Spirituality Books

I'm in awe I think. I've never read anything like this book. And I have read other channelled books. I really can't make up my mind about it's validity. A very thought provoking book and it makes me want to read more. This is the first of the Kryon Books and I'm glad I read the THE PARABLES OF KRYON first, because it was so good I immediately ordered this first in the series. I've really got to think about this one. But I do recommend it highly. Just be ready for new material. I've already ordered the second in the series which is supposed to answer the questions raised in the first book. Wish me luck.

I did a review for the second book as well so I'll just add some different stuff here. I am very open minded (and open hearted which I think is more important) and found an underlying theme in the four books I read that did not feel right to me. You can read the material and just sense how it makes you feel. Some of the reviews make it sound like if you don't read it or if you find any issue with the material then you're a limited person. That's not the case at all! Just because something is channelled "from the other side of the veil" doesn't mean it's totally kosher. We exist on the other side of the veil too and we are all surrounded by beings all the time. It's up to us to determine what we want to integrate into this lifetime and what we don't. Trust your intuition with any material you read or listen to, your higher self knows what's what.

The first time you read this book you will have the feeling that Kryon is speaking directly to you, through the voice of his channel, Lee Carroll.
Although this book was first published in 1992, the information presented here is more relevant now than ever. Kryon will give the reader knowledge about Karma, meditation, Jesus Christ and the times we are living. With the premise that we all came here on our own will, to learn and progress, Kryon leads the way on the transformation we crave in this new millenium. He will help you contact your guides and accelerate you spirituial growth, if that is what you relly want.
If you are a metaphysician or are into self growth, you will find that the easy, yet warm language and teaching of Kryon apply to your life.

The End is the Beginning. A new way of looking at the world and an explaination for so many mysterious sayings that no one seems to have an answer for. But Kryon does from a whole different perspective. I read and was amazed. If your ready for something new try this one. It's a great read.

I highly recommend this book to all, young or old, no matter what socio-economic status ... this book is a must-read. When read with an open heart and a faithful mind, this book will confirm what your intuition has already been telling you. Very comforting, very promising, very exciting.

I'm a criminal defense attorney who represents many Native Americans all around the country. I've purchased this book for years. It is a must read for any new employee in this firm. I have also given it to many of my clients while they are in jail awaiting trial. It's a magnificient book. Mary M. McMahon, criminal defense attorney and author of Once a Warrior.

This book is extremely accessible as if ingrained in human nature. I have no background in indigenous culture and spirituality. I wanted to capture this book and live there. I had to wonder if anything about me was uniquely tuned in to this book and I don't think there was. I had to wonder what kind of effect this book would have as a large scale required reading in families, schools, churches, prisons, cities, the White House, etc. The Lakota way creates a desire to become honor, dignity and peace by being unselfish.

Stories. Lakota stories that tell about morality and virtues---persistence, honor, love, respect, and so forth. We can all benefit from reading these stories. Interesting and enlightening. What more can you ask for? Recommended! boland7214@aol.

I bought this book at a store in Oklahoma City and it was wrapped in packaging. I had already read three of Marshall's books but when I unwrapped it after buying it, my first reaction was it was a mistake to buy it. It was not what I was expecting. Much to my pleasant surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed Marshall's story telling.

I highly recommend anything he writes. I am currently reading his book on Crazy Horse and it is excellent. His book, "Walking with Grandfather" is outstanding.

Marshall is certainly one of the Elders of his tradition and is an accomplished writer and historian. His works are a must read.

This book can change you if you are open to it. It made me rethink a few assumptions I had about myself. I think all of us know the dictionary definition of virtues such as generosity and wisdom, but Marshall shares stories and personal insights that teach how to weave those qualities into the fabric of your life. This book is warm-hearted and inspiring. Its organization is well suited for discussion groups. The Lakota Way should be the way of our leaders, neighbors, family members and our hearts.

After taking Patrick's meditation workshop on applying "The Secret" to your own life, and having it be my 1st meditation experience ever, I was hungry for more and asked Patrick specifically if he could recommend a book with a cd for follow up on meditation practice. He grinned and produced a book without even telling me it was his own. The book is a great read, and has a meditation cd on the back cover.
I truly believe the soul is magical and is working round the clock in ways we don't often notice. When we open our hearts, we will see manifestation of just what we wish for appear at just the right time, before our very eyes. Patrick's work is truly inspirational. Bought them as gifts for my soul circle of friends. Highly recommend.

The CD alone is worth the price of the book! Patrick's soothing voice, eloquent words and spiritual wisdom are truly a rich blessing.
Ed Rockey, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Chair
Pepperdine University

Patrick Harbula's "Magic of the Soul" is one of those rare books that I picked up and could not put down, and that I have revisited many times as a source of inspiration and enlightenment. As a child, I loved watching magic acts and was mesmerized as I observed magicians seemingly pulling things out of nothing and transforming objects. Throughout this book, Patrick reminds us that our spiritual nature enables us to perform this "magical process" of calling forth greater goodness into our lives and our world than we have ever known. I particularly appreciated his practical insights on how we can transform our life challenges into something good and meaningful without denying the pain or discomfort we experience as we move through them. I cannot thank Patrick enough for the ways that his work has enriched my life, and how it has supported me in my work as a minister and spiritual counselor.

I highly recommend this book wherever you are on your spiritual path. "The Magic of the Soul" is loaded with practical tools you can use everyday. Patrick's personal experiences, inner journeys and spiritual studies culminate in this book and are shared as gifts for the reader. The book comes with a remarkable CD full of guided meditations. I especially love the guided visualizations where Patrick's voice is an enchanting journey to our own inner wisdom and love. Author Patrick Harbula is the consumate teacher that you can experience for yourself through his classes, workshops, retreats and certifications at the Life Purpose Institute. I encourage you to experience the magic of the message with Patrick.

Patrick has ascended elegantly so far in this life. He is a gracious, kind and unconditionally loving soul and this comes through brilliantly in his "The Magic of the Soul." I encourage people interested in their own spiritual and practical self development to experience his words, thoughts and meditations. We are blessed to have this wonderful man in our time. Read, enjoy, ascend...

This book has been a life changer for me. Another great book is- No Soul Left Behind. Hope you enjoy these book as much as I did.

This is one of those books that, once you pick it up, you can't put it down. It is filled with entertaining and intriguing stories. You read of one person after another whose present life circumstances are connected with the cause of those experiences in various past lives.

Reincarnation is a topic close to my heart. A dream about a past life first brought me to Edgar Cayce. Where else could I find an explanation for the challenges in my present life presented in the dream except in Cayce's understand of how previous incarnations influence our present life?

Gina Cerminara thoroughly researched Cayce's trance readings given for many individuals for many types of life challenges. Cayce gave two types of readings. The first type were mainly to diagnose and suggest cures for diseases. The second type offered solutions and suggestions for dealing with life problems based on astrological impulses and the karmic results of past lives. These were the life readings.

Cerminara not only researched the Cayce life readings, she also grouped the lessons learned from these readings into categories. They are organized under chapter headings such as "Some Types of Physical Karma," "Infidelity and Divorce," and "Personality Dynamics."

I referred to a selection in her chapter on the "Mockery of Karma" in my book, When We Were Gods: Insights on Atlantis, Past Lives, Angelic Beings of Light and Spiritual Awakening, in which hypnotherapy sessions for weight control revealed a previous lifetime in which I had ridiculed my obese husband of an arranged marriage. In Many Mansions, Cerminara refers to a Cayce reading for a young woman afflicted with obesity attributed to a previous lifetime. The young woman had been a beauty and an athlete but she had derided people who were overweight. She was now "meeting herself" by having to suffer with the very characteristic she had scorned in others.

I like that Cerminara categorizes different types of karma as being either retributive, such as the karma of mockery, and continuitive, in which a person becomes accustomed to a certain attitude to life over a series of lifetimes. I too had an experience of continuitive karma because I had had a number of lifetimes in which, because of starvation or a bony body type, I had actually wished to be fatter. This attitude led to my present lifetime in which I gained weight easily but lived in a society in which a fleshy body is not preferred.

Many Mansions is a great book. It is many people's first introduction to Cayce. There's a lot to learn about the subject of reincarnation. For me, probably the best result is compassion for humanity's weaknesses and foibles.

It's a great book. Very highly recommended for anyone interested in Edgar Cayce, reincarnation, or the mystery of life.

By Carol Chapman, award-winning photographer of the ONLY Edgar Cayce calendar Divine in Nature: With Quotes from Edgar Cayce and author of When We Were Gods: Insights on Atlantis, Past Lives, Angelic Beings of Light and Spiritual Awakening.

I admire this man and wish his work would have been known to more people.

A fabulous book, extremely well written. This is one of the few books that has impacted my way of thinking. After reading this I find it easier to accept a lot of depressing things I see in this world.

I liked the book well enough, but I think Cerminara added too much of her own thoughts on the subject of reincarnation, almost reshaping the message Cayce brought to us through his "channeling". I would have liked to have read more of Cayce's words and less of Cerminara's "interpretations" of Cayce's readings.

This book is a must read for anyone who thinks that the Catholic Mass is not scriptural or follows the teachings of Jesus. The book clearly lays out and ties together the Mass of the Catholic Church with the teachings of Paul and the traditions Christ himself followed as a faithful Jew. The section of the Church Fathers, which documents the teachings of the first generation of teachers who where taught by the Apostles, clearly shows what the early Christian Church, before the reformation, believed and professed concerning the celebration of regular liturgy and Communion. An excellent resource for Ministers and lay teachers along with The Teachings of the Church Fathers
The Fathers of the Church, Expanded Edition

Through the use of primary sources with minimum interjection of commentary, Mr. Aquilina provides a compelling account of the early mass. It is a challenge to the idea of a primitive and simplistic church model that instead shows us how well-formed the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist have changed very little. From the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist to the development of church government and use of scripture, this will be a serious challenge for inquisitive non-Catholic believers. Mr. Aquilina does a fine job of letting the early church speak for itself in describing the heart of worship in spirit and truth. This little book is packed and will be a great resource for church historians and theologians of the mass. Very readable yet profound and engaging.

I had been looking forward to reading the 2nd edition of Mike Aquilina's The Mass of the Early Christians and I certainly was not disappointed. This is absolutely a great book and I believe required reading for anybody who wants to read on the early form and development of the Mass.

Mike Aquilina takes us sequentially through history using documented sources to give us a good idea of how the Mass was originally celebrated. We of course have some idea of this from the New Testament and the book goes thoroughly through both Old and New Testament sources in reference to the Mass and we see over and over again how the Church Fathers did the same. Part of the development of the Mass is shrouded in history, especially concerning the Eucharistic celebration. Early Christians kept the Eucharistic celebration secret and seekers and catechumen were required to leave prior to the Eucharistic celebration. Early writers pretty much kept to this tradition and so often we only have oblique references to this and it only becomes more explicit after the Edict of Milan. I think this practice is a good thing to meditate on in how sacred the early Christians viewed this celebration and how cavalier we can think of it.

Despite this lack of openness regarding the liturgy there are still a lot of good clues to give us an insight into these early celebrations and we of course find that they are not much different in structured compared to our current celebrations. Part II - The Testimony of Witnesses is the largest part of the book and starts with the New Testament, the Didache and then then chapters focusing on individuals such as Church Fathers and other historical sources including some Pagan and Gnostic ones. I really like how he laid out the book because instead of getting brief texts from multiple sources we get much fuller texts from these authors when they reference the liturgy. This book is not a listing of all the texts available on the early church, but does contain a prominent sampling of them. As Mike Aquilina mentions including all of them would have made the book twice as large and I think he came up with a great compromise. I much prefer the fuller texts along with full scriptural texts.

I found some of the Pagan sources quite fascinating along with some of the early accusations made against the Christians. I had of course heard of the cannibalism charges, but some of the other charges made makes Church reporting by the modern media quite tame in contrast. The best part those are of the Church's witnesses and the insights they had towards the Mass and the view they give us of the early liturgies. This book can be used both for apologetics purposes and for spiritual reading. What I found most fascinating though was the texts from the Mass that still exist and the variety of them from the various geographical liturgies.

The last section of the book gives us a short and imaginative look at what it would have been like to go to a Mass in North Africa and a good idea of what it would have been like to go to one of these house Churches during the time the Church was being heavily persecuted.

Highly recommended for anybody.

Every Christian should read this - it is heartening to know what we celebrate at Mass today is as it was in the early Church

This book is an updating of an earlier edition, though the amount of additional material added (six new chapters and extensive material added to previous chapters!) easily justifies purchase for owners of the first edition.

The outstanding feature of this book is its excellent blend of primary texts and commentary. There is simply no substitute for reading the Church Fathers in their own words, and Aquilina does an outstanding job of selecting and editing the patristic texts most relevant to the liturgy of the early Church. Aquilina does not shy away from the ambiguity inherent in most patristic discussions of the liturgy, and provides a good discussion of the disciplina arcani and its impact on the writings of the early Fathers.

Each primary text is preceded by a short introduction which provides historical context for each author. Aquilina's prose is clear and lucid, and is easily accessible to the average reader. I would highly recommend this book to "beginners" who are interested in learning about the liturgy of the earliest Christians.

For those who are more experienced in their study of the Church Fathers, this book is an excellent compendium of primary texts on the early liturgy, and I would recommend it as a valuable resource for topical study. I have used in my own studies to avoid dragging out weightier tomes and hunting for references.

This book is an excellent resource, well-written, and should occupy a place of importance on the bookshelf.

This year we had 25 to Sedar, so I ordered extra copies.
If you are looking for a liberal hagaddah, it has tremendous breadth and depth.

I have somewhere between 20 and 30 different Haggadot. A Night of Questions is not only one of the richest and most thought-provoking in my collection... it is also the most user-friendly. It's the only one that has a table of contents that breaks down the Maggid section into its familiar parts (4 Children, Dayenu, etc.) The outlines of 4 different types of seders in the back of the book are very helpful. There's something here for every one. The commentaries address the hard questions that are likely to arise in the minds of those who are really thinking about what we are saying, such as: "Would it really have been 'enough for us' had we come out of Egypt and not been given the Torah and not come into the Land of Israel?" IMPORTANT NOTE: I see that Amazon is showing this as 4-6 weeks delivery. I know that they are available from the publisher and you'll have them in time for Passover. Check out www.jrf.org."

This Haggadah has wonderful, contemporary discussions and presentations. The illustrations are beautiful.

I have conducted sedorim (seders) for over 30 years and have used five different haggadot. This is the BEST! It explains, offers excellent commentary, provides choices in the kind of seder one might have, as well as providing frameworks for designing your own. I have used it for 2 years now and get rave reviews from the people who attend my sedorim.

The cd of the music of Pesach which is available, is a favorite as we prepare our home for the holiday.

It sure beats "Manishewitz".

Seders too often fall into a routine, with everyone slogging through the Hagaddah by rote. This is a lively, thought-provoking Hagaddah that will broaden and deepen your appreciation of Passover. It certainly has for my family.

Honestly one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I minister to the homeless and everytime I re-read what I have high-lighted, I want to run off & serve God even more. I highly recommend this book. But if you share books with others, buy 2 copies b/c you will want to re-read yours often. She is such an amzing woman. I felt like this book was a personal letter to me. It took away some of the fear I harbored in the work I do. Praise God!

The book that I received was in excellent condition and was received in a timely manor!!

The devotion of Mother Teresa should be an inspiration to us all (whether you are Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Protestant; Christian or non-Christian). I'm a Methodist and I see in Mother Teresa a true imitation of Christ. She reminds us of God's love and how God uses us to minister to one another.

While I was growing up, people would call Mother Teresa a "living saint" (I grew up and still live in a heavily in a Catholic neighborhood). Recent evidence reveals that she sometimes wrestled with doubts and frustrations. This has actually enhanced my appreciation for her, in that I see Mother Teresa now as more a human being, who struggled along like the rest of us, and could relate with our faults and trials better than someone of superhuman constitution.

Her feeling for the poor; that is the economically, as well as, spiritually poor, gives us all a lot to think about. Whatever religion you are, I am sure you can find comfort in Mother Teresa's gentle spirit:

"I deal with thousands of Christians and non-Christians, and in each you can see such conscience at work in their lives, drawing them to God...If everyone were capable of discovering the image of God in their neighbors, do you think we would still need tanks and generals?"

Mother Teresa speaks in her own words on subjects such as Prayer, Love, Giving, Poverty and Suffering. Her teachings are presented without adornment, in simple English. This remarkable lady believed in serving God by serving others--the poorest of the poor. She founded a worldwide order of sisters who live in poverty among the poor they serve, and who treat the poor with the respect and dignity that they sorely need. She did not believe in "evangelizing," except by service and example. As a result her missionaries have been accepted and treated with great respect in remarkably diverse places throughout the world.

In this slender volume Mother Teresa's thoughts are presented without commentary, footnotes or sources. Just her words, stunning in their simplicity. Stunning too in her literal application of Jesus' own teaching--to give everything to the poor--everything--and follow him.There is a brief interview with Mother Teresa and the briefest possible autobiographical sketch. I wish there had been more.

This beautiful little book made a profound impression on me and made me want to read more. I recommend it highly to you as well. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

This book is pure inspiration. You realize how selfish the world is after reading this humble book. Mother Teresa is often in my thoughts now. And for that reason, this book is priceless.

Old Turtle is a beautiful book for young and old alike. My children loved it when they were very small, because it was peaceful and the watercolors are superb. Now that they are growing older, it gives us a starting point to dicuss such a large topic, such as God. The book is non-denominational, but instead takes a more unitarian approach to God, how we all have our own interpretations and how we can learn from others at the same time. Makes a great gift along with a turtle stuffed animal. Overall, I think the entire world would do good to read this book and take the message to heart.

Old Turtle and the Broken Truth is a beautiful story with lovely watercolor illustrations. I believe it is meant to help us realize some very deep truths. If all children could know this story maybe the world could become much more at peace.

Not only is the story timeless and wonderful, the art work is amazing. You can't go wrong sharing this story with a child or - maybe even more importantly - an adult.

The story opened doors for me and caused me to have an "Oh-my-gosh" moment. "Each of us has only a piece of the Truth," I thought. "Of course. How could I have missed that? In order to have the complete Truth, I need to connect and have more pieces of the Truth."

A touching and powerful story.

We enjoyed this book very much. I think it has a good moral to tell. The humans only have ½ of the truth and really begin to worship it and fight over it. Eventually a small child finds the other truth and unites them all. I have it recommended for grades K-3rd but I would recommend it for all ages.

Today in 1st grade we read aloud at U Pick It time the 2nd in a several part series, or it feels a series, of books illustrated by Jon J Muth.
This one takes a character (Old Turtle) from "The Three Questions" book and places this Ancient One at the Center of The World. Muth does that perhaps rather symbolically in a place far away, very high, perhaps rhymes with Alphabet....anyway it was interesting to see the subtlety in this. Nice to return to the old turtle today.

I'm using this series (and other books) turning in my program towards looking at Asia. Chinese New Year is close upon us celebrated by a portion of my students, and other pieces of my scripted program ask children to look at homes around the world. So we are going to study China awhile along with other Asian nations. I particularly like to look at at stories told to children in other places in the world. We will be developing this in part of our month along with the traditional Valentines work on "love/friendship" and the work on Black History. In a way all of these strands are social studies pieces but are supported within the current theme, Home Sweet Home.

I recommend this story with some hesitation for 1st graders. That is not negative, it means I think this involves core adult presence not as a litigator but as a mediator. The story is about important things but it is a difficult story for a child that is struggling with attention, which is not to say do not share it. It is a "talking about it" story for sure, prepare to relate and try to stay away from drawing all the conclusions for the child. That's what I'm saying. I would ask that the story be shared in a kind of sanctity, for open minded people this means another mind may open differently.

So onward, in the story "truth" comes streaking in as a comet might to a place where stones are as teachers, breezes are languages, lakes are mirrors and trees are as ladders to the stars...nice poetic place. This truth comes in, but breaks in two on entering. As it goes the animals that first find it tire of its beauty and let it go in their own way seeing it fade with their possession. Man takes up this piece of truth. Does not move on.

So there we have it, having some truth the people fight to keep it, make it only theirs, get into battles over it, conquer, destroy, build a tower to it, and generally elevate it to the level of their deity. It's not said exactly that way, nor did I say it that way to misstate, better to read it. I extrapolated this. Both animals and man become disturbed on a profound level now. Animals can't deal with the strife of man; he just is whacked out. The piece states on it, "You Are Loved." A pretty darn cool notion. The few times in my life when I was told I was loved were pretty cognitively distorting to me too. The few times it was stated it did so much depend on the giver and the context. It proved to me this truth can trigger peace, trigger internal destruction, it can hurt. When given as a piece of a bigger truth, when given as a "broken truth", it worked to my destruction. Funny how this story caught that so well.

Now to just give an aside here, in my room the students listening to this followed the idea of a broken truth, the piece that was found was incomplete, it caused issues. I think pretty well they got that. I'm not sure they connected it to other things metaphorically but they could on their own levels, in their own ways, deal with that. Then of course I had a tendency to want to side narrate, one has to watch and check yourself for that kind of thing. I asked them to restate parts of the story several times, acted like I needed their restating in their words so they got me up to speed. I do that a lot. It's a kind of trick. A nice trick, they get to tell me how they heard it. I then learn if it's going well. Pretty nice as they said things like, "Everyone fought over it." Okay. So on.

Now it's a funny thing because today I also got a new student. I was a bit sad about that because it's a lot of label and prep to get ready with the fast notice I'm given, and also because I look really awful today. I had a night with no power and so it was getting ready in the cold and dark, no shower, on top of an awful week of tummy pains and a new set of CAT scans tomorrow as this is serious and I know I'll be missing for some fix right as a new child needs new student support from me. But with cancer this is how you live.

So I was feeling ...bad. Plus it has just been a hard few days. A person died in front of our school yesterday morning, just in the street. I pull up to see a visibly dead body. You think this can be boundaried, but I am not wanting to not feel like that. I don't actually want to be like that if I can avoid it. I did feel it. They told us "don't say anything." A typical school pattern. Nice way to solve what could be a very valuable experience-one about our very real and fragile lives and the meaning of holding this person in our moment, in their last moment as having "been here" and worth our time.
No instead they told us he was "homeless." As if that explained anything, it's so cold right now and if you are two days late with an electric bill after 27 years paying they disconnect it-California is so nice to those who need help...oh and if your Mom is 85 with a recent stroke they need a doctor licence number saying she is on life support or else no reconnection for 48 hours. Really nice. So homeless man is in the street, cold alone. We didn't stop for even one moment. It is work to the test at our head up our...place.

He was actually the grandpa of one of my 6th grade helpers.'

So it's pretty yuck, hard on her , just awful. So with a new student today I was thinking I'm not ready for a new child, not looking good, not feeling good, not, not , not. And in walks a student I taught in 6th grade 14 years ago my Student of the Year. A wonderful girl that could barely speak English then that now speaks it better than I ever have. And she's moved back specifically so I can teach her daughter. This a child that was brilliant then, and is more brilliant now. So as I read today her beautiful daughter not only interpreted this story for the class she exemplified it. Partial truth I held, my truth, yes I was right that I was not quite up to being enough to help this child into her place in our circle of learning and yes the missing piece another truth to be considered fully this child has come from the gift of her mom to revitalize the meaning of who I am and the value of what I try to do. Here to accept me as I am. At my best. Very meaningful to me.

Very cool. Even having to throw up all morning. As I said things are not good.

So, back to the book. It's the story of a girl who is little, brilliant, beautiful not coming from Hemet as mine just has, but from a human place to find the Old Wise Turtle. Things are so disturbing in her world and she looks for a way through the nightmare of this broken truth. This piece of meaning in all the pieces of meanings. She is asking how to change this. In short Old Turtle tells her that the truth can only be mended when one person meets an "other" and can see them for who they really truly are. ONLY then can the healing begin.

The girl returns reuniting the two pieces, one from turtle so that the complete truth written on a stone becomes, "You Are Loved, And So Are They." It takes her quite a bit to even be heard by her own people in the doing of this healing of the truth. It is a hard thing she attempts with difficult ones.

The story ended today much as you might expect with the people trying for mutual understandings, tug of wars dissolving in mutual respect. Because they do come to want that.
My new student saying in her calm way, "Oh yes that is is very good story, just right for us today."

I'll tell you it might be a good present for a group of very different beings that are gathering to do something together. It might have a message about the notions that we are bound within ourselves, loved, but with the capacity to care and hear the "other." I know I certainly need to take it to heart right now. I am loved and so too are you loved.

Oh by the way the watercolors are exquisite. I've been hankering to watercolor away my pain.


And you might also enjoy Shel Silverstein, The Missing Piece. It's actually a very similar experience, different and yet, not so different.

I found this book to be helpful - specifically the examples from the author's experiences with his attempts to "become spiritual" while avoiding dealing with his relationship to alcohol and drugs. They parallel my own journey. I find it to be a valuable addition to 12 step literature and am grateful that the author has the courage to own and correlate his buddhist practice with his membership in a 12 step fellowship. The only reason that I could not give it a full 5 stars is that despite his promise to deal with the Higher Power issue - specifically what does a buddhist look to as a HP within the 12 step context, I ended up feeling that he had side stepped it. That concept is something that this writer still struggles with and I wished that I had been able to learn more from this writer about that issue and his experience with it.

I would suggest this book to all who are seeking the path of recovery regardless of the spiritual journey you are on. Great guidance.

If you are new to the twelve-step programs, or new to Buddhism, or a master at both, you will find this book very informative and useful.

I first heard about Kevin's book from one of his dharma talks on the audiodharma.org podcast. At the time I was all ready in recovery, and I could see many similarities between Buddhism and twelve-step principles. Kevin's book clarified and corrected the intersections I saw, and introduced me to a new way at look at the Twelve Steps and the Universalist nature of the twelve-step movement.

From the beginning of recovery, I had hard time digesting what the Steps meant to me and how the could be useful in my life. Very simple clarifications for this book--like the difference between powerlessness and helplessness described in chapter one (e.g. powerless over desires, not powerless over behavior--I find myself coming back to time and time again.

I was also impressed by Kevin's understanding of Buddhist concepts, such as not-self (or no-self), that have been very difficult for me to understand. Kevin's stories and examples helped me to see the importance of metta (loveingkindness meditation) in practice and how useful it can be in dealing with resentments.

Perhaps the most important point Kevin makes in the book is about language, as Kevin puts it: "Language is always an issue in spiritual teachings... as I've talked about, these teachings try to explain something that goes beyond language; words are only an attempt to represent reality, that are not reality itself... Language always comes out of a particular time and place, a particular culture. Inevitably it becomes dated.... Finding our own Language for the Steps is a useful exercise as long as we don't forget the original intent."

It's true that Alcoholics Anonymous came from Protestant roots, and that much of the literature in twelve-step programs consequently retains much of that language and culture. It the same way that it's important to follow the "spirit of the law" rather than "the letter of the law," it's important to understand the intent or spirit of twelve-step language rather than to think it's necessary to align oneself with it's particular religious connotations.

One thing, however, that troubled me a little was that Kevin's decision to use his full name for the author attribution. I was reminded by a friend of mine about the controversy surrounding James Frey's books right around when I was finishing this one. In many cases, when writing about twelve-step related recovery stories, authors will elect to used the first name, last initial format for the attribution (e.g. see Afraid to Live, Afraid to Die and A Skeptic's Guide to the 12 Steps). I can understand the pluses and minuses of using the full name or following (maybe over-zealously) the anonymity principles of used in such programs. I thought it was worth mentioning here, not because I don't trust Kevin, but because it's an important issue worth considering.

This incredibly insightful book has deepened my understanding of both my meditation practice and the twelve steps. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone working the twelve step program who may be having difficulty with the "Higher Power" concept. Anyone with a meditation practice can benefit (as I did) from using the twelve step format to help gain better understanding of Buddhist concepts.

This is one of the finest books I've read linking the 12 Steps of AA with the practices of Buddhism. Kevin Griffin has a magnificent grasp of both and presents them so clearly that it truly is a thrill to read. Excellent writing as well, sometimes poetic. Well done!

I ordered this book for our library's collection (for education students, to help them understand all faiths their students might be), and I still have the habit of reading everything I order-and I'm very glad I read it.

The artwork is wonderful, but the real magic of this book is it's handling of many aspects of being raised Pagan. Young Rabbit has been raised Wiccan by her parents and each of the major rituals and Sabbats are examined from her point of view, as are their understandings of the dieties, how to deal with teasing, and stewardship of the Earth and other people. Stories of everyday life and ritual life are mixed in with explanations of Sabbats and there are great real-life examples of how to bring a child into Circle worship with parents. It makes me wish there was a larger family-centered Pagan community in my area to share with my son.
This is definatly a book written for an American child (it mentions the US more than once), but it would probably be appropriate for a UK Pagan, as well. Excellent resource for Pagan children up to about 3rd grade, for Pagan parents, and for educators or neighbors who have discovered there is a Witch in their community.

First of all I need to say that I personally know Lyon. But don't let that make you think I'm biased.

All of Lyon's books are fun and down to earth so they can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

Not only does she write children's books, but lives the spiritual lifestyle as well.

If you have young children in your life and follow the pagan lifestyle, I'm confident you will not be disappointed in this or any of Lyon's books.

Highly recommended!!

Beautiful art work. Execellent story and lesson for the pagan child or any child for that matter.

I've read this story to my daughter dozens of times, and while she is only 2 she loves this book. I've had to memorize it because she pulls it into her lap and pretends to read as she turns the pages. Okay, enough of the cute stuff. Lyon has captured essential pagan themes and practices in an absolutely terrific story about Rabbit and how she has learned pagan customs and festivals. If you have been searching for that book to help your child understand your beliefs, stop now, get this book. P.S. SHE ILLISTRATES IT TOO. This is one seriously talented author.

My daughter loved this book and i learned a few things as well. It's a great tool for teaching children about their parents' pagan ways and covers alot of info about the 8 sabbats, circle, goddess, etc. It's written in the form of a 'storybook' but with all of this info contained within the story. I would highly recommend it!