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January/February 2011 Conscious Media
Reader's Choice

by Vicky Thompson

I AM: The Documentary, Tom Shadyac, Shady Acres Entertainment, 2011

I AM, the new documentary film by superstar filmmaker Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Nutty Professor, Bruce Almighty and Liar, Liar) is the first film by a major Hollywood writer/director to present the scientific evidence — from quantum physics and other disciplines — that humanity is one, that each of us is connected at an essential level to everything else. Shadyac presents evidence that cooperation is a more effective and natural survival tactic than competition, that our heart (not our brain) is our main organ of intelligence, and that our thoughts and emotions directly affect physical reality. Shadyac’s extraordinary film grew out of his own brush with death — post-concussion syndrome after a bicycling accident — that left him with symptoms including sensitivity to light and sound, severe mood swings, and a constant ringing in his head. This film, intended to be his legacy, addresses these questions: What’s wrong with the world and What can we do to fix it? I AM fills in these blanks in a provocative, enlightening and highly effective way. Opens Feb. 18 at Regal Fox Tower in Portland. For Seattle theater locations, visit www.iamthedoc.com.

— David Langer

Keys to the Universe: Access the Ancient Secrets by Attuning to the Power and Wisdom of the Cosmos, Diana Cooper and Kathy Crosswell, Findhorn Press, 2010, $19.95

The Keys to the Universe opens a doorway to your higher self, and the journey is a remembrance of forgotten realms. Atlantis, Lemuria and other ancient civilizations as well as the wisdom of the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas are presented with visualizations to access these realms. The accompanying CD helps you to enter these realms and feel a deep connection with the universe. The Keys to the Universe offers a practical yet magical way to attune to the higher energies of creation.

— Vicky Thompson

Emotional Freedom, Judith Orloff, Three Rivers Press, 2010, $16

We live in a tumultuous, fear-dominated period in history and must become masters at overcoming fear and other negative emotions so they don’t sabotage our power. With skill and compassion, Dr. Judith Orloff shows us how to become heroes in our own lives by transforming anger, loneliness, and envy and more rather than simply “reacting” when our buttons get pushed. As an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA and intuition expert, Dr. Orloff shares her wealth of personal and professional knowledge to illuminate the field of emotions. She draws on wisdom from traditional medicine but goes light years beyond it by presenting emotions as a path to spiritual, energetic and intuitive awakening. Why is this leap so important? The intellect has restricted vision about emotions, but bringing intuition into the feeling realm lets us go deeper within.

— Caroline Myss

Human Design, Chetan Parkyn, New World Library, 2010, $21.95

Welcome to the system that reveals the DNA of your true nature and allows you to fulfill your destiny. Human Design was created in 1987 by Ra Uru Hu, a Canadian formerly known as Alan Krakower. The information for this system was passed to Ra through a form of channeling in which he was directed to write it down for further use. After eight days and nights of writing, Ra had translated a new structure that was used to discern people’s intrinsic nature, personal preferences, strengths, weaknesses, decision making skills, and feelings and emotions. Human Design is a combination of the I Ching and astrology that defines five basic designs: Manifestor, Generator, Projector, Manifesting Generator, and Reflector. To understand your own sign you need to know your birth date, time and location. You then receive a chart showing a complex diagram of nine centers, 36 channels and 64 gates that describe the essence of you. An amazing system in itself, this book is a wonderful resource to help unlock the mysteries of your Human Design chart.

— Jelina Vance

Transforming Awareness: A Dialogue with Michael Bernard Beckwith and Robert Thurman, Beyond Words, 2010, $19.95

What happens when two inspired spiritual leaders — who are also great friends — share the stage? In the DVD Transforming Awareness, Michael Bernard Beckwith, author of Spiritual Liberation, and Robert Thurman, author of Why the Dalai Lama Matters, give new meaning to the term “all right already.” Like a holy comedy team version of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (replace the cigar with Tibetan prayer beads and you get the picture), Beckwith and Thurman banter about Buddhism, spiritual evolution and radical compassion. Thurman cheekily suggests seeing “evil doers” as your mother, holding you close to the bosom, nursing you. Dick Cheney, politicians, the Chinese government — no one is immune to Thurman’s vivid practice of compassion. Beckwith, with his eloquent and moving style, reminds us that we are all right already, right where we are. When you are all right already, you realize life is a configuration of many states of bliss. Some bliss may feel like hell, Beckwith concedes, but all is bliss. A hilarious, must-see romp along the often funny path to enlightenment.

— Vicky Thompson

Dreamgates: Exploring the Worlds of Soul, Imagination and Life Beyond Death, Robert Moss, New World Library, 2010, $15.95

In this second edition, Robert Moss’ active dreaming technique allows practitioners to go beyond the boundaries of their physical bodies to other realms. Through the dreamgates lie these otherwise inaccessible worlds. Exercises and meditations are included so readers can learn how to become active dreamers, exploring the higher self and discovering untapped potential in journeys of self-discovery. The technique can also bring energy and healing into everyday life. Lest you think that it takes something special to achieve these results, the book includes several stories of Moss’ students on how they were able to access other worlds through the active dreaming process. Along the way they were accompanied by guides and guardians, encountering departed loved ones and wise interdimensional beings. Dreams are not just part of sleep. This book can help readers access other realms by utilizing active dreaming for guidance, healing and creativity.

— Alice R. Berntson

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Joseph Murphy, Tarcher/Penquin, 2010, $10

This book is actually two previously published books: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, originally published in 1963, and How to Attract Money, originally published in 1955. This new compilation expertly presents modern day knowledge and fascinating information about the power of our hidden subconscious minds. Murphy, (1898–1981) a new thought minister, believed that the subconscious mind is a darkroom where we develop the images that are to be played out in real life. The conscious mind sees an event, takes a picture of it and remembers it, while the subconscious mind works backward, seeing something before it happens (and this is why intuition is infallible). The subconscious responds to habit and regular habitual thinking. It is totally neutral in a moral sense, and is happy to adopt any habit as normal – whether good or bad. Unaware of our negative thoughts, we let them drop into our subconscious in every minute of our lives, and then are surprised when they find expression in daily experiences and relationships. When we become aware of this process and unearth the gems of knowledge that are hidden, we can become free from the patterns that we have created. A great read with many useful techniques and ideas.

— Jelina Vance 

Living Without Fear, Ernest Holmes, Tarcher/Penquin, 2010, $12.95

Has fear stopped you from doing something in your past? Has it stopped you from living your authentic life? This small book may help you navigate away from the things that hinder your success, like stress, anxiety and hopelessness, and instead point you in a new direction toward a peaceful realization to help you open to a richer, happier life. Ernest Holmes was the founder of the International Religious Science movement, and has published numerous books on metaphysics. His Science of Mind teaching is recognized today as one of the leading viewpoints in modern metaphysics — a spiritual philosophy that gives people a sense of relationship to God and their place in the universe using a positive, supportive approach to daily living. When you find freedom from fear, you can discover more ways to live your heart’s desires. Freeing yourself from fear is a journey that each of us must take. This book my help you on your journey to discover your real self. I liked the format of this book — the short chapters were helpful because I could pick it up, read for a while, and then reflect and meditate on what was given.

— Jelina Vance 

When in Doubt, Make Belief: An OCD-Inspired Approach to Living with Uncertainty, Jeff Bell, New World Library, 2009, $14.95

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), dubbed the “doubting disease,” is the core of sufferer Jeff Bell’s life. His field-tested strategies for confronting fear and worry will help those with OCD find some certainty in their lives. For those who might wonder if they too suffer from OCD, Bell’s own stories and those of others help illustrate what is and what isn’t considered in the realm of OCD. There are many adults who might have this debilitating disorder, but it hasn’t been pinned down for them as to what is going on, and they continue to suffer.

The book includes interviews with more than two dozen contributors, from well-known authors, to some leading authorities in the field of OCD. All have valuable insights to add to Bell’s stories. The book enumerates key points and step by step exercises to help those with OCD get a grip on their disorder and work toward creating some normalcy in their lives.

Applying the principles of belief would benefit anyone plagued by the anxieties, fears, and worries which stem from doubt and uncertainty. Doubt will loosen its grip on daily life. Of course this is especially helpful (and hopeful!) for OCD sufferers.

— Alice R. Berntson

Bridge Between Worlds: Extraordinary Experiences That Changed Lives, Dan Millman and Doug Childers, HJKramer/New World Library, 2009, $14.05

First published in 1999 as Divine Interventions, this newly revised volume describes many mysterious events that portray evidence of a bridge between our physical world and other planes. The book contains about three dozen short stories, some well-known and handed down throughout centuries. Others are more contemporary; all have been documented and verified. The sum of the stories is that the circumstances usually couldn’t be explained by “rational” means, and they changed the lives of the people involved. This book is helpful to bring them all together in one volume.

People might describe them as miracles — extraordinary events manifesting divine intervention in human lives, often healing diseases and various health ailments. In any case, the stories provide fodder for thought as to just what is reality, and to the very real possibility of something extraordinary.

— Alice R. Berntson

Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life, James Van Praagh, HarperOne, 2009, $14.99

First published in hardback in 2009, this New York Times bestseller has now been published in paperback format. Most of us have “issues” in life. Some of us learn how to deal with them and move on, while others leave this world still having unfinished business in the form of regret, guilt and fear. In this, his eighth book, well-known psychic medium James Van Praagh relates many of these woeful tales taken from his experiences with the other side. They clearly let us know that we don’t leave the issues behind — the dead can still regret how they could have lived better lives.

They urge us to take responsibility for our actions, now, while we are still here — before it’s too late. Find it in our hearts to forgive, make amends with those we’ve hurt, clear our conscience, and live life with compassion and gratitude, so we won’t leave with unfinished business.

Some dismiss Van Praagh as not being authentic, but this reviewer found this book a must-read, especially for anyone living with those issues of regret, fear or guilt.

— Alice R. Berntson

Snap Out of It? A Quick Guide to Overcoming Panic and Anxiety, Judson Rothschild, 2010, $12.95

This guide book is written from a personal perspective by Judson Rothschild, who openly admits to having over 20 years of anxiety, panic attacks and dread-filled thoughts. Not claiming to be a doctor or medical expert, rather a person who has experienced all aspects of anxiety and panic in his personal life, Rothschild shares techniques to assist others with releasing the feelings of tension and anxiety. He discusses ideas surrounding meditation, exercise, yoga, breathing, proper sleep habits, nicotine, diet, supplements and medications. I found this book to be humorous in parts, educational and profoundly sincere in his desire to assist others who suffer from this ailment. I liked that Rothschild had personal involvement in this self-help book, and I admire his ability to disclose his personal life in order to present this summary of ideas and concepts.

— Jelina Vance