BOOK REVIEWS

FINAL CONVERSATIONS
Helping the Living and the Dying Talk to Each Other
By Maureen P. Keeley, PhD
and Julie M. Yingling, PhD
This book is for everyone who has either lost a loved one to terminal illness, or who will lose one in the future. The final stages of life are an opportunity to connect, grow, let go and say goodbye.
The authors, communications experts with a combined 45 years of experience, start off with their own stories, then go on to show us their efforts within the professional context of their work as end-of-life communicators and facilitators. They spoke with people about their final conversations with dying loved ones. These people come alive as you read about their positive memories as well as difficulties and pain.

They provide practical advice about the spiritual experiences of the living, how to make contact when speech is limited or gone, how to accept and forgive. There is also discussion on spiritual messages and how to build communication skills for final conversations.

Contrary to what you might think, this book is not sad or mundane, but rather uplifting and insightful. If you are having trouble with the process of saying good-bye or feel uncomfortable with the pain that accompanies loss, this book will provide comfort and guidance.

Published by VanderWyk & Burnham, this book is available at your local bookstore or at www.VandB.com
Reviewed by Sonia von Matt Stoddard



LIVING DIVINE RELATIONSHIPS
By Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha
Master Sha is an MD in China and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine who transmits divine writing abilities to selected advanced students, who then deliver the wisdom to the world. As such, this book is written from the standpoint of teacher to student.

Each chapter tells us that our most divine relationship is with God. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to connect with God each day. We are encouraged to look for the presence of the divine in all things, and to feel our preciousness. Divine love is a manifestation of God’s heart and he comes to us in moments of peace and comfort.
There is insight on how the ability to manifest God is given because of virtue accumulated through many lives of service as well as discussion on Sacred Hierarchies, soul levels, such as what level may be assigned at birth.

The author goes on to explain a theory that is simple on its surface. Three keys to spiritual growth are G.O.D. For example, “G” stands for gratitude, “O” stands for obedience and “D” stands for devotion. All three qualities must be cultivated as a student of the divine. You enter into a state of divine grace and in that state feel grateful for all you have, as well as an opportunity to be of service to others and to hear and understand spiritual teachings.

Published by Heaven’s Library Publication Corp., this book is available at your local bookstore or at www.Amazon.com
Reviewed by Sonia von Matt Stoddard



LOVE COLORS
A New Approach to Love,
Relationships, and Auras
By Pamala Oslie
The one or two bands of color in our auras closest to our bodies are our life colors; however, there are many different love colors and not all are compatible with our personal auras. This book describes the different personalities of each color and how relationships between people with different colors may or may not work, as well as why some relationships present special challenges.
The author, a professional spiritual adviser, speaker and consultant, states that Love Colors in your aura reveal the overall purpose you have chosen in this life. While no choice is better or worse, it is just different. Since many of us can’t see our auras, this book also includes a self-test to determine our love colors.

Oslie also goes on to describe how we can find the specific love color we seek, based on preferences. Toward the end, we find advice on when it is a good time to get away from a particular color (red), if you are in an abusive relationship.

Regardless of our relationship goals, this books helps us to understand and accept our own tendencies in relationships so no matter what color we are, or what color we choose, we seek our heart’s true desire.
Published by New World Library, this book is available at your local bookstore or at www.newworldlibrary.com 
Reviewed by Sonia von Matt Stoddard



COLOR
Awakening the Child Within
By Julianne Bien
It’s kind of like the Big Bang theory explained with colors. With a clever use of color photons as actual people, each personifying that color’s unique qualities, a group of galactic travelers arrive to our universe in a spaceship. Taking into account a quantum physics approach of sorts, author Julianne Bien, an avid student of the “Language of Light” weaves a tale of emotional healing through light energy. She is a pioneer in the field of color harmonics, designing and manufacturing color therapy equipment.

Bien explains that colors exist in each of us and in everything around us. Each cell in the body communicates differently, thus, the Galactic Pioneers of this fantasy science-fiction novel take on specific names and personalities of their own.

The book is whimsically illustrated so you can “see” each color photon. She also liberally sprinkles poetry to stimulate the mind. The author believes that questions about creation and the end of time are so intimidating that the fantasy approach will prod people to think unconventionally about existence.

Published by SpectraHue Light & Sound, Inc., this book is available at your local bookstore or www.spectrahue.com 
Reviewed by Sonia von Matt Stoddard



10 STEPS TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR EMOTIONAL LIFE
Overcoming Anxiety, Distress,
and Depression Through
Whole-Person Healing
By Eve A. Wood, M.D.
Healing is a simple process that anyone can understand. This book outlines ten steps you can take to begin the process, with deep discussions through each chapter on accomplishing that goal. No matter what your history or challenge, this book will help you develop strategies to support your natural capacity to heal.

We may have been diagnosed with a medical malady and taking medication. Or perhaps we feel we are missing something and searching through practices like yoga or meditation to find a balance. Through self-assessment questions, examples and case stories, we can take actions based on our own unique situations.

For over 20 years, the author has been a psychiatrist, speaker and consultant, pioneering the field of integrative psychiatry. In addition, she has served on university faculties and is a mother of four children.
The ten steps themselves seem very simple at first, but gain tremendous depth as you proceed. For example, identifying beliefs that imprison you, making life choices that fit your nature to just nurturing your spirit will help you start your journey. Actively assessing some of the specific ailments of your life and hearing about how others worked through the process will show you how to improve your well-being by first recognizing the connections, then taking steps necessary for personal self-healing.

Published by Hay House, Inc., this book is available at your local bookstore or at www.hayhouse.com
Reviewed by Sonia von Matt Stoddard



THE POWER TO CHANGE NOW
Magic is in Your Hands
By Aileen Nobles
Aileen Nobles has written about a little-known self-help healing technique for alleviating fear, stress, anxiety and other emotional imbalances called the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It works by unblocking disrupted energy in your body to bring instant relief through gentle tapping on your own body’s meridian points while verbalizing your issue of the moment needing relief. It is referred to as “emotional acupuncture”. Aileen dedicates this book to teaching the principles and practice of EFT for any type of emotional distress, with testimonies of instant results from her clients.

I called Aileen, an intuitive meridian therapist for several years, to ask a few questions and she kindly offered to guide me in a short tapping session for a bothersome problem. To my amazement this particular distress I have felt my entire life has vanished in one short session of tapping. Aileen provides many how-to details in her sincere attempt to help people help themselves. On my own, I tapped at my cravings for sweets and have not had the desire for them since, which seems unbelievable, but true.

The Law of Attraction and affirmations don’t work as effectively because subconscious negative layers of emotions may be blocking us from our highest good. Once EFT is mastered, the techniques can be used on children, animals and adults who want to work on their own issues themselves. With this book as a guide it is amazingly simple and effective to enable the positive changes we desire.
Published by Light Transformation Publishing, Aileen’s book and EFT information are available at most bookstores, www.Amazon.com  and www.aileennobles.com  
Reviewed by Kathy DeSantis



BLESSINGS OF GRATITUDE
Transform Your Life Through
the Power of Blessings
By Laurie Leah Levine
“You cannot bring anything new into your life until you are GRATEFUL for what you have NOW.” 
— Dr. Michael Beckwith, Agape Church

“Blessings of Gratitude” contains over 100 inspired blessings which will transform even the bleakest outlook into powerful, positive living. Author, international healer and metaphysical Minister, Laurie Leah Levine, has written these affirmations and blessings showing that we have much to be grateful about despite our troubles, and that by acknowledging our circumstances with grace we transform our desires through the magnetic power of wishes and prayers.

The question of how life would be different if we could see everything as a blessing is an intriguing one, and for many, the power of blessing and gratitude helps them release fears and live more fully in the present moment. Uniquely crafted for situations that may not feel like a blessing; such as cancer, illness, divorce, death of a loved one and many more, these are beautifully and creatively written in a practical and meaningful manner. The practice of gratitude is much easier with this book at your bedside.

Published by DeVorss & Company, this book is available in bookstores, at www.devorss.com  or www.laurielevine.com
Reviewed by Kathy DeSantis


WISDOM OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR
By Dan Millman
If the title sounds familiar it is because this is an expansion of writer and teacher Dan Millman’s first book, “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” and the film release of Peaceful Warrior last summer.
This book is perfect for those who saw the movie, or read the first book and wish to gain more understanding and apply the teachings to enrich their lives.Through practical wisdom gained from the teachings of his mentor Socrates, Millman addresses compelling questions from readers about mysterious elements of his first book. He teaches from a perspective of an evolving sensibility to address living in the real world as a peaceful warrior in training — learning to accept our thoughts and emotions instead of struggling to fix them and behaving responsibly and kindly whether or not we feel like it.

Millman describes a yearning and a search for something more although we can’t articulate what the “something more” might be. He discusses how the way of the peaceful warrior and other paths of wisdom are founded upon the belief that there are higher ways to view the world as well as time-tested practices for integrating body, mind and spirit. “Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior” is enjoyable if your interest lies in deepening your life and living with a peaceful heart and warrior spirit.

Published by New World Library, this book is available in bookstores or at www.newworldlibrary.com 
Reviewed by Kathy DeSantis



FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY:
LOVE NEVER DIES
By Karla Lee LaVoie  
Have you ever pondered the soul’s existence beyond the veil of death?
As soon as this book arrived in the mail, I thought I would sit down and read a couple of chapters. Riveted, I cried and laughed and didn’t put it down until finishing it a few hours later — richly soul-fed by this amazing and insightful journey.

From the moment of her husband’s suicide, LaVoie is catapulted through miraculous and mysterious events that assure her there is no death but merely a change in form. She leads us through her life path of rocky inclines and scenic vistas, deftly infusing the wisdom and magic of the ethers into daily realities of life and death, love and loss, turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones and changing “incredible suffering into incredible joy”.

Her search for understanding leads her to Ram Dass and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, and into the forefront of the AIDS crisis in the 1980’s. Powerfully written, this unforgettable story will ease the pain of loss and deepen spirituality while it provides compelling proof that our loved ones have not left; they are as close as our heartbeat.

Not only is her story deeply inspirational, her epilogue and resources offer practical tools for readers who have been motivated by her words. The foreword is by Raymond A. Moody, M.D., PhD, the author of Life After Life, who calls the book “… a powerful statement about the ultimate meaning of life.”
Published by Infinity Publishing, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.karlalavoie.com  
Reviewed by Meryl Ann Butler

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