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March/April 2003 Conscious Media
Book Reviews

Darwin, His Daughter and Human Evolution.
By Randal Keynes (Riverhead Books, 2002, $ 27.95)

"Darwinism: The theory of the origin and perpetuation of new species of animals and plants by a process of natural selection and survival of the fittest."

Thus, Webster’s dictionary defines Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution; very short and simple. Not so Randal Keynes book that within almost four hundred pages of text eloquently details the complex life of this eminent scientist.

Who hasn’t heard of Charles Darwin and his controversial beliefs concerning human origin? Do you, or do you not believe that we developed from apes? It really isn’t important as far as this book is concerned. It is a "must read" regardless of your spiritual or scientific views on life’s beginning.

Mr. Keynes is the great-great grandson of Darwin and his story of the life and times of his ancestor is a compelling, three dimensional portrait that lives and breathes in this twenty first century. Darwin, His Daughter and Human Evolution is not a cut and dried account of a man’s life-long dedication to proving whence we originated. This is an insightful look into the psyche of a devoted husband and loving father; a man who struggled with his orthodox religious upbringing, turning the Victorian Christian community of England upside down in the process. The death of one of his ten children became the painful catalyst that deepened his scientific convictions concerning evolution.

From a chest of drawers, inherited from his Grandmother, Keyes found a writing case that had belonged to Darwin’s first born daughter. She died at the age of ten. Also in the writing case were notes left by Charles Darwin; notes that he’d written as he sat by his daughter’s bed side as she lay dying. From these writings, the seeds of this book were planted in Randal Keynes mind, eventually to become a book that is so engrossing this reviewer had difficulty in putting it down to rejoin the present time period!

The author did his homework in researching the life of Darwin and his family. The intensive section of "Notes" at the end of the book, bear witness this fact. Through the author’s talents Charles Darwin becomes a living, breathing human being. He is romantic, affectionate and sympathetic towards his family and friends (Wordsworth, the poet was a close friend). He also happens to be a dedicated scientist. His loyal wife Emma, supports him emotionally and cares for his needs, in spite of her strong, Unitarian religious faith that struggles with the beliefs of her husband.

That his children love and admire him is obvious through the descriptive interaction between father and children. The reader is provided with a multi-dimensional insight to the life that surrounds this upper class Victorian family.

During the mid 1870’s Spiritualism and Mediumship became popular in England. Invited by friends, the Darwins attended a séance in London’s Mayfair district. Apparently Emma kept an open mind, but Charles wrote, "The Lord have mercy on us all if we have to believe such rubbish." I wonder what Darwin would think of the prevailing beliefs of the 21^st century? Methinks he would be doing some revisions on his evolutionary theories!

--- Marie Friend

 

Equations of Eternity: Speculations on Consciousness, Meaning,
and the Mathematical Rules That Orchestrate the Cosmos
by David Darling (MJF Books, 2002, $6.98)

What I remember about my Uncle Gene is that he was very knowledgeable and kind, and had the gift of talking about any subject with complete authority: name a subject and he would tell you exactly what was what and why. David Darling’s tone in Equations of Eternity reminds me of my Uncle. There is a soft lulling voice that runs through the book. I can picture him seated in front of a cracking fireplace shadowed by books, lighting a cigar and taking me to worlds I had never begun to imagine.

The worlds traveled to in Equations of Eternity include the whole evolution of everything starting with the Big Bang, quantum physics, astronomy, artificial intelligence, space travel, anthropology, and questions of consciousness. Darling treats them all with the same level of assured knowledge, even while explaining where some theories diverge. The science in this book is presented at the level of, say, Discover magazine: with enough insight to grasp its implications, but without getting bogged down in details.

Still, I was left unsatisfied. While it piques my curiosity to read a book that combines so many subjects, it presents too much conjecture and mixes it with Darling’s own personal aspirations (there is a lengthy segment on space travel) to arrive at the feeling of having traveled much, but seen very little.

The main point to Darling’s book can be expressed by this quote: "The potential exists for mind to become vastly more extensive and capable in the future than it is now…if the universe can become globally aware . . . then it is hard to see how the powers of mind can be overestimated." (p.177) This is a book full of optimism and fantastical leaps of imagination, and promises that even though we don’t know where we are headed, whatever it is, it’s going to be spectacular.

---Elizabeth Fox

 

Overcoming Emotional Chaos: Eliminate Anxiety, Lift Depression, and Create Security in Your Life
By Doc Childre and Deborah Rosman, Ph.D. (Jodere Group, 2002, $15.00)

On our road to self-discovery, we often encounter phrases that are so often repeated that they can become disregarded clichés. One such phrase asks us to get "out of our minds and into our hearts". Another involves the recognition of major global chaos. Well, thanks to authors Doc Childre, human performance expert and founder of the Institute of HeartMath, and Deborah Rosman, business executive and psychologist specializing in attitude change and awareness development, readers are given the opportunity to turn these clichés into practical use.

Believing that the next frontier is to resolve our emotions intelligently, Childre and Rosman narrow down the etiology of most anxiety and depression to the three culprits of overcare, over-identity and over-attachment. Rightly, the authors point to insufficient understanding of love as the underlying trap that inevitably leads to unbalanced emotional response. During the recognition process, we are asked to accept that sentiment, attachment, expectations, and sympathy are associated with unhealthy levels of care. Ownership of this decreases our self-pity. We are also shown our numerous emotional vanities that can be categorized as approval, communication, and desire vanities. Many examples are used to help the reader relate to the messages.

The second third of the book includes experiential exercises such as the cut-through technique and the heart lock-in technique, which are designed for achieving emotional balance through improved feeling awareness, neutrality response, and heart intuition. The latter part of the book more specifically addresses the health issues that arise from overcare, over-identity, and over-attachment. These universal ailments include overwhelm, anxiety, and depression.

While the authors occasionally make sweeping statements and offer seemingly simplistic practices, the book is a very useful tool for anyone interested in self-improvement and is beneficial for practitioners in the social services field.

---Craig Bowman

 

The Face of Power
by Matt Guest (MattGuest, $14.95)

We encounter lessons every day of our lives. Sometimes we recognize them; Often we do not. Author, visionary and (now) Shaman Matt Guest has looked at his life and his lessons and recorded them in his new, non-fiction work, The Face of Power.

Matt was, and is, very fortunate to have a friend in his life, Court, a Shaman who can open the doors to understanding. For instance, about our inherent capabilities, Court says, "You see what you choose to see. What you believe is your truth, but it is not the Truth. Your fears make you want to cling even more to your thoughts, beliefs and expectations. Your fears keep you from knowing yourself and, therefore, from knowing others..."

The Face of Power reads with the intensity of a novel so that this reviewer could not set it down. One reason is that it is well written and speaks to (not at) the reader. Another is that Mr. Guest has put in nuggets of wisdom that seem to be wrapped in Godiva chocolate, they are that good. As example, "It's become very in-vogue to be so busy ... how can we possibly hear the knock of the Spirit when we are completely preoccupied?"

Matt Guest shares his discoveries that can guide us to an understanding of how (and why, of course) to reach out to Spirit. This knowledge can not only enhance our lives, it can give us the power to achieve freedom. "Power is joy!" writes the author, and The Face of Power is his true path to awareness and enlightenment.
If you read only one book, The Face of Power just might be the best choice. It will challenge you, raise you up, and get you to think!

---Richard Fuller

 

Music Reviews
By Alan Peterson – alan@alanpeterson.net

Budapest West: Letters From Afar

Budapest West's founder and leader, Rob Rigoni's passion for multi-cultural music is in full blossom on the groups initial CD "Letters From Afar". With Rigoni's emotional and slashing guitar riffs, pianist's Ray Hayden's alluring piano and the mood setting rhythm section of bassist Sid Anschell and drummer/percussionist Eric Montgomery, BW takes the listener on an, at times, wild and, at other times, sensitive ride to lands imagined in songwriter Rigoni's creative mind.

Rigoni, a resident of Hoquiam Washington, describes the sound as "High Energy International Fusion". With an opening song like 'Galatea' the group hits a high energy mark that sets the stage for the rest of the CD's ebbs and flows of intensity. With 'Ocean Song' and 'Heccta Head' the listener can almost taste the salt air and see the landscape of mysterious lands rising from the mist. "Letters From Afar" is a magical odyssey for the imagination.

Rigoni and the rest of Budapest West have set themselves a high water mark for future musical creations that will undoubtedly follow this inspired endeavor.

Budapest West: Letters From Afar is available online at www.cdbaby.com.

 

Don Wood: The Answer Lies Within

Singer/songwriter/guitarist/pianist Don Wood and his band open his CD "The Answer Lies Within" with the funky tune "Dancing With The Monster" which utilizes a horn section featuring Portland saxophonist Patrick Lamb. It is hard not to get in the dancing mood as Wood and company 'Let Go and Let God' and tightly groove their way to the 'Monster' beat of this opening track. In subsequent tunes, Wood settles into a comfortable pop formula that allows the listener to "Let The Change Begin" and let spirit "Just Say The Word". Wood shows off his virtuosity when he steps out and rips an electric lead as in "There's An Empty Feeling In My Soul Tonight" or settles back and fingerpicks a gentle acoustic accompaniment as in "Just Like You". The band is tight and enjoyable and Woods songs are pleasing and both introspective and testimonial . It is clear that Wood is on a journey and has a story to tell that is "Here Within You & Me". I look forward to future "Answers" from Don Wood!

Don Wood: "The Answer Lies Within" available at www.donwood-music.com

 

Norma Gentile: Healing Chants

Soprano Norma Gentile's interpretation of 26 chants of 12th century mystic, healer and visionary Hildegard von Bingen is captured in vivid clarity on this live concert recording. Hildegard spoke of her music as being a translation of the "Cosmic Symphony" which she heard during her visions. It is clear that Ms Gentile has tapped into that symphony to deliver such uplifting interpretations. The chants, sung in Latin, with English translations on the CD liner, speak of the "miracle [of] the presence of the Divine Heart" whose "loving tenderness abounds for all" and are meant to be "heard as part of communion with spirit." These chants are vehicles for all who aspire to pause from the hectic pace of earthly life and explore the inner universe of peace and spirit. "Each chant invites our connection with spirit to be made more personal and intimate". Ms. Gentile has a Masters in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan and is also a trained intuitive Energy Healer. Bravo Ms. Gentile, bravo Hildegard von Bingen.

Norma Gentile: Healing Chants information available at www.HealingChants.com