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November/December 2004 Conscious Media
Book Reviews

When Crossing the Bridge Between Perception and Authenticity,
Beware of The Tolle Under The Bridge
Warren Wolf Reflects on The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle

When Tolle speaks everyone listens - and what they hear is silence and what they feel is stillness and what they see is light. Tolle guides us to our noetic understanding with Rumi-like words of transformation: "…now is the only point of access into the timeless and formless realm of being." Through a series of questions, the quest for authenticity is prismaticly unfolded as Tolle asks us to surrender the perceived identity of mind and to enter the present moment – formless, limitless and unfathomable…the state of grace.

The Power of Now states that the "mind is a wonderful tool. Dysfunction sets in when you seek yourself in it and mistake it for who you are." But it (the mind) is part of who we are. To fully appreciate Tolle, we need to explore how the mind creates our perceptions, our perceived identity to engage life – how the tool works.

Giving up our perceived identity is like a bird giving up her wings, a tiger giving up his claws. Our mind is the creator of our identities. It allows us to adapt to each unique environment we encounter. To cathex, to bond with a garden and become a gardener, to have children and become parents, to refine and redefine our lives. Growth happens in the interface between our perceptions and our authenticity. It is that interface which must be maintained: a self-evolving internal relationship of our highest values. Tolle’s contribution is to re-mind us when we become stuck that we are perfect beings (as all life is) in an imperfect word. Our mind must never be "made-up." The mind must resonate with the unmoving mover in all of us, and in all of life.

When we become "stuck" in an identity we create conflict. And where there is conflict there is pain. "Pain is nothing but resistance – resistance to the God energy caused by fear." (Shirley Maclaine, "Dancing in the Light") Yet, ultimately there is peace. As the way we hold ourselves softens to reveal self-worth, what we say to ourselves fades away in the silence of self esteem. And what we do and what we have, become meaningless as our true image reveals itself in the reflection of the power of now. And what we see is light, and what we hear is silence and what we feel is stillness. We don’t have to learn to be in the present moment because we are the present moment.

The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle (New World Library; 2004) new print edition $14.00; unabridged audio cassette $29.95, CD $39.95.

Hearing is Believing – How Words Can Make or Break Our Kids
By Elisa Medhus M.D., (New World Library, 2004) $14.95

Dr. Elisa Medhus, author of the best selling Raising Children Who Think for Themselves, and Raising Everyday Heroes: Parenting Children to be Self-Reliant, has come out with another insightful and very helpful book. We so often do not realize how important the words we choose are to the well being of our children. Dr. Bernie Siegel, alternative health guru, says in his forward: "Kids who grow up around adults who use communication to foster self-esteem and self-worth are less likely to become addicts or delve into self-destructive behavior, searching for feelings they never felt from their parents, teachers, and clergy. In fact, studies even show they are physically healthier all their lives, too."

An important point the book makes is that criticism can be helpful, but it has to be constructive, nonjudgmental, and given in the way a coach would criticize a performer to improve his performance. If you say, "There is something wrong with you," you are not criticizing the child’s actions or skills; you are hurting them. You need to express love to your children even when you might not like their actions, a fact that Elisa Medhus thoroughly explains in this book.

She also warns against projecting your faults and problems on your children. When disputes arise, learn to listen to their criticism and to say, "I’m sorry." After that, healing can occur and relationships can be strengthened. By not making excuses and by accepting responsibility for your actions, you can teach your children to do the same. One way of doing this is to use the pronoun "I" when talking about how you feel, rather than blaming them for what you are experiencing. Then you are not criticizing them but expressing your feelings, and they can respond without feeling blamed. Elisa Medhus refers to this as using "I" statements, and she offers numerous examples to show you how you can adopt this practice yourself.

When you love your children and speak to them following the guidelines Elisa Medhus offers in this book you will avoid turning them into ugly ducklings who must find their own beauty and re-parent themselves.

--- Megan Graham

Ready for Romance: Hot Lips, Great Escapes & 89 More Ways to Keep Love Alive
By Leslie & Jimmy Caplan (New World Library, 2003) $14.00

Couples interested in revitalizing their relationship will enjoy this book. The authors are a married couple who, knowing the odds were against them (she was a single mom, he was a never-married bachelor), decided to do everything in their power to beat those odds. This fun book contains ideas and tips from their own twelve-year marriage as well as the wisdom they’ve garnered from other successful, happy couples.

Each tip includes a list of necessary ingredients, details on how to apply those ingredients, and an account of the way that other couples have successfully implemented that particular tip. Most are inexpensive and easy to implement. Original ideas include inexpensive ways to turn your bathroom into a tropical retreat and the most romantic things to say to a man. The authors also have some ideas worth splurging on, such as treating your partner to a day spa or converting a space in your home to a cozy "just for you two" hideaway.

This book is perfect for getting past the "dinner and a movie" way of relating to your partner. If you are filled with the desire to add some sparkle to your relationship, but don’t know where to start, this book is for you.

--- Deborah Kingry

Illuminations for a New Era
by Suzanne Ward (Matthew Books, 2003) $18.00

Illuminations for a New Era is the second in a series of channeled works by Suzanne Ward. Anyone seeking to enrich their knowledge of the supersensible worlds and our place in it will find this an intriguing read. Matthew died at a young age (18) and began communicating his observations and wisdom to the world by responding to questions put to him by his mother acting as channel. These questions cover a broad range of topics of interest to many seekers. Incidentally, one senses that Matthew has vast experience and is an exceptionally advanced soul. Areas touched on in the book include: how prayer works, reality, fear, peace in space, vaccinations, nuclear war, emotions, DNA, extraterrestrials, federal reserve system, crop circles, astral travel, free will, the Creator, God, Jesus, explaining God to a child, other worlds, and much more. The tone throughout this book is loving and inspiring.

The Matthew Books can be ordered online through www.matthewbooks.com or at most local or online bookstores.

--- Alan Stewart

The Yoga of Sound: The Healing Power of Chant and Mantra
by Russill Paul, Wayne Teasdale (New World Library; 2004) $23.95

Whether you are someone who sings with gusto in the shower, softly in a meditation or serenely in a choir, this book has some beautiful pointers on how we can all bring the healing power of music & sound into our lives through meditative practices. For the well trodden path of a yogi, The Yoga of Sound will make more sense to you than the budding novice who is eager to learn more about how sound vibrates away pain or unhealthy emotions and brings us closer to connecting with the Divine.
Yoga of Sound is a powerful book no matter how one looks at it, filled with up to date research, well crafted in its written word and informative to the max, this is a book which I highly recommend if you are in the least way drawn to the healing and energetic benefits of adding song and music to your life. As someone who is unfamiliar with many of the interactive dynamics of the different types of yoga, I also found Yoga of Sound to be informative and educational without spending too much time being lost within its array of teachings. The book comes with an accompanying CD which proved not only beautiful to work with, but also invaluable for pronunciations.
--- Diya Welland

Work With Passion: How to Do What You Love for a Living
by Nancy Anderson (New World Library; Rev&Updtd edition 2004) $14.95

It was in 1995 that I first came across the book Work With Passion,. I sensed enough to understand it was a powerful book for someone making a career change or just plain trying to figure out what to do with their life, and recommended it highly it to clients and friends. I did not however follow through with the written exercises; I only thought out my answers. This of course is not what one is supposed to do, and for that reason I jumped at the chance to familiarize myself once again with the updated version.

This time I have taken the time and purposefully (& sometimes painfully) have been doing the writing, and have found great reward to be the result. Anderson weaves a brilliant path for those who are seeking aspects for a greater life, which may have been elusive up till now or are timely for their unfolding. She unleashes the perfect formula for the rational and creative selves within us to recognize and therefore pursue their own unique way for finding their purpose and creating a passionate life. Work with passion is a great gift to others and for self.
--- Diya Welland

This Time I Dance! : Trusting the Journey of Creating the Work You Love
By Tama J. Kieves (Awakening Artistry Press, 2002) $19.95

This wonderful book is essential for anyone who feels a desire for something more than a forty-hour work week in a job they hate but feel pressured to keep, anyone who knows they exist for something more, anyone who wants to dance their life.

Although the book tells the author’s own story of leaving her law practice to follow her dreams, it is written so as to inspire the reader to take their own personal plunge into bliss. She writes with humor and honesty about her daily struggles, the pitfalls she encountered, and the steps she took to move through her fear to a life of joy and doing what she loves. For example, instead of suggesting that you have a long-term plan to concentrate on (something budding dreamers might have difficulty with) she suggests focusing on the one clear step in front of you, and then the next. This book will take you from your first tentative hopes for something more to an active life of creative living.

The book itself is charming. The cover art is an eye-catching Melissa Harris piece and the chapters are broken into easy to absorb concepts. This book is entertaining enough to read in one sitting or perfect for daily doses of creative inspiration.

--- Deborah Kingry