Spirituality Books

Recently I had the privilege of visiting with David Spangler at a conference and to experience his practice of blessing! It feels like the love of a lilting song, the light of the sun, and a clearer view of the world. In this book Spangler guides the reader with wisdom and love gained from his years of experience, expression, and expansion.

Blessing demonstrates with many examples how much difference a blessing can make. Blessings do not require physical presence; they can be received thousands of miles away. They do not require a special religious belief. A blessing from the essence self travels instantly to its destination.

In Blessing we realize that we simply cannot make this clear connection with anyone without rising into greater light ourselves. David Spangler makes it easy to connect the best and highest part of our being with that of another.

Do not be surprised if you find yourself standing in the splendor of the soul when you practice sending blessings. It is healing for everyone involved. This practice would be a great addition to the Temple of Healing in Healing Yourself with Light: How to Connect with the Angelic Healers

Whether you are giving or receiving a blessing, the joy is deep and fulfilling. I urge everyone who would like to experience greater love within and without to read this book and begin practicing the art of blessing.

When we want to help others in a gentle yet powerful way, this book makes it easy. I learned how to bless others, and also that I can bless my work, a project, a sacred space, the world, - the possibilities are endless. Yet he also explains when a blessing is not the most effective gift in certain situations. It isn't something done casually, but with intent and awareness. Giving or sharing a blessing is both simple and rewarding, especially when two people sit together and invoke a blessing. We can also offer blessings at a distance. Time and space do not affect this divine energy.

The exercises are quite useful and can be used by one person alone, two people, or even with a group. This book offers so much that can enrich our everyday life and is easy to read and understand. I felt like David was talking directly to me, and offering me a blessing also.

My suggestion: get this book to enjoy the blessings it will bring to you and your friends

I cannot thank the author enough for such a warm, inspiring and eloquent presentation of how connection to life itself can be deepened through acts of blessing.
I am not an avid reader of spiritual texts -- I am a RABID reader! This book is opening up undreamed of potential in my spiritual life and will be a true companion to me for years to come.

This book has excellent content but poor print quality. I contacted the publisher-Riverhead/Penquin Putnam and they told me to return it to them. I received a replacement and it is no different. They wanted me to return it to Amazon but I contend that it is not Amazon's problem. It is indeed a print quality issue which should be addressed by Riverhead.

Do you remember when you exchanged a "moment" with a stranger and saw a twinkle in their eye that shined from them so brightly that the rest of your day went so well you were "totally great"? That because the light that you saw was actually a reflection of your spirit coming back to you in joy? David Spangler shares this in this amazing treasure chest of thoughts, ideas and helpful exercises to allow us all an opportunity to become that blessing to ourselves and others,to enter that "blessing space."
On page 17 he explains that the art of blessing is the practice of being connected to each other in the most amazing way because we all have this space inside us readily available.When we discover this and "realize it" a beautiful thing happens and that gift to each other...is our "self." By accepting the love that flows through us we effortlessly receive blessings, give blessings to others and become a blessing in and of itself. I ask a blessing for the thought of a "radiance of blessings" as David Spangler shares Dr. Brugh Joy, his friend and colleagues special thought, to shower us with light and love! A blessing that will appear as a Rainbow of humanities love for its "self."

Bonshea is a work of immense courage, a true tale of heartbreak and salvation. By exposing what was done to her by the court system, by the religious authorities and by their enabling cronies as she took the moral high ground by
leaving an abusive husband, the author gives readers the tremendous gift of her hard-won insight and spiritual awakening.

As shocking as it may be, Coral's story resonates with the truth. I hear pleas for help from protective mothers like Coral every day, week after week, year after year--all of them pleading for their very birthright, their greatest right, which is to be a mother.
She pinpoints, with heart-piercing accuracy, the historical hatred of females and of the feminine that has permeated societies, including our present one, for eons. Her personal story of living with and divorcing an abusive "religious" man who was not cheered on by the community's religious, governmental, and legal authorities mirrors the persecution of all women who, like Coral, choose to say "no" to male dominance and power. These include Middle Age "witches," midwives, mothers who protect their children from a father's abuse,mothers who dare to have careers and mothers who elect to stay home with their children. Coral also calls out for the only true cure for the dark side of human nature, and that is to live in the light.

Coral's work is a special blessing for me and for my sisters throughout this country. Not a single particle of the wisdom Coral shares misses the mark.

Mo Therese Hannah, Ph.D.

Casting religion in a negative light, can often invite a strong reaction mixed with accusations of heresy and un-Godliness. Such reactions can have a chilling effect on those who might wish to express a negative human experience, namely domestic abuse, where religion has been used as a vehicle to enable the abuse. In Bonshea, Coral Theill confronts this troublesome dynamic in an anecdotal account which underscores the degree to which religion, and the legal system, can be used to enable systematic domestic abuse. In doing so, Coral Theill has ventured into relatively uncharted territory in a manner which may well draw detractors, but at the same time offers great validation for those who find themselves entangled in an abusive relationship buttressed with religious justification. In addition to broaching this form of religious distortion, Bonshea also illustrates the degree to which the legal system can also be used as a vehicle to further perpetuate abuse even after the victim has chosen to take a stand against the abuse. In Bonshea, Coral Theill has clearly chosen to take a courageous stand. It is a stand that comes with a cost, but whose dividends are measured in the strength of the soul.

Every so often a book is written that touches the heart. This is such a book. BONSHEA is an unforgettable story that will leave an indelible mark on your psyche.

Every so often a book is written that touches the heart. This is such a book. BONSHEA is an unforgettable story that will leave an indelible mark on your psyche.

...And the truth shall set her free...
Bonshea: Making Light of the Dark, is a most incredible description of an abused victim's life. Evil is out there seeking to conquer and destroy all those with which it comes in contact. We must stand on the truth and not give in to fear. The injustices that Mr. Warner inflicted not only on Coral, but her children as well, are not of God. The creator of Heaven and Earth did not intend for others to be maimed physically, emotionally, or spiritually in His name. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar. It must be difficult for those who have not experienced abuse to relate or understand those who have. But it doesn't make it any less real. The affects of abuse can be long lasting, and if the victim doesn't honestly seek healing, the crippling will continue on for life. I am praying that the truth will set Coral free indeed.

What a terrific book! Despite the fact that it's an exercise book, it is extremely engaging, and the concepts easy to follow. The challenge is to have the patience to read the book through completely so that you understand fully what Breathwalk is all about, before trying it out haphazardly.

One reviewer felt the book was disorganized, and there should have been a brief overview chapter so the reader could quickly dive into Breathwalking.

My good judgment tells me that the presentation of the material was quite deliberately thought through so that the reader would have a firm foundation of what to do before striking out. A Breathwalk - though its basic components are as simple as breathing and walking - requires a certain level of precision and, as importantly, consciousness of what you're doing at any given moment, so just getting a vague idea of it wouldn't be useful at all.

I see a close similarity, in that respect, to yoga. Carefully learn and consciously practice a few yoga basics and you'll immediately feel some rewards (just like learning one Breathwalk program). But you can very satisfactorily spend a whole lifetime enhancing your practice of yoga (or Breathwalk) and, in turn, continuously reap more and more benefits.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an exercise program that addresses physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, is easy to do but provides you with lots of opportunity for real mastery.

We were so fortunate to have Gurucharan come to San Antonio and personally explain Breathwalk and then lead us on a Breathwalk. He is the most charismatic speaker I've ever met and his lecture was the clearest and most inspiring.All during our breathwalk we could hear Wow! This is incredible! It is so easy that anyone can do it but so effective it is truly amazing. A lot of us were so delighted by the results that we decided to sign up for teacher training.The book has many more walks than we had time for, all carefully explained. There are some free exercises on the web site Breathwalk.com

I bought the book because it incorporated elements from two of my favorite exercises, yoga and walking. After reading the book front to back, I took a walk. I was amazed. It opens your senses, quiets your mind and changes your mood in a quick 15-30 minutes. It's something you can do anywhere(your neighborhood, parks, malls, airports, work and even on a treadmill), no special clothes or equipment required, and it's soooo easy! Read the book, get your friends to get one and read it too, then go for a walk together.

Breathwalk is a simple and powerful idea but this book makes it needlessly complicated which is why I can only give it four stars. However, the book IS well researched and well written, and so I do recommend it as long as you know in advance that you'll have to do some work to dig all the bits of information from many different chapters.

With this type of book the reader will often want to get started quickly and can usually expect to find one chapter that helps them do that by presenting the basics. That's what this book lacks. Basically, the Breathwalk technique consists of coordinating breathing with the movement of walking. But there's more to it than that and each part of the technique is presented in a different chapter, with no clear explanation of how to put it all together.

For example, there are different Breathwalk patterns to use, depending on what effect you would like to see in your body and mood. These have names like Eagle and Tiger and are basically different ratios of inhalation to exhalation, which are documented with nice graphs. Then there are awakener exercises, sort of like warmups, which are done before the walk. These too are chosen based on the effect you are looking for. Each walk ends with an integration, or innerwalk, step and here again there are different types to choose from. Then there are optional primal sound scales that you can add once you're comfortable with the basics.

After getting through all this information I was overwhelmed and would have liked to see a chapter that presented the complete walks with all their components all in one place. There is a Program Guide at the end of the book but this just adds to the confusion. It lists the individual programs based on the effect achieved, such as "Rejuvenate your energy reserves" or to go from "Simple anxiety to inner calm". But to get the details of each program you need to jump around to several chapters. Many of the programs use more than one breathing pattern, and to find those patterns you go to one chapter; for the awakener exercises, you go to another chapter; and for the innerwalk yet another chapter.

If you want to find a basic breathwalk and get outside for a sample walk in short order, then I must say good luck. But if you're willing to hang in there, read the entire book, and figure out where all the pieces of the technique are explained, then I think you'll find that the book does ultimately deliver and Breathwalk does work. If only it had a more user-friendly structure this would be a five-star book.

I agree completely with anitareads' review. The material is excellent but it does require some effort to put all the pieces together. Still, it's the only book of its kind that I know of and what it teaches is priceless.

Any one who has interest about Tibet or wants to know more about
courage and determination MAST read this book....
It's unimaginable story about these who fought Red China for 25 years and still haven't given up. I amire these People.
OM A HUNG BENZA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG

"Buddha's Warriors" is a story that needed desperately to be told -- what it took to turn thousands of non-violent Tibetan Buddhists into an armed rebellion, and how the CIA left them high and dry -- and Dunham tells it with expertise and flair. Somehow he has gathered an incredible roster of primary sources (including American insiders), and he wields them like a knife against the history of Chinese oppression and U.S. cowardice.
Dunham has a knack for pulling together the pieces of this somewhat obscure tale -- just try to find it in history books -- and making it coherent, exciting.
Few people seem to know how China's invasion drove so many dedicated pacifists to violent means. Even the Dalai Lama, who for so long has refused even to acknowledge violence as a viable method, gives these Khampa warriors their due respect in the book's foreward. That's quite something.
Dunham has done a great service to written history by publishing this book. But it's not hard work to read, like so many histories these days. Those who do not follow Tibet's latest struggle will surely enjoy it all the same, and those who regard the struggle with a certain degree of frustration and disbelief ("how can they not fight?!") will be infused with a good healthy dose of vindication and righteous anger.
Happy reading.

I have read several books on the history of Tibet in the 20th century and this is certainly the most exciting of them all. It is a valuable telling of the story of Tibet's invasion by China from the perspective of those that witnessed it first hand and fought against it with the help of the CIA. It also has an extremely good list of references and painstakingly covers the historical literature of this period, providing a good starting point for readers who want more. My only gripe with the book is that it relies heavily on input from former CIA operatives. Although it is not clear to me whether this has skewed the picture that is presented, it is an unfortunate fact that the involvement of the CIA and other foreign intelligence agencies has provided the Chinese an excuse to view Western interest in the Tibetan cause with suspicion. So I have a bit of difficulty viewing the CIA as heroic although (as does the Dalai Lama) I have no doubt that there was genuine support for the Tibetans by some of the CIA people.
Another interesting aspect of this book is that it portrays the taking up of arms by the Tibetans as a positive development, contrasting with the nonviolent stance currently taken by the Tibetan government in exile. But that is a different topic; one that the author deals with to some extent.

An excellent and fast-paced account of operations we now learn about - 46 years later! Its told from the point of view of the CIA 'minders'of the projects, I'm sure the actual operatives had their own point of view, and its exciting stuff!! Its a tragedy that all the governments who could have had a say in Tibet's future at that time - India, Britain and the US - chose to stay resolutely uncommitted. This is the tale of those who decided to try and do something, and failed finally - but not for want of trying. Something to learn for many of us.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends BUDDHA'S WARRIORS as an enthralling account of a fabled brotherhood of freedom fighters as their nation came under seige 60 years ago. From unmapped Himalayan valleys to Beijing back doors to Colorado training camps, we follow the fierce few who would rather die than live enslaved by an alien culture.

Most of us in the Western world have a romantic & confused image of Tibet, fueled, of course, by our vision of Shangri-La. BUDDHA'S WARRIORS is no fairy tale, & no movie with a happy ending. The devastation of the Tibetan people & their culture is still going on.

Mikel Dunham, author of an exquisite photo album SAMYE: A Prilgimage to the Birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism, has set the narrative of BUDDHA'S WARRIORS around the oral transcripts of the Tibetan men he interviewed, the ones who actually fought the Chinese, telling the inside story of this historic modern fight against conquest which, for many "reasons" the rest of the world has largely ignored.

BUDDHA'S WARRIORS gives a vivid picture of Tibetan life before, during, & after Mao's takeover. It is a saga of brave soldiers & cowardly traitors; hope against desolation, courage against repression, atheism against Buddhism -- the real-life fight between good & the evil empire.

One of the best Bible studies out there. I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

I have been a Christian for 30 years and feel this is one of the most practical books I have read about Christian Living. John Piper is another favorite author who is quoted in several places by Mr. Berg. Highly recommended for a good overveiw of the life of faith.

Wonderful book that really points to Christ and change life! My wife read this book along with the workbook and I did see her permanently change in a better way, to a Christ like image! Thank you, Jim Berg!

More than a few people have recommended this book as a tool to grow in Christ. And I have read this book and been amazed at Jim Berg's clear understanding of the Scripture and gifted ability to express that in a way that causes the believer to think and change.

Changed Into His Image is Bible-based and yet it is clear and relevant to life situations. For all those who wish to become like Christ, who want to experience more than rote Christianity, who wish be something for God, this book is a must.

What makes this book good is that it is systematic, well organized and personal. He has riveting, dead-on illustrations that bring the Scriptures to life.

I would whole-heartedly reccommend this book to anyone who wishes to advance in God's kingdom. It is the most thoroughly, Bible-based book on Christian growth I have ever come in contact with. It is great not only for personal study, but for group lessons and youth sessions.

Make a small investment, buy this book and watch it change your life.

Jim Berg, the author, will give you the 'big picture' of sanctification (the believer's growth in holiness). He uses Ephesians 4.22ff as his outline for the book. In that passage, the apostle Paul gives us God's plan for growth in Christlikeness. Three parts of sanctification are given: putting off the old man, having your mind renewed, and putting on the new man. These 3 parts of sanctification could also be called 3 responsibilities for the Christian. This is the blueprint that God gives us for growth in holiness; if a man should expect to see any growth in the Christian life, it is only reasonable that he 'follow God's plan.'

Berg's first chapter is an introduction to the book. There he highlights the goal of sanctification - Christlike humility, and tells us in a nutshell how we reach that goal. We are to work hard (putting off, renewing our minds, and putting on) while we trust the "Person of Change" (the Holy Spirit) to produce the fruit in our lives. The rest of the book explains what it means to put off, renew our minds, and put on. Berg gives 4 chapters per responsibility.

Berg does an excellent job explaining Scripture. He is clear and interesting. His illustrations are very helpful. Not only is he clear, he is applicational. Truth from God's Word is never meant to be only 'understood.' The job of a teacher of the Word is to teach others 'to observe.' Berg does that. He shows the reader how to apply the truths. He intends, as much as he is able, to make it easy to obey by giving simple steps to follow.

This book will be one that you will go back to over and over again. You will use it for your own life. You will use it as you disciple your children, encourage your husband/wife, give counsel to your co-workers, and on and on. It will give clarity to your thinking about the Christian life. It will give you much hope as you see how God intends for you to change to be like Him. It will give you wisdom as you know how to better counsel others from the Word.

Jim Berg is from Bob Jones University. Expect to see some 'separatist fundamentalism' coming out of him. It is unfortunate that Berg uses the King James Version throughout the book. He is not KJV only, but he does prefer the translation for some reason. He does though, explain the out-of-date words for the reader.

Berg assumes that rock music is wrong. He does not make a big deal about it by trying to prove that it is so. He gives an illustration describing a boy that listens to rock music. Most readers will stumble at that point not getting Berg's point. Remember that he assumes rock music is wrong. He does not think that some rock music is wrong, but that all of it is - the very beat itself.

Berg also says that every Christian should be a part of a 'fundamentalist' church. Just assume that the word, 'fundamentalist,' means 'biblical,' and you will be fine.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, inspite of these things, and I am sure you will too.

This book is interesting and inspiring for many reasons. Shirley Cunningham uses her literary talents to create a real page turner. Her journey into spiritual discovery has numerous twists and turns, that I found very intersting. This book conveys that through the ups and downs of life, God is ever-present and loves us very much. This highly personal book is a must have for anybody in search of the divine!

If you are looking for a book that shows the tensions between the real and the "expected," between the inner and the outer, between "chasing God" and "being chased" by God and then resolves those tensions by giving a spiritual vision of wholeness that embraces the paradoxes, then this book is for you. That is not to suggest that Chasing God is a metaphysical or philosophically dense treatise on life. The way the author writes about her relationships with family and friends; about the birth of her son; about the growing romance with her second husband ring so true that the reader experiences the relationship as well. Chasing God is a journey through one woman's life. It is a book written with clarity and beauty.

Cunningham is particularly strong when she describes places. The reader is with her in her high school in Wisconsin, with her in the convent, with her in Spain, with her as she races to a doctor with her new friend Jerry who is suddenly and unexpectedly ill. Cunningham's reflections on being ill, herself, with cancer and her subsequent change in feeling about folks who are not fully well are worth the price of the book.

Likewise, this book is for those who are, at heart, artists
and for whom the daily responsibilities of life have squeezed the artist thin. Cunningham, through her own experience, challenges the reader to nurture the creative within and shows the connections between creativity, spirituality, and healing.

For many of us used to looking for reality "outside," the author of this book asserts not only that the really real is out there, but that the "real thing comes from inside" as well and challenges us to listen.
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This is a powerful book for those that want to understand more about their spirituality. We focus a lot on understanding religion but we do not take enough time to understand our relationship with God. Chasing God opens up a whole new understanding about God and God's love, reaching out toward us. We often hear the phrase, if you want to change the world change yourself...well this book is a step in the right direction. I read the book in one day, I could not put it down.

I found Chasing God to be an inspirational story for women who are in the midst of change in their lives. It is a story of spiritual and personal growth which I feel to be one of the best stories I have ever read. Chasing God will keep you interested from page 1 to the end with Shirley Cunningham's exciting life story. If you enjoy autobiographies, this book is a must for you!!!

A wonderful memoir filled with vulnerability, compassion and strength. A must for anyone who is seeking the genesis of their spirituality.

It's easy to understand. It summarizes and gives you highlights on the most important stuff, so it's great when you have alot of material (such as christian history)but not much time to give it. But I have to agree with another review I read, it isn't easy finding all the websites it gives, most of them aren't at that webaddress. other than that, it's a great book!

Jones does an excellent job in organizing the vast church history materials into a 13 weeks sunday school class. I used it for my sunday school class and find it very helpful. He uses page borders to mark out plainly key persons, events, concepts, and extra materials. All these are very helpful for lay persons who have no education of church history whatsoever, and gives teachers freedom in selecting his own focus. Strongly recommend!

This book was great for learning the basics. Now that I have a better understanding of the origination, and occurances regarding the christian church over the years, I now feel better equipped to read a more thorough account of these happenings from another author. This book sets up a wonderful timeline of events throughout history and has a great way of presenting facts via various visual aids, such as pictures, charts, and subtitles... all in all, very user friendly. :)

I teach a small group Bible study that has been meeting for several years. Since I have a graduate degree in theology, I usually write my own curriculum. However, recently I have been using this book as the basis for our studies. It is very well put together;providing more than enough information for my students, without being pedantic and including interesting discussion topics. My students (most of whom are 65 and older) LOVE the material. They keep asking for more. They are so engaged with it that I have a hard time ending the group discussions when our meeting time is up.
My only negative comment is that the web addresses need to be updated as some are no longer valid. Also the accompanying PowerPoint presentation (also a web address) was hard to find. Other that those minor points, I love the book-both for my own enjoyment and as a group curriculum.

I have used this book to teach one class of adults and will be using it in a few months to teach another class. They really enjoyed it. It is not overwhelming and yet hits most of the highlights of our "family" history. The conversational style keeps it from being boring and it is on a level that one does not have to have a college degree to understand. As with any study, it is always a good thing to undergird, support, and illustrate with other resources. If this is done, it balances any weaknesses found in the book's material. For instance, if a central character is not covered in depth enough, or even not at all, just add material to round it out. Our church is using it now for both teens and adults. Would recommend it to anyone.

Dear Samadhi:

Hope all is well. I am finally at the library, and have the time to share my thoughts with you about your book. I manage to get here only once or twice a week. I am getting ready for a trip to England next week, something that is adding to the busyness of my lifestyle.

We met and chatted at your booth during the Body, Soul, & Spirit Expo in Calgary in April 2006.. It was just after I retired from the Alberta Government as a social worker in the child protection field. I read about half the book, and {personal life issues arose}. Your book remained untouched until recently when I managed to finish it.

I am part of two spiritual groups in Calgary and they are a good stabilizing influence. Both teachers are women who are connected to a current that I resonate with at the present time.

When I finished your book, I felt deep appreciation that I had been exposed to your journey, but traumatized over what you experienced, as a child and a woman. Though I encountered a lot of child sexual, physical and mental abuse in my profession, the job itself was highly rigid and bureaucratic, leaving me with little quality time to spend with the children.

I was a case manager and arranged for therapists to work with the children. I knew the big picture about each child, and in general terms the emotional and behavioural consequences, but I never had the chance to get into such a detailed exposé of the personal side of what the child experienced. Hence, your sharing about what you experienced as a youth and adult was highly relevant, and served to round out my understanding of what this kind of suffering is all about, including the deep emotional and mental scars it leaves.

Circumstances took you to lands where male brutality to women, both psychological and physical, not only prevailed but was culturally sanctioned. I cannot help but wonder whether you were guided to what you experienced simply in order to exacerbate your personal issues and bring the whole thing to a head, where psychological release from your attachments and inner turmoil was the only alternative for a harmonious inner life to prevail.

You came out of the other end a whole person with a lot of understanding of the letting go process, something that can help many people you encounter, if they are receptive to hearing you.

I hope your present life is fulfilling and that you encounter ongoing growth and happiness. When I settle down somewhere, which only the universe knows where and when it will be, I will extend an invitation to you and your partner to visit and enjoy our beautiful Rocky Mountains and turquoise lakes.

Best Wishes,
Doug Christou, Calgary

Turning the pages as you unravel each layer of the veil takes you beyond religions, borders or sexual orientation, into the core of the human Spirit. Your heart travels along the edges of your own insecurities and fears as you explore life through someone else's eyes. Samadhi's amazing journey makes you want to do something, anything, to give your higher self a chance to come into the light, release those butterflies, who in turn will give wings to every Soul they touch along the way. As the circles widen and open up, the little flutters of the voice of LOVE are heard.

This book touched my heart and gave me hope that women can survive abuse in all areas and find the strength to heal and move forward in ones life. I have worked as a counselor in the area of trauma and abuse, for over twenty years. Themes of healing from trauma and discovering ones sexuality only empower and strengthen ones soul from the inside out. I could relate to the family of origin wounds for all individuals and the ability for Samadhi to discover, heal, and forgive are truly the answers to finding peace and serenity within. I was touched by each page of absolute honesty and willingness to share her story. Samadhi, you have changed my life because of this book and reminded me one more time that love does prevail. Thank you.

Linda Mackenzie
Social Worker
BSW, RSW.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Samadhi's Circles in the Sand is a thought provoking read that I couldn't wait to finish. It is well written and the story flows from start to finish. This is not one woman's struggle; it is every woman's struggle for equality, self respect and self love. I recommend it to everybody.
My only suggestion would be to include maps of the Middle East at the beginning to get a better understanding of Samadhi's travels.
Way to go, Samadhi!

Women everywhere will applaud the writings found within Whitehouse's Circles in the Sand. There is a little bit of every woman's story in her story. There are some parts of her story that some women will never experience. But the one universal truth in Whitehouse's story is that women who take necessary risks to search their souls and define themselves reach a point of being keenly aware of who they are.

From the Dedication page: "To my family - this is who I am." With that one powerful statement, Whitehouse drew me in and didn't let me go until I reached the final word of this powerful book.

Circles in the Sand is Whitehouse's very personal memoir of her quest to understand the events of her past and to move beyond them. Daring to do what few women would dare to do, Whitehouse travels through the Middle East on an emotional and spiritual journey to "find herself." What she found by the time she had completed her journey was the window into her soul and a degree of self-love, self-acceptance and confidence that allowed her to share her journey with others.

From the About the Author page: "Edna Whitehouse now goes by the name 'Samadhi,' which means 'Being one with the Divine and being in the moment.'" "A writer who has never forgotten what it feels like to be young and be silenced, Samadhi's messages are: Break the cycle of dysfunction. Be heard. Take back your own power. Go girls!"

The author's work deals with a number of very painful topics, including incest, homophobia and the brutal devaluing of women in the cultures of the Middle East. Through such specific topics and through some very common threads in the lives of all women, readers come to know not only Whitehouse, but the Middle East through her eyes and the beauty in women basking in the midst of other women to claim or re-claim their power.

Whitehouse is currently working on a second book titled Separated at Birth. With her comfortable writing style and her depth of character and substance, I will be eagerly awaiting this book's release!

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

I really appreciate the timely manner that I received my Book. It was for an upcoming class and I would recommend this book and any book by Kenneth Boa. If you are concerned about your image and how it is personified, read this.

This book is meant to be read and studied. It can be life-changing if you let it.

Excellent overview of different aspects of the Christian life and following close after God. Looks at different techniques of a hard pursuit of God.

Author, Kenneth Boa, has put together a comprehensive text that covers 12 major approaches that mankind has taken throughout history in an attempt to know and follow God. He stresses our need for a variety of approaches. The text looks overwhelming. But, in actuality, the chapters are short enough to cover in one sitting. Each ends with questions that cause the reader to do some deep personal intropspection. And they lead to some powerful group discussions in our women's Bible study group.

Kenneth Boa defines 12 facets of the Christian life and deals with each one in a thoroughly practical, yet deeply theological way. He does seem to think that Christians can be demon-possessed, a view which I do not hold. In spite of that, I recommend the book to the seasoned Christan. Written in textbook style, it makes for extended Bible studies for mid-week gatherings, home studies, etc. There are a great number of resources from which he cites quotes, and the cost of the book is worth the resource list alone. I particularly enjoyed the facet about the Christian Disciplines. In a day of hyper-faith, wealth, prosperity, and health gospel, this book is a refreshing return to sanity. I wish I had it years ago.

We shared this with all our kids. This book in a great way to start your day, second only to the Good Book. A really good feeling book.

I enjoy this book but sometimes I have a hard time understanding what some of the people are saying. I am using it in my prayer time. Thank you!

I don't have alot of time in the day to just sit down and read something...but this is something that I hope will be passed down generation to generation as a "treasure". I do have a couple of minutes each morning to read a quick uplifting thought to keep my spirit happy for the day and give me something to think about...and hopefully pass on to others. This book should be a staple in every home.

As a desert dweller, I know how important water is. Here, we never travel without a bottle of water, even to the grocery store. Christ said He came to give us living water--that is what this book does. It quenches the thirst of the soul--that inward longing we all have for more than what can be found in our material lives.
Over the years, I have read many daily devotionals. Streams in the Desert is without a doubt the most unique, and the most encouraging. First published in 1925, this book is a fountain of wisdom and encouragement. While the language might seem a bit old-fashioned to some, it is not a deterrent to the subject matter. The book is Bible-based, and quotes are from individuals, sermons, poems, stories, hymns, and of course, the Bible itself.
All of us deal with hardship in our lives--for me it is cancer. I use this book in tandem with my daily Bible reading and prayer.
Streams in the Desert comforts; it speaks to suffering, encourages faith, and would be an excellent gift for anyone who is going through difficult times.
Or for anyone who is thirsty for that living water.

This is one devotional you must have as you journey through life. Mrs Charles Cowman reminds the faithful follower of Christ that storms and trials that beset one actually come to make one more like Jesus.
In it there is refreshment for the soul who cannot seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as well as encouragement that the Master has it all planned out for His Glory.
Above all else it tells the age old story - trials are not new, only recycled and are common to man.
In this devotional, each new passage gives one testimony that cheers the soul, that all is well, that all will be well.