Breakthrough Books & More

The length of a book is not proof of its worth. Two of the books I read this month affirm this in their wisdom and joy. Interestingly, the two have the same subject, one that our society is just beginning to relax with, a reward of meditation, contemplation and the tide of teachings from the East. The subject is death . . . and it's telling that I hesitated to use the word earlier for fear you might turn to a page less threatening! Despite the negative outlook most of us have grown up with, there are those for whom the definition of death is far easier than that of its being in league with suffering.

The first book is one that I think anyone of any age will profit from. The second, poetry by an East Indian sage, has a depth that's born of quieting the mind and emotions and listening to the eternal voice of silence.

SPIRIT DOGS: Heroes in Heaven by Susan Kelleher and illustrated by award-winning Rod Lawrence is a work of the heart whose very short length belies its impact. A 15-minute read, this book was passed from hand to hand in our office, won our hearts and wet our cheeks. Susan writes of a car accident in which both the protagonist and her dog are killed. The events that befell the two of them before the woman was resuscitated are captivating. The incredible black and white pencil illustrations of the dogs and people they encounter on the other side of death openthe heart. The joy of seeing life and death as two sides of consciousness are consoling in many circumstances. Spirit Dogs redefines tragedy as a situation to be embraced as life-giving understanding floods in. (70 pages, Owl of Athene Press, $12.95.)

Quantity discounts are available for bulk purchases for grief counseling, spiritual counseling or fund raising. For information, contact Owl of Athena Press, P.O. Box 102253, Denver, CO 80250-2253.

If you've ever wondered what new age luminaries enjoy doing in their spare time, ON THE SHORES OF ETERNITY: Poems from Tagore on Immortality and Beyond should give you an idea of how Deepak Chopra occupies himself. Chopra could rest on his laurels as one of the most lauded and sought-after inspirational speakers and authors of the day, but in this lovely little volume from Harmony Books he adds new English-language versions of some of Rabindranath Tagore's poems to the ever-growing list of best-sellers he consistently gives seekers of truth.

Tagore, an East Indian whose words were highly admired by Einstein, did not accept that death and suffering were equivalent. The poems presented to us by Deepak Chopra reveal his insights. In a marvelous introduction, Chopra tells us the negative perspective is the outcome of lack of preparation. "In our society," he says, "the subject of death is still taboo; no one has taught us in advance how to die, what the New Testament calls 'dying unto death.'" In this society, such preparation has been touted as unseemly; but those who enter the core of inner silence discern the truth of the matter. Chopra reminds readers, "Dying feels terrifying because we are like babies pulled from our mother's breast who cry out, only to be consoled in the next instant when her other breast appears."

The 55 very short but very pithy poems in On the Shores of Eternity can help to open your own discernment of immortality and speed the miracle of a changed consciousness. You'll have to dip into it for yourself. (90 pages, Harmony House, $14.00.)

A Game of Focus and Skill to Engage Your Senses and Challenge Your Soul: MILLENNIUM MANTRA, from Simon & Schuster Interactive is here to keep you and your family at your Windows® 95 and 98 or Macintosh computer throughout the year 2000.

The games featured on this well-designed CD are fashioned to increase focus, concentration and hand-eye coordination, and as you play, you're rewarded with relaxing music and words of inspiration…such as "Make your home your temple and your life your religion" that draw from many cultures and religions. Signs and symbols are also part of each game, reminders of their universal language throughout time.

12-year old Garret is so used to guts and glory that this wasn't the game for him; on the other hand, seven-year-old Kara agrees with me that it's fun to move up the levels, discovering and developing the know-how and coordination to come out ahead of ever-increasing challenge. On the basis of this, I'll call it a game for all seasons.

When the eve of 2001 rolls around, your points and those of the other players in the world will release the Millennium Mantra. We are told this will spread positive energy "like a great ripple over the globe." Whatever will those marvelous words be?

	Breakthrough Books & More SPIRIT DOGS - *by Susan Kelleher* ON THE SHORES OF ETERNITY - *Deepak Chopra* MILLENNIUM MANTRA - by Simon & Schuster by June Rouse The length of a book is not proof of its worth. Two of the books I read this month affirm this in their wisdom and joy. Interestingly, the two have the same subject, one that our society is just beginning to relax with, a reward of meditation, contemplation and the tide of teachings from the East. The subject is death . . . and it's telling that I hesitated to use the word earlier for fear you might turn to a page less threatening! Despite the negative outlook most of us have grown up with, there are those for whom the definition of death is far easier than that of its being in league with suffering. The first book is one that I think anyone of any age will profit from. The second, poetry by an East Indian sage, has a depth that's born of quieting the mind and emotions and listening to the eternal voice of silence. SPIRIT DOGS: Heroes in Heaven by Susan Kelleher and illustrated by award-winning Rod Lawrence is a work of the heart whose very short length belies its impact. A 15-minute read, this book was passed from hand to hand in our office, won our hearts and wet our cheeks. Susan writes of a car accident in which both the protagonist and her dog are killed. The events that befell the two of them before the woman was resuscitated are captivating. The incredible black and white pencil illustrations of the dogs and people they encounter on the other side of death openthe heart. The joy of seeing life and death as two sides of consciousness are consoling in many circumstances. Spirit Dogs redefines tragedy as a situation to be embraced as life-giving understanding floods in. (70 pages, Owl of Athene Press, $12.95.) Quantity discounts are available for bulk purchases for grief counseling, spiritual counseling or fund raising. For information, contact Owl of Athena Press, P.O. Box 102253, Denver, CO 80250-2253. Return to Top of Page If you've ever wondered what new age luminaries enjoy doing in their spare time, ON THE SHORES OF ETERNITY: Poems from Tagore on Immortality and Beyond should give you an idea of how Deepak Chopra occupies himself. Chopra could rest on his laurels as one of the most lauded and sought-after inspirational speakers and authors of the day, but in this lovely little volume from Harmony Books he adds new English-language versions of some of Rabindranath Tagore's poems to the ever-growing list of best-sellers he consistently gives seekers of truth. Tagore, an East Indian whose words were highly admired by Einstein, did not accept that death and suffering were equivalent. The poems presented to us by Deepak Chopra reveal his insights. In a marvelous introduction, Chopra tells us the negative perspective is the outcome of lack of preparation. "In our society," he says, "the subject of death is still taboo; no one has taught us in advance how to die, what the New Testament calls 'dying unto death.'" In this society, such preparation has been touted as unseemly; but those who enter the core of inner silence discern the truth of the matter. Chopra reminds readers, "Dying feels terrifying because we are like babies pulled from our mother's breast who cry out, only to be consoled in the next instant when her other breast appears." The 55 very short but very pithy poems in On the Shores of Eternity can help to open your own discernment of immortality and speed the miracle of a changed consciousness. You'll have to dip into it for yourself. (90 pages, Harmony House, $14.00.) Return to Top of Page A Game of Focus and Skill to Engage Your Senses and Challenge Your Soul: MILLENNIUM MANTRA, from Simon & Schuster Interactive is here to keep you and your family at your Windows® 95 and 98 or Macintosh computer throughout the year 2000. The games featured on this well-designed CD are fashioned to increase focus, concentration and hand-eye coordination, and as you play, you're rewarded with relaxing music and words of inspiration…such as "Make your home your temple and your life your religion" that draw from many cultures and religions. Signs and symbols are also part of each game, reminders of their universal language throughout time. 12-year old Garret is so used to guts and glory that this wasn't the game for him; on the other hand, seven-year-old Kara agrees with me that it's fun to move up the levels, discovering and developing the know-how and coordination to come out ahead of ever-increasing challenge. On the basis of this, I'll call it a game for all seasons. When the eve of 2001 rolls around, your points and those of the other players in the world will release the Millennium Mantra. We are told this will spread positive energy "like a great ripple over the globe." Whatever will those marvelous words be? Return to Top of Page Next Article Return to This Month's Index Go to Homepage
(Click on the image above to order book)
(Click on the image above to order book)
(Click on the image above to order book)