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January/February 2009 Conscious Media
Readers Choice

by Vicky Thompson

Leap Before You Look: 72 Shortcuts for Getting Out of Your Mind and into the Moment, Arjuna Ardagh, Sounds True, 2008, $19.95

The subtitle for this double CD set says it well- shortcuts for getting out of your mind and into the moment. Ardagh is the founder of the Living Essence Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Nevada City, Calif. dedicated to the awakening of consciousness within the context of ordinary life. Ardagh provides a collection of short guided catalysts to shift you out of your mind and put you into a state of infinite possibilities. If you are moving into and exploring your spiritual nature and want to discover the present moment, then you will be thrilled to experience the 30 immediate launch points that are given in this program. Jump into the beautiful life that is always in the now. Also available in paperback.

- Jelina Vance

The Anubis Oracle, Nicki Scully and Linda Star Wolf, Bear & Company, 2008, $30

The Anubis Oracle is a shamanic divination guide to inner Egypt, a place of mystery and wisdom where the neteru - archetypal deities and elemental spirits of the Egyptian pantheon - lead you on a heart-opening journey of transformation. The full-color, 35-card deck features striking illustrations by Kris Waldherr and the accompanying book provides detailed card interpretations. The Anubis Oracle is a beautiful representation of Egyptian archetypes, offering an enlightening journey to better understanding how these beloved deities and spirits can assist you on your life's path.

- Vicky Thompson

Reiki Healing Waves, Parijat, New Earth Records, 2008, $16.98

Reiki Healing Waves from Parijat, a German-born musician, is destined to be a classic music CD among Reiki practitioners and healing energy workers alike. It contains melodies that are soothing for the soul and rejuvenating for the senses. Parijat plays music from the simple flow of sharing: No agenda of ambition or goal. Parijat says, "The music I play is for going in, for meditation, for celebration. It creates and supports a space for relaxation. It is music for the moment. The most beautiful feedback is the silence and space, which gets created through the music. It is music out of silence for silence."

- Peter Scrogin

The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer, Sergio F. Bambaren, Hay House, 2008, $8.95

This short tale of inspirational fiction has sold millions of copies worldwide, and was recently rereleased. Photographs of dolphins, the sea and sunsets throughout the book add to the appeal. Succinct, sage snippets convey the messages portrayed in the story. Daniel Alexander Dolphin, a dreamer, dares to go beyond the confines of his pod in search of the perfect waves for surfing. He ultimately does return home, where his incredulous dolphin buddies had thought he was long dead. "In the journey through life, it is the will of the heart that decides our destiny, for to achieve our goals, we must not only act, but also dream ? not only plan, but also believe."

- Alice R. Berntson

Silver Linings: Meditations on Finding Joy and Beauty in Unexpected Places, Mina Parker, Conari Press, 2008, $16.95

Every cloud does have a silver lining. Mina Parker relates stories that show how what at first seem like difficult times in life actually turn out to be good. It's about making the best of unexpected situations, finding new opportunities when old ways no longer work. Turning each page presents a new joy. Each story has a thoughtful quotation and a short suggestion or conclusion. Photographer Daniel Talbot wanted to capture everyday beauty. Flowers bursting out of unlikely places symbolize that thriving in all seasons and all places is indeed possible. Silver Linings would make a great gift, especially for those facing difficult times. But it's just as likely to be kept for one's own personal collection, too lovely to let go.

- Alice R. Berntson

Karma Affects Everyone, Jay William Smith, Jr., PublishAmerica, 2008, $29.95

Karma Affects Everyone is an artfully crafted novel about power, greed, lust and love that cleverly exposes the hidden roots that bind the characters together. The likeable protagonist finds himself confronting a lifetime of unexplainable situations that have created his current life state, and along with characters that get under your skin and make you want to throw the book across the room, Karma Affects Everyone is a can't-put-it-down read. It will have you revisiting and examining the situations and circumstances of your own life to see where the hidden roots that bind you are located. Visit www.publishamerica.com.

- Dona Russell

A Matter of Life and Death: Remarkable True Stories of Hope and Healing, Rosemary Altea, Penguin, 2008, $15.95

Celebrated medium and bestselling author Rosemary Altea continues her story of encounters with the spirit world and anecdotes about the people she has helped. For the first time in any of her books, she shares the process through which she can witness the events surrounding the people in the spirit world, "going down and through the hole" to traverse time and space. She describes how her spirit guide, Grey Eagle, is always there for her. The book presents a balanced package for readers interested in what a famous medium's life is like, as well as for those who want to know how she helps grieving people find peace by contacting deceased loved ones.

- Alice R. Berntson