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March/April 2010 Conscious Media
Reader's Choice

by Vicky Thompson

The Shadow Effect DVD set, Debbie Ford, Hay House, 2009, $29.95

We all seem to have our dark sides or shadows that we keep locked away, but feelings and emotions hidden outside of our conscious mind can manifest as illness or limitation. Debbie Ford instead encourages us to know our shadow side and to learn, love and trust all of who we are — the darkness and the light. Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson and many other well-known forward thinkers join Ford on this journey of self discovery. It’s wonderful to see people rediscovering their own power and reclaiming what they thought was lost. This program helps you to step into the greatest possibility of finding the evolution of yourself.

— Jelina Vance

The Possibility of Everything, Hope Edelman, Random House, 2009, $25

When does a child’s imaginary friend become something more, perhaps something sinister? In The Possibility of Everything, Hope Edelman’s 3-year-old daughter, Maya, has started blaming her aggressive behavior (such as hitting mom and playmates) on “Dodo.” Edelman’s cultural bias against anything that can’t be explained rationally and scientifically is stretched to its limits on a family vacation in Belize. Maya is sick and Edelman’s more open-minded husband suggests consulting a shaman.

A shaman? Edelman’s rationality rebels even as Maya refuses medicine because “Dodo doesn’t want me to get better.” Her absorption in her daughter’s life and her ambivalence about her own role paint a fascinating portrait of modern American motherhood.

— Fran Gardner

Mythic Journeys DVD, Steve and Whitney Boe, Imaginal Cells Filmworks, 2009, $24.98

A story told through documentary and animation, Mythic Journeys seeks to reclaim the definition and value of myth to show that every life is a story and that story can change the world. The film reminds us how myths work under the rule of abundance, offering new possibilities for an ever-changing story. The human mind grasps concepts through stories, and mythological tales reveal the truth of the human experience. The film blends commentary by well-known authors and storytellers, including Deepak Chopra and Michael Bernard Beckwith, with an animated myth featuring the voices of actors Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Lance Henriksen (Millennium). Moving and brilliant, Mythic Journeys touches a deep chord, a basic human need to share our experiences with others through inspiration, drama and humor. Visit www.imaginalcellsinc.com.

— Vicky Thompson

Listening to the Wildflowers: A Flower Whisperer’s Guide to the Columbia River Gorge Flower Essences, Camilla Blossom, 3 Flowers Healing, 2008, $21

Camilla Blossom has created a comprehensive wildflower guidebook that is truly a must-have for those who work with flower essences. Blossom, who has been called a flower whisperer and a nature channel, sees beyond the beauty of the wildflowers of the Columbia River Gorge to find the true gifts they bring to us. Healing happens when “the light you take in from the flower essences actually feeds your nervous system and opens your evolutionary flowering process by harmonizing the relationship between your personality and true spiritual self.” Blossom inspires you to become a wildflower enthusiast “by loving these plants and flowers you will know their deepest secrets. By loving yourself you will know your deepest secrets.” Visit www.3flowershealing.com

— Vicki Burr

Star, Marie Friend, Je Reviens Publications, 2009, $15.95

Although Star is fiction, the diverse tales are based on historical facts of people and places. A group of people are depicted in three time periods over a span of 3,000 years. From Egypt around 1400 B.C. during Akhenaton’s reign, through Henry VIII’s 16th century Britain, to September 11, 2001, in New York City, each character in this play we call life has a role. They interact with each other and work on karma issues, learning lessons during their lives. The stories also show how a country’s politics, religion and culture impact lives. Love is the thread that is woven throughout the centuries, binding the characters together. This is a thought-provoking way to portray reincarnation and karmic issues.

— Alice R. Berntson

The Living Matrix DVD, Beyond Words, 2009, $19.95

In this must-watch DVD, The Living Matrix takes an in-depth look at bio-energetic medicine and how it heals the body through the power of positive thought and life energy. Leading researchers and healthcare practitioners share their discoveries and “miracle cures” that traditional medicine cannot explain. The story begins with a young Greek boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Conventional doctors said he would never be able to walk on his own, play unassisted or even feed himself. When the family took the son to see Dr. Eric Pearl for Reconnective Healing, the child’s healing began almost instantly. He now plays, walks and feeds himself, and his future looks much brighter than originally diagnosed. This film may very well change the way you look at your mind and body and medicine.

— Jelina Vance

Raw Food For Real People, Rod Rotondi, New World Library, 2009, $24.95

Chef Rod Rotondi has created a classic book for people who already eat raw foods and for those completely new to the idea. He teaches how to prepare your own raw foods, the fundamentals of sprouting, dehydration, raising your kids and family on raw foods, and providing wonderful, healthy, tasty raw food recipes. Smoothies never tasted so good, and Rotondi offers new twists on soups, entrees and even decadent desserts that make your mouth water and your taste buds ask for more. This book offers a way to go green and get healthy by eating fresh food in its natural, unadulterated state.

— Jelina Vance

Opening a Window to the Soul: A Guide to Living Beyond the Human Drama, Daeryl Holzer, Soulshift Publication, 2008, $13.99

Opening a Window to the Soul is a compilation of spirit guided information addressing commonly asked questions on the nature of the soul essence, what's between lives, the metaphysical functioning of our bodies, our soul agreements with others, love relationships, our spirit team and soul purpose. With its question and answer format, it’s easy to scan for specific information.

Much of the information on relationships appears to assume that one is in a negative or painful relationship. The answers provided will help the reader understand, clarify and resolve relationship issues, allowing a soul shift to inner peace and happiness. Visit www.soulshift.com.

— Alice R. Berntson

Fringe Dweller on the Night Shift: True Stories from an Afterlife Paramedic, Monica Holy, Red Wheel/Weiser, 2009, $16.95

Most of us know what psychics and mediums are. But a “fringe dweller?” Author Monica Holy says that’s what her guides told her she is. One could also consider her as a shaman or mystic. She enters alternate realities through the portal of lucid dream states. While her consciousness dwells in other places and times, she works with souls who need assistance to find their place on the other side.

For those people firmly rooted in the visible, material world (at least consciously), this book is a fascinating exploration of other realms. For others who have similar abilities and experiences, this book is reassurance that they are not alone, that others also share such traits and experiences.

— Alice R. Berntson

Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success, Marc Allen, New World Library 2009, $14.95

Although this book was written for presenting the 12 keys of business success and illustrating the 25 principles and practices of visionary business, this book is also a personal journey that shows from a first person perspective how it is possible to change your thinking and beliefs. This book offers wisdom and positive, uplifting advice for conducting all of our business with a more spiritual theme. The story itself revolves around Marc Allen in his early years of establishing his business. Allen soon meets his mentor Bernie, and with Bernie’s helpful advice and teachings of ethical and social responsibility Allen is able to turn his fledgling business efforts into a thriving corporate success. Although it is easy to fall into anxiety and negative beliefs when you set out to create your own business, you have the ability to transform your thinking and old beliefs. Allen found this to be his truth as he worked with his friend and mentor Bernie. And as he states in the book, “Each one of us is a creative genius in some unique way.”

— Jelina Vance

Cosmic Connection: Messages for a Better World, Carole Lynne, Weiser Books, 2009, $17.95

This fascinating personal journal of discovery and spiritual exploration reveals a glimpse into the nature of the spiritual universal cosmic force that created us and continues to manifest life.

The future of our world depends on us to realize that we are not separate beings. We need to evolve to a consciousness that finds poverty, pollution and war unthinkable. Each of us can become a part of the solution and not a part of the problems that our world is experiencing.

Lynne expands on the concepts by including other life-changing events she has had that provided a knowing reassurance. Cosmic Connection will likely leave readers pondering how we truly are all connected, with cosmic forces all around us.

Visit www.carolelynnecosmicconnection.com.

— Alice R. Berntson

Bridge to the Afterlife: A Medium’s Message of Hope & Healing, Troy Parkinson, Llewellyn Publications, 2009, $15.95

Troy Parkinson describes himself as just a normal guy, who was on a set career path in film production. His book tells his journey from midwest boy to full-time well-known medium, as he discovered that those who had passed on would come to provide messages for their living loved ones.

Providing indeed a bridge to the afterlife, he connects clients with their departed loved ones. It is a transformational experience for the family and friends who miss their loved ones, especially for those who might have doubted that there is an afterlife. Parkinson’s messages can also be affirming to readers.

— Alice R. Berntson

Telling a New Story: Episode IX 2 DVD set, Abraham Hicks, Hay House, 2009, $19.95

American inspirational speaker and best-selling author, Esther Hicks has co-authored nine books with her husband Jerry Hicks. She also starred in the movie The Secret and has written the best-selling book series The Law of Attraction. She channels information from a group of non-physical entities called Abraham, which she describes as tapping into "infinite intelligence.” On this double DVD set, Esther and Jerry Hicks entertain passengers on a cruise ship as the messages continue from Abraham.  Abraham gives us insight into many different areas of our daily lives, as they directly answer questions from the audience.  A teenager asks if his pleasures in life such as surfing and playing guitar can give him the ability to make money, a mother of four children receives information about each one and their individual gifts, a woman asks how to best spend lots of money without guilt, Martin Luther King’s message is delivered through the voice of source and many more fascinating insights. Beautifully filmed, this DVD is another gem in the Abraham collection as they provide great insight and awareness that come through a clear channel of love and patience.

— Jelina Vance

Oneness With All Life, Eckhart Tolle, Penquin Group, 2008, $16

This treasury edition in addition to providing us with new concepts has many inspirational selections taken from Tolle’s previous book, A New Earth. This beautifully illustrated little book is full of wonderful quotes and short, thought provoking passages. In Tolle’s unique style he provides an easy to use guidebook to assist us with our own inner and outer journey. This book does not focus on the ego or pain body as his previous book did, it instead is meant to inspire us and he states that, “If you come across passages in this book that you feel are powerful, I want you to realize that what you are feeling is your own spiritual power, that is to say who you are in essence. Only spirit can recognize spirit.” We are here on this earth to awaken our personal inner purpose and to live in the alignment of that awareness. On the outside we are changing many times throughout our lives varying from person to person, however, if we can be true to our inner purpose then our outer world is fulfilled. I loved the beautiful artwork in this book and felt the page colors added more to the profound wisdom of Tolle’s words. I highly recommend this book.

— Jelina Vance

Look for the Good and You’ll Find God: The Spiritual Journey of a Psychic and Healer, Echo Bodine, New World Library, 2008, $14.95

Echo Bodine continues to satisfy her audience with another timely book. This book is filled with wisdom to help you uncover your divine gifts and knowing, to guide you along your path. Bodine writes about a conversation she has with an angel in heaven and the angel tells her, “We have so many problems on Earth because we have trouble honoring each other’s convictions. We don’t want to accept that everyone has a different reality; we want everyone to be and think and act as we do.” And of a comedian that had recently passed on, “His job had been to get people to think about their beliefs, their values, their morals and he accomplished this.” I believe that this book has something for each of us on some inner level that we all desire to hear.

— Vicki Burr

Testimony of Light: An Extraordinary Message of Life After Death, Helen Greaves, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2009, $13.95

Originally published in Britain in 1969, this book was published just recently in the U.S., but it has been in print all these decades. It is an amazing story of life on the other side, transmitted from a deceased nun to her friend still here on this side. Helen Greaves’ friend, Frances Banks, describes what it’s like over there – whom she meets and what she does. Some of these people live in the "shadows," what we might call hell. But there is hope for everyone, as our experience on the other side is calibrated to our moral and spiritual maturity here. Thus, it would behoove each of us to live life wisely.

Banks, through Greaves, explains many metaphysical concepts from her first-hand perspective. Since Banks was a nun, the information conveyed was colored by her religious background. This might put off some readers.

— Alice R. Berntson

In All Ways, Jim Malachi, Booklocker.com, 2009, $12.95

It’s not often we see a man write beautifully and passionately about the goddess and the mythical beings and longings that surround her. Jim Malachi of Ashland has done that in his new novel.

It takes place in tribal Europe but reads more truly as happening in the personal archetypal world, as each of us struggles to find meaning and reality under our “overwhelming collective nightmare” (as he put it, in an interview) and open the way for the heart to know the world as a whole.

The novel helps us understand, says Malachi, that “this consensual madness of civilization is unraveling – and it’s a good thing.” As the world of Akiim, the protagonist, unravels with the death of his partner, alienation from his son and tribes breaking apart, the natural world, very much alive and conscious, makes him the serpent bearer (symbol of eternal regeneration). Nature waits to save him – and us.

— John Darling