessary mystification. This super- reveal the secrets he has been guarding myths from almost fifty North American charged fusion of tried-and-true magical from the world. She learns that a private tribal groups, accompanied by scholarly and psychological techniques moves be- society has for generations held

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 38 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! CELTS & CHRISTIANS !

to ecology to God. Gabriel Cousens ad- expansion of the divine realm and the im- A CONSTANT SEARCH FOR WISDOM dresses the increasingly urgent need to prisonment of the soul in matter; the transform humankind with Thunder, Perfect Mind, in which a female Collected Writings the ancient by John Matthews peace wisdom of the Essenes, a Judaic mys- divine figure describes herself in striking $27.50, paper. Lorian Press. tical group that flourished two millennia contradictory imagery; the recently discov- isbn 9780936878195 330 pages, 7x9 ago. ered Gospel of Judas; and the Gospel of John Matthews has written many books on the Arthurian He begins by explaining the Essenes and Truth, a breathtaking and profound trea- Legends and Grail Studies, and is one of the great Celtic schol- the lessons they can teach us as creators of tise on the precise nature of the spiritual ars and writers of our time. A Constant Search for Wisdom is a tasty peace. Chapters cover a wide range, from knowledge which the Gnostics sought. sampler of the richness of his thinking and writing. The book in- the personal (“Peace with the Mind”) to The Nag Hammadi Scriptures also contains cludes sections on Arthuriana, The Holy Grail, Celtic Mysteries, the political (“Peace with the translations of two Gnostic texts discov- The Green World, Neglected Masters, Stories Along the Way, and Community”). The final chapter, ered a century earlier, notably the Gospel Myths, Poems and Translations. From questing for wonder in “Integrating Peace on Every Level,” pre- of Mary, in which Mary Magdalene is por- Arthurian romance, pagan champions and Christian knights, the sents a comprehensive plan for peace with trayed as Jesus’ favourite disciple, privy to language of trees, bardic and shamanic traditions in Britain, and the body, mind, family, community, cul- secret knowledge which had been denied dancing visionaries to the appearance of the Green Man, mythic ture, ecology, and God as a pervasive ex- the men. landscapes, mirrors of Merlin, the Faery World, and “The Gods are perience in life—moment to moment, day The Gnostic writings describe a deeply our Family,” John Matthews can not only spin a magical tale, he is by day. Cousens blends documentary evi- mystical spirituality, similar in many ways John Matthews a scholar who has really done his homework and can relate the dence with original interpretation to show to Buddhism and Hinduism and yet dis- Celtic mysteries with authentic insight. that the Essenes actually did live this expe- tinctly Western, which can still provide an- “John Matthews is a Walker between Worlds… In his capacity as a practicing rience of peace. Most importantly, he swers to the spiritual questions which nag shaman, John certainly qualifies for this title. But as this book demonstrates, John’s transfers their gift to us today as a breath- at us today much as they did when the life and work give a wider definition than that. He is also a walker between worlds ing blueprint for realizing this reality as we Egyptian monks were forced to bury these of history and imagination, art and myth, scholarship and magic, spirituality and walk in our lives; work according to our scriptures 17 centuries ago. ecology, folklore and everyday life… gifts, joys, and sacred design; and live the The Nag Hammadi Scriptures is the most “In our time when so much emphasis is on the quick and the facile, the glam- path of spiritual awakening—the sevenfold complete and up-to-date English-language orous and the trendy, John Matthews offers something deep and lasting. He bridges peace. edition of these sacred texts from Egypt. the ancient wisdoms of our past and the possibilities of our future. He calls himself Creating Peace by Being Peace is about Newly translated with clarity and grace by a shaman, but I call him a sage. And as you read the treasures in this book, I believe becoming the essence of peace on all a team of prominent scholars, this volume you will as well.” —David Spangler, author of Incarnational Spirituality seven levels of one’s life... It is a also features introductory essays and ex- framework for inspiring each moment into tensive notes. The Nag Hammadi Scriptures a living prayer of peace in a way that is essential to any reader who wishes to un- Saunière’s letters and documents after his ter called an “extraordinary ordinary per- activates the expression of that living derstand the history of Gnostic thought death in 1917. She also learns Jose has son.” prayer in all of creation. and mystical spirituality and the impact of been the society’s custodian for many The core teaching of Mussar is that our Rebbe Gabriel Cousens, MD, is the such thought upon the Christian church years. Jose tells Patrice the secret is not in deepest essence is inherently pure and founder and director of the Tree of Life from its formative period to the present Rennes-le-Château and that it is now her holy, but over the course of our lives it be- Foundation, which trains Essene priests day. duty to discover the rest. comes obscured by extremes of emotion, and coordinates international humanitari- In support of her revelations, Patrice desire, and bad habits. Our work in life is an aid programs. Among his books are provides copies of previously unreleased to liberate the radiant light of the soul. Conscious Eating and Rainbow Green Live- COMMON SENSE SPIRITUALITY letters, written by Saunière, along with The Mussar masters developed transfor- Food Cuisine. The Essential Wisdom of David Steindl-Rast other documented evidence. Her roman- mative teachings and practices—some of by David Steindl-Rast tic and lucid writing style in this jewel of a which are contemplative, some of which $18.95, paper. Crossroad. book glitters with the energy of the secrets focus on how we relate to others in daily THE NAG HAMMADI SCRIPTURES isbn 9780824524791 192 pages its characters serve, and it’s rich with pho- life—to help us to heal and refine our- The Revised and Updated Translation of Each meditation in Common Sense tographs and historical documents. It’s a selves. Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume Spirituality reflects what the author calls haunting story of an unusual and endur- Everyday Holiness features short chap- edited by Marvin Meyer, “the spiritual work of ing love, even as it sheds new light on one ters on eighteen key character traits that introduction by Elaine Pagels our time”—cultivating of the more compelling mysteries of all the Mussar masters emphasize, including $23.50, paper. HarperCollins. grateful living, the key time. humility, generosity, gratitude, trust, pa- isbn 9780061626005 864 pages to joy. The selections tience, and enthusiasm. The book also The year is 1945. At the foot of a cliff explore the broad Christian & Jewish brims with practical exercises including along the Nile River, near the city of Nag range of issues that meditations, contemplations, journaling, Hammadi, an have been at the core Spirituality chanting, and more. Egyptian peasant un- of a lifetime of medita- “Practical guidance on how to negotiate earths a large storage tion and teaching. the epidemic levels of confusion in our jar containing ancient Through each of frenetic world. The Mussar tradition offers manuscripts. The dis- these meditations, EVERYDAY HOLINESS a path of wisdom and authentic holiness covery turns out to be Steindl-Rast seeks to The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar that has stood the test of time. Alan a treasury of fourth- nourish the mystic within the reader and by Alan Morinis Morinis has made a significant contribu- century texts, includ- to reveal the sacred core at the heart of $20.00, paper. Shambhala. tion in helping reveal Mussar’s transfor- ing the Gospel of isbn 9781590306093 352 pages each religious faith, no matter what its mative power.”—Larry Dossey, author of Thomas, the Gospel Following upon Alan’s earlier book, flaws. Themes include Spirituality as The Extraordinary Healing Power of of Philip, the Gospel Climbing Jacob’s Ladder, which related his Common Sense, The Monk in Us, Art and Ordinary Things of Truth, and many stumbling search for the Sacred, Sacramental Life, Views of the other writings—the scriptures of the mysti- New in “stronger medicine” in his Cosmos, The Mystical Core of Religion, cal tradition commonly called Gnosticism, Paperback Jewish heritage, Everyday Learning to Die, The Monk’s Way, The CREATING PEACE BY BEING PEACE from the Greek gnosis, that is, esoteric or Holiness is his accessible and inspiring in- House of Hope, The Price of Peace, and A The Essene Sevenfold Path secret knowledge. New Reason for Gratitude. troduction to the Jewish spiritual tradition by Gabriel Cousens Since this discovery, our picture of the . Little known outside The Taoists called this shared aliveness known as Mussar $21.00, paper. North Atlantic. world of the historical Jesus, Judaism, Orthodox Jewish communities, Mussar is the “Tao.” This word simply meant “Way” isbn 9781556437229 236 pages Greco-Roman religions, and the early vari- an illuminating, acces- or “Path,” but Taoists stretched its A synthesis of the eties of Christianity has begun to look re- meaning. We need a phrase for this sible, and highly prac- author’s decades of markably different. These books describe reality, and Common Sense is the best one tical set of teachings multidisciplinary work doctrines the orthodox church found English has to offer. Often common sense for cultivating person- in meditation, psychia- heretical, such as salvation through knowl- is used to denote conventional al growth and spiritual try, psychotherapy, edge (gnosis) rather than faith. assumptions, the exact opposite of full realization in the and spirituality, Some of the more important texts in- aliveness. But the common Sense of . which we now speak is so vibrant, so midst of daily life Creating Peace by Being clude the Gospel of Thomas, which con- The ultimate goal is to alive, so expansive that it gives a new Peace guides readers in tains the sayings of a Jesus who is more like become a deeply good color, a new flavor to everything we do, creating peace on sev- a witty Zen master than a saviour; the person, a mensch, or everything we are. It is a sensuous en levels of engage- Apocryphon (Secret Book) of John, which what one Mussar mas- knowing, and it springs from what we ment, from the body describes the classic Gnostic myth of the have in common with the whole of

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 39 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! CHRISTIANITY !

creation. Inherent in our experiences is the ten provocative. realization that we are not separate New from Cynthia Bourgeault Norris is careful to distinguish the soul- bodies, but that in this universe, weariness of acedia from its cousin, de- everything is interconnected, all is part of pression. This is tricky ground, but Norris all. Out of this awareness springs the only THE WISDOM JESUS treads gingerly, reserving her acerbic Transforming Heart and Mind—A New knowing that makes sense. This knowing crankiness for a section where she con- goes so deep that it is embodied in our Perspective on Christ and His Message vincingly argues that despite North senses and has no limits. The whole by Cynthia Bourgeault universe holds it in common. We need $16.95, paper. Shambhala. Americans’ apparently unslothful lives, only plug into it. isbn 9781590305805 222 pages acedia is the undiagnosed distress of our busy age. David Steindl-Rast is a Benedictine This book is an adaptation and expansion of teachings also “Filled with gorgeous prose, generous monk, a psychologist, and an anthropolo- available in the 6-CD set, Encountering the Wisdom Jesus. quotations from Christian thinkers across gist. His pioneering work If you put aside what you think you know about Jesus and the centuries and fascinating etymological on behalf of interfaith dia- approach the Gospels as if for the first time, something amaz- detours, this discomfiting book provides logue won him the Martin ing happens: Jesus emerges as a teacher of radical wisdom not just spiritual hope but a much-needed Buber Award in 1975. He and compassion whose methods are as bold and surprising as kick in the rear.” —Publishers Weekly is author of Gratefulness, a Zen master’s. And his aim is to break through our habitual The Heart of Prayer and A views to effect a complete transformation of our minds and hearts. Listening Heart and the Cynthia Bourgeault is our guide to rediscovering Jesus as a wis- coauthor of Belonging to dom master in the tradition of the Buddha and other teachers. She Sufism, Islam & Rumi looks to the Gospels, to contemplative experience (she’s put in her David the Universe. He also serves Steindl-Rast as founding advisor of time and it shows), and to recently discovered ancient Christian www.gratefulness.org. documents (such as the Nag Hammadi scriptures and the Gospel of Thomas) to reveal a fresh understanding of Jesus and his teaching. MURSHID Cynthia What Jesus experienced, she says, was a profound understanding Bourgeault A Personal Memoir of Life ACEDIA & ME of nonduality—the essential oneness of all things—and his aim was with American Sufi Samuel L.Lewis A Marriage, Monks, to transmit this truth to others experientially. She provides instruc- by Mansur Johnson and A Writer’s Life tion in simple practices from the Christian contemplative tradition that leads to the $27.50, paper. PeaceWorks. by Kathleen Norris kind of transformation Jesus taught. These include Centering Prayer, a form of isbn 9780915424160 $28.50, cloth. Riverhead. Christian meditation, and Lectio Divina: “Divine reading,” a meditative practice 520 pages, b/w photos isbn 9781594489969 335 pages unique to Christianity that intersperses slow and deliberate reading of a text with si- Otis Johnson was a young college In Acedia & Me, Kathleen Norris demys- lence, contemplation, and prayer. English prof in the 1960s, when he joined tifies the forgotten but utterly relevant “Bourgeault centers her expansive house of wisdom in the sayings and extraor- the exodus of hippies concept of acedia, a term dinary death of the gospel Jesus as she turns light and darkness into a living poetry going to California to that has often been un- of self-emptying vision.”—Willis Barnstone, coauthor of The Gnostic Bible meet someone his derstood as spiritual “There are few spiritual teachers who give us genuinely fresh insight, but even friend said could take sloth, but really signifies fewer who give us the tools so we can come to those insights for ourselves. Cynthia them where they want- the serious malady of be- Bourgeault does both, and does them very well!” —Richard Rohr ed to go the fastest. ing unable to care. Also by Cynthia Bourgeault are Chanting the Psalms and Centering Prayer and Inner Where did they want With insight and can- Awakening. to go? They wanted to dor, Norris explores ace- meet the divinity, ob- dia through the geogra- tain God-conscious- phy of her life as a writer ness, get enlightened, LOVE IS STRONGER THAN DEATH and her and her husband’s bouts with ace- find love, experience The Mystical Union of Two Souls dia and its clinical cousin, depression. samadhi; in short—they didn’t know for by Cynthia Bourgeault New in Moreover, her analysis of acedia reveals its Paperback sure. burden not just on individuals but also to $18.95, paper. Praxis. isbn 9780980137101 236 pages What happened? Otis B. Johnson be- our culture as a whole, as we are desensi- A guidebook for all who are called to the path of conscious came Mansur Johnson during a three-year tized by ever more intrusive distractions love, this powerful book tells of an Episcopal priest’s intense encounter with the and lose the ability to care about what is relationship with Brother Raphael (Rafe) Robin, a seventy- world’s first Guru-Roshi- truly important. Thus, she finds that the year-old Trappist monk and hermit. Deeply Murshid, Samuel L. Lewis. “restless boredom, frantic enriched by Bourgeault’s knowledge of the Murshid shows in intimate escapism, commitment- teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff and of Christian detail how Murshid, the phobia, and enervating mysticism, their vibrant, provocative, beauti- first Western-born Sufi despair” that we struggle fully written story adds a profound new di- teacher, Zen master, and with today are “the an- Samuel L. mension to our understanding of human love and the possibility of practitioner of Indian cos- cient demon of acedia in Lewis survival beyond the grave. mic metaphysics, accom- modern dress.” Kathleen Norris Cynthia Bourgeault was a 50-year-old priest when she met her plished his life’s purpose. Norris first encountered Brother Raphael Robin soul mate, a 70-year-old hermit named Brother Raphael Robin One of his many gifts is what we now know the word acedia in The Praktikos, a book by (Rafe). They had only three years on earth together before Rafe as Dances of Universal Peace. the fourth-century Christian monk died suddenly of a heart attack. Prepare for a unique adventure of Evagrius Ponticus. spiritual discovery and transformation. Although I was still crying, the emotional sting started to lose its force, and a new and As I read this, I felt a weight lift from my Comparing favorably to Irina Tweedie’s tingling presence began to work its way up in me, literally starting from the tips of my toes. soul, for I had just discovered an accurate Daughter of Fire, her autobiographical I knew in that moment I was sustained by an invisible and intensely joyous partner. description of something that had plagued account of her Sufi discipleship with an me for years but that I had never been From then on, Bourgeault continued her love affair with Rafe. Building on this Indian teacher, Murshid describes an even able to name. unusual, interactive love-after-death experience, she has assembled some exquisite- more unique relationship, that of an Having endured times of deep soul- ly reassuring thoughts and anecdotes on eternal love and the impermanence of American student of the American Sufi- weariness since she was a teenager, she rec- death. This memoir could be inspirational for grieving lovers or anyone who wants Buddhist teacher Samuel L. Lewis… As Sam once said, “If you understand me but ognized that this passage described her af- to further explore the mysteries of love, death, spirit, and reincarnation. “This is a most unconventional love story: two aging individuals in search of God don’t understand yourselves, you’ve fliction: sinking into a state of being failed. If you don’t understand me, but meet and immediately recognize ‘the beloved’ in the other. Together they attain unable to care. Fascinated by this “noon- understand yourselves better, you’ve day demon,” familiar to those in the early what they could not do alone. They discover the highest form of human love, a love passed.” and medieval Church, Norris felt called to that joins them as one soul and defies death. This is a spiritual book about human For now, dear reader, you have before restore this concept to the modern world’s passion.” —Isabel Allende, author of The House of the Spirits you a wild, bucking-bronco of a spiritual vernacular. “A brave, significant contribution to the two deepest questions being asked by all ride. Hold on! —from the preface by Neil An examination of acedia in the light of seekers now: What really happens after death and how can human relationships Douglas-Klotz theology, psychology, monastic spirituality, help us to achieve an initiation into divine human love? Another dimension which “Everytime I remember Sam, I end up the healing powers of religious practice, this book opens up is that of the real place of eros in Christian mysticism and the act laughing at myself. That’s pretty good Acedia & Me is both intimate and histori- of living mystical experience.” —Andrew Harvey, author of Son of Man work for a dead rascal-saint.” —Ram Dass, cally sweeping, brimming with exaspera- Also by Cynthia Bourgeault: The Wisdom Jesus and Singing the Psalms. author of Still Here tion and reverence, sometimes funny, of- “I have no fonder memory of the ’60s

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 40 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! SUFISM & ISLAM ! than the appearance of this strange-look- INTRODUCTION TO ing man, who said things that made me Rumi: Love is the Water of Life SUFI DOCTRINE first laugh, then smile, then later pause in by Titus Burckhardt appreciation of a spiritual original, a pio- $17.95, paper. World Wisdom. neer.” —Jacob Needleman, author of The RUMI: THE FIRE OF LOVE isbn 9781933316505 116 pages Wisdom of Love A Novel Titus Burckhardt (1908–1984) was a by Nahal Tajadod leading member of the “traditionalist” or $29.50, cloth. Overlook Press. “perennialist” ALCHEMY OF LIGHT isbn 9781590200803 317 pages school of compara- This novel based on the life of the legendary Sufi poet Working with the Primal Energies of Life tive religious by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee Rumi delivers surprisingly intimate and knowledgeable thought, well $15.95, paper. Golden Sufi. lore without “fantasticating” what is actually known of his known for its es- isbn 9781890350130 146 pages life. Rumi: The Fire of Love, by Nahal Tajadod, vividly re- pousal of the “tran- The unique approach to spiritual life imagines the story of Rumi, whose poetry and mystic teach- scendent unity of and awakening offered in this ground- ings have mesmerized the world for centuries. Tajadod, a religions.” breaking work re- renowned translator of Rumi into French, delves into his Burckhardt was also veals how humani- soul and passion in a work that is already in production as an expert on Islam, ty’s spiritual a major motion picture. Islamic arts and practices can be a She does not hesitate to lift even the most intimate veils. crafts, and its spiri- catalyst for global Breathing new life into the mystical and carnal Orient of old, tual dimension, transformation. Tajadod delves into the soul of artistry and, embodying the mind of Sufism. It was his firsthand knowledge of Delving into the in- the great poet, uncovers the divine passion of Rumi’s work—and Sufism that qualified him to undertake pi- ner world of arche- beautifully displays that when the body and soul stop fighting oneering and authoritative translations of types and drawing against one another, they burn from the same flame. Sufi classics by renowned authors such as on the ancient tradi- Nahal Tajadod This fictionalized biography of 13th-century Turkish Sufi mystic Ibn al-Arabi, Abd al-Karim al-Jili, and tion of alchemy, this Djalal al-din Mohammad Balkhi, known as Rumi, lingers over the Mulay al-Arabi ad-Darqawi. Burckhardt’s reflective guide em- creative relationships that gave rise to his mystical writings and leaves the mystery little masterpiece, An Introduction to Sufi phasizes the inner that surrounds them in place. Rumi’s student, scribe and early biographer Hesam, Doctrine, first published in French in 1959, spiritual light of who narrates, begins his tale with the most infamous of these relationships: the is a distillation of the essence of Sufism, each individual as part of the spiritual friendship between the serene Rumi and Mohammed Malekdad, aka Shams of presenting its central doctrines and meth- light of the world, and as a potent agent Tabriz. The first meeting of Rumi and Shams is explosive: the two immediately re- ods to a Western audience in a highly in- for global change. Spiritual seekers— tire to a locked room for 40 days. Upon emerging, Rumi rejects bookish religion telligible form. and initiates the sama, the spiritual dance that lends his sect their nickname of those interested in higher consciousness, What was so stimulating for me the first spiritual activism, spiritual service, and the whirling dervishes. More conventional Muslims are appalled: they drive Shams away time I read Burckhardt was his connection between spirituality and every- from Konya, but the pining Rumi eventually tracks Shams down in Damascus and presentation of Sufism with a seriousness day life—can learn how to recognize their has him brought back. The anti-Shams faction conspires to murder him—or does of purpose and a respect for traditional own spiritual light and to work with it in he simply, miraculously, disappear? Rumi later transfers his spiritual affections to learning that was somehow adequate to service of life, expanding their spiritual Hesam, and together they create Rumi’s poetic magnum opus, the Masnavi-yi the monumental task that Sufis set out for horizon from their own individual journey Ma’navi. themselves—to achieve the encounter with God already in this life. —from the to encompass the fate of all of life on this An émigré from Tehran to Paris, Tajadod is a Sufi initiate herself and she in- preface by William Stoddart planet. cludes a resonant plethora of parables, miracles, cryptic sayings and mystic poetry throughout. She sensitively illustrates Rumi’s spirituality and circles carefully “Titus Burckhardt looks at Islam… with Light, my light, around the male relationships at the core of Rumi’s life. the eyes of a scholar who combines deep the world-filling light, spiritual insight with the love of eternal eye-kissing light, heart-sweetening light! Truth. Burckhardt’s writings reveal that Ah, the light dances, my darling, this Truth is as fresh today as it was millen- At the centre of my life… SAY NOTHING nia ago, and that it will last as long as hu- —Tagore Poems of Jalal al-Din Rumi in Persian and English mans long to see the Divine light.” translated by Iraj Anvar & Anne Twitty —Annemarie Schimmel, author of Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, $21.95, cloth. Morning Light. Mystical Dimensions of Islam whose work integrates depth psychology isbn 9781596750272 136 pages and alchemy as well, shows how to recog- Among Burckhardt’s other books are Seek the art of loosening knots. Art of Islam, The Essential Titus Burckhardt, nize and use one’s light to work with the Quick! Before your soul leaves your body. images that define our life, to change the and Alchemy, Science of the Cosmos. Say Nothing is a graceful volume of the poetry of Jalal al- collective dream from the present materi- Din Rumi by collaborators Iraj Anvar, a Persian-born schol- alistic nightmare to one of sustainability ar, singer, and reciter of Rumi—he grew up in a household INTRODUCTION TO and global unity. He takes the reader into where Rumi’s poems often echoed in his ears—and Anne TRADITIONAL ISLAM the archetypal primal powers underlying Twitty, a longtime Parabola contributor. Foundations, Art, and Spirituality life, and explores how to work with these This slim volume—with Persian on the left and English on the right—offers read- by Jean-Louis Michon energies for global rather than just indi- ers both quatrains and the longer ghazals, alternating forms that reflect the dra- $24.95, paper. World Wisdom. vidual healing and transformation. matic range of Rumi’s inspired spontaneity. We hear the rich and varied tones of a isbn 9781933316512 If we will embrace our responsibility for mature voice speaking to us of the importance of silence, the staggering impact of 160 pages, 8x10, colour our part in the world’s recreation, we can revelation and the consequent bewilderment, and as always, the Path of Love that photos & illustrations be awake at the dawn, at the moment leads to Awakening. Behind the clam- when the world shifts on its axis and a orous headlines of Let Love, the Water of Life, flow in my veins. breath from the beyond blows away the militant and political debris of the last era. We can be the future Let the mirror of dawn reflect my nights. Islam lies a more welcoming God back into His world. O Father of this new delight, flow in my soul’s veins, Become the universe’s cup and leave both worlds behind… serene and cultivated Among his other books are Love is a Fire Be a fire-eater, let the flame live on your lips. form that is tradition- and Working with Oneness. al Islam, which now is Visit him at workingwithoneness.org. Though there are many poems of ecstatic flight and equally ecstatic mourning— perhaps what Rumi is best known for—we also find less familiar moments of terse, increasingly under humorous commentary, challenging dialogues, and confrontational questioning. threat from both fun- Say Nothing inaugurates a proposed series from Morning Light that will provide damentalists and modern secularists. readers with the first reliable and satisfying Persian-English edition of Rumi’s lyric French author Jean-Louis Michon, a UN- poetry in nearly a century. ESCO advisor tasked with preserving the “At last, a worthy successor to Nicholson’s bilingual selection of the nineteenth architectural and artistic heritage of Islam, century, one which presents Rumi’s ghazals beautifully in contemporary English skillfully unveils this lesser-known dimen- and with indispensable background information. A must-have for Rumi lovers, and sion of Islam while brilliantly capturing a special gift for those who know some Persian.” —Jawid Mojaddedi, translator of the essence and beauty of this often mis- Rumi’s Masnavi for Oxford World’s Classics Series interpreted religion, which has over 1.5 billion adherents (about a quarter of the world’s population). Magnificently illustrated with over 270

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 41 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! ASTROLOGY, TAROT & ORACLES ! colour photographs, Introduction to ORIGINS OF THE TAROT Traditional Islam is divided into four parts: Cosmic Evolution and New Oracles 1: the foundations of Islam, which high- the Principles of Immortality lights the pillars of the faith as well as the by Dai Léon THE ANUBIS ORACLE traditional Islamic city and its holistic vi- $23.50, paper. North Atlantic/Frog. A Journey into the Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt sion of life; 2: the message of Islamic art; 3: isbn 9781583942611 320 pages, 7x9 by Nicki Scully & Lina Star Wolf, music and spirituality; and 4: the way of Conventional wisdom traces tarot cards illustrated by Kris Waldherr Sufism, the inward or mystical dimension to medieval Italy, but their roots go much $33.95, cards. Bear & Company. isbn 9781591430902 of Islam. further back in time and draw on a star- 160-page book with 35 full-colour cards in a boxed set “Occasionally, a book comes along that tling variety of cultures and spiritual tradi- New from the authors of Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt, this presents one of the great religious tradi- tions. Combining pioneering scholarship divination tool to connect with guides from the Egyptian pan- tions in a new and fascinating way, and this with practical spiritual instruction, this theon includes a 35-card deck with original artwork by Kris is just such a book. Dr. Michon is uniquely ambitious book is the Waldherr. qualified to convey to us the traditional first to unveil the full The Anubis Oracle is a shamanic guide to inner Egypt, a view of Islam, and he does it with great range of the ancient place of mystery, ancestral wisdom, and abiding love that re- precision and warmth. Given the pressing streams of wisdom sides within each of us. It is a place where the neteru—the ar- need for the West to understand Islam in from which tarot chetypal deities and elemental spirits from the Egyptian pantheon—lead us on our all its dimensions, this is an excellent and emerged. Author Dai journey of transformation, a journey designed to open our hearts and teach us the most welcome book for our time.” — Léon explores a con- inner workings of the soul. Michael Fitzgerald, editor of The Universal fluence of philosoph- The full-colour deck contains a Key Card, a card for each of the 22 deities and 4 Spirit of Islam ical schools from East elements, and 8 composite cards that portray several deities together. These com- and West as they re- posites represent 8 major portals of initiation and complex archetypal relation- Astrology, Tarot late to tarot, giving ships. The accompanying book provides detailed interpretations for each card and each its due in the exposition of a univer- instructions for 8 divinatory spreads that include entering into the mystery, achiev- & Divination sal procession of evolution and the soul’s ing higher love and wisdom, and identifying our sacred purpose. By divining with quest for enlightenment. That the tarot the neteru, the shaman within awakens. This allows the neteru to reveal the answers reflects such a great history of conscious we seek in our personal lives and in our interactions with the world by connecting realization and cosmological principles us with the wisdom, guidance, and shamanic mysteries of Egypt that live within us. THE WEISER CONCISE GUIDE TO has never been demonstrated in such Nicki Scully, who has taught Egyptian mysteries since 1983, lectures worldwide PRACTICAL ASTROLOGY depth. and specializes in spiritual tours to sacred sites. The author of Power Animal by Priscilla Costello, edited by James Origins of the Tarot incorporates and syn- Meditations and Alchemical Healing, she lives in Oregon. Wasserman thesizes material from Kabbalah, Western $14.75, paper. Weiser. esotericism and alchemy, Buddhism, SACRED GEOMETRY CARDS isbn 9781578634231 141 pages, b/w charts Taoism, yogic disciplines, Sufism, mystical FOR THE VISIONARY PATH Written by a counseling astrologer Christianity, Gnosticism, and by Francene Hart based in Toronto, this engaging book is an Neoplatonism. Léon traces the origins of $39.50, cards. Bear & Company. isbn 9781591430926 introduction into the the tarot’s names and hierarchy and makes 160-page illustrated book + 64 full-colour cards, boxed basic principles of as- a thoughtful analysis of the tarot trumps Containing 64 colour cards created from original paint- trology. Priscilla and their richly interwoven symbolism. ings by artist Francene Hart, Sacred Geometry Cards for the Costello unveils the The book’s unprecedented range of refer- Visionary Path provides encouragement and guidance to secrets of this elegant- ences is sure to attract close study among those on the path of conscious evolution. A natural contin- ly developed lan- students both of the world’s most endur- uation of and complement to Hart’s earlier—and beauti- guage of symbols. She ing esoteric tradition and of esotericism it- ful—Sacred Geometry Oracle Deck, this divination set con- shares with the read- self. tains 64 original full-color images that portray the sacred er both the philo- Dai Léon is also a Taoist lineage holder geometrical proportions in the natural forms of animals, sophical and esoteric in the school of Gia-fu Feng. oceans, and celestial bodies. The accompanying guidebook contains detailed in- world view of astrolo- terpretations of each card and 6 divination spreads for both personal and group gy, while exploring readings. the meanings of THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF TAROT Integrating math, science, and spirituality, these cards convey the wisdom of an- signs, planets, houses, and aspects, as well by Ruth Ann & Wald Amberston cient cultures in which art, science, and religion were seen not as separate systems as its connection to psychology, religion $27.95, paper. Weiser. but as different facets of the same truth. Working with these cards incorporates this and spirituality. The Weiser Concise Guide to isbn 9781578634163 inclusive view into our own lives to bring balance to our energy fields and allow us Practical Astrology serves as both a primer 284 pages, 7x9, b/w illustrations to access higher levels of consciousness. The wisdom they reveal can provide insight for the new student of astrology and a The Secret Language of Tarot, written by into our life’s challenges and helps restore us to a state of harmony with the natur- handy reference for the more seasoned the couple who run the highly respected al rhythms of life. practitioner. As complete as it is concise, Tarot School in New York, sets itself apart When we recognize these geometric archetypes and their relationship to the this course of study delves deeply into the from other tarot books by teaching read- underlying structure of the universe, we see clearly that there is no separation. We are history and true spirit of astrology, making ers how to translate the pictorial symbol- physically and spiritually one. it accessible to all. ism from one deck to another, strength- Sacred Geometry meshes perfectly with the concepts of conscious evolution. As we While this book contains descriptive ening the reader’s ability to recognize experience the lattices of life force displayed through the geometries, we find lists for planets in signs and houses, and specific symbols in any confirmation of our intimate relationship to All That Is… By evolution and choice we will draw on compassion, intelligence, and creativity to engender all humanity with for aspects in the familiar “cookbook” deck and in the world style, the maturity and wisdom of the au- greater coherence and synergy. This sacred pairing may well help us evolve the vision around them. of a brilliant future. thor brings a depth of meaning that is not This book can be found in many books. She also gives his- used as both a refer- deepen the understanding of the cards. The meanings suggested can also be torical perspectives on controversial areas, ence book and as a se- such as House Systems. Unlike many popular books on Tarot turned into questions to ask yourself. For ries of guided medita- and symbolism, The Secret Language of instance, by wearing a symbolic blindfold, tions on the individual The Sun in the Houses Tarot is a course of study and not merely how or where are you keeping ordinary One of the most important placements symbols. Each of the an alphabetical listing of symbolic images. distractions from interfering with deeper seven chapters con- in the horoscope is the Sun’s house This is a practical book. You will learn insights? tains a set of symbols that share a common position, which can highlight one’s main to use symbols in your readings in several “For years, Wald and Ruth Ann life purpose. The Sun may express itself as theme. Extensive research provides read- ways: Amberstone’s deep work on the symbols follows: ers with the lore and mythological mean- A symbol that jumps out and draws and esoteric traditions of the Rider-Waite- Sun in the First House: a strong need to ings of the symbols to help foster intuitive your attention has a message for you. Smith cards has been a legend, the learn- focus on yourself and your own powers. The explanation of imagery is When you notice the horse more than the development and then to express your ing and inspiration available only to their both insightful and eclectic. When read rider, then it might be urging you to follow students. This book is useful in the deep- personality confidently to the world. This from beginning to end, The Secret your animal instincts. position can foster a forceful drive to est possible sense.”—Rachel Pollack, au- Language of Tarot reveals a hidden current A symbol you’ve never noticed before, project yourself into the environment so once your attention is brought to it through thor of Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom that others experience you as a strong and of understanding and connection be- tween the individual cards of the deck. this book, can be a key to something dominant presence. unnoticed or blocked within yourself but Watch for: attention getting; relating Each chapter ends with an “Integration now ready to be revealed. everything to yourself; overwhelming Lesson” and a special “Symbol Spread” to others.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 42 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! METAPHYSICS !

THE KYBALION the nature of the aether, descriptions of the various types of aetheric beings, ascen- PEARLS OF WISDOM TAROT DECK by Three Initiates $11.00, paper. Tarcher/Putnam. sion, the spirit world, and mental influ- illustrated by Roxi Sim, isbn 9781585426430 188 pages ence. booklet by Caeli Fullbrite $24.50, cards. Seventh House. Who wrote this mysterious guide to the My thesis has been built up through isbn 9781933320175 78 colour cards + 96-page booklet principles of esoteric psychology and accretion, osmosis, and the weird alchemy This visually stunning deck, rich in detail, cross-tradition worldly success? that goes on in each of our imaginations. symbolism, iconology and colour, has been crafted by two History has kept I’ve maintained my skepticism every step readers guessing… of the way, yet whenever I try any of the Canadians, Caeli Fullbrite and Roxi Sim. Pearls of Wisdom is experiments in this book, I gain real and a traditional 78-card tarot and 96-page booklet, conceived and now, for the first time, seekers every- valuable insight into the power and with amazing colour and detail—a feast of universally un- workings of the human mind and, in doing where can discover a derstood symbolism and iconography. Appealing as a col- so, of the aether itself. lector’s item for the glorious artwork alone, widely available edi- If attempted with dedication and this deck is ultimately designed as a tool for tion of a guidebook openness, this coursework will leave no divination or magick; both mysterious and that has been an un- one unchanged. Some of you will perceive impenetrable at the same time. derground classic for the world of the aether exactly the way it Each card details associations to Runes, Triple Goddess mysteries generations. is described in this book, in all its fantastic strangeness. Others of you will gain a and the language of flowers and plants. This is a graduate course in Here are the teachings of the legendary sage Hermes deeper understanding of your capacity for the esoteric; the images even maintain the 3D effect of the original memory and visualization. The aether paintings when viewed under a magnifying glass. Trismegistus, reinterpreted for the mod- ern reader. Rumored to be an ancient manifests itself in subtle ways and never There is something in the extant Tarot imagery that reaches deep into exactly how we expect. Egyptian man-god who fathered astrology, the human psyche, awakening inspiration or new awareness. alchemy, and other magical arts, the figure Aspiring mentalists will gain insight into We think that Tarot, itself, is a pictorial summary of all the divine faculties common the aetheric plane through general theo- to humanity. As a tool, it can light the way toward harmony with your purpose. of Hermes has fascinated readers of occult literature for generations. Writers in late ry, historical examples, everyday compar- The accompanying 96-page booklet invites readers deeper by taking several ob- antiquity named Hermes Trismegistus as isons, and easy-to-follow exercises. jects from each card and explaining their significance—which adds more content the author of their own esoteric teachings, Visit Clint at www.wonderella.org. and context to card interpretation. building the mystery of his lineage. Since “When I first saw images from this deck, I knew it was special. The artwork sug- 1908, The Kybalion—written at the hand of gested a cross between Gypsy Tarot and Sacred Rose—a kind of psychedelic na- the unnamed “Three Initiates”—has itself REMOTE VIEWING turescape, with various symbols including runes, strings of pearls, candles, geomet- generated debate and controversy. Who is The Complete User’s Manual ric shapes, bumblebees and others added. The images are recognizable as Tarot behind it? Do its ideas really arise from the for Coordinate Remote Viewing symbols, though they are not bound by the usual Tarot conventions; this deck has secrets of a distant era? And, most impor- by David Morehouse a much deeper meaning than faithfulness to any tradition. If you are looking for a $30.75, Book+CD set. tant, do they work for the modern seeker? Book Rider-Waite clone, you had best keep looking, as that is not what this deck is about. Sounds True. In this concise guide, the pseudonymous & CD This is a new and innovative interpretation of the Tarot and its imagery; it is the isbn 9781591792390 author breaks down Hermetic doctrine kind of deck that feels like a cool, fresh breeze to those looking for new insights.” 400 pages + 1.25-hour audio CD into seven compelling principles, and then —David Albert, Amazon David Morehouse offers step-by-step in- provides practical methods for how to ap- A Pearls of Wisdom Study Group has formed on the popular tarot forum structions on how to use remote viewing ply them for self-development in daily life. Aeclectic (www.aeclectic.net). Aeclectic also lists over 1000 rated and reviewed techniques to observe details from the The identity of Three Initiates has been Tarot & Oracle decks, so you can see sample images of the art and read in-depth re- past, the future, and the subject of much secrecy and rumor views before buying your own Tarot cards. across physical dis- since The Kybalion first appeared at the be- tances to change ginning of the twentieth century. your personal des- EVENT PEARLS OF WISDOM tiny and expand your consciousness THE MENTALIST’S HANDBOOK • TALK, DEMO & DECKSIGNING Fri., Nov. 21 SEE P. 5 FOR INFO of the many dimen- An Explorer’s Guide to Astral, Spirit, sions of reality. The and Psychic Worlds by Clint Marsh, illustrations by Jeff Hoke book includes a 77- $18.95, paper. Weiser. minute pink noise Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic isbn 9781578634217 CD—a brain syn- Metaphysics (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). 196 pages, b/w illustrations chronization tool Philosophy 101 for those who like to take The Mentalist’s Handbook is a collection of that induces an ideal alpha-theta mind & Philosophy the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to exercises & guidelines (both practical & state for your remote viewing journey. read—and finally, it all makes sense! whimsical) inspired Even those who accept that humans can Philosophy and jokes proceed from the by an entire genre of reach beyond the conventional five senses PLATO & A PLATYPUS same impulse: to confound our sense of esoteric, occult, & typically think of psychics as “special” or WALK INTO A BAR the way things are, to flip our worlds magic books pub- “gifted” with unusual abilities. But David Understanding Philosophy through Jokes upside down, and to ferret out hidden, lished over the last Morehouse teaches otherwise—all human by Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein often uncomfortable, truths about life. 150 years, accompa- beings, including you, have the innate ca- What the philosopher calls an insight, the $13.00, paper. Penguin. nied by posters pacity for Remote Viewing. gagster calls a zinger… isbn 9780143113874 Morehouse was trained by the U.S. gov- We could go on and on—and in fact added for visual aid. 215 pages, a few cartoons ernment in Remote Viewing—an exact sci- we will, from Agnosticism to Zen, from This delightful field entific protocol for tapping the human This is the hilarious philosophy course Hermeneutics to Eternity. We will show guide to the paranor- everyone wishes they’d had in school. how philosophical concepts can be mal will appeal to power to gather information across space Outrageously funny, illuminated by jokes and how many jokes students of the New and time. In this comprehensive manual, Plato and a Platypus are loaded with fascinating philosophical Age; esoteric schol- he has taken his military training as an Walk into a Bar has content. ars; readers of post-modern and graphical “operational” Remote Viewer and turned been a breakout Tom Cathcart and Daniel Klein pursued realism; angel, ghost & fairy enthusiasts; it into a step-by-step training system—one bestseller ever since the usual careers after majoring in philos- comic and graphica fans; and artists alike. that teaches any serious reader how to un- authors—and born ophy at Harvard. Tom worked with street According to author Marsh, there exists lock their natural abilities and become vaudevillians— gangs in Chicago and dropped in and out a world mirroring our own. Everything in more than the physical world allows. Thomas Cathcart of various divinity schools. Dan wrote this world is made of substance finer than You have the ability to do this. and Daniel Klein jokes for comedians, including Flip air, finer than light, finer than thought it- Something extraordinary is absolutely did their schtick on Wilson and Lily Tomlin, designed stunts self—the aether. He has created this user- possible in your life. NPR’s Weekend for Candid Camera, and continues to pen friendly guide to exploration and shifting As you gain experience and confidence Edition. Lively, origi- thrillers. one’s everyday consciousness into this as a Viewer, you will tap into the collective nal, and surprisingly informative, Plato aetheric world. The book’s content, which unconscious that connects you to every- and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar is a not-so- Poetry the shortest distance between includes numerous exercises and gorgeous thing and everyone in the universe. reverent crash course through the great two humans. black-and-white illustrations by award-win- Through Morehouse’s training, you will philosophical thinkers and traditions, —Lawrence Ferlinghetti, ning artist Jeff Hoke, is divided into six ma- learn to touch the infinite source of life from Existentialism (What do Hegel and from Poetry as Insurgent Art jor chapters and explores such topics as and knowledge that spiritual masters

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 43 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009

! REVELATION ! throughout human history have sought. now gone through every page of the David Morehouse’s superiors in the original transcriptions and modified every James Twyman: DIA/CIA called him “the most exception- part that might be made easier for the al candidate ever to have grasped this dif- reader to understand and to put into ficult intelligence collection methodolo- immediate physical use. “Use Your Divine Power” gy.” What sets him apart as a teacher is his Also included with the book is a free CD unparalleled ability to present the com- (excerpted from a live Abraham-Hicks THE MOSES CODE plexities of Remote Viewing in an accessi- workshop) that features the Art of The Most Powerful Manifestation Tool ble, logical, and artful manner. As more Allowing your physical and financial well- in the History of the World than 23,000 students have already discov- being to come through. by James Twyman ered, David Morehouse has set a new and Among the other popular publications $18.95, cloth. Hay House. brilliant standard for teaching the scientif- of the Hicks are The Astonishing Power of isbn 9781401917883 198 pages ic protocol of Remote Viewing. Emotions and Ask and It is Given. The Moses Code (translated as “I Am That, I Am”) was Also by David Morehouse are Remote More info: www.abraham-hicks.com. first used to create some of the greatest miracles in the his- Viewing: An Introduction (4 CDs) and The tory of the world, but then it was hidden, perhaps lost, and Remote Viewing Training Course (21 CDs, only the highest initiates were allowed to workbook, targets). THE SPONTANEOUS practice it. In this book, James Twyman re- HEALING OF BELIEF veals the Code in a new way for the first Shattering the Paradigm of False Limits time, showing how it can be used to create by Gregg Braden miracles in your life… and in the world. “By practicing the princi- Transmissions $15.95, paper. Hay House. ples presented within these pages, you’ll discover how you can inte- isbn 9781401916909 210 pages grate the most powerful manifestation tool in the history of the & Revelations $24.95, 4 CDs. James Twyman world into your own life.” isbn 9781401917319 4 hours At the very heart of The Moses Code is the true function and prac- Could a change in our perceptions—a tice of the Law of Attraction. shift in our beliefs—hold the timeless se- You may have been told that this Law is all about “getting” the things you want— MONEY, AND THE cret to healing, peace, and even reality it- things that you think will make your life more satisfying. But what if that’s just the first LAW OF ATTRACTION self? For more than twenty years, author step, and cracking the Moses Code depends more on what you’re willing to “give” Learning to Attract Wealth, Gregg Braden (The rather than “get.” That would mean that you have the power to create miracles in your Health, and Happiness Divine Matrix) has life right now! It would also mean that you have the ability, even the responsibility, to by Esther & Jerry Hicks searched for the un- use that power for more than just attracting money, a better car, or the perfect $17.95, paper. Hay House. derstanding to do relationship. You’re here to use the power of Divinity itself to create a world based on isbn 9781401918811 265 pages + audio-CD just that. His new the laws of compassion and peace. That’s the task that lies before us. $40.95, 8 CDs. book offers us the Spiritual peacemaker Twyman has brought together thousands of people to in- isbn 9781401918774 8 hours wisdom of our an- voke peace by holding hands (and hearts) while completely surrounding the Old This new work by cestors and the sci- City of Jerusalem. In The Moses Code (which is also the title of a spiritual documen- Esther and Jerry ence of modern dis- tary DVD in which he is featured), he discusses the Law of Attraction, explores the Hicks, who present coveries: the Moses story and its reflections in our own lives, and touches on many themes such the teachings of the miracles that open as Spiritual vs. Religious, Ego vs. Soul, Reality vs. Imagination, and welcoming the Non-Physical con- the door to a power- flow of blessing through our lives. sciousness Abraham, ful new way of see- See also www.themosescode.com. explains that the two ing the world, and the science that tells us subjects most chron- why the miracles are possible, revealing THE MOSES CODE ically affected by the why we are not limited by the “laws” of The Movie Law of Attraction physics and biology as we know them to- by James Twyman are financial and day. $20.95, DVD. Hay House. physical well-being. Once we become aware of the isbn 9781401922436 This book will paradigm-shattering discoveries and true- 90 minutes + 30 minutes of extras shine a spotlight on each of the most life miracles, we must think of ourselves About a hundred generations ago the “Burning Bush” significant aspects of your life experience differently. And that difference is where gave Moses a gift, a simple code that could activate the pow- and then guide you to the conscious the spontaneous healing of belief begins. er of the creative force of God in the world. This ancient creative control of every aspect of your technology (roughly translated as I AM THAT, I AM) has life, and also goes right to A growing body of scientific evidence largely been lost or ignored since then, only to be revealed the heart of what most of suggests that our universe works like a you are probably troubled Consciousness Computer. once again through this movie (as well as James Twyman’s by: money and physical Rather than the number book of the same name). This code, if finally applied by hu- health. Not having enough codes of typical software, manity, has the power to transform the planet, as well as add the richest blessings money or not having good our Consciousness to all of us. health puts you in the Computer uses a language Directed by Drew Heriot (who also directed The Secret), this fast-paced talking- Jerry & Esther perfect position for creating that we all have, yet are heads documentary features some of the best-known spiritual teachers in the world. Hicks more of that which you do only beginning to under- Among them are Debbie Ford, Neale Donald Walsch, Gregg Braden, Iyanla not have. This book has Vanzant, Cheryl Richardson, Mary Manin Morrissey, and Michael Bernard Gregg Braden stand. Life’s reality code is been written to deliberately align you with Beckwith. In a variety of engaging anecdotes and teachings, they offer tools that the most powerful law in the universe— based in the language of the Law of Attraction—so that you can human emotion and focused belief. show us how we can apply the Moses Code to our lives. This is the foundation upon make it work specifically for you. Knowing that belief is our reality-maker, which the Law of Attraction is built. Featuring many sequences of James Twyman himself talking, his film focuses on Money, and the Law of Attraction is for- that everything from the DNA of our bod- the power of Soul Manifestation, drawing upon our own innate spiritual ability to matted in five essays: ies to the success of our relationships and produce miracles everywhere we go. Many other films and books have focused on Part I – Processing of Pivoting and the peace of our world is based in what we using the Law of Attraction to get the things we believe we need—for example, Positive Aspects believe, the way we think of ourselves and houses, cars, or other goods. The Moses Code takes the much more important step Part II – Attracting Money and our world is now more important than showing how to use this law to give from the soul, thus attracting spiritual blessings Manifesting Abundance ever. to us. Part III – Maintaining Your Physical Belief is expressed in the heart, where See www.themosescode.com to view the trailer, clips, and learn more. Well-Being our experiences are translated into the Part IV – Perspectives of Health, Weight, electrical and magnetic waves that interact and Mind with the physical world. Part V – Careers as Profitable Sources of Other books by Gregg Braden are The EVENT Pleasure. Isaiah Effect and The God Code. This book has evolved from the transcription of five of our original James Twyman recordings from over 20 years ago. This is BOOKSIGNING, Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 pm, Banyen Books. the first time these transcriptions have been available in print. However, they’re See pages 4 & 5 for info on Concert and Moses Code Workshop not word for word because Abraham has

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 44 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! GIVE IT UP! !

Much to their sur- Business, Work THE NECESSARY REVOLUTION prise, the dressing How Individuals and Organizations are Working Together to was enthusiastically & Right Livelihood Create a Sustainable World received. by Peter Senge What had started $30.95, cloth. Doubleday. as a lark quickly es- THE POWER OF GIVING isbn 9780385519014 406 pages, charts calated into a full- How Giving Back Enriches Us All $31.50, 5 CDs. Random House. fledged business, by Azim Jamal & Harvey McKinnon isbn 9780739366448 6 hours, abridged the first company to $25.00, cloth. Tarcher/Putnam. A necessary revolution is underway, and spreading fast. place all-natural isbn 9781585426683 180 pages Organizations everywhere are leading the change from foods in supermar- This accessible guide from two the “take, make, waste” way that has dom- kets. From salad Vancouver visionaries teaches a inated the developed world for the last dressing to spaghet- precious lesson: the more you 200 years to new strategies and transfor- ti sauce, to popcorn and lemonade, give, the more you have—and helps mative practices that “change the very way Newman’s Own became a major player in you appreciate the many unexpect- we do business” and promote a flourish- the food business, ed gifts you are ing, sustainable world. There is a long way to go, but the era of de- uniquely giving all its able to offer others nial has ended. Today’s true leaders know that revolutionary, whole- after-tax profits to the (beyond just mon- system changes—not just incremental changes—in the way we live less fortunate without Peter Senge ey!). and work are necessary for their, and our, survival. spending money on When most of us We need to cut carbon dioxide emissions globally by 80 percent in galas, mailings, and think of giving, we 20 years. We need to reduce our consumption of water and energy drastically. We need other expensive out- usually think only to stop pretending that the problems belong to someone else: In an interconnected Paul Newman reaches. Originally in terms of time or world, it doesn’t matter whose end of the boat has a hole… And every one of us has to donated to medical re- money, things we be part of the solution. search, education, and the environment, would like to share Imagine a world in which the excess energy from one business would be used to the donations—over $150 million in 25 but barely have heat another. Where “regenerative” commercial buildings—ones that create more years!—eventually went to the creation of enough of for our- energy than they use—are being designed. A world in which environmentally the eight Hole in the Wall selves. But we have sound products and processes would be more cost-effective than wasteful ones. Gang camps for children far more to give Now, stop imagining—that world is already emerging. with serious illnesses. than we realize, and we Brimming with inspiring stories from around the globe and from organizations In this zany saga of their stand to benefit more including Alcoa, Oxfam, Costco, Dupont, Seventh Generation, and GE, Peter own nonmanagement ad- from giving than we can Senge—named one of the 24 people who had “the greatest influence on business venture, in alternating voic- begin to imagine. strategy in the last 100 years”—clearly shows that ordinary people at every level with- es, playing off one another In The Power of Giving, in every organization have the ability and innovative spirit to do extraordinary in classic “Odd Couple” AE Hotchner Azim Jamal and Harvey things. By working collaboratively across boundaries, they are amplifying their cre- style, they describe how McKinnon expand “giv- ativity to find unprecedented solutions in an intensely interdependent world. they systematically disregarded the advice Azim Jamal ing” to include the giving Senge also shows how by working together, businesses, government, and nonprof- of experts—no focus groups, no advertis- & Harvey of kindness, ideas, advice, its are starting to bring about real, sustainable change. McKinnon ing, no preservatives—and relied instead attention, skills, time, The Necessary Revolution offers a toolkit with specific strategies and points of ac- on instinct, imagination, and mostly luck. hope, love, touch, and much more. tion to help change how organizations think and act. It’s an essential, energizing They write about how they hurdled ob- Highlighting such practices as “escalator guidebook for all of us who recognize the need to act and work together—now— stacle after obstacle, share their hilarious giving,” “intrapersonal tithing,” and “idea to create a sustainable world—for ourselves and for the generations that will follow. misadventures, and reveal their offbeat so- tithing” (among others), this lively guide to Also by Peter Senge are The Fifth Discipline and Presence. lutions to everyday problems. Even their every facet of giving helps us understand approach to charity is decidedly different: why we should give and what each of us out with new material, new tools and an en- every year they give away all the company’s has to give—as well as to whom, how, THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY HANDBOOK tirely new chapter on case applications. profits, empty the coffers, and start over when, and how much to give. This is gen- For Leaders of Change, 2nd Edition And throughout, the authors focus on how again. The results of this amazing gen- erosity education in spades! by David Cooperrider, Diana Whitney & Appreciative Inquiry can support an orga- erosity are brought to life in heartwarming Equally significant as the difference that Jacqueline Stavros nizational focus on sustainability and the stories about the children at their camps. giving makes in the lives of others is the $55.95, paper. Berrett-Koehler. “triple bottom line” of people, prosperity, With glimpses into their zany style and difference that it makes in our own lives, isbn 9781576754931 454 pages, 7x9, charts and planet. their compassion for those less fortunate, with benefits ranging from the practical, One of today’s most popular change Newman and Hotchner have written the such as improved health and professional Appreciative Inquiry is the cooperative methods, Appreciative Inquiry (AI) has co-evolutionary search for the best in perfect nonmanagement book, at once connections, to the intangible, like hope been used to undertake transformational people, their organizations, and the world playful, informative, and inspirational. It and a sense of connection with others. initiatives in dozens of organizations, around them. It involves the discovery of also serves as a textbook for foundations We hope that this book will help you ranging from what gives “life” to a living system when it and charitable organizations looking to do become a better giver—more generous, McDonald’s to is most effective, alive, and constructively the most good they can with what they more strategic—and that you in turn will the U.S. Navy to capable in economic, ecological, and have. help others to become better givers too… Save the human terms. AI involves the art and “Two guys in a basement invented a de- We hope we can inspire you to become Children. The practice of asking questions that strengthen cent salad dressing and over the past 20 more involved in your community and to a system’s capacity to apprehend, years they’ve given away $150 million to be more generous with your time and assumption of anticipate, and heighten positive potential. money. AI is simple. make the world conform just a little more Every organiza- to their sunny vision. They’re extraordi- Full of personal stories and inspira- tion has some- narily cool dudes.” —Carolyn See tional ideas, thought-provoking exercises thing that works IN PURSUIT OF THE COMMON that help the reader discover what they right—things GOOD have to give and how to best give it, and Twenty-Five Years of Improving that give it life New in special sections on corporate giving, the World, One Bottle of Salad when it is vital, Paperback teaching children how to give, giving for- Dressing at a Time effective, and successful. AI begins by giveness, giving what we need to receive, by Paul Newman & A.E. Hotchner identifying this positive core and connect- and giving wisely for maximum impact $15.50, paper. Broadway. ing organizational visions, plans, and and benefit, The Power of Giving shows us isbn 9780767929974 248 pages structures to it in ways that heighten ener- how the act of giving is a fundamental hu- In 1982, Paul Newman and his buddy gy and inspire action for change. The au- man need with the power to enrich all our Hotchner decided that rather than just dis- thors provide background information on lives. It is a compelling read for anyone in- tribute Paul’s own salad dressing what AI is and how it works, and offer sam- terested in improving the world, and blos- at Christmas to neighbors, they ple project plans, designs, agendas, course soming their own hearts and lives in the would offer it to a few local outlines, interview guidelines, participant process. stores. Freewheeling, irreverent worksheets, a list of resources and more. See www.thepowerofgiving.org. entrepreneurs, they conceived of This second edition has been extensively their venture as a great way to poke fun at revised, updated and expanded through- the traditional way the market operates. —Sean Mills (1935 - 2008)

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 45 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! COMMUNITY:COLLAPSE & REINVENTION !

ECOPRENEURING transport, to housing and a “radical Putting Purpose and the Planet before Profits COMMUNITY cashectomy.” He notes differences and by John Ivanko & Lisa Kivirist The Structure of Belonging similarities between the U.S. and USSR in $17.95, paper. New Society. by Peter Block how the two cultures might deal with such isbn 9780865716056 212 pages, b/w photos $29.95, cloth. Berrett-Koehler. massive change. Reinventing Collapse sug- Social trends toward green living, re-lo- isbn 9781576754870 238 pages gests that there is room for optimism if calization, and self-sufficiency have fanned This book is written to support those who care for the well- we focus our efforts on personal and cul- the fires of would-be ecopreneurs in being of their community. It is for anyone who wants to be part tural transformation. With characteristic North America, of creating an organization, neighborhood, city, or country that dry humor, Orlov identifies three pro- driving a shift to- works for all, and who has the faith and the energy to create such gressive stages of response to the crisis: ward prioritizing a place. ! Mitigation—alleviating the impact of the purpose over Most of our communities are fragmented and at odds coming upheaval profits, and within themselves. Businesses, social services, education, and ! Adaptation—adjusting to the reality of building com- health care each live within their own worlds. The same is changed conditions munity over true of individual citizens, who long for connection but end up marginalized, their ! Opportunity—flourishing after the col- building market gifts overlooked, their potential contributions lost. What keeps this lapse. share. A nation from changing is that we are trapped in an old and tired conversation He argues that by examining maladap- of nine-to-fivers about who we are. If this narrative does not shift, we will never truly tive parts of our common cultural bag- is giving way to a create a common future and work toward it together. gage, we can survive, thrive, and discover spirited bunch of What Peter Block provides in this inspiring new book is an explo- more meaningful and fulfilling lives, in innovators, ration of the exact way community can emerge from fragmentation. spite of steadily deteriorating circum- searching for How is community built? How does the transformation occur? What stances. This challenging yet inspiring ways to make a Peter Block fundamental shifts are involved? What can individuals and formal work is a must-read for anyone concerned life instead of simply making a living. leaders do to create a place they want to inhabit? We know what about energy, geopolitics, international Ecopreneuring shows how we can earn healthy communities look like—there are many success stories out there. The chal- relations, and life in a post–Peak Oil our daily bread on a local or regional level lenge is how to create one in our own place. world. while saving money, strengthening the “Indispensable for anyone who seeks to Communities are human systems given form by conversations that build relatedness. economy, and helping restore the planet understand the economic storm that is to ecological health and social stability. It Block helps us see how we can change the existing context of community from about to make landfall on our shores.” — is essential reading for small business own- one of deficiencies, interests, and entitlement to one of possibility, generosity, and James Howard Kunstler, author of The ers, prospective entrepreneurs, and any- gifts. Questions are more important than answers in this effort, which means lead- Long Emergency one who dreams of a livelihood based on ership is not a matter of style or vision but is about getting the right people togeth- Dmitry Orlov was born in Leningrad independence, creativity, passion, and a er in the right way: convening is a more critical skill than commanding. As he ex- and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of commitment to green practices and sus- plores the nature of community and the dynamics of transformation, Block outlines twelve. He was an eyewitness to the Soviet tainability. “five kinds of conversations for structuring belonging” (possibility, ownership, dis- collapse over several extended visits to his Part small business manifesto, part per- sent, commitment, and gifts) that will create communal accountability and com- Russian homeland between the late sonal finance primer, this accessible guide mitment and then goes on to describe how we can design physical spaces and struc- Eighties and mid-Nineties. He saw an em- provides an in-depth exploration of eco- tures that will themselves foster a sense of belonging. pire cease to exist and a society forced to business basics, purposeful management, In Community, Peter Block explores a way of thinking about our places that cre- reorganize itself from top to bottom. marketing in the green economy, and run- ates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can ning a lifestyle business. do to make that happen. A wonderful book! The authors, innkeepers of an award- THE SHOCK DOCTRINE winning bed and breakfast powered by re- terrorism in the girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with en- The Rise of Disaster Capitalism newable energy, include profiles of other Taliban’s backyard grossing accounts of both hostilities and by Naomi Klein successful small business ecopreneurs and is a riveting read. unlikely friendships, this book will win $22.00, paper. Random House. social entrepreneurs working in the non- On the afternoon many readers’ hearts. isbn 9780676978018 662 pages “This brilliant, brave and terri- profit sector. With 77 million baby of September 2, Taking great personal risks to seed the fying book is nothing less than the boomers about to retire and many of them 1993, Greg region that gave birth to the Taliban with hankering to start their dream businesses, Mortenson realized schools, Mortenson goes to war with the secret history of what we call the ecopreneuring is set to boom. that he had failed in root causes of terror every time he offers a ‘Free Market.’ It should be compulso- “This practical book does nothing less his attempt to climb student a chance to receive a balanced ry reading.” —Arundhati Roy than redefine free enterprise… If you K2, the world’s sec- education, rather than attend an extremist In The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein ex- have ever considered starting a business ond-highest moun- madrassa. poses the thinking, the money trail and with social and environmental goals, do tain. But disap- the puppet strings yourself a favor and read this book.” — pointment was the behind the world- Kevin Danaher, author of Building the least of his problems. Emaciated, exhaust- REINVENTING COLLAPSE changing crises and Green Economy: Success Stories from the ed, thoroughly disoriented, and suffering The Soviet Example and American Prospects wars of the last Grassroots from edema, his grip on life was loosen- by Dmitry Orlov four decades. This ing. He was taken in and nursed back to $17.95, paper. New Society. gripping story of health by the impoverished populace of isbn 9780865716063 256 pages how America’s Ecology, Community Korphe, a remote Pakistani village. In these waning days of the American “free market” poli- & Politics Grateful, he promised to return someday empire—the warning signs read loud and cies have come to to build them a school. Three Cups of Tea is clear: the dominate the the story of that promise and the story of American Dream world—through how one man changed the world, one is about to be- the exploitation of THREE CUPS OF TEA school at a time. come a night- disaster-shocked One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace… Greg’s project grew into the Central mare—the U.S. is people and coun- One School at a Time Asia Institute, which has since constructed mired in political tries—is a chilling, important book for by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin more than 50 schools—especially for crisis, with its for- anyone who wants to understand how the $16.50, paper. Penguin. eign policy com- world really works. isbn 9780143038252 348 pages, b/w photos girls—across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts ing under sharp At the most chaotic juncture in Iraq’s Here (in Pakistan and Afghanistan), we Mortenson’s efforts in fascinating detail, criticism and its civil war, a new law is unveiled that drink three cups of tea to do business; the “great” economy would allow Shell and BP to claim the first you are a stranger, the second you presenting compelling portraits of the vil- lage elders, con artists, philanthropists, in steep decline. country’s vast oil reserves… Immediately become a friend, and the third, you join These trends spookily mirror the experi- following September 11, the Bush our family, and for our family we are mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious ence of the Soviet Union in the early Administration quietly out-sources the prepared to do anything—even die.” — school girls and upright Muslims Greg 1980s. Reinventing Collapse examines the running of the “War on Terror” to Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram met along the way. As the book moves into Halliburton and Blackwater… After a circumstances of the demise of the Soviet Mountains, Pakistan the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin tsunami wipes out the coasts of Southeast superpower and offers clear insights into This astonishing, uplifting story of a argue that the West must fight Islamic ex- Asia, the pristine beaches are auctioned how we might prepare for coming events real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitari- tremism in the region through collabora- off to tourist resorts... New Orleans’s in our part of the world. an campaign to use education to combat tive efforts to alleviate poverty and im- residents, scattered from Hurricane prove access to education, especially for Orlov looks at everything from food and Katrina, discover that their public

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 46 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! WHAT IS REAL WEALTH? !

housing, hospitals and schools will never REAL WEALTH OF NATIONS be reopened… These events are examples The Better World Guides Creating a Caring Economics of “the shock doctrine”: using the public’s by Riane Eisler disorientation following massive collective $17.95, paper. Berrett-Koehler. shocks—wars, terrorist attacks, or natural THE BETTER WORLD HANDBOOK isbn 9781576756294 336 pages disasters—to achieve control by imposing Small Changes That Make a Big Difference As we see Wall Street crumble from un- economic shock therapy. by Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler & Brett Johnson regulated greed, this work of grand eco- Sometimes, when the first $19.95, paper. New Society. nomic theory is a two shocks don’t succeed isbn 9780865715752 320 pages in wiping out resistance, a timely inquiry into Substantially updated, The Better World Handbook shows the nature and third shock is employed: caring but busy people how to live out their progressive the electrode in the prison causes of “the real cell or the Taser gun on the values and still have a life. The principle behind this en- wealth of nations.” streets. gaging guide is incorporating everyday activism into the Social scientist Naomi Klein most mundane areas of our lives—like grocery shopping, Based on superb histori- Riane Eisler, au- banking, eating, reading the news, and working. cal research and four years thor of the best- The book begins with a concise summary of our society’s of on-the-ground reporting in disaster seller The Chalice most pressing problems that lead directly to seven foun- zones, The Shock Doctrine vividly shows how and the Blade, dations necessary for building a better world: economic disaster capitalism—the rapid-fire corpo- shows here how the fairness, comprehensive peace, ecological sustainability, deep democracy, social rate reengineering of societies still reeling great problems of justice, a culture of simplicity, and revitalized community. Further chapters are or- from shock and too disoriented to protect our time—such as ganized around topics such as Good, Money, Transportation, Work, and Media, fo- their interests—did not begin with poverty, inequality, cusing on activities that support the seven foundations for a better world. A pur- September 11, 2001. The book traces its war, terrorism, and environmental degra- chase can help a locally owned business to thrive; money invested in the right bank origins back fifty years, to the U. of dation—are due largely to flawed eco- can create opportunities for poor communities; a vacation can contribute to pre- Chicago under Milton Friedman (“Only a nomic systems that set the serving wilderness areas; tuning in to public and alternative media can put readers New in crisis—actual or perceived— produces wrong priorities and misallo- back in control of their thoughts, feelings and values that mainstream media mar- Paperback real change”), which produced many of cate resources. Conventional ginalize. the leading neo-conservative and neo-lib- economic models fail to value and support Practical and extremely well researched by four university instructors (they teach eral thinkers whose influence is still strong the most essential human work—caring classes in Social Movements, Race Relations, Gender Issues, and Nonviolence) who in Washington today. New, surprising con- and caregiving—so basic human needs are have synthesized knowledge from a wide variety of sources, The Better World nections are drawn between economic increasingly neglected, despair and eco- Handbook provides readers with essential information they need to take effective policy, “shock and awe” warfare and covert logical destruction escalate, and the re- actions that will make a difference across the entire spectrum of world problems. CIA-funded experiments in electroshock sulting social tensions fuel many of the Also available is The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference. and sensory deprivation in the 1950s, re- conflicts we face today. search that helped write the torture man- She begins with her original thesis: that we inherit and inhabit a personal and so- uals used today in Guantanamo Bay. THE BETTER WORLD SHOPPING GUIDE The book follows the application of cial world that masculinity has built by Revised Edition: Every Dollar Makes a Difference consistently devaluing and subordinating these ideas though our contemporary his- by Ellis Jones the feminine. Pointing out the socially and tory, showing in riveting detail how well- $9.95, paper. New Society. ecologically destructive flaws inherent in known events of the recent past have been isbn 9780865716308 176 pages, 4x6 both capitalist and social- deliberate, active theatres for the shock Based on the principle that “Every Dollar You Spend is ist economies, she asserts doctrine. a Vote for the World You Want to Create!” The Better World that our emerging global “The Shock Doctrine is so important and Shopping Guide is the only comprehensive guide available society needs a new story so revelatory a book that it could very well for socially and environmentally responsible consumers. of what human nature and prove a catalyst, a watershed, a tipping It contains over 17 years’ comprehensive research dis- economics are and can be. point in the movement for economic and tilled into a pocket-sized, shopping-friendly format, grad- Eisler offers a bold re- social justice.” —Tim Robbins, filmmaker ing every product on the shelf from A to F so you can Riane Eisler formulation: a caring eco- quickly tell the “good buys” from the “bad guys”—turn- nomics that transcends tra- ing your shopping list into a powerful tool to change the world—as you shop. The ditional categories like “capitalist” and SMALL IS POSSIBLE data is distilled and organized into common product categories including coffee, “socialist” and offers enormous economic Life in a Local Economy energy bars, computers, gasoline, clothing, banks, cars, water and more. and social benefits. She describes how to by Lyle Estill Also included is a summary of the essential information about particular product put this model into practice through new $17.95, paper. New Society. categories, profiles of the best and worst companies, practical buying tips and the isbn 9780865716032 224 pages government and business policies and most useful online resources available. Whether your concern is for eco-sustain- In an era when incomprehensibly com- practices, innovative economic indicators ability, human rights, animal protection, community involvement or social justice, plex issues like Peak Oil and climate that incorporate caregiving activities, and this book speaks to you! change dominate new social structures. And she lays out It’s small enough to fit in a back pocket or small purse, too. headlines, and fears practical steps we can take to move to- for the future Unfortunately, as difficult as it is to find good, solid information on candidates during wards a society based on this more hu- abound, focusing at an election year, it’s often even harder to find good, solid information on corporations. mane economic model. Our current laws are so lax, that half of the time we can’t even figure out which brands a local level can belong to which companies (they don’t have to tell us), much less have any idea of what “This ‘partnership’ mentality can help seem somehow inad- their business practices look like. us redefine key concepts such as ‘value’ equate. Well, take and ‘needs.’ Citing the most recent eco- For the past 7 years, I’ve dedicated myself to researching this very problem by heart from the folks compiling a database of every reliable source of information available on corporate nomic data and offering numerous rele- of Chatham County, behavior, and synthesized the information into a single report card grade for every vant examples of places where efforts to North Carolina who company. The result is this book. Use it to reclaim your true vote. Use it to build a practice a caring economics have succeed- found actual solu- better world. ed both in pre-industrial and modern so- tions to actual prob- cieties, such as the Nordic nations, the lems. book is ambitious in breadth, depth and a community to feed itself, fuel itself, heal serving up sustainability with a hefty dose Small is Possible is the story of how one scope. Eisler delivers another impressive . . Tough subjects are handled with hu- small southern U.S. town, filled with fasci- itself, and govern itself of wit work that’s remarkably well referenced, mour and finesse, and compelling true sto- nating and diverse people, fostered a com- This book is partly an answer to some well argued, insightful and hopeful.” — ries of successful small businesses describe munity-powered response to resource de- of the questions James Kunstler lays out in Publishers Weekly The Long Emergency. He is curious about a town and its people on a genuine quest pletion in a fickle global economy. whether or not we possess the vernacular Unwilling to rely on the government and for sustainability. The real miracle is to be awake in the knowledge to survive in the face of “This is a wonderful, often funny, and wary of large corporations, these residents resource depletion and societal collapse, present moment. Walking on the green developed a thriving food co-op with sus- inspiring book. Lyle Estill weaves a tapestry Earth, we realize the wonder of being and in as much as this book is an of stories of local people and places that, tainable farms to back it up, turned a back- investigation of his question, the alive… To celebrate the gift of water is taken together, begin to form the outlines yard biodiesel venture into a full-tilt com- overwhelming answer is “yes, our to cultivate awareness and help sustain of sustainable, self-reliant communities mercial plant, and created numerous community will be just fine.” our life and the lives of others. enterprises, from music festivals to wireless united by the desire to cooperate for the This book is filled with newspaper common good.” —Greg Pahl, author of —Thich Nhat Hanh, networks along the way. In the process, columns, blog entries, letters, and essays, from The World We Have they discovered that it really is possible for The Citizen-Powered Handbook

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 47 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! GREEN, COOL AND SMART !

everywhere are using to seek a sustainable Climate Change: Solutions & Calls to Action future for humanity. Ecological knowledge brings us face to CLIMATE SOLUTIONS: A CITIZEN’S GUIDE cies, who’d pay for them, and who’d profit. It strips face with the underlying paradox of our What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why away the spin and tells you the key facts you need to place on Earth today: understanding the by Peter Barnes know. marvelous intricacy, variety, and beauty $10.95, paper. Chelsea Green. In a very real sense, this guide ushers in the next of life gives us endless delight, but isbn 9781603580052 94 pages, diagrams & illustrations stage of the global warming debate. In the first stage, coupled with this joy comes the pain of All levels of government—local and federal—are we discussed the problem. In the next stage, we must seeing how grievously destructive to the web of life are our dominant industrial, being challenged to take immediate and effective ac- choose solutions. Should we adopt a carbon tax? A agricultural, and personal activities. tion to fight climate change. But there’s a big prob- carbon cap? A trading system that allows companies Fortunately, we do not face this paradox lem. Hundreds of policy ideas are floating about, to “offset” their emissions by paying others to plant alone. Ecological consciousness is and many of them aren’t very good. It’s quite possi- trees? This guide examines these proposals and increasingly shared by millions of others. ble that bad climate policy will result, and that many many others. It’s essential reading for anyone who As timely as today’s news, Ecology in- years will then be lost before real emission reduc- wants to stop climate change before it’s too late. cludes current findings on the microscop- tions occur. “This citizen’s guide demystifies climate policy so ic beings that first made plant and animal We can’t afford to let that happen. That’s why Peter Barnes’ that you can play an active role in forming it. We can’t wait any life possible and now regulate global tem- Climate Solutions: A Citizen’s Guide is so important. It explains in longer, and we can’t get it wrong.” —Bill McKibben, author of perature and oxygen levels—a dramatic clear and simple language what different climate policies will , from his Foreword Deep Economy new story of the intricate interconnec- do—and what they won’t do. It tells you who’s behind the poli- tions of all life on Earth. Finally we have a KEEPING OUR COOL biggest issue facing humanity today. As I have said to book that equips us to take informed per- Canada in a Warming World my friends and colleagues many times before: “People sonal and political action with the ecolog- by Andrew Weaver have simply no idea how serious this issue is.”… ical wisdom needed for the twenty-first $34.00, cloth. Penguin. There is much we can do as individuals and as a century. isbn 9780670068005 324 pages, b/w illustrations nation both to slow global warming and to prepare for Monster wildfires in Australia, January golfers in its climatic consequences, provided that we keep our PEI, ruined fruit crops in California, snowless ski cool. Eco-Philosophy, runs in Switzerland, starving polar bears in the “At last, a look at climate that is accessible, fasci- North, devastated trees in Stanley Park. Climate nating and ultimately, a call for action. Over the past Deep Ecology change is no longer a vague threat. The climate century, humanity has become so powerful we are al- change we are in store for over the next few cen- tering the chemical makeup of the atmosphere. turies will be larger and occur faster than at any time Keeping Our Cool: Canada in a Warming World is an in- THE WORLD WITHOUT US in the last 10,000 years. Brilliantly researched, sider’s story of climate change. Andrew Weaver is a by Alan Weisman Keeping Our Cool is a comprehensive and engaging examination distinguished scientist who has been a major contributor to the $18.95, paper. HarperCollins. and explanation of global warming, with a specific emphasis Nobel prizewinning work of the IPCC. Beset by naysayers and isbn 9781554682263 416 pages on climate change in Canada. In a surprisingly accessible way, skeptics, pressures from corporations and laggard politicians, If human beings disappeared instanta- Weaver explains the levels of greenhouse gas emissions need- Weaver keeps us focused on the science and the urgent need neously from the earth, what would hap- ed to stabilize the climate and offers solutions and a path to- to act. A gripping narrative, this should be the final alarm that pen? How would ward a sustainable future. galvanizes us to move onto a different energy path of renew- the planet reclaim While I cover the global-scale phenomena, there is a very ables and efficiency.” —David Suzuki its surface? What distinct Canadian focus to the expected impacts of and solutions “Explains clearly and honestly what scientists do—and do creatures would to global warming. I sincerely hope this book assists you in not—know about our overheated planet.” —Ross Gelbspan, emerge from the understanding why I believe that global warming is the single author of The Heat Is On dark and swarm? How would our all of us can ensure that governments support sus- DAVID SUZUKI’S GREEN GUIDE treasured struc- by David Suzuki & David R. Boyd tainable lifestyles. Suzuki and Boyd provide vital tips tures—our tun- $19.99, paper. Greystone. for readers to create healthy indoor environments, nels, our bridges, isbn 9781553652939 175 pages, charts decrease energy and water use, choose eco-friendly our homes, our With everyone from truck drivers to politicians fi- transportation, make simple diet changes to eat monuments—sur- nally feeling the pinch and recognizing that we must fresher food, and buy fewer things. And if you do vive the unmitigat- maximize energy efficiency and reduce our human buy stuff, make it the highest-rated, smallest-foot- ed impact of a “draw” on the earth’s carrying capacities, here’s print you can find. planet without our intervention? In his some seasoned advice for those of us wondering There are no painful withdrawal symptoms when we revelatory, bestselling account, Alan what’s best to do, in what order, and why. David change our consumption habits. To the contrary, in Weisman draws on every field of science Suzuki’s Green Guide is a practical guide to reducing addition to reducing your contribution to global to present an environmental assessment your ecological footprint. environmental problems, you’ll also improve your health, save money, feel less guilty and more helpful, and enhance your like no other, the most affecting portrait Every reduction in the size of our ecological yet of humankind’s place on this planet. footprint takes a little bit of pressure off the planet. quality of life. Drawing upon the expertise of engi- We are in trouble. The Earth is warning us that we Like how much hot water or toilet paper do you really need neers, naturalists, scientists, zoologists, oil must change course, and there’s no time to waste. to get the job done? Once we really embrace the energy-effi- refiners, biologists, religious leaders, and Join the sustainability revolution! ciency paradigm, we will be astounded with the savings, the others, Weisman weaves an evocative nar- With this knowledgeable guide, readers will progress, and what good sense and fun it will be. rative that’s like a chilling walk through a learn to consume fewer resources and become David Suzuki is an acclaimed geneticist and environmental- haunted house—we witness the disinte- David Suzuki part of the solution as stewards of the planet. ist, the host of The Nature of Things. David R. Boyd is one of gration of homes and cities, watch as This book recommends actions for individuals Canada’s leading environmental lawyers and the author of species wax and wane. But what a walk it to be more green in the homes where we live, the way we trav- Unnatural Law: Rethinking Canadian Environmental Law and is. Weisman has given us a colorful and el, the food we eat, and the things we buy. It also describes how Policy. endlessly fascinating fantasy that’s also a shocking environmental wake-up call. ECOLOGY: A POCKET GUIDE behind them. With Everything goes somewhere. The World Without Us is a one-of-a-kind Revised and Expanded this lively guide to There’s no such thing as a free lunch. book that sweeps through time from the by Ernest Callenbach the essentials of Nature bats last. moment of humanity’s future extinction $15.50, paper. ecology, Ernest Callenbach uses everyday, nontechnical to millions of years into the future. U. of California. Callenbach provides language to explain sixty basic ecological Drawing on interviews with experts and isbn 9780520257191 176 pages a pocket-sized intro- concepts. These brief, information-packed on real examples of places in the world Three out of four North Americans now duction to the won- entries are arranged alphabetically and that have already been abandoned by hu- think of themselves as environmentalists. derful complexity of amply cross-referenced. Thus the reader mans—Chernobyl, the Korean DMZ and Millions of children are busy with projects life on Earth—and can move freely around a dynamic net- an ancient Polish forest—Weisman shows to save the earth. But we all would be more our part in it. work of ideas, gaining easy access to the both the shocking impact we’ve had on effective at resolving today’s pressing envi- Laws of Ecology new thinking that scientists, environmen- our planet and how impermanent our ronmental issues if we had a clearer un- All things are talists, politicians, government officials, footprint actually is. derstanding of the ecological principles interconnected. business people, and concerned citizens

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 48 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! GAIA’S “WILD MIND” !

A prodigiously researched scientific developing planetary and ecological con- tour de force that is both horrifying and sciousness.” —Publishers Weekly humbling, “This book is the very DNA of Among Gary Snyder’s other books are hope” wrote a Globe & Mail reviewer. Back on the Fire, The Practice of the Wild, “The most striking feature is the focus and The Real Work. is not on controversial, grand issues like global warming or pollution per se. It’s everyday things we take for granted that ANIMATE EARTH are shocking, like how close subways are to Science, Intuition and Gaia flooding, streets to collapsing; what hap- by Stephan Harding pens to the world garbage; the plastics that $31.25, paper. Chelsea Green. find their ways into living tissues, and so isbn 9781933392295 on.” —Amazon reviewer 256 pages, b/w illustrations Stephan Harding, a longtime collabora- tor of James Lovelock, replaces the cold, A PLACE IN SPACE objectifying lan- Ethics, Aesthetics, and Watersheds guage of science by Gary Snyder with a way of speak- $16.50, paper. Counterpoint. ing of our planet isbn 9781582434124 272 pages not as a dead, inert This collection draws on some forty mechanism but as a years of thinking and writing. It can be sentient, living be- considered a further exploration of what ing. Animate Earth the “practice of the wild” would be. argues that we need In A Place in Space, Gary Snyder explores to establish a right humans’ complex, ever-evolving attitudes relationship with toward the environment. He argues that the planet as a liv- nature is not sepa- ing entity in which rate from humanity, we are embedded—and to which, in the fi- but intrinsic to it, nal analysis, we are all accountable. and that since soci- Right action requires us to live into the eties are natural con- body of the Earth, so that we feel just as structs, it’s impera- comfortable with the air, water, rocks and tive to go beyond living beings that are the life of that wider body as we do in our human-made racial, ethnic, and re- environments. If we could only do this, ligious identities to our focus would shift from the endless find a shared con- fascination with human affairs to a wider, cern for acts that more fulfilling perception of the animate benefit humans and Earth in which these affairs take place. nonhumans alike. The book inspires the reader to connect Included in the collection is his 1971 envi- with a profound sense of the value of the ronmental manifesto “Four Changes,” earth, and to discover what it means to live which, as he writes in a postscript, is un- as harmoniously as possible within a sen- fortunately truer than ever. In this new edi- tient creature of planetary proportions. tion, Snyder sends out a call for action that “Animate Earth represents systems sci- gives all beings the challenge of moral re- ence at its best. I defy you not to be swept sponsibility. along by Stephan Harding’s account of Art, beauty, and craft have always how the Earth’s natural systems have drawn on the self-organizing “wild” side of evolved.” —Jonathan Porritt language and mind. Human ideas of place “This book offers a brilliant new ap- and space, our contemporary focus on proach—at once rigorous, experiential, watersheds, become both model and and intuitive—to the most up-to-date re- metaphor. Our hope would be to see the interacting realms, learn where we are, search within planetary ecology. and thereby move toward a style of Harding… demonstrates the transforma- planetary and ecological tive, paradigm-shattering power of Gaia cosmopolitanism. theory.” —David Abram, author of The Meanwhile, be lean, compassionate, Spell of the Sensuous and virtuously ferocious, living in the self- “For depth of understanding of Earth disciplined elegance of “wild mind.” functioning and our human role in the “In these essays, manifestos, reviews and process, Animate Earth is the finest of re- talks, poet/environmentalist Snyder sets cent studies. It should be read, meditated forth individual initiatives to foster an eco- on, and adopted as a guide to our human logically sound society because ‘humanity course of action if we would avoid the dis- has become a locust-like blight on the aster of an ecological collapse of life on planet that will leave a bare cupboard for Earth.” —Thomas Berry, author of The its own children.’ He envisions a world or- Great Work ganized by bio-regions instead of by arbi- trary political boundaries—a steady-state global economy freed from exploitation, heavy industry and dependence on fossil fuels. Snyder draws inspiration from di- verse cultural sources: Buddhist teachings of nonviolence and impermanence, Native American reverence for nature, Chinese poetry, the Ainu of Japan. Also in- cluded are a critique of Walt Whitman’s version of melting-pot democracy and Snyder’s reminiscences of his years in a Zen Buddhist community in Japan and his musings on Beat poetry. These essays are an important and eloquent signpost for —Sean Mills

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 49 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! HOME & GARDEN !

convert mild tropical breezes into energy, Earth Energies, BUILDERS OF THE PACIFIC COAST solar collectors that work in the rain, soil- by Lloyd Kahn free systems to raise edible and medicinal Architecture $29.50, paper. Shelter. crops, solar “kettles” to sterilize drinking & Eco-Design isbn 9780936070438 water (a device whose implications are 256 pages, 9x12, colour & b/w photos & illustrations staggering in a world where billions lack This book by Lloyd Kahn (legendary “shelter” editor of the access to safe water), and ultra-efficient Whole Earth Catalog) features photos and interviews with pumps to tap deep aquifers—pumps so THE CARBON-FREE HOME builders from San Francisco to the coastal islands of British easy to operate, they’re hooked up to chil- 36 Remodeling Projects Columbia. Many of the builders shown here got started in the dren’s seesaws. Just a few other inventions to Help Kick the Fossil-Fuel Habit counter-cultural era of the ’60s and ’70s and their work has of theirs are a cheap blend of local soil by Stephen & Rebekah Hren never been shown in books or magazine articles. and cement for paving roads and run- $38.50, paper. Chelsea Green. From unique homesteads in Mendocino and Humboldt counties, to communi- ways, biogas generators, micro-hydro tur- isbn 9781933392622 ties of self-built shelters on small islands in the Strait of Georgia, to charming beach- bines, and palm oil–based feed supple- 260 pages, 8x11, b/w photos & illustrations front houses on the “Wild Coast” of Vancouver Island, these structures and their ments. They even have a solar-powered You’ve fretted and worried, but still go creators are concepts from the ’60s that worked. hospital which serves all, high or low. through your days consuming some quan- As in his previous books Shelter and Home Work, Kahn features three builders: Yet the heroes of this story are not only tity of non-renewable Lloyd House, master craftsman and designer who has created a series of unique human beings and their technology. In fossil fuels to accom- homes on a small island; Bruce Atkey, creator of a number of houses and lodges the shelter of millions of Caribbean pines, plish nearly every task built of hand-split cedar on the Wild Coast, and Sun Ray Kelley, barefoot builder which the Gaviotans planted as a renew- (and you may not even tuned in to nature, who has designed and built wildly imaginative structures in able crop, an unexpected marvel has oc- realize it). You want to Washington and California. In addition, there are sculptural buildings of driftwood, curred: the regeneration of an ancient na- do something besides homes that are beautiful as well as practical, live-aboard boats, and examples of awe- tive rain forest. worry but you are un- some architectural design. The particular amalgam of activism, sci- sure where to begin. This journey into the creative processes of owner-built homes contains over 1000 ence and hope that is the story of Gaviotas Read this book— photos featuring builders on Vancouver Island, surrounding islands, and the is a true story of community, and of the then grab your hand- Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver. Over a two-year period, Kahn made four trips special realism based in poverty and co- saw, tape measure and to British Columbia shooting photos and interviewing builders. He discovered a operative enterprise. drill, and get started! A wealth of creative design and imaginative architecture: unique buildings on This special 10th-Anniversary edition of life powered by the sun is waiting for you. Denman Island, Hornby Island, and Cortes Island; two amphitheaters built out of Gaviotas also includes a new afterword de- Meant as a guide for renovating existing driftwood logs on the Sunshine Coast; cabins in the woods, homesteads on the scribing how Gaviotas has survived and homes, this book gives you the hands-on beaches, and buildings in tune with their natural surroundings. progressed over the past decade. knowledge necessary to kick the fossil fuel Exploring innovative techniques, use of sustainable materials, and essential ded- “Gaviotas is the ongoing saga of what habit, with projects small and large listed ication to the natural elements surrounding their designs, Builders of the Pacific Coast real, hands-on sustainability means, cal- by skill, time, cost, and energy saved. offers stunning colour and black-and-white photographs, as well as detailed black- luses and all, practiced in the most de- For every aspect of your life currently and-white drawings of the homes. This collection of unique and progressive designs manding social and environmental cir- powered by fossil fuels, we offer creates a template for a future filled with forward-thinking architecture. cumstances conceivable.” —Paul Hawken, alternatives you can accomplish yourself author of Natural Capitalism to get started using renewable and EVENT BUILDERS OF THE PACIFIC COAST sustainable sources of power. • TALK & BOOKSIGNING Fri., Nov. 21 SEE P.5 FOR INFO Inspired by their own determination to Gardening & Farming wean themselves completely from fossil fu- els, Rebekah and Stephen Hren (they live behind the green GAVIOTAS in North Carolina) show first how to re- building move- A Village to Reinvent the World duce energy consumption as much as pos- ment. His latest by Alan Weisman FOOD SECURITY FOR THE FAINT sible, then how to retrofit an existing book—Green from $18.95, paper. Chelsea Green. OF HEART home in order to obtain all heating and the Ground Up—is a isbn 9781603580564 Keeping Your Larder Full in Lean Times 244 pages, photos & diagrams cooling, all cooking and refrigeration, and thorough, informa- by Robin Wheeler Imagine some actual good news in this all hot water and electricity from renew- tive, and up-to-date $16.95, paper. New Society. world. Imagine a book telling a tale too able sources. The Hrens also provide ad- reference on green, isbn 9780865716247 178 pages lovely for fiction, a vice on renewable methods of transporta- sustainable and en- Where would you find your groceries if lyrical, well-observed tion and home gardening, as poor choices ergy-efficient home your supermarket’s shelves were suddenly book that reports about food and mobility often negate construction. It empty? The from the llanos of hard-won gains in the home. Like many clarifies definitions threat of earth- eastern Colombia, today, the Hrens felt they had a moral of “green” and “sustainable” and guides quakes, trucker savannas tortured by obligation to mitigate humankind’s con- builders, architects, and homeowners strikes, power guns and cows and tribution to the ravages of pollution, in- through the entire construction or re- outages, or a cocaine, of an exper- cluding global warming as a result of fossil modelling process, including issues of global market iment in solar fuel addiction. In this book, the Hrens of- site, landscaping, durability, and energy- collapse makes democracy. Gaviotas fer practical approaches that fit into any- efficiency. us vulnerable is an amazing com- one’s budget, and can be done over time Green is no longer on the fringe. Green like never be- munity of scientists as a way to wean oneself from fossil fuel is hot. The National Association of Home fore. With spiral- and engineers who dependency. Builders (NAHB), a trade group not known ing fuel prices for making wild predictions, now believes have been inventing and deploying solar-, “A remarkable book. It’s thorough, well and unstable we’ve reached the tipping point when half water-, human- and wind-powered tech- researched, and a delight to read. Its many world or more of its members are incorporating nologies for over 35 years. practical solutions offer hope for individ- economies, indi- green features into the homes they build. In 1971 a group of Colombian visionar- ual action in the face of daunting environ- viduals and com- Green building is a systematic ies and technicians, reasoning that surging munities are demanding more control mental crisis. Reading it made me want to approach that covers every step of design populations must someday learn to inhab- over their food supply. go home and get started on projects for and construction from land use and site it even the world’s harshest regions, decid- our house.” —Lyle Estill, author of Small is planning to materials selection, energy Food Security for the Faint of Heart is de- ed to prove they could thrive in one of the Possible: Life in a Local Economy efficiency, and indoor air quality. All of signed to gently ease readers into a more this will be covered, step by step, in the most brutal environments on Earth: their empowered place so that shocks to our chapters that follow. country’s barren, rain-leached eastern sa- food supply can be handled confidently. GREEN FROM THE GROUND UP An essential and beautifully designed vannas. Despite the constant threat of As well as acquiring new skills and ideas, Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient reference for contractors who want to re- Colombia’s political turbulence, this is there are other compelling reasons to get Home Construction main competitive, Green from the Ground Up now the setting for one of the most hope- better prepared. The local economy gains David Johnston & Scott Gibson is also a remarkable resource for home- ful environmental success stories ever. support and encouragement to expand, $27.50, paper. Taunton Press. owners who require the clearest and most Sixteen hours from the nearest major in turn boosting food’s taste and nutri- isbn 9781561589739 thorough green building information city, these scientists, artisans, rural peas- tional value, along with the health of peo- 330pages, 7x9, colour photos & illustrations available. ants, ex-urban street kids, and Guahibo ple and ecosystems. Community support Building expert, author, and lecturer Indians living in the village called Gaviotas helps low-income families eat higher qual- David Johnston has been a leading thinker have invented windmills light enough to ity food, and the preparation provides a

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 50 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! SALAD & SOLITUDE ! psychological edge in an emergency. that section of the book. You can also Chapters are devoted to useful, transfer- Charles Dowding’s No Dig Way discover what scientists say comprises the able skills, including preserving garden structure of water. For me, I jumped right to the information pertaining to health... food, saving freezer food during a power ORGANIC GARDENING These chapters delve deeper into the outage, managing through an earthquake, The Natural No-Dig Way questions of water and its power to heal. preparing quick herbal medicinals, and by Charles Dowding —Louise Hay, from her foreword foraging for wild food. $25.00, paper. Chelsea Green. Masaru Emoto is also the author of The A humorous treatment of a sometimes isbn 9781903998915 224 pages, colour photos Healing Power of Water and Hidden threatening topic, this book will appeal to Based on his experience of surface composting a system of Messages in Water DVD as well as Water both longtime food security advocates and permanent slightly-raised beds, Charles Dowding takes you Crystal Healing (a book with 2 music CDs). newcomers to the topic who are wary of it through a delicious variety of fruit and vegetables: what to all and would prefer to avoid it. choose, when to plant and harvest, and how best to avoid Robin Wheeler teaches traditional skills, pests and diseases. Organic Gardening includes recipes to in- SOLITUDE sustenance gardening, and medicinals at spire you to culinary heights with your fresh-picked produce. Seeking Wisdom in Extremes Edible Landscapes, a nursery and teaching Englishman Dowding shares his philosophy, tips, and tech- by Robert Kull garden in Roberts Creek, B.C. niques that have enabled him to run a successful organic garden that has supplied $27.50, cloth. New World Library. local restaurants and shops for 25 years. Encouraging readers to forget the rules— isbn 9781577316329 “received wisdom” about gardening is surprisingly inaccurate, he says—Dowding 354 pages GETTING STARTED IN suggests gardeners will better understand what is going on in your soil, plants, gar- Years after losing PERMACULTURE den, and climate when you develop your own methods of gardening. Most radical- his lower right leg in Over 50 DIY Projects for House & Garden ly, Dowding illustrates a method for ensuring that you never need to till your soil a motorcycle crash, Using Recycled Materials again, instead relying upon the natural balance that comes with respecting life, adventurer Robert by Ross & Jenny Mars spreading good compost, and allowing worms to play a key role in your mainte- Kull traveled to a re- $18.95, paper. Permanent. nance. mote island in isbn 9781856230353 Charles Dowding has not dug, except to clear perennial weeds and turf, for 25 104 pages, b/w drawings Patagonia’s coastal years. He’s currently farming an acre, selling about 200 salad bags of different sizes Australian permaculture designers and wilderness with sup- every week. He has also written Salad Leaves for All Seasons. teachers Ross and Jenny Mars outline the plies to live alone for steps to trans- a year. form your garden SALAD LEAVES FOR ALL SEASONS What I truly into a productive Organic Growing from Pot to Plot wanted to explore was the effect of deep living system. by Charles Dowding wilderness solitude on a human being—in this case, on me. I would be both Modeled upon $23.95, paper. Chelsea Green. isbn 9781900322201 198 pages, colour photos researcher and subject. I also wanted to the development Small is beautiful, less is more; a salad a day—but not the examine my relationship with the of their supermarket way. This compendium of practical methods nonhuman world and to learn how the Candlelight for growing a wide variety of salads throughout the year will direct experience of profound belonging in Farm, and illus- the universe might lead to changes in inspire you to grow your own, whether on a windowsill or a trated with pho- human behaviour that would be less garden—whatever the size of your growing space. Here is all tos and diagrams, damaging to the Earth. the information you need for productive, healthy, and tasty this guide en- salads. Learn the subtleties of salad seasons and virtues of With only a cat and his courages the different leaves throughout the year. Grow salad leaves out- thoughts as companions, reader to make doors in winter, deal with pests, and much more. And when your table is groaning he wrestled with inner positive steps towards reconciling human with the abundance of your harvests, there are delicious and imaginative recipes storms while the forces of impact with nature—following the perma- from Susie, Charles’s wife, exploiting the fantastic flavours, colour, and vitality of nature raged around him. culture ideal. home-grown salad leaves. The physical challenges Permaculture is based on the ethics of were immense, but the caring for people and our planet. It is Salad leaves are one of the quickest and easiest vegetables you can grow. Plants that Robert Kull struggles of mind and spir- about growing your own healthy food, be- are well looked after will provide long successions of harvests, without having to repeatedly sow or plant again. How to continually crop the same plants and give them it pushed him to the limits ing resourceful and environmentally re- a surprisingly long life is a main theme of this book… New leaves just keep of human endurance. sponsible. Permaculture concepts and appearing—it is almost magical… Solitude is the diary of Kull’s tumultuous ideas can be applied successfully from The leaves you pick will also be full of seasonal characteristics, reflecting how year as well as a meditation on the tensions small suburban units to large farms. different salads give of their best at particular times of year. Appreciating this calendar of between nature and technology, isolation Getting Started in Permaculture delivers salad seasons will help toward more success in growing healthy plants. and society. Kull intersperses more philo- step-by-step knowledge for a variety of sophical chapters between his month-by- Charles Dowding has grown vegetables and salads organically for more than 25 useful projects, including making herb month journal entries. With humor and years in Somerset, England (a climate very much like coastal British Columbia) us- fertilizers, compost, organic sprays for pest brutal honesty, Kull explores the pain and ing surface composting methods. He has written about surface composting in his control, and much, much more. It also in- longing we typically avoid in our busy lives book Organic Gardening: The Natural No-Dig Way. cludes how to recycle your soft drink bot- as well as the peace and wonder that arise tles, waste paper, and tires in a number of once we strip away our distractions. useful projects such as ponds, fruit fly Kull went into the wilderness seeking traps, retaining walls, and solar stills. consciousness trast, polluted water, or water exposed to The Answer, but came back knowing that: profoundly affect Each chapter includes a Permaculture negative thoughts, formed incomplete, not only the there are no sure answers, only the Perspective section which explains some asymmetrical patterns with dull colours. structure of water, space to pause and listen to life calling to of the principles of permaculture design The implications of this research create a but also many other life; reminding us that we too live here. and reasons for advocated actions. new awareness of how we can positively im- substances… We pact the earth and our own personal world. “This is just what we desperately need This practical and accessible guide for stand at the dawn of today: non-heroic adventures. Bob is like a gardeners of all skill levels serves as an ide- a new era, one that This book takes you further and deeper into how you can affect your own personal modern shaman, going out and coming al introduction to the world of permacul- will profoundly back. A reader can take a good portion of change not only healing. ture. Bob’s experience into himself and be science, but also The Healing Power of Water is a collection our spirituality, and of essays from a variety of authors, offer- changed by it.” —Thomas Moore, author Nature As Teacher indeed our whole ing scientific and healing as well as mytho- of Life at Work & Healer culture. logical and spiritual perspectives. Researcher Masaru Emoto’s first book, Dr. Emoto has taken all that he knows The Hidden Message in Water, told about his about the magic of water and utilized the discovery that crystals formed in frozen current brilliant minds of people from the THE HEALING POWER OF WATER water revealed changes when specific, con- scientific, health, and spiritual world, by Masaru Emoto centrated thoughts were directed toward combined with the mythological realms, to $17.95, paper. Hay House. them. He also found that water from clear give you the most comprehensive study of isbn 9781401908775 springs and water that has been exposed water and its powers. Personally, I think 278 pages, colour photos The Healing Power of Water may be his to loving words showed brilliant, complex best book to date. If you want to know, for In this new vision, thought and and colourful snowflake patterns. In con- instance, the myths of water, you can read

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 51 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! THE GENIUS OF COMMUNITY !

ANGEL ANIMALS Findhorn Angels, Gardens & Guidances Divine Messengers of Miracles by Allen & Linda Anderson $14.95, paper. New World Library. THE FINDHORN GARDEN STORY habited by three adults and three children living isbn 9781577316107 282 pages by the Findhorn Community on meager unemployment benefits. Guidance by Angel Animals is a collection of stories by $27.50, paper. Findhorn. God and absolute faith in the art of manifestation ordinary people about the spiritual isbn 9781844091355 194 pages, 7x9, colour led the occupants to this unlikely locale to create a lessons and photos magnetic center that would draw people from all truths they’ve This 2008 edition of The Findhorn Garden Story in- over the world. Their discovery of how to contact learned from an- cludes the text of the original 1976 edition, with and cooperate with the nature spirits and devas imals. Part one the addition of a new chapter which aims to give an that made the garden possible sparked a phenom- focuses on what idea of more recent developments within the enon that continues today, as Findhorn has grown angel animals Findhorn Community, together with a perspective into a thriving village housing hundreds of people teach their own- on how the Findhorn from all over the world and an internationally rec- ers about rela- Garden experience relates to parallel ognized spiritual-learning center surrounded by innovative tionships. Part developments in the wider world. and ecological businesses. two covers how Growing public awareness of human The garden has expanded and spawned a huge organic angel animals impact on the environment makes this farming initiative feeding hundreds of people. And all this be- provide lessons book perhaps even more relevant than cause of the commitment and dedication of those three on handling life’s challenges. In part when it first appeared 32 years ago. We founders, Eileen and Peter Caddy and Dorothy Maclean. three angel animals impart lessons on offer it in the trust that it will continue to Garden attunement The Findhorn Community is a living demonstration of what death, dying, and the afterlife. Whether inspire people to work in cooperation can come about when man cooperates with nature and the be- with nature. these animals are daily companions or ings of higher worlds; when people are united by a common creatures observed in nature, they Newly updated with colour photos revealing the magic, this goal based on social, spiritual and ecological values. This is co- demonstrate gratitude, survival, courage, spiritual classic presents the history and philosophy of creation at its finest. and forgiveness. The stories are touching, Scotland’s Findhorn Community. Findhorn was founded in The Findhorn garden is where it all started and this book humorous, and remarkably inspiring. 1963 in far northeast Scotland on windswept and barren sand beautifully explores the garden’s relationships with angelic Each one includes a meditation or a ques- dunes that happened to sprout a miraculous garden. Plants, realms and devas which first gained the community interna- tion or comment to help readers carry the flowers, trees, and organic vegetables of enormous sizes began tional recognition, while also looking at the wider work of the spirit of these angel animals into their to grow in a small plot around the 30-foot caravan trailer in- community and its huge impact upon all who visit. own lives.

TO HEAR THE ANGELS SING create all of Nature. In another time and culture I might Science, Brain/Mind, An Odyssey of Co-Creation with the Devic Kingdom have been cloistered in a convent or a temple, or, less by Dorothy Maclean pleasantly, burnt at the stake as a witch. In our Gaia & Cosmology $17.50, paper. Lorian Press. skeptical time and culture, such a claim is more likely isbn 9780936878010 188 pages to be met with scoffing disbelief or as the ramblings of In this classic, originally published in 1980, a dreamy female. Being a practical, down-to-earth person, I had never set out to learn to talk with angels, Dorothy Maclean tells her story of how she came to THE SCIENCE OF LEONARDO nor had I ever imagined that such contact would be Inside the Mind of the Great Genius of the be one of the three founders of the Findhorn possible or useful. Yet, when this communication Renaissance Community in Scotland. Following her inner con- began to occur, it did so in a way that I could not by Fritjof Capra tact with the Divine she came to communicate with dispute. New in $17.95, paper. Doubleday. Paperback the devic or angelic realms that over- From wartime employment with the British gov- isbn 9781400078837 light all aspects of existence. The ernment to co-founding the Findhorn community, 352 pages, illustrations throughout success and subsequent fame of the and later the Lorian Association (lorian.org) in the Leonardo da Vinci’s pioneering scien- Findhorn gardens arose in part from U.S. and Canada, Dorothy’s life story is a delight- tific work was virtually unknown during Dorothy’s telepathic contact with these king- fully inspiring account. his lifetime. Now sci- doms. She now travels the world giving work- entist and author shops and talks about her own inner practices Just as in the land of Britain I discovered the art of walking, because there people walk, so in the land of the angels I began Fritjof Capra (The Dorothy and attunement to the Beloved. Many of the Maclean to discover the art of creative cooperation with my environment. Tao of Physics) re- messages she received are included in this book. veals that Leonardo Their simple wisdom cannot fail to quicken an There is a long journey ahead but, splendidly endowed as we are, we move. And, as the devas said, what matters is that we, was in many ways awareness of our birthright as conscious partners with all the the knowing, growing tip of Earth, consciously act from our the unacknowl- evolutionary streams of life. divine centers. edged “father of Yes, I talk with angels, great Beings whose lives infuse and modern science.” Drawing on an ex- amination of over OPENING DOORS WITHIN eyes that really see; you will hear with ears that really 6,000 pages of 365 Daily Meditations from Findhorn, 20th hear; and you will speak with words of love and Anniversary Edition understanding. Life will be good for you because you Leonardo’s surviv- by Eileen Caddy are taking nothing for granted, but are appreciative of ing notebooks, Capra shows how $20.95, paper. Findhorn. everything and can see My hand in everything. Leonardo approached scientific knowl- isbn 9781844091089 404 pages With a message dated for each day of the year, edge with the eyes of an artist. Through First published in 1986, this perennial diary pre- this book may be fruitfully used for daily medita- his studies of living and nonliving forms, sents a selection from among the many inspira- tions; it works equally well to open anywhere and from architecture and human anatomy to tional and practical messages Eileen Caddy re- simply receive what’s to be found there: the turbulence of water and the growth patterns of grasses, he pioneered the em- ceived—for over forty years—from a still, small Never waste time and energy wishing you were voice within herself, a source she somewhere else, doing something else. Accept your pirical, systematic approach to the obser- calls the God within. Here is a situation and realise you are where you are, doing what vation of nature—what is now known as Sample Meditation: you are doing, for a very specific reason. Realise that the scientific method. nothing is by chance, that you have certain lessons to learn and Leonardo’s scientific explorations were Give constant thanks for everything. There is that the situation you are in has been given to you to enable you much to be grateful for; open your eyes, look extraordinarily wide-ranging. He studied to learn those lessons as quickly as possible, so that you can around, and see how blessed you are. As you do the flight patterns of birds to create some move onward and upward along this spiritual path… Life is full so, you will find yourself filled with an of the first human flying machines. Using of excitement and expectancy when you are willing to move Eileen Caddy overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude, and his understanding of weights and levers ahead fearlessly into the unknown and take the next step in the whole of life and living will take on a new and trajectories and forces, he designed absolute faith and confidence with Me as your guide and meaning. The people around you will mean more to you because companion. Fear not; I AM with you always. military weapons and defenses, and was in your heart is filled with love for them, and you have a deeper fact regarded as one of the foremost mili- understanding and tolerance towards them. You will find yourself “She was the catalyst for the great community of Findhorn— tary engineers of his era. He studied op- grateful for them, for their love and companionship, for just being an awesome achievement for one lifetime.” —Diana Cooper tics, the nature of light, and the workings themselves. Your eyes will be open to all the beauty and harmony around you, to the wonders of nature. You will see with of the human heart and circulatory sys- tem. Because of his vast knowledge of hy-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 52 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! SCIENCE !

draulics, he was hired to MUSICOPHILIA create designs for rebuild- New Views of Evolution Tales of Music and the Brain ing the infrastructure of by Oliver Sacks Milan and the plain of $19.95, paper. Random House. Lombardy, employing the CREATIVE EVOLUTION isbn 9780676979794 424 pages very principles still used by A Physicist’s Resolution between Darwinism Musicophilia is a highly intriguing explo- city planners today. He was and Intelligent Design ration of how and why humans experience Leonardo by Amit Goswami a mechanical genius, and the many strange phenomena associated self-portrait $29.50, cloth. Quest. yet his worldview was not with what we call music, from the perspec- isbn 9780835608589 340 pages . tives of both clinically normal and brain- mechanistic but organic and ecological By denying evolution altogether, says quantum physi- This is why, in Capra’s view, Leonardo’s sci- damaged individuals. For example, where cist Amit Goswani, intelligent design believers fly in the ence—centuries ahead of his time in a do auditory hallucina- face of scientific data. But the idea of intelligent design host of fields—is eminently relevant to our tions come from and does contain substance that neo-Darwinists cannot ig- time. what do they mean? nore. Goswani posits that consciousness, not matter, is Enhanced with fifty beautiful sepia- What occurs when we the primary force in the universe. Biology must come to toned illustrations, cannot get a song “out The Science of Leonardo terms with feeling, meaning, and the purposefulness of is a fresh, probing portrait of a colossal fig- of our heads”? How is life, as well as with the idea of a designer. What’s more, ure in the world of science and the arts. it that the most severe- reconciling the question of life’s purposefulness and the existence of the designer “ ly amnesic man in the The Science of Leonardo is a fascinating with neo-Darwinism also answers many other difficult questions. The result is a par- oad not taken by Western world cannot even re- glimpse of the r adigm shift for biology and the vision of a coherent whole. In this timely, important Science. Capra makes a compelling case member that he had book, the author offers clear arguments supported by the findings that the science of the future may look a been conscious one of quantum physics that represent a major step in resolving contro- lot more like Leonardo’s than Bacon’s or minute before, but can versies between science and religion. Descartes’—a science of systems, non-re- play from memory ductive and akin to an art.” —Michael This book is about a new integrative biology that has the potential to complicated piano pieces or conduct an integrate all of biology’s many controversies, solve its paradoxes, and Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma orchestra? explain the many anomalous data that befuddle biologists, especially the What goes on in human beings when Darwinists. In my earlier books, I have used the ideas of quantum physics they make or listen to music? What is it Amit Goswami and the primacy of consciousness to integrate the various forms of MEASURING THE IMMEASURABLE psychology, such as psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and transpersonal about music, what gives it such peculiar The Scientific Case for Spirituality psychology; to integrate science and spirituality; and to integrate conventional and power over us, power delectable and by Various Authors alternative medicine. This book is the final piece of integration… With the publication beneficent for the most part, but also ca- $27.50, cloth. Sounds True. of this book, I can truly say that a framework exists for integrating all science into a pable of uncontrollable and sometimes isbn 9781591796541 coherent whole, an endeavor that can be called science within consciousness. Most destructive force? Music has no concepts, 552 pages importantly, this book provides a resolution of the controversy between evolutionism it lacks images; it has no power of repre- Can your thoughts heal another person, and intelligent design. sentation, it has no relation to the world. even from across the globe? Does medita- Amit Goswami is also author of The Quantum Doctor, Physics of the Soul, and And yet it is evident in all of us—we tap tion create “superhuman” levels of per- other titles. our feet, we keep time, hum, sing, conduct ception? Can prayer and intention actual- music, mirror the melodic contours and ly affect reality? A few decades ago, feelings of what we hear in our movements scientists would have dismissed such ideas SPONTANEOUS EVOLUTION and expressions. as superstition. Today, a growing body of Our Positive Future and How to Get There from Here In this book, neurologist Oliver Sacks by Bruce Lipton & Steve Bhaerman persuasive research has turned many skep- explores the power music wields over us. $38.50, 5 CDs. Sounds True. New on tics into believ- He explores, in his inimitable fashion, isbn 9781591799641 5.75 hours CD ers when it how it can provide access to otherwise un- We’ve all heard of “spontaneous” recovery from ill- comes to the reachable emotional states, how it can re- ness—but can the same thing happen for our whole power of spiritu- vivify neurological avenues that have been world? According to biologist Bruce Lipton, author of ality. Measuring frozen, evoke memories of earlier, lost The Biology of Belief, it’s not only possible, but it is al- the Immeasurable events or states or bring those with neuro- ready happening. In fact, he says, from an evolution- brings together logical disorders back to a time when the ary standpoint, we are exactly where we need to be. some of the world was much richer. On Spontaneous Evolution, this teacher in the emerg- most prominent Among other things, Musicophilia will ing science of epigenetics reveals how our changing authorities on make you realize how others perceive mu- understanding of biology will help us navigate this turbulent period in our planet’s the new frontier sic. If you assume that everyone experi- history. In collaboration with political scientist Steve Bhaerman (better known as where science ences music the same way, try asking any- his alter-ego, the “cosmic comic” Swami Beyondananda), Lipton takes listeners on and spirit inter- one what happens when they hear music. an eye-opening examination of science and history to explore: sect, including: You’ll be amazed. ! Toppling the “unquestionable” pillars of biology (“the four Myth-Perceptions of Bruce Lipton (The Biology of Belief) on Neurologist Sacks, also author of the Apocalypse”): a re-examination of random evolution, survival of the fittest, The the science of epigenetics, and how con- ife for a Hat, has DNA’s role, and the relationship between mind and matter Man Who Mistook His W sciousness shapes our health, genetics, the kind of fine writing style and very rich ! How our beliefs about nature and human nature shape our politics, culture, and and evolution awareness of music that makes his tales ap- individual lives—and why the blueprint for a brighter future is literally inside you— Lynne McTaggart (The Field) with the pealing. encoded into each of your trillions of cells latest findings on the power of mind over ! How each of us can become active members of the “immune system” of the plan- matter from her ongoing “Intention et. Experiment” THE OPEN-FOCUS BRAIN Many of the ideas and institutions that define our culture today are breaking Gregg Braden (The Divine Matrix and Harnessing the Power of Attention to Heal down—and that’s a good thing, say Lipton and Bhaerman. This is a necessary part The God Code) on how prayer and inten- Mind and Body of the natural process of clearing out what no longer serves us to make room for a tion can affect events on a global scale by Les Fehmi & Jim Robbins new way of being that will carry us into the next age. Spontaneous Evolution is an in- Gary Small (The Longevity Bible) on $18.95, Book+CD set. Shambhala. sightful, playful, and ultimately hopeful look at the unfolding destiny of our lifestyle changes that improve brain func- isbn 9781590306123 208-page paperback + species—and how you can play an active role as a co-creator of the world to come. tion 60-minute audio CD Also by Bruce Lipton are The Biology of Perception (DVD) and The Wisdom of Your Daniel Goleman (Social Intelligence) on This breakthrough book Cells (8-CD set). New in “the brain’s melody” and our moment-to- Paperback presents a disarmingly sim- moment perceptions ple idea: The way we pay at- tention in daily life can play Candace Pert (Molecules of Emotion) on Marilyn Schlitz, Peter Levine, and more. verse. Filled with leading-edge research, Book the intimate relationship between mind & CD a critical role in our health As we use the methods of science to ex- startling discoveries, and the breakthrough and well-being. According to and body. amine spiritual practices such as medita- ideas of some of today’s most innovative Included are many thought-provoking Les Fehmi, a clinical psychologist and re- tion, yoga, and energy healing, not only thinkers, Measuring the Immeasurable is a searcher, many of us have become stuck in articles from other modern luminaries, in- do we see evidence for the tangible bene- lively resource for exploring the mysteries cluding Peter Russell, Larry Dossey, “narrow-focus attention”: a tense, con- fits of these “technologies of the mind,” of the quantum age—and what this new stricted, survival mode of attention that Andrew Newberg, Dean Radin, William but we are also beginning to illuminate science will mean for our lives. Tiller, Daniel Siegel, Stanley Krippner, holds us in a state of chronic stress—and the missing links in our understanding of which lies at the root of common ailments Suzanne Segerstrom, Jeanne Achterberg, evolution, physics, and our role in the uni-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 53 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! BRAIN-MIND INSIGHTS !

Siegel on Brainwork MY STROKE OF INSIGHT A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey THE MINDFUL BRAIN by Jill Bolte Taylor Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being $27.50, cloth. Penguin. by Daniel Siegel isbn 9780670020744 182 pages $29.50, cloth. Norton. This brain scientist’s journey through a huge stroke to isbn 9780393704709 386 pages, diagrams full recovery has become an inspiring exploration of hu- Written by the physician who directs the Mindful man consciousness and its possibilities. See Jill Bolte Awareness Research Center at UCLA, The Mindful Brain Taylor’s astonishing talk on Ted.com, and also see her new presents a unifying theory that shows how being mindfully interviews on Oprah.com. aware and attending to the richness of our experience cre- In December, 1996, Taylor experienced a massive stroke ates scientifically recognized enhancements in our physiol- when a blood vessel exploded in the left side of her brain. ogy, mental functions, and interpersonal relationships. A neuro-anatomist by profession, she observed her own Using theory, science, and anecdote, Dan mind completely deteriorate to the point that she could Siegel reveals how to transform the brain not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life, all within the as well as promote well-being and emo- space of four hours. As the damaged left side of her brain—the ra- tional balance within psychotherapy and everyday life. tional, languaged, detail and time-oriented side—swung in and out Mindful awareness is a universal goal across human cultures. of function, Taylor alternated between two distinct and opposite re- Although mindfulness is often seen as a form of attentional skill that alties: the euphoric nirvana of the intuitive and kinesthetic right focuses one’s mind on the present, this book takes a deep look at this brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace; Daniel Siegel type of awareness through the perspective of mindfulness as a form of and the logical, sequential left brain, which recognized Jill was hav- healthy relationship with oneself. Jill Bolte Taylor ing a stroke, and enabled her to seek help before she was lost com- At the heart of this visionary synthesis of science and practice is the idea that our pletely. awareness of our ongoing experience creates an attunement, or resonance, within I now existed in a world between worlds. I could no longer relate to people outside ourselves that harnesses specific social and emotional circuits in the brain. of me, and yet my life had not been extinguished. I was not only an oddity to those Mindfulness practice stimulates these “resonance circuits” to grow—a growth that around me, but on the inside, I was an oddity to myself. transforms a moment-to-moment state of mindful awareness into a long-term state In My Stroke of Insight, Taylor shares her perspective on the brain, its capacity for of resilience. recovery, and the deep understanding she gained from this unusual and inspiring This transformation of our very physiology and mental life cultivates well-being voyage out of the abyss of a wounded brain. It would take eight years for Taylor to by creating an integrated state of brain function, one that fosters an array of bene- heal completely. Because of her knowledge of how the brain works, her respect for fits from emotional balance and improved cardiac and immune function to an en- the cells composing her human form, and most of all an amazing mother, Taylor hanced sense of empathy and self-understanding. completely repaired her mind and recalibrated her understanding of the world ac- This book is for people interested in knowing more about the mind and how to cording to the insights gained from her right brain that morning. develop it more fully, in themselves and in others. These ideas may be especially useful Today Taylor is convinced that the stroke was the best thing that could have hap- for those who help others get along and grow, from teachers and clinicians to meditators pened to her. It taught her the feeling of nirvana is never more than a mere thought and community leaders. Each of the people in the broad spectrum of these life roles is away. By stepping to the right of our left brains, we can all uncover the feelings of well- crucial in helping foster well-being in our human society. being and peace that are so often sidelined by our own brain chatter. Combining insights from neuroscience with those of attachment research (why Jill pushes the envelope in our understanding about how we can consciously in- and how relationships matter), The Mindful Brain offers “a provocative, highly orig- fluence the neural circuitry underlying what we think, how we feel, and how we re- inal, and brilliant theory integrating mindfulness meditation with brain research, act to life’s circumstances. She teaches us through her own example how we might one that will shape thinking in the field for years to come.” —Daniel Goleman, au- more readily exercise our own right hemispheric circuitry with the intention of thor of Social Intelligence helping all human beings become more humane. “Stands out for its skillful weaving together of the interpersonal, the inner world, I believe the more time we spend running our deep inner peace circuitry, then the the latest science, and practical applications, all envisioned as a whole.” —Jack more peace we will project into the world, and ultimately the more peace we will have Kornfield, author of The Wise Heart on the planet. Also by Dan Siegel are Parenting from the Inside Out and The Neurobiology of “We.” including anxiety, olutionary, drug-free way to alleviate de- depression, ADD, pression, anxiety, and ADD; to reduce THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF “WE” stress-related mi- stress-related chronic pain; and to opti- How Relationships, the Mind, and the Brain graines, and more. mize mental and physical performance. Interact to Shape Who We Are To improve these These are safe and effective techniques by Daniel Siegel Book $77.00, 7 CDs. Sounds True. & CD conditions, Dr. used in Dr. Fehmi’s clinic for decades. isbn 9781591799498 8 hours Fehmi explains that “The concept of open-focused atten- According to interpersonal neurobiology pioneer we must learn to re- tion is useful and powerful… The tech- Daniel Siegel (author of the landmark text The Mindful turn to a relaxed, niques described in this book can make Brain) the mind actually emerges out of the interaction diffuse, and creative life fuller, more enjoyable, and more pro- between your brain and your relationships. Now, on The Neurobiology of “We,” Dr. form of attention, ductive. I recommend it.”—Andrew Weil, Siegel takes us on a journey to discover this revolutionary new model of human de- which he calls author of Healthy Aging velopment—one that can positively transform trauma, move you from stress to calm “Open Focus.” and equanimity, and promote well-being for you, your family, or even your com- This highly readable book offers clear Family, Parenting, munity. explanations and simple exercises on how After 30 years of working with patients and synthesizing scientific research from to shift into a more calm, open style of at- Education & Youth nearly a dozen diverse fields, Dr. Siegel developed a cohesive, innovative new tention that reduces stress, improves framework for human potential: the triangle of the mind, brain, and relationships. health, and enhances performance. The Beginning with accessible definitions of each element, he deconstructs the inner Open-Focus Brain features eight essential at- tention exercises for improving health, THE TAO OF FERTILITY workings of this dynamic triad and lucidly explains the intricacies of our neurobi- A Healing Chinese Medicine Program to ology. along with an audio CD in which the au- thor guides the reader through fundamen- Prepare Body, Mind, and Spirit for New Life “By knowing where energy and information flow in your nervous system—literal- by Daoshing Ni & Dana Herko tal Open-Focus exercises that can be used ly cerebral sections and neural connections—you can use the power of your mind $17.25, paper. HarperCollins. on a regular basis to enhance our health to transform your life,” explains Siegel. Whether you’re a spouse seeking a closer isbn 9780061137853 320 pages, b/w illustra- and well-being. Listeners learn how to relationship with your mate, a mental health practitioner wanting to help a patient tions & photos “train the brain” to reduce stress, anxiety, heal trauma, or anyone interested in the fascinating process of personal growth, The Tao of Fertility is the first book com- chronic pain, and more. you’ll discover how this powerful model can shape—and re-shape—many aspects of bining a practical plan for conceiving us- your social and emotional development. Everyone has the ability to heal their ing TCM with empowering Taoist princi- From everyday stress to severe trauma, the obstacles to optimal health can be nervous systems, to dissolve their pain, to ples that can carry you through overcome through what Dr. Siegel calls “integration”—or linkage of differentiated slow down and yet accomplish more, to pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. parts. On The Neurobiology of “We” you will learn Dr. Siegel’s nine approaches to experience the deeper side of life—in short, to change their lives for the better Structured according to a woman’s healing and transformation including Consciousness, Memory, Vertical and dramatically. journey to conception, The Tao of Fertility Bilateral Integration, and other practical ways to enhance your life. includes a detailed questionnaire assess- The Open-Focus Brain offers readers a rev-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 54 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! FAMILY INTELLIGENCE ! ing fertility po- lies, the wide range of projects presented tential, and a 28- BUILDING EMOTIONAL here offers ideas for imaginative play, art day fertility en- INTELLIGENCE and crafts, nature explorations, and family hancement Techniques to Cultivate Inner Strength in celebrations. program. Dr Children This book embraces a whole new way of Daoshing shares by Linda Lantieri, with an introduction living that will engage your children’s the dietary & practices guided by Daniel Goleman imagination, celebrate their achievements, plans, recipes, $25.50, Book+CD set. Sounds True. and help you to express love and gratitude herbal supple- isbn 9781591797890 for each other as a family. Wonderfully ap- ments, medita- 160-page hardcover + 58-minute audio-CD pealing colour photos make this book tive exercises, What’s the most important piece of your child’s educa- even easier to enjoy and use. and self-applied tional experience? If you think it’s math, science, or read- “The Creative Family will make life with acupressure he uses so successfully with his Book ing, you might be overlooking an element your children rich, full, imaginative, and patients. & CD that is fast becoming essential in today’s fun beyond measure. This book is a recipe Based in North America, Dr. Daoshing stressful world: the capacity known as “inner resilience.” In Building for joyful parenting and a joyful life. It’s a Ni is descended from more than 70 gener- Emotional Intelligence, pioneering educator Linda Lantieri joins forces with gift for both your children and yourself. I ations of Taoist masters and has achieved renowned psychologist Daniel Goleman to help children respond to and rebound loved it!” —Zoe Weil, President, Institute renown among high-tech infertility spe- from the challenges unique to the 21st century. How? Through a breakthrough, for Humane Education and author of cialists and TCM practitioners. step-by-step guide that teaches children how to quiet their minds, calm their bodies, Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child Enriched by moving stories of women and manage their emotions more skillfully. in Challenging Times who became pregnant using TCM, this is a Now available to the public for the first time, here are Linda Lantieri’s proven To learn more about the author, compassionate, comprehensive hand- techniques for increasing self-esteem, improving concentration and awareness, and Amanda Soule, visit her blog at book. enhancing empathy and communication. This curriculum is arranged according to www.SouleMama.com. “I highly recommend this book to both age group and complemented by a spoken-word CD with exercises presented by laypersons and health care providers who Daniel Goleman. Building Emotional Intelligence invites you and the children in your Men’s Soul, want to offer holistic, non-invasive meth- care to explore: ! ods for conception.” —Deepak Chopra, Relaxing the Body and Focusing the Mind, two fundamental techniques for thriv- Men’s Health author of Perfect Health: The Complete ing in our unpredictable and distraction-filled environments ! Mind/Body Guide How to foster the five basic competencies that make up emotional intelligence ! Bringing groundedness, confidence, and curiosity to all our daily experiences. “A heightened self-awareness, better ability to manage distressing emotions, in- RAISING BOYS HOMEBIRTH IN THE HOSPITAL creased sensitivity to how others feel, and the capacity to manage relationships well Why Boys are Different and How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men Integrating Natural Childbirth with Modern are vital throughout life. But the foundation is laid in childhood,” says Goleman in by Steve Biddulph Medicine his introduction. With this book and CD, parents, teachers, and caregivers have the $16.95, paper. Celestial Arts. by Stacey Kerr tools necessary to promote these invaluable skills in the children they raise. isbn 9781587613289 $17.95, paper. Sentient. 224 pages, 72 b/w illustrations & photos isbn 9781591810773 212 pages, b/w photos Here is an expanded and updated edi- Too often pregnant women feel they CALM AND COMPASSIONATE practical skills for living. From her thirty tion of psychologist Steve Biddulph’s have to choose between the emotional CHILDREN years of teaching experience, Dermond Raising Boys, an inter- support of a home- A Handbook also recommends books, “Read Alouds,” national bestseller birth and the tech- by Susan Usha Dermond music, games, and other resources to help $19.95, paper. Celestial Arts. published in 14 coun- nical advantages grown-ups nurture calm and compassion- isbn 9781587612763 228 pages tries. offered by a hospi- ate kids. Building on such inherent qualities as Everywhere we look, tal. At last, here is a It is not impossible! A family or teacher openheartedness and trust, parents and it seems, boys are in comprehensive can create an environment that encourages teachers can help trouble. Every parent guide showing how children to develop their heart qualities children develop em- and inner strength. By wisely guiding your who has a son today to combine the pathy and integrity as child’s experiences, it is possible to help a wants to understand compassionate tra- they grow and ma- child become joyful, self-expressive, what makes boys tick, dition of midwives ture. From nature ac- happy, and respectful of others without and how to help them with the technical tivities to conscious repressing or controlling him. become secure, lov- expertise of quiet time to tips on ing, and capable young men. In Raising Western medicine. daily routines, Calm Boys, Australia’s best known family thera- Stacey Kerr has and Compassionate THE CREATIVE FAMILY pist and parenting author looks at the worked with Ina May Gaskin (author of Children provides How to Encourage Imagination most crucial issues from birth to manhood Spiritual Midwifery) and is a family physi- practical guidance to and Nurture Family Connections and offers the warm, firm guidance that cian with over fifteen years’ experience in help grown-ups mod- by Amanda Blake Soule boys need. His sensible, encouraging text facilitating family-centered childbirth el behaviour and sug- $19.95, paper. Shambhala. answers questions such as: within the hospital setting. In Homebirth in gests dozens of activities to foster chil- isbn 9781590304716 How can we teach our boys to be both the Hospital she provides clear guidelines 212 pages, French flaps, colour photos dren’s joy, wonder, kindness, and love. confident and kind? How does testos- for planning an integrative birth, focusing When you learn to awaken your family’s terone change behavior and what can we on the “Five C’s”: Choice, How are values such as kindness and creativity, wonderful things will happen: respect taught to children? Of course, the do about it? How is a boy’s brain different Communication, Continuity, Confidence, you’ll make meaning- most important way is by the models that from a girl’s? What are the five essentials and Control of Protocols. She coaches ful connections with parents and other adults provide. Matters that fathers provide? How do boys get the prospective parents on what questions to your children in large of the heart are not taught so much as five essentials from a single mum? How ask when searching for a provider, and she and small ways; your caught, if children are put in an can boys learn a caring at- includes a chapter addressed to physi- children will more of- environment that nurtures calmness and titude toward sex? cians. compassion. When children are able to be ten engage in their Athletics—do they encour- Fifteen powerful testimonies from content, to tolerate differences, and to give own creative discover- age the right values in our women who have experienced integrated as well as receive, it is not primarily ies; and your family boys? childbirth, with commentary by the physi- because of religious instruction or will embrace new ways Biddulph offers in- cian who enabled the birth, are accompa- intellectual understanding; it is a matter of to relax, play, and the heart. sights, heart-warming sto- nied by tasteful black and white pho- grow together. With Steve Biddulph ries from parents and tographs. These moving and informative This book is a parents’ and teachers’ just the simple tools loads of practical help. His stories show how women can prepare for guide to developing children’s concentra- around you—your imagination, basic art views on school issues, what communities birth in ways that minimize fear and put tion, self-discipline, and compassion, as supplies, household objects, and natural can do to help boys turn into better men, technology where it belongs. well as heartfelt qualities like openness materials—you can transform your family hormones, sports, and the stages of boy- “A wonderful breath of fresh air! Dr. and enthusiasm. It includes more than 90 life, and have so much more fun! hood will reassure parents and teachers Kerr’s balanced approach to childbirth is techniques and exercises drawn from the Amanda Soule has charmed many with alike. inspiring and very helpful.” —Christiane author’s experiences as a teacher and di- her tales of creativity and parenting on her Included in this new edition is a ques- Northrup, author of Women’s Bodies, rector of the Living Wisdom School, a blog, SouleMama. Here she shares ideas tionnaire to assist in finding boy-friendly Women’s Wisdom nonprofit elementary school that empha- and projects with the same warm tone and schools. sizes nonsectarian spiritual principles and down-to-earth voice. Perfect for all fami-

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 55 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! MEN AS LOVERS OF LIFE !

THE HIDDEN SPIRITUALITY OF MEN Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine by Matthew Fox $25.50, cloth. New World Library. isbn 9781577316077 312 pages To my many brothers the world over with whom I struggle and learn, rejoice and work. Hopefully we may all wake up together. It’s no secret that men are in trouble today. From war to ecological collapse, most of the world’s critical problems stem from a distorted masculinity out of control. Yet our cul- ture rewards the very dysfunctions responsible for those problems. To maverick theologian Matthew Fox, our crucial task is to open our minds to a deeper understanding of the healthy masculine than we receive from our media, culture, and religions. Popular religion forces the punitive imagery of fundamen- talism on us, pushing most men away from their natural yearning for spirituality and toward intolerance and domination. Meanwhile, many men, particularly young men, are looking for images of healthy masculinity to emulate and finding… not much. To awaken what Fox calls “the sacred masculine,” he unearths ten metaphors, or archetypes, ranging from the Green Man, an ancient pagan symbol of our funda- mental relationship with nature, to the Grandfatherly Heart to the Spiritual Warrior. Some of the others are Hunter-Gatherers, Our Cosmic and Animal Bodies, The Blue Man, and Masculine Sexuality, Numinous Sexuality. Our unique DNA assures us that each of us came through this long, fourteen-billion-year journey with our own tales to tell and work to do. We are wondrous and surprising and full of creativity. And we are Matthew Fox evolving still. We are green and blue, warrior and hunter, Icarus and Daedalus, father and son, husband and lover, spiritual and sensual, free and bound. That is the adventure of it all. That is why we need fresh and ancient metaphors to awaken us. Exploring archetypes of sacred marriage, The Hidden Spirituality of Men shows how partnership becomes the ultimate expression of healthy masculinity. By stir- ring our natural yearning for healthy spirituality, Fox argues, these timeless arche- types can inspire men to pursue their higher calling to reinvent the world. Anyone who gives life their all—be they engineers, doctors, lawyers, taxi drivers, businesspeople, teachers, nurses, writers, mechanics, or carpenters—are announcing their spirituality, which is giving life one’s all. Biophilia. Love of life. Lovers of life. Lovers. That is spirituality. As Fox writes, “It is time for men to grow up spiritually. As a species, we can no longer be stuck in our adolescence. We need to explore ancient wisdom and deep teachings about the spiritual life of men, about the Sacred Masculine, and how we touch it and how it touches us.” Among Matthew Fox’s many other books are Original Blessing and Creativity.

THE NATURAL TESTOSTERONE fine balance of testosterone that makes PLAN them male. For Sexual Health and Energy In The Natural Testosterone Plan, Stephen by Stephen Harrod Buhner Buhner shows why men need to take ac- $18.95, paper. Inner Traditions. tion to maintain their testosterone levels isbn 9781594771682 182 pages as they age and explains how safe, natural- The recognition of andropause, the ly occurring phytoandrogens—plant med- middle-age stage in male development icines that contain male hormones—can comparable to remedy the depletion caused by the envi- women’s ronment. Buhner details how each phy- menopause, is toandrogen works, when its use is indicat- hampered by the ed, and the most appropriate method of lack of a clear application. He also advises on supple- outward manifes- ments to increase testosterone levels, an- tation of the drogenic foods, and things to avoid. chemistry and “Stephen Buhner combines scientific physiology specif- research, traditional knowledge, and per- ic to aging men. sonal experience into what may be one of Men are still ca- the most important books available on pable of repro- men’s health today. He primarily explores duction well into the little-known territory of men’s hor- and beyond mid- monal changes during midlife—a transi- dle age. Yet a tion in men’s life that has unfortunately man’s sexual desire and potency varies, of- been largely ignored, often denied by ten according to his testosterone level. modern medicine—and offers simple, sen- Recent studies show that the reduced sible solutions to help men navigate this testosterone levels endemic in aging important cycle of their lives.”—Rosemary men—a gradual drop that is quite nor- Gladstar, author of Herbal Healing for mal—is being exacerbated by environ- Women mental agents. Testosterone-blocking es- Stephen Harrod Buhner focuses on trogen agents are present in insecticides, herbal medicine, the sacredness of plants, industrial materials, pharmaceuticals, and and the intelligence of nature. His other foods. Men are daily inundated with a books include The Secret Teachings of Plants “cocktail” of estrogen agents that alter the and Sacred Plant Medicine.

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 56 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! LOVE’S GARDEN !

delves into the lives Relationship Sexual Passion, Sacred Sex of couples married & Sexuality for more than two THE RETURN OF DESIRE decades and dis- A Guide to Rediscovering Your Sexual Passion cerns encouraging by Gina Ogden new insights about HOLD ME TIGHT $16.95, paper. Shambhala. marriage. Seen Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love isbn 9781590303641 212 pages through the eyes of by Sue Johnson Much more than just a sex book, this is illuminating these baby boomers $28.99, cloth. Little, Brown. guidance for transforming our whole lives—body, heart, as they move into isbn 9780316113007 300 pages mind, and spirit. Gina Ogden invites readers to look be- this new phase of Heralded by the New York Times as the yond sexual performance (“how much,” “how many,” life, we hear—in the couples therapy with the highest rate of “how often”) and offers engaging ways we can say “yes” couples’ own success, to pleasure on our own terms. She suggests wise and live- words—how they survived the bumps to- Emotionally ly approaches for overcoming roadblocks gether and learned to balance their needs Focused Therapy to intimacy, and encourages us to expand with those of their partners. Scarf reveals works because it our capacity for love, creativity, compas- that, in many ways, men and women in views the love rela- sion, and sacred union. long-term marriages are far happier and tionship as an at- Dr. Ogden has a distinguished career as a marriage and family more fulfilled in their relationships today tachment bond. therapist and is an authoritative and passionate voice in the field of than when they were younger. This idea, once women’s sexuality. She draws on decades of clinical experience and A well-researched and very human por- controversial, is trait of the long-term emotional, psycho- Gina Ogden herpioneering survey of women and men all over North America to now supported by combine thelatest research with scores of moving stories and useful logical, and physical benefits of a lasting science, and has exercises and resources. The result is a smart, sophisticated, re- commitment to another, September Songs become widely freshing book you’ll want to share with your partner—and your friends. uncovers the challenges and new opportu- popular among She describes innovative ways to: nities couples find to love, cherish, and therapists around ! Open up to the four energies that spark desire live alongside each other in the extra years the world. ! Create heart-to-heart communication in your sexual partnerships they have together. In Hold Me Tight Sue Johnson, clinical ! Transcend guilt, shame, and “good-girls-don’t” messages “Scarf is a probing but tactful question- psychotherapist and creator of EFT, pre- ! Heal the sexual wounds of abuse, addiction, affairs, and low self-esteem er, an active listener and even, on occa- sents Emotionally Focused Therapy to the ! Enjoy sexual joy throughout your lifespan—from new love, to parenthood, and sion, a quasi-therapist. She enriches her general public for the first time. Johnson even into your golden years, when desire can ripen, like fine wine. material with research on aging and mar- teaches that the way to save and enrich a Engaging, accessible and well researched, The Return of Desire is full of won- riage and seeks insight into the marriages relationship is to reestablish safe emotion- derful anecdotes from women across the life span. of her own interviewees by provocatively al connection and preserve the attachment All through this book I’m going to encourage you to look at your own sexual asking, “If you were going to give a title to bond. With this in mind, she focuses on responses in a much more expansive way—that acknowledges all the dimensions of a movie or a book about this time of your key moments in a relationship—from your personal experience: emotional, mental, and spiritual as well as physical. I’ve life, what do you think it would be?” The Recognizing the Demon Dialogue to found that it’s from this broad perspective that it’s most possible to discover what may answers—“The New Beginning,” Revisiting a Rocky Moment—and uses be keeping desire at bay—and most important, to discover ways to reconnect with the “Harvest,” “Peace” “Life in Bloom”—could them as touchpoints for seven healing vitality that informs all aspects of your life. convince the most cynical reader that conversations. “To read this book is to bask in the radiance of the wisest of sexual guides. Ogden ‘Grow old along with me!/The best is yet Through case studies from her practice, gently and lovingly takes readers on a magnificent journey.”—Ian Kerner, author of to be’ is not a romantic’s foolish dream illuminating advice, and practical exercis- She Comes First but, for some fortunate couples, a real es, couples will learn how to nurture their “Gina Ogden probes the intricacies of female sexuality with subtle depth and un- possibility.” —Judith Viorst, Washington relationships and will gain a new under- derstanding. I plan to recommend this book to any woman on her path to finding Post standing of how to love and love well. greater sexual self discovery and self acceptance, and ultimately ecstasy.”—Esther This book is designed to be used by all Perel, author of Mating in Captivity couples, young, old, married, engaged, Also by Gina Ogden are Women Who Love Sex and The Heart and Soul of Sex. LOVE’S GARDEN cohabiting, happy, distressed, straight, gay; A Guide to Mindful Relationships in short, all partners seeking a lifetime of by Peggy Rowe Ward & Larry Ward love. It is for men and for women. It is for URBAN TANTRA $16.50, paper. Parallax. people from all walks of life and cultures; Sacred Sex for the Twenty-First Century isbn 9781888375732 160 pages everyone on this planet has the same basic by Barbara Carrellas need for connection. A garden, like a relationship, requires $22.50, paper. Celestial Arts. care, attention, weeding, watering, “Dr. Johnson’s superb science, humor, isbn 9781587612909 286 pages, 7x9, b/w illustrations harvesting, and times of rest… We would and clinical wisdom are finally accessible If you think sexual and spiritual bliss can’t be found in like to offer the practices that have brought to all of us. I couldn’t pick a smarter, today’s fast-paced world, you haven’t experienced Urban more happiness into our home, beauty warmer, and more real guide for this jour- Tantra. With a juicy mix of erotic how-to and pleasure- into our gardens, taught us how to love ney.” —John Gottman, author of The Seven centered spiritual wisdom, acclaimed sex educator our compost, and have helped us extend Principles for Making a Marriage Work Barbara Carrellas radically updates the ancient practice our hearts in the world. of Tantra for modern sexual explorers desiring to push Using Buddhist teachings to re-evaluate past their edge in search of the great cosmic orgasm—and traditional approaches to love, couple- SEPTEMBER SONGS for ecstatic aliveness that lingers longer than orgasm. hood, and marriage, Love’s Garden offers The Good News About Marriage Why is ecstasy important? Why might you want to prioritize the pursuit of ecstasy in readers specific, sea- in the Later Years your own life? soned advice on deep- by Maggie Scarf ening and enriching With more than 100 easy-to-follow techniques for expanded orgasmic states and $27.50, cloth. Riverhead. their love lives. By col- solo and partner play (as well as more adventurous practices), this in-depth guide— isbn 9781594488504 248 pages lecting real-life with the author’s theatrical sense of humour—reveals the delicious worlds of ecsta- In September Songs, Maggie Scarf finds Buddhist love stories, sy available to all, including The Erotic Awakening Massage, Breath and Energy that marriage has undergone some fasci- along with commentary Orgasms, Twenty-Minute Tantra, Evolutionary Selfloving, Sex and Healing, Tantric nating changes since she wrote her best- and guided exercises, BDSM, and learning how to craft your own tantric rituals. For tantric virgins and cu- selling Intimate Partners. Over the course this book illustrates the rious sex positivists alike—no matter your gender, sexual preference, or erotic of the twentieth century, thirty years of life fulfillment that comes tastes, Urban Tantra will expand your notions about pleasure and open you up to have been added to normal human life ex- from looking within new horizons of intimacy and sexual fulfillment. pectancy—what the author calls “the and taking action to improve a relation- bonus years.” This means that couples will You’ll learn why breath, meditation, movement, and laughter are the building blocks ship. Equally useful for practicing often live together for years after their of expanded orgasm, and you’ll learn how to use them to build your own sensual Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, the stairway to paradise. You’ll also learn the secrets of exquisite touch and how the way children have left home, and perhaps well advice presented here can be used by any- past retirement. This extra time is bring- you touch can transform your relationships. Last, you’ll learn how to do all of this in the time you have available in your busy schedule. one to promote mindfulness, diligence, ing change to our long-term relationships, and perseverance in the romantic realm. “Urban Tantra gives me hope that the world will become a more sexually satisfied, especially marriage. Longtime couple and Buddhist Dharma ecstatic, enlightened, and inclusive place.” —Annie Sprinkle, from the foreword. In a series of intimate interviews, Scarf teachers (in the tradition of Thich Nhat

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 57 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 ! WOMEN HEALING !

Hanh) Larry Ward and Peggy Rowe Ward With over 65 simple and effective prac- offer “The Three Keys” (Loving Yourself, tices to help you embrace mindfulness Loving Your Partner, and Loving All one moment at a time, and filled with Beings) and a surprisingly wide range of both the author’s and other women’s per- very useful practices for doing just that. sonal stories about the joys and hurdles Transforming our suffering and establish- that come with embracing mindful living, ing happiness is the name of the game. The Mindful Woman is a friend whose hand Love’s Garden is really an invitation to you can hold on the path toward being deepen our spiritual practice and present in the moment. Finding your way strengthen our most important relation- will lead naturally to a more open heart, ships at the same time. Through insights, inner peace, and greater zest for life—a exercises, and personal stories, the au- path well worth pursuing. thors illustrate how Buddhist principles Also by Sue Patton Thoele: The Courage can help couples navigate difficulties and To Be Yourself. misunderstandings and reach new levels of joyful “inter-being” together. You already have everything you need HEALING RAGE to succeed as partners. You have all the Women Making Inner Peace Possible heart, courage, wisdom, and tools you by Ruth King, need to create a beautiful partnership. foreword by Jack Kornfield They lie within you. These stories and $15.50, paper. Gotham. New in practices will help to ignite and nourish isbn 9781592404063 Paperback this inner wisdom and knowing. 220 pages Ruth King has devoted her career to ex- ploring the subtle varieties of rage, while Women’s Spirituality challenging the & Healing notion that rage is an “evil” emotion that must be eradi- cated. In Healing THE MINDFUL WOMAN Rage, she gives Gentle Practices for Restoring Calm, Finding readers access to Balance & Opening Your Heart her pioneering by Sue Patton Thoele program. $17.95, paper. New Harbinger. Few recognize isbn 9781572245426 222 pages the enormous Women are largely responsible for el- power of rage as a der- and childcare, housework, maintain- vehicle for ing relationships healing, or possess and family respon- the skillful means to transform rage from a sibilities, and keep- destructive to a life affirming resource. ing their families Rage is fuel, the source of our healthy and run- empowerment. When we embrace this ning. And most brilliance respectfully, rage teaches us women today are how to live, love, and heal. also employed out- Those of us seeking more self-awareness side the home. will inevitably stumble upon personal rage This author has no- on the path. Rage is not to be understood ticed that many as a useless emotion, empty of story or women—like her- knowledge, but as clarity and untapped self—who carry all fuel. Embraced with compassion, the en- these responsibilities often thrash them- ergy trapped in rage becomes an intimate selves for being less than perfect at all of and empathic teacher offering balance, in- those roles. tegrity, and inner peace to your healing Her remedy is a mixture of awareness, journey, relationships, and service. meditation, positive psychology and King identifies six common disguises of Buddhist “non-attachment.” Her book rage (dominance, defiance, devotion, dis- should speak powerfully to women of all traction, depression, and dependence) faiths. It includes exercises (“Practice...” and provides helpful rituals and healing and “Throughout your day...”) in each sec- exercises including: tion. ! Discover your rage inheritance and how Experts have found that it takes twenty- to transform your legacy. one days to either break an old habit or ! Learn how to break habitual pain pat- create a new one… The myriad practices terns in relationships. within these pages have helped other ! Learn how to center yourself again and women create minutes of mindfulness and again in difficult situations. oases of awareness amid the hustle and ! Learn how to stay true to yourself when hassle of everyday activities… others are raging. Mindfulness helps us love ourselves ! Learn how to stop contributing to your more gently and completely. Wrapped in own suffering. the comfort and security of self-love, our Written for every woman-ranging from hearts naturally open, and love flows more counselors and their patients to those who freely to others. And love is the essence of may not realize that rage is at the root of all that matters. their unhappiness and have just begun to In The Mindful Woman, Thoele shows seek new paths of hope-Healing Rage is a you how to incorporate mindfulness into unique resource on healing trauma and re- your busy and dynamic life. The book’s covering vitality. gentle and humorous approach makes it a “King has articulated the painful histo- practical and easily understood guide for ry, patterns, and traps of a raging heart those who are new to the practice of mind- and offers the skillful means for liberation fulness as well as those who are already fa- in their very midst. This is revolutionary miliar with its gifts. work.” —-Jack Kornfield

BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 58 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 BRANCHES OF LIGHT ! 59 ! FALL - WINTER 2008 - 2009 Yoga Retreats since 1963 Yasodhara Ashram Named Canada’s Best Yoga Retreat by Readers Digest, the Yasodhara Ashram is located in the Kootenay Rockies of SE British Columbia. Visit our website for information on a variety of workshops and retreats!

www.yasodhara.org 1-800-661-8711 renew, retreat & replenish with our books, yoga centres & magazines timeless books radha yoga & eatery ascent magazine yoga books, audio & classes and vegetarian inspirational yoga video since 1978 restaurant quarterly

THE INNER LIFE OF ASANAS 728 Main Street By Swami Vancouver, BC 4 issues (1 yr) $21.05 Lalitananda 604-605-0011 8 issues (2 yr) $34.95

Blends real-life lessons with Hatha Yoga instruction is sacred center offers nourishment of all types to ascent brings students across North America leading and reflective questions that point to the spiritual Vancouver yogis: yoga classes, a vegan restaurant, voices in yoga today. Each issue explores concepts of roots of Yoga. Available at Banyen Books. musical events and art shows form the basis for a compassion, self-study and unique perspectives on (160 pages) vibrant community space. the place of yoga in contemporary life. Read book excerpts at: Class schedules and upcoming events at: Subscribe and read excerpts at: www.timeless.org www.radhavancouver.org www.ascentmagazine.com

BANYEN BOOKS & SOUND 3608 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6R 1P1 Canada

Publications Mail Agreement # 1494872