Breakthrough Books

Millennium markers, millennium makers! In this morning of the Age of Aquarius, where we watch nothing less than the miracle of a change of consciousness coming about in the world, many fine books arrive on the reviews desk. Answers to "Who am I, and what am I doing here?" is a major interest of most of the people we talk to, and in recent years in the book world, this topic has been elevated from a specialized category to a broad major one. Choosing a half dozen volumes whose energy reflect the times was made easier because certain ones rise continually as inspiration — about topics that friends, co-workers and public interest gravitate to. Even though you already may have become familiar with some of the following authors or books in The Monthly Aspectarian, some bear mentioning again as gifts from me to you.

With his first book, Journey of Souls (1994), Michael Newton, Ph.D., a master hypnotherapist, proved to be an able, spiritually grounded interviewer and transcriber of accounts of patients' between-lives experiences.

Thanks to his enthusiasm, he has given us a second volume six years later,
DESTINY OF SOULS: New Case Studies of Life Between Lives. The two volumes have the standout quality of not being written from the perception of just one person; well over 100 case histories are related verbatim. Newton's was a first extensive recounting of what happens during the period between death and rebirth, setting the stage for the popularity of other books on the subject. His remain the only ones I know of that quote the perceptions of so many.

I've found the experiences of Dr. Newton's patients and his commentary to be thought-provoking, comforting and uplifting. If you're in a position of counseling someone who is apprehensive about what follows his or her last breath, and about how plans are laid for returning to the physical world, you will be able to speak more confidently. Many levels of consciousness are represented here, along with one extraordinary patient who put into words a perception that resonated so intimately with what I needed to hear that it remains a treasure to be picked up and re-read.

A man already imbued with wisdom, Dr. Newton shows even more insight in his second book. If you have to choose between the two, this is the one I suggest that you pick up.

In my opinion, Newton's offering is among the handful that deserve to be called not just books of the year but germinal, true culture changers in the same class as the work of Kübler-Ross, Rachel Carson, et al. (Llewellyn, 2000, $14.95.)

Next in line are two books that reinforce one another:

THE ISAIAH EFFECT: Decoding the Lost Science of Prayer and Prophecy by Gregg Braden (Hardcover, Harmony Books, 2000, $23)
and
EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING: The Astonishing Power of Feelings by Lynn Grabhorn (Hardcover, Hampton Roads, 2000, $18.95)

You've read excerpts of Braden's work in this magazine, as well as transcriptions of publisher Guy Spiro's conversations with Braden and Grabhorn. Both authors write from penetrating insight and masterful inner and outer research about how we create what happens in our lives and in the world, yet their presentation is quite different. Braden writes as a scholar and "combines studies of the power of prayer to influence events with ideas from quantum physics, the Isaiah prophecies (found in the Dead Sea Scrolls) and ancient texts from Hopis, Mayans, and Egyptians." He shows how we have lost the ancient mystical power of prayer and how it is this lost art of 'active prayer' [feeling] found in the scroll that is the key to making the choice of peace a reality. We can and must choose our future, and each time we do, we experience what Braden calls the Isaiah Effect."

Grabhorn's writing, while dealing in depth with the same area, the power of creation, is plainspoken, earthy and often irreverent. Lynn is a "longtime student of the way in which thought and feelings format our lives." She "reveals how our feelings make our lives what they are — not positive thinking or sweat and strain, or good or bad luck, or even smarts, but feelings," and considers in her chapters subjects such as money and relationships, experiences that are uppermost in most people's thoughts.

If you're serious about living from the realm of being cause rather than the effect of your habitual responses, you've got your hand out for one - or both - of these books. Each is a strong entry on the Breakthrough Books list of standouts.

I found it easier to read The Isaiah Effect because I'm comfortable with the style; on the other hand, Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting has arrived on popular book lists. Both books illustrate points with memorable anecdotes. No matter which approach appeals to you, each works its magic to support you as your life unfolds. You'll find yourself returning in thought to their ideas and suggestions and acting on them. Gratitude time! They work

		Millennium markers, millennium makers! In this morning of the Age of Aquarius, where we watch nothing less than the miracle of a change of consciousness coming about in the world, many fine books arrive on the reviews desk. Answers to "Who am I, and what am I doing here?" is a major interest of most of the people we talk to, and in recent years in the book world, this topic has been elevated from a specialized category to a broad major one. Choosing a half dozen volumes whose energy reflect the times was made easier because certain ones rise continually as inspiration — about topics that friends, co-workers and public interest gravitate to. Even though you already may have become familiar with some of the following authors or books in The Monthly Aspectarian, some bear mentioning again as gifts from me to you. With his first book, Journey of Souls (1994), Michael Newton, Ph.D., a master hypnotherapist, proved to be an able, spiritually grounded interviewer and transcriber of accounts of patients' between-lives experiences.
	click on above image to order
	Thanks to his enthusiasm, he has given us a second volume six years later, DESTINY OF SOULS: New Case Studies of Life Between Lives. The two volumes have the standout quality of not being written from the perception of just one person; well over 100 case histories are related verbatim. Newton's was a first extensive recounting of what happens during the period between death and rebirth, setting the stage for the popularity of other books on the subject. His remain the only ones I know of that quote the perceptions of so many. I've found the experiences of Dr. Newton's patients and his commentary to be thought-provoking, comforting and uplifting. If you're in a position of counseling someone who is apprehensive about what follows his or her last breath, and about how plans are laid for returning to the physical world, you will be able to speak more confidently. Many levels of consciousness are represented here, along with one extraordinary patient who put into words a perception that resonated so intimately with what I needed to hear that it remains a treasure to be picked up and re-read. A man already imbued with wisdom, Dr. Newton shows even more insight in his second book. If you have to choose between the two, this is the one I suggest that you pick up. In my opinion, Newton's offering is among the handful that deserve to be called not just books of the year but germinal, true culture changers in the same class as the work of Kübler-Ross, Rachel Carson, et al. (Llewellyn, 2000, $14.95.)
	Next in line are two books that reinforce one another: THE ISAIAH EFFECT: Decoding the Lost Science of Prayer and Prophecy by Gregg Braden (Hardcover, Harmony Books, 2000, $23) and EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING: The Astonishing Power of Feelings by Lynn Grabhorn (Hardcover, Hampton Roads, 2000, $18.95) You've read excerpts of Braden's work in this magazine, as well as transcriptions of publisher Guy Spiro's conversations with Braden and Grabhorn. Both authors write from penetrating insight and masterful inner and outer research about how we create what happens in our lives and in the world, yet their presentation is quite different. Braden writes as a scholar and "combines studies of the power of prayer to influence events with ideas from quantum physics, the Isaiah prophecies (found in the Dead Sea Scrolls) and ancient texts from Hopis, Mayans, and Egyptians." He shows how we have lost the ancient mystical power of prayer and how it is this lost art of 'active prayer' [feeling] found in the scroll that is the key to making the choice of peace a reality. We can and must choose our future, and each time we do, we experience what Braden calls the Isaiah Effect." Grabhorn's writing, while dealing in depth with the same area, the power of creation, is plainspoken, earthy and often irreverent. Lynn is a "longtime student of the way in which thought and feelings format our lives." She "reveals how our feelings make our lives what they are — not positive thinking or sweat and strain, or good or bad luck, or even smarts, but feelings," and considers in her chapters subjects such as money and relationships, experiences that are uppermost in most people's thoughts. If you're serious about living from the realm of being cause rather than the effect of your habitual responses, you've got your hand out for one - or both - of these books. Each is a strong entry on the Breakthrough Books list of standouts. I found it easier to read The Isaiah Effect because I'm comfortable with the style; on the other hand, Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting has arrived on popular book lists. Both books illustrate points with memorable anecdotes. No matter which approach appeals to you, each works its magic to support you as your life unfolds. You'll find yourself returning in thought to their ideas and suggestions and acting on them. Gratitude time! They work			click on above image to order
				click on above image to order

click on above image to order			Among the entertaining and visionary volumes featured in Booksense, published recently by independent bookstores, is AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A MODERN PROPHET, which was also headlined this year in Breakthrough Books. The description reads, "Harold Klemp's enthralling account of spiritual growth reveals it is our destiny to discover our godlike nature." Indeed, here is a golden opportunity to get on the inside track of the complexities that stand in the way of living a simple, spiritual life. It shows what can be experienced and where it can lead when you've got the determination to stick to it. (Softcover, 468 pages, Eckankar, $14.)

Honor belongs to those who have preceded us, those sages whose philosophies and prayers have given us, throughout time, words with which to build our own vocabularies of love and spirit. One deceptively small collection of quotations, whose contents span five continents and 3,000 years, is BLUE MOUNTAIN: A Spiritual Anthology Celebrating the Earth, compiled by F. Lynne Bachleda. "Organized by theme, chapters contain poetry, proverbs, song lyrics, and essay and fiction excerpts, all venerating the spiritual within nature. Together these passages reverberate with the power of a worldwide chorus". (Softcover, 213 pages, Menasha Ridge Press, $15.95.) Last, I want to tell you about one of the special treats that accompanies breakfast at our house as we begin each day with dedication to living from spirit. A DEEP BREATH OF LIFE is a softcover by Alan Cohen, who has benefited from the wisdom of the ages and whose mission has been to spread its Light. A Deep Breath of Life has been around since 1996, and the short, page-a-day anecdotes and essays, each accompanied by a quotation and followed by an affirmation and a very short prayer are pure Alan Cohen, whose uplifting writing you're familiar with in our magazine. It's uncanny how many times the day's subject is on target to guide one's attitude toward personal, challenging adventures. This is a book that can be cherished every day of the year. (About 367 pages, Hay House, $12.)					click on above image to order
					click on above image to order



		by June Rouse