Spiritual Growth

The Teachings of Abraham Book Collection: Hardcover Boxed Set

by Esther Hicks

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"When I first heard of Abraham I dismissed it thinking that is was just "channeled" stuff and I am not so sure I give that any merit. I then kept hearing over & over about Abraham. I do believe that when something comes to me repeatedly I need to listen. So I did & am I glad I did. The message of Abraham is so loving & supportive that I wish everyone would listen or read or view at least one offering of the teachings. I started with listening to the Secret behind the Secret & viewing the Law of Attraction DVD I realized there was much to learn, regardless of how it came into print. I decided to purchase the 3 book set as I know the hardback books will hold up better throught the many readings I will need to absorb and remeber all of the teachings. There is a sleeve that you can use or not to hold the books. The quality is good and the content is essential reading in my humble opinion. It is not so much that it is new information but we are so quick to forget how amazing we really are it is good to hear it expressed again with great affection & humor. Try one! "

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com

The Kindness Handbook: A Practical Companion

by Sharon Salzberg

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""It takes boldness, even audacity, to step out of our habitual patterns and experiment with a quality like kindness--to work with it and see just how it might shift and open up our lives. This book is an invitation to do just that." - From The Kindness Handbook

Many of the world's religions teach that kindness is a desired virtue, something to be practiced towards those we love--and those we don't.

In her book The Kindness Handbook, author Sharon Salzberg shows us that kindness is much more than being nice or living altruistically. Kindness involves mindfulness--that present-moment awareness that accepts and allows whatever might be happening at the time, engendering intimacy with our surroundings.

Yet, this doesn't disqualify protesting perceived injustice or taking action to alleviate suffering, but rather invites us to be fully engaged with clarity of mind and openness of heart towards everyone we encounter.

Amid the pursuit of kindness, however, there is one person that often gets overlooked: ourselves. Salzberg maintains that we are often quite harsh with ourselves, more than with any other, participating in self-castigation and lack of faith towards our ability to succeed.

But what are we to do in the face of physical limitation, illness, death and disaster? How do we cultivate kindness not only for all people and the Earth, but also for ourselves? What might kindness look like in the midst of poverty, relationship challenges, dashed hopes or criticism?

The Kindness Handbook paints a gentle portrait of ways to meet each person and circumstance with loving kindness--an approach of ease, curiosity and permission that nourishes our spirit and leaves us emotionally fuller, rather than depleted.

Providing a self-compassion test, thoughtful anecdotes, personal examples and the profound wisdom that arises from awareness, Salzberg creates a sacred space inviting healing, understanding, peace and joyfulness to all who will partake of the living water of kindness and dare to step out of cycles of reactivity.

Here are but a few of the loving passages found in The Kindness Handbook:

* "Compassion is the trembling or the quivering of the heart in response to suffering. Equanimity is a spacious stillness that can accept things as they are. The balance of compassion and equanimity allows us to care, and yet not get overwhelmed and unable to cope because of that caring."

* "Instead of thinking that growth and understanding will come from doing battle with aspects of ourselves, or thinking they will come from enmity towards emotions, memories, and longings that we actually can't keep from arising, we discover that kindness and compassion for ourselves is the best and most healing trajectory for transformation."

* "...painful times can be an opportunity to find out what really is important to us. Pain wears away superficial concerns, leaving us with a powerful urge for freedom, happiness and wholeness of being."

* "We can explore other ways of seeing: confronting the stereotypes we often hold of anyone who appears to be unlike us, the indifference we assume toward those we don't know. We can examine all the ways we create an `other' unworthy of our care, with people or nature or religions or nations. Doing this will continually undermine the walls of our conditioning has constructed and open us beyond their pain."

My favorite story from The Kindness Handbook involves Salzberg and her friend, fellow author Krishna Das, as they were planning to travel to Hawaii from their separate points of origin to co-lead a retreat. Krishna Das advised her not to try to get to Hawaii from the East Coast in one day, but she decided to attempt it because of convenient connecting flights offered by her travel agent.

Well, Salzberg encounters unexpected delays and begins berating herself for making such a "poor choice". After meeting up with Das in Hawaii, he bemoans at how "stupid" *he* was, because after staying at an airport hotel, he found he couldn't sleep--only snagging two hours of rest before he had to catch his flight.

What a familiar scenario! So many times, we assume that if we had only done X, it would have turned out perfectly: We would have avoided the hassles, enjoyed the sights, gotten the discount, and saved time--the contempt, self-blame and shame starkly evident in our self-talk and feelings of humiliation.

If you're looking to follow a path of kindness, starting with yourself and radiating outward, The Kindness Handbook is a tender, but penetrating, guide to new ways of seeing, doing and being in the world. Caregivers will especially benefit from this book, as will anyone desiring to rise above reactivity, cruelty, or plain old indifference in order to bring peace on Earth and an end to all suffering.

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book"

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com

Dancing the Dream: The Seven Sacred Paths Of Human Transformation (Religion and Spirituality)

by Jamie Sams

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"Not long ago, I spoke with a long time friend and asked her why it was that I seemed to go through disciplines so quickly when I was looking for something, usually an answer to a question. A well recognized professional, her response was direct. "You're looking for the magic bulllet, and you won't stop until you find it...if you find it." So, on that note, I discovered, Dancing The Dream, and I began to read. When I reached the midway point I put the book down and began again. This has to be one of the most interesting and thought inspiring pieces of Wisdom Literature I have ever read. Simply put, read the book. Jamie Sams does not lecture. She speaks. She isn't a guru. She teaches by example. She includes successes, failures, foibles and her personal experiences.She uses simple language to guide and direct. But she never talks down to the initiate. She emphasises personal responsibility and provides the tools to develop the needed strengths. If the way of our ancestors is your way, and particularly if you are unable to connect with a techer, or a teacher you trust, start here. I promise, you will find your way in direct proportion to your faithfulness on the path and Jamie will guide you all the way. Read the book, read the book, read the book!"

Publisher: HarperOne | More reviews: amazon.com

If the Buddha Got Stuck: A Handbook for Change on a Spiritual Path

by Charlotte Kasl

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"Kasl blends Buddhism with mind-body approaches to focus energy and move beyond the overthinking mind to a connection with our emotional body. Whether or not you are familiar with Buddhism this lively book on the art of flowing with life, despite the waves of ups and down, are filled with simple techniques to stay clear of chatter and familiar emotional responses. The practices proposed by Kasl are designed to calm the mind, sooth the emotional, and release the tension in the physical body. This is ultimatley a guide to connecting with your spirit and wisdom of soul. A wonderul handbook when the chronic patterns of the past pollute the present and corrupt the future. Simple brilliance ... just like the Buddha."

Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) | More reviews: amazon.com

Soul Lessons and Soul Purpose: A Channeled Guide to Why You Are Here

by Sonia Choquette

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"This is another wonderful work by psychic author and teacher Sonia Choquette about learning to use your creative power to manifest, and working with Divine Law so that we may "become living expressions of Divinity".

This is the kind of book that you will buy for your friends, but you'll always hang on to your own copy. The reason being, the guidance and inspiration it offers it applies to every stage of spiritual and intuitive journey. The format of the book makes it incredibly easy to relate to and actually apply to your life, no matter if you're a beginner on the path, or spiritually advanced.

The format of the book is:

First, "The Soul Lesson" -- this is the "lecture" part of the teaching.

Secondly, following and interspersed in the teachings are Sonia's personal experiences with family, friends and her clients as parables to illustrate the lesson and written in italics to offset the different voices. Sonia is refreshingly honest about her own journey, and where she feels she needs to be more diligent in her own soul work. She's one of us.

Third, we're offered ways to discern where we are on the path with regard to that particular soul lesson. We're given examples to help us understand if we're beginners on the path ("Student"); the intermediate ("Apprentice"); advanced students ("Journeyman") or in the final stages of our path ("On Your Way to Mastering".)

Fourth, depending on the above, we're given practical "homework" for ways to apply the lesson in our lives.

Each chapter is ended with the Soul Lesson, and a statement proclaiming the Soul Purpose of that lesson.

This book mingles the metaphysical laws of manifesting, with the element of divinity, spiritual growth and a deeper purpose for manifesting.

Seekers and who find that other materials on the Law of Attraction come up short with regard to their spiritual path, or why to manifest in the first place, will be very happy to add "Soul Lessons and Soul Purpose" to their permanent library."

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com

Zen and the Art of Happiness Deluxe Gift Edition

by Chris Prentiss

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"Chris Prentiss has a good way of communicating basic Zen concepts, on the practice of acceptance as the pathway to peace and happiness. Our culture encourages the "pursuit of happiness" as if it is a trophy to be caught and hung on the den wall over the fireplace. Happiness is an attitude we develop as we learn how to take life more as it is, not necessaril;y as we would have it. This guide empowers the reader to gently open up to new ways of seeing the world, ways that reduce the inner conflicts and, consequently, the outer conflicts as well."

Publisher: Power Pr | More reviews: amazon.com

Remembering the Future: The Path to Recovering Intuition

by Colette Baron-Reid

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"First, just buy this book. I am an avid fan of just about anything metaphysical and I have read oh so many books about different people's spiritual paths and how to develop your own inner strengths, and enjoyed them all for different reasons! But none of them reached out and grabbed me like Colette's book has.

Her personal story is so profound, you can tell she shares from deep in her heart and it just hits you with its directness. I enjoy reading about people who were "born aware" and saw and experienced wondrous events as children, but cannot always relate directly to them. Colette's story many, many of us will be able to relate to on many levels. I found myself shaking my head and saying, "Me too" over and over! The book is a great read just for her sharing of her own amazing life...but there is so much more.

On to how to increase your own awareness. GREAT exercises and methods for opening up. Colete has a unique, funny style of writing and her personality GLOWS from the pages. I knew she was a gifted intuitive and speakert (oh, yeah, and singer), but now I know she is a gifted writer!

I know there are a lot of metaphysical books out there, but this one is one that you will laugh and cry your way through and refer to over and over and over. Hey, for the price of lunch you can grab this book and expand your capabilities and who the heck knows, maybe even open up YOUR intuition!

If you are not familiar with Colette's work, visit [...]. "

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com

Soul Coaching

by Denise Linn

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"You are here on the planet for a reason. There is a purpose for your life. When you become clear about your mission, a deep feeling of inner contentment begins to develop within you. You truly know that every experience in your life is propelling you forward in alignment with your mission. ~Denise Linn

Through a series of journal-style letters to the reader, affirmations and life-enhancing suggestions, Denise Linn leads you through 28 days of soul cleansing.

Through this process you can discover your authentic self. I read this book in a few hours because I'm one of those people who is already constantly organizing things and taking car loads to the local charity. So, blissfully, while reading this book, I could skip many of the organizing sections because I've been working on that all year and had just finished the "putting things in the bathroom in baskets" project! Some of the suggestions will take my organizing/discovery to the next level. Many have nothing to do with organizing, but have more to do with connections to family, love, loyalty, security, courage, wisdom or even removing the clutter on your computer.

Now I want to enhance my bedroom environment with different art that reflects my inner world, buy clothes that are much more feminine and write recipes in pretty journal style books so I can find them more easily when making spontaneous meals. Denise also gave me ideas for buying candles (lately I'm looking into soy candles), decorating my living room (might move the couch to a more Feng Shui position) and I suddenly thought I should start to collect affirmations in a big box for inspiration.

One of her affirmations was: "I honor my commitments to myself and to others." She also encourages you to follow one of the levels in the book. There are three levels and you can commit to going full out or just making one empowering change each day. There are ideas that will jump out at you and others you will have already completed.

A few days after I finished reading this book I felt like I was starting to see my real life mission and I felt energized and renewed. I shall now unleash myself on the world. Or at least try to finish some projects.

I planted some mums out on the deck (to renew my planter) and will now finally refinish a trunk I've had since I was a child. This book helped me make a long list of projects to complete and I think when you finally do complete things that matter to you, you get a sense of fulfillment and you can also be healed by making household item donations to your local charity. I cleaned out half my kitchen!

By the end of this book, you will have written a life purpose or mission statement and know all about your shadow self. My shadow self is rather disorganized at the moment, but mostly because I'm in the middle of all these projects!

Denise is a real survivor and has survived more than you can imagine. I thought her resiliency was astounding. She has taught seminars in 19 countries and has written 12 books. She also went through a house remodel and is now planning a small vineyard.

I liked the way she organized her book into four sections and in the weeks after buying this book you can walk through four chapters:

Air Week - Clearing Your Mental Self
Water Week - Clearing Your Emotional Self
Fire Week - Clearing Your Spiritual Self
Earth Week - Clearing Your Physical Self

Through this book you will explore your relationships, examine turning points in your life and clean up the clutter in your inner and outer worlds. Are you ready to face your shadow? Are you ready to create a future filled with love, harmony and peace? This book can put you on a road to spiritual health in a very interesting way. By embracing some of the ideas in this book I feel I have been healed in a spiritual way. A journal or at least a pen and paper is highly recommended.

~The Rebecca Review
Author of Seasoned with Love: A collection of
best-loved recipes inspired by over 40 cultures "

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com

Reiki Meditations for Self-Healing: Traditional Japanese Practices for Your Energy and Vitality

by Bronwen Stiene

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"I have been very enthusiastically recommending this two volume CD set to all of my students. It is accessible to both the experienced practitioner and teacher - as well as to the person relatively new to Reiki - and it is a bargain as well.

It is evident from listening to the introductions and instructions given, that Bronwen Stiene is someone who not only commands an impressive amount of information about Reiki as it was originally practiced by Mikao Usui, but that she is a dedicated practitioner of this system as well. Reiki as taught by Usui, was meant to be first and foremost a spiritual practice - something that has not been generally emphasized in the West. Reiki as a spiritual practice is both complete and totally edifying and will change your life!

In addition, these CD's give every practitioner the basic tools to establish their own daily practice if they are looking for a way to do so.

Bronwen's voice is melodious, rich, soothing and captivating. Not every writer can adequately convey the beauty and eloquence of the written word to the spoken one - but she certainly knows how to do this. She is as engaging a speaker as she is a writer.

The written works by Frans and Bronwen Stiene are outstanding and the best references available in terms of the history and the practice of Reiki. I always tell my students that if they only have one Reiki book to buy - they should make it the Reiki Sourcebook. These Reiki Meditation CD's are a welcome accompaniment to their written body of work, and I hope to see more CD's released in the future!"

Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com

Sylvia Browne's Lessons for Life

by Sylvia Browne

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"This is the second book that I have read that stressed the release of guilt and fear. The first Book was An Encounter With A Prophet. While Brown comes from a Christian viewpoint, Lewis comes from an anti-dogma, spiritual viewpoint. Lewis maintains it is difficult to release guilt and fear while continuing to believe Christian dogma. Brown ignores the dogma and presents some of the same concepts.

Regardless of their different approaches it seems that they agree on the need to release both guilt and fear.

Try both books one should work for you.
"

Publisher: Hay House | More reviews: amazon.com