Spirituality Books

This was the first Tom Brown Jr. book I read. Than I read, The Journey and than, The Quest. I have also read several other Tom Brown Jr. books but these 3 are my favorites. I have read each of these books at least 3 times and learn more each time I read them. They will keep you grounded in reality and your spirituality.
I could not recommend it higher and would encourage everyone to pass on this vital information to family and friends before our ignorance and greed destroys us.

This book it truely incredible. It will make your re-evaluate your life and the way you live it. I think everyone should read this book at least once, if not once every year, just to get grounded again. A definate must buy!

I am thrilled with how fast the book arrived and the excellent condition it is in. Will definitely buy from this seller again.

In 1988 I happened upon the earlier edition of this book by Tom Brown, Jr. It was one of those books that seemed to "jump off" of the book-store shelf and right into my hands. In this book Tom describes his childhood adventures of meeting and learning from an old Native American medicine man named Stalking Wolf who was also called "Grandfather." It is still today one of my favorite books, worn and dog-eared. Tom's explorations and the instructions he received from Grandfather helped me return to that core connection with my Native American relations and to renew my pilgrimage into Native American spirituality.

After reading Tom's book I telephoned him to ask about his survival training program. He described a program that sounded far too rigorous for me at that time in my life, so Tom recommended I contact the Sun Bear Tribe that offered a softer and easier program started by the late Sun Bear, a Native American medicine man.

That began a pilgrimage to a wilderness program and then to a life changing vision quest, all of which has deepened and enriched my personal spiritual life.

This book holds a honored and holy place on my bookshelf. I am sorry it is out of print.

The Rev. Dr. Prentice Kinser III, author of LIMITLESS LIVING, A Guide to Unconventional Spiritual Exploration and Growth

As a long time Tom Brown fan, The Vision: The Dramatic True Story of One Man's Search for Enlightenment, keeps with the spirit of the previous works I have read. It is my feeling the author has a true message he wishes to impart on our society, one that leads to a better understanding of our relationship with nature and life itself.

This book delves into the author's message of a return to a intimate relation with nature and putting our lives on a natural path of harmony with the planet on which we live and must share with all living entities.

You will not be disappointed in the message, and the paths opened leading one to a better understanding of the way to achieve these goals. I highly recommend this work to anyone seeking these truths.

Remember when you were a child and always asked the question "...but why?... Our poor parents and teachers. Most of us lost this curiosity with age. This book discusses a personal journey of thinking and conclusions. Read but keep reminding yourself not to generalize the author's personal beliefs as being some universal, human quality...especially your own. Trust your own confusion, continue the search but fall asleep with a perspective of this book's content.

A heart-warming journey of awakening, this book is an intriguing account of how the soul guides the personality to experience fulfillment with the deepest self-the God-self. The book's power and charm is two-fold. The first is the author's openness in expressing the ups and downs of several marriages entwined with her doubts about the existence of God. Secondly, Judith shares how following signs and synchronicities lead her to the discovery of her unique connection with spirit: inspired writing. Expressing universal wisdom, these writings address many questions of the spiritual seeker from dealing with anger and illness to opening to love again and finding your soul work. There is a profound simplicity and bare honesty to Judith's mystical adventure that invites us to ponder our own path to greater self-awareness. From the mysteries of the sacred places of Medjugorje, Findhorn and the Isle of Iona to everyday worldly challenges, Judith's Dance with the Divine is a daring and pioneering template for healing and renewal.

Out of her own personal challenges, Judith Pennington has written a guide for the spiritually perplexed. Beneath the tragedies of life, there is a movement of grace that gives us insights, guidance, and healing when we most need it. Ms. Pennington's book is a wonderful resource for those who are struggling to find divine guidance in their lives. Her book reminds us that even in the darkness, Divine light shines and that God will make a way when we cannot see one lying ahead of us.
Dr. Bruce Epperly, author of "Mending the World: Spiritual Hope for Ourselves and Our Planet" and "God's Touch: Faith, Wholeness, and the Healing Miracles of Jesus."

This book takes you on a journey from belief to disbelief and back again to belief. It's a journey a whole lot of us took in the sixties and seventies when the author was taking it too. I don't find the book anti-religious at all (as one reviewer seemed to do.... did he actually READ it I wonder?) Instead, the book comes full circle back to a fundamental belief in Christianity but without the fundamentalist limitations that prevent a person from obtaining personal communion with God. If Judy Pennington hears voices who say the beautiful, inspiring and thought-provoking statements like the ones she writes about in the book, then I'm ready to accept them as God given. Let's all pray for pinched souls who cannot accept that God can be this big and this personal. Peace.

"The Voice of the Soul" is an autobiographical account of the journey of the author, Judith Pennington, from a hostile attitude toward religion to one of acceptance and belief in God. The first part of the book goes through her history and how she developed such an antagonistic attitude toward church and religion. The rest of the book allows the reader to follow her through her growth process. Most of her growth process seems to be based on "writings" where she sits down and just starts to write things that come from deep down in her soul where one's higher self resides.

She stresses that this was her path that she took and that it may be very different for others as we all have our own path to follow. The final portion of the book is a collection of her "writings" organized in the natural order of the growth experience, from "The Call", to "The Path", to "Self-Knowledge", to "The Struggle", to "The Soul's Mountaintop".

Strongly New Age in format, many traditional Christians and other fundamentalists will have a lot of problems with many of the concepts in the book. Others that embrace the possibilities of New Age thought will find it a delightful and inspiring book.

A powerful book for showing how to live a fullfilling and powerful way of living. This is a must read for anyone looking for calm and direction in their life. As valuable to the newcomer or the experienced reader. Food for the mind, body, and soul. Thank you Ms. Lane...can't want for your next book.

I am very impressed with the readability and content of this book. Kara Lane has packaged 12 basic principles into a powerful, and potentially life-altering manuscript.

I think we intuitively know each of the principles; however, Ms. Lane has brought them to life. She helps us to understand there is not just one answer. Powerful living requires us making all 12 principles a part of our lives.

While the book is a short read, I am sure you will want to read it over and over again. We need to be reminded of these principles from time to time. I know I do. Read Ms. Lane's book and honestly challenge yourself and determine how well you live the principles.

This book is a well written quick read that gives good basics to live your life by. The principles make good sense and are easily laid out. It serves as a good reminder of how we should live our lives. I plan on reading it again soon to make sure I'm still consciously making an effort to put the principles to work.

What a beautiful message for everyone. This will be my #1 gift to give this year. What better way to touch the lives of people I love.

As I was reading this book, I could already tell that applying the principles explained inside would improve my life dramatically. Many times, it felt like the book was written specifically for my life. I am already noticing changes after just a few days, and I can't wait to see the results after using this advice for a prolonged period of time. I strongly recommend this book to everyone.

The way we pray is a personal reflection of who we are. I love how this book honors and explains diverse methods of prayer. There is no one correct way to pray. It would be dreadfully boring if there were only one correct way to do it. It makes sense to me that we could even use different methods of praying for different circumstances in our lives. This book gives lots of examples of how to connect with our God and our spirituality. I think it comes down to recognizing what resonates deeply within us. Our creativity is a blessing, a gift given to us by God. -Shouldn't we use our gifts to give honor and glory and thanks back to God?

I loved reading this book. It stirred me, reading about the different ways that people connect to God. In the chapter 'Ceremonial Costumes' it asks why some are drawn to costume or ceremonial clothing as a form of worship, and I loved the answer: 'Perhaps because it is a means of tangibly breaking out of everyday routine to mark, through texture and color, an entrance into sacred space.'

At the beginning of the 'Centering Prayer' chapter, there is a quote by Thomas Keating that says: 'We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words, but this is only one expression. Deep prayer is the laying aside of thoughts. It is the opening of mind and heart and body and feelings-our whole being-to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond word, thoughts and emotions.'

There are many prayer practices presented in the book and I loved reading about them and thinking about them. At the end of each chapter, there is a small section of suggestions for beginning the exploration, which gives you some things to think on or activities to try.

~Namaste~

I apoligize in advance for giving this book three stars, but in my collection it's a three, this is only because I prefer books with a little more meat. However, as a resource tool, and an introductory book, this is a great book. Oman Shannon covers over 50 different prayer practices, and covers them in a way that make them easy to understand and she offers suggestions at the end of each chapter on how to incorporate them into your daily life. This allows a person to start thinking about how prayer can be adapted into your own life.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great introduction to prayer practices, or a great personal reference tool for thier academic or personal conquests.

Maggie Oman Shannon does such a great job of making devotion through prayer seen alluring, rewarding and even fun. I enjoyed learning about all the differnt methods of praying that I have heard about before but knew little about. Finding out about prayer bowls, tea ceromonies and prayer dancing was very interesting. Maggie shares many ways that whatever way of prayer we are interested in can become accessible to use immediately.

I enjoyed as the quotes from different traditions included and
learning about different cultures. The Way We Pray does a great job of giving the reader so many different ways to be spiritual that they can never get bored and always have more paths to explore. What an inspirational book.

Yes, this book is about prayer. It is a guidebook for the spiritual person to integrate methods from many different traditions and beliefs into their spiritual development.

Several aspects of this book that really makes it especially rich include the large variety of cross cultural practices including activities and ritual which you might not have necessarily thought of before as "prayer".

Oman Shannon reminds the reader that prayer practice is best moved beyond the realm of our "juice draining" early religious training and into the world of sacred intention so that we can truly encounter the divine.

Each chapter outlines another prayer practice and includes a feature called "Suggestions for beginning the exploration." This tool is especially helpful as it continues the integration process.... I mean learning about these practices is interesting AND actually using them takes them to the next level.

I found the sections on "Chants", "Milagros", "Mastermind Groups" and "Forgiveness Practices" to be among the most beneficial... although I am sure as different scenarios appear in my life, different chapters will be applied and utilized.

Prayer may take many forms and be for an infinite variety of reasons. In The Way We Pray: Prayer Practices From Around the World, Maggie Oman Shannon provides a "compendium of prayer practices with enough context to acknowledge the cultural traditions behind them, while offering an invitation for further exploration."

Oman Shannon is a spiritual director, and founder of The New Story, an organization that helps people discover the deeper purpose to their lives. She's also a writer and editor, with a previous anthology of healing prayers to her credit.

Although many of us think of being on our knees with hands folded in front of us as the way to pray, practices as diverse as fasting, haiku, meditation, storytelling, and visual arts can all be a way of prayer. Oman Shannon quotes Catherine of Siena with the thought that "everything you do can be a prayer." What you physically do is of less importance than your sacred intentions. She says that prayer can become the "enfolding fabric in which we live our lives, and everything we do has the potential to be prayerful."

She describes over fifty ways of offering prayer. Each description details how that practice developed and how it has been used throughout time. Then Oman Shannon provides suggestions of how each method can be used in contemporary times, for contemporary difficulties. Each description is finished with a section containing several suggestions as to how individuals can explore that particular means of prayer to determine if it's something they can use.

An extensive resource section is provided to assist readers who want to investigate a particular practice in more depth.

Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral, has this to say in the Foreword: "The Way We Pray offers us a treasury of integrating spiritual practices [and] they all have the power to open us up to a deeper and more generous reality." Readers will find the Oman Shannon has provided an invaluable resource for discovering the power of prayer in the way best suited to meet their needs.

Diana L. Guerrero has a heart & soul that loves & that understands animals. I wish my kitty, Michel, could meet her. He is a friendly boy!
When I take my riding lessons my concern is about being a good rider but also making sure I don't hurt the horses.
This is a wonderful read. My cousin gave it to me on Christmas. By the day after New Years it was finished because I couldn't put it down except to visit with friends over the holidays.
In a way Michel has met Ms. Guerrero through me after reading her lovely book which reflects her beautiful soul.

This book truly touched me! I'm a real softy when it comes to animals, but until I read this book I had not thought of them as "teachers".

A professional animal trainer, Diana L. Guerrero shares how she has learned as much from the animals as they have learned from her. In many ways, animals are far more noble than humans, and Guerrero illustrates this point time and again.

Read. Learn. And most importantly: Enjoy!!

A beautifully written glimpse into the psyche of both humans and animals. As a writer I enjoyed Ms Guerrero's descriptions of her personal interactions with both tame and wild animals and felt very much a part of her adventures. Prior to reading Diana's book I thought I knew my buddy, a 100lb Akita, very well. Now I not only notice my dog's subtle clues but have a greater understanding of their meaning. This is a "must read" for all lovers of the spiritual messages of nature.
Robena June Schaerf, author of Granton Manor and Morgan's Ridge

Don't think that Diana Guerrero advocates a new spiritual fad in advocating that we humans emulate animals. Aesop knew you can't be a human in dog's clothing. Guerrero asks us to stop, turn off the computer, TV, cell phone, and most of all our mental noise, and get attuned to the fundamentals through our animal teachers. She strikes the right balance between addressing humans' shortcomings and addressing the positive and negative qualities of animals. Authoritative, with intelligent discourse on nature, zoology, animal and human behavior, and religious teachings, this book is a great addition to your library as you search for higher meaning.

Diana Guerror brings us a lovely introduction to many of the ways in which animals can heighten our awareness of our own caring, moral, healing and spiritual qualities. She illustrates these through specific animal examples:

Loyalty - dogs
Playfulness - otters
Power - bears
Heart - lions
Survival - wolves
Vision - eagles
Mind - dolphins
Wisdom - owls

This book is a good invitation to reflections on how we can be more mindful of many of these qualities in our lives, and how we can extend our investments in healing - ourselves and others - beyond our own species. It can serve as a good introduction to spiritual dimensions as well, particularly for those who might not be open yet to the broader dimensions of psychic animal and spirit communications.

I am a Scientologist, so don't expect this to be a bad review :-) Instead, let me tell you why I think this book is important, not only for Scientologists. First of all it will help to correct a lot of false information that has been spread about Scientology. A small number of people try to keep the old lies about this religious philosophy alive. If they could have it their way, it would be enough to label someone as a "Scientologist" and that would justify the denial of basic rights to that person - without considering who the individual is or what he actually does. This book tells the truth about Scientology and uncovers the lies. If you like witch-hunts then skip this book. But if you honestly wish to have a better understanding of a Scientologist or the subject itself - this is the best book you can get! And it may be a very pleasant surprise to find out the truth about it. This is an entirely revised edition of a book published already many years ago. It includes much broader information than the first edition and is therefore the preferred reading. It starts with a history of philosophy and religion and what happened to these subjects at the end of the 19th century. That knowledge makes it possible to understand why Scientology is not greeted with enthusiasm by a few followers of materialistic beliefs. If you ever thought that you are more than a compound of chemicals and that your dreams and ambitions reach quite a bit further than the ones of your pet, you may be extremely interested to read the first part of the book. You will learn that the concept that man is just some sort of animal is very young and that it has failed to bring truly helpful answers for our world. Instead it has been abused to derive the intellectual justifications for the murderers commited by Hitler, Stalin and other criminals of the 20th century. The idea, however, that man is a spirit or a soul is the traditional idea which has been held true over thousands of years by most major religions and philosophies. It is in that light and tradition that you will have to see Scientology in order to really understand it. The book goes on with detailed descriptions of all the important aspects of Scientology. This includes social activities in the fields of education, drug and criminal rehabilitation programs and more. If you read this you will understand why Scientologists think that their answers should be known broadly. Furthermore you find sections in this book that answer all questions, critical ones included, from the viewpoint of Scientology. If you want to know what it is all about, there is just no better book. I have been a Scientologist for 20 years. But when I started reading some parts of that book, I sometimes felt like I was being introduced to a new subject! This book really covers a LOT! Having said that, let me point out that much of the material in the book is also available on-line at this link: http://www.scientology.org/home.html

I, myself am Jewish and my Husband is Christian. We both read this book and found it very interesting. Just by reading it, we both were able to analyze our lives and make changes. It is a great handbook to have when one has a dilema or would like a little push. I love the question and answer section. We are not the type of people that will judge a religion by what others say. We like to look into it, learn about it and research. So far, we have both learned that this is not a cult but a way of positive living. It's just like going to alcoholic anonymous or a therapist. People go for help, We both believe that there is nothing wrong with that. Who are we to judge? After 22 years of marriage, this is the first time we both agree with a philosophy. We like the way Scientology works things. Yes, I admit, none of us out there like to let go of our money. I know I, myself pay a membership fee to my Temple. My husband donates 10% of his paycheck to his church. And I ask myself why? Why do we need to pay to worship God? I never understood that. I did find out that you pay to take self improvement classes in Scientology. It makes sense. One has to pay for the books only. Not for the help you get from the people that are there. Doesn't this make more sense? It does to me. Whatever the case, everyone lives life the way they choose to live. I'll always be a Jew and my husband will always be a Christian. We don't judge. We don't live life based on what others say or do. We do for ourselves. If I had to do it again, I would buy the book again. We are now reading Dianetics! God bless you all.

I have been practicing Scientology for 15 years, and have found that this book is a faithful representation of what Scientology is all about.

The book covers all aspects of the religion - from religious services, classes, perspectives on man, the mind, and the spirit, counseling (auditing), volunteer activities of church members, statistical information on members, what to expect in a church.

The book has a sturdy binding, and we've had ours for over a decade - it's been used often, and is still in good shape. It's got tons of pictures, including a fascinating section on the background of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking into Scientology.

"What is Scientology" is the book that will let YOU decide what it's all about. That's what I did many years ago and it has helped me become a more successful, prosperous and happy person! I know full well about all the recent publicity surrounding this philosophy but it is about making this world a better place to live and as you know, we could use that at this particular time in history. Enjoy satisfying your own curiosity, read this book and pass it along. You won't be sorry.

I purchased this book because I am interested in learning about ideas espoused by various religions. I was shocked to see that the original price was nearly $100.00 - that is, until I received it. This book is an amazing piece of art! I cannot even imagine the time involved in creating it.

This book contains everything you'd ever want to know about scientology, along with an extremely thorough review of just who L. Ron Hubbard is, and how he came to believe in the processes he calls "scientology".

Having read this book, I now realize how wrong many people are in what they think scientology is... One thing I now know for sure is that this is not some form of cult, seeking to destroy its members individuality. It's quite the opposite.

It appears to me that scientology is a form of personal psychology and spirituality. In fact, I think the tenets could be used side by side with other religious beliefs (it doesn't appear to be all or nothing - that if you believe in scientology, you can't believe in christian/jewish/muslim etc... ideas). Instead, the principles can work in conjunction with various other beliefs. The main premise is to bring the individual to a point where they understand who they are, what they are here for, and how they can help themselves and others with the difficulties we all encounter. It appears to place one on a spritual search - to find the answers that feel right to him/her. Instead of just believing whatever you are told, you are asked to seek within yourself.

If you are just wondering what scientology is all about (as I was), or if you are already involved with it, this book can be quite valuable. The pictures included are amazing, and the information is complete. For the bargain price above, you just can't beat it!

I have not even read half of this book yet, and I can already say that it has helped me change my self and my life. It has such insight and wisdom in it - I can't say enough about how wonderful it is. I have been working on the issues in this book for around twenty years, and I only wish I had bought it twenty years ago. If you are dealing with any of the problems this book is about (and if you are human, you probably are to some degree), do yourself a favor and get this book!

In beginning to read the orientation, it turned me off completely when it began with the fear of females. It's so overdone. But hasn't been tackled is the fear of men who have a completely different style when they meet fear, and often become aggressive because of it. Is there any more insulting rejection to a women than hearing, "there are plenty of more fish in the sea?" This proves not only the lack of integrity of the presumed lover but also the lack of mature perspective in appreciating the fact of one so committed and enamored. Just as men prefer to be the "one and only," so also women expect to be the "one and only." The fear of being alone doesn't necessarily produce the anxiety of feeling excluded if the flaws are seen in those who exhibit them, and operate more as malice than rejection. There is a huge difference. Faced with love that is generated within, and not because of trophyism and a misperception of external comfort may be frightening to men because it makes them dependent on the emotional consistency of that secure feeling, and delight in its glory. Fear of loss inevitably follows. But mature love accepts loss graciously in knowing that if love is not reciprocal within the range of adequacy deemed honorable and pure, generated from inside not outside, the result of well considered contemplation of strengths as well as weaknesses, flaws as well as perfections, the result hopefully of a really long and committed second, third or fourth look. Most of the rest is merely the passing of time for lifestyle comfort, and always subject to a tenuous existence, focusing upon quantity not quality of the relationship. It is the reason women wait, and it is the reason men refrain from being steered to other momentary pleasures. Isn't all real love like that?

Having first read Richo's "How to be an Adult," calling When Love Meets Fear: How to Become Defense-Less and Resource-Full his "best book" is quite a statement. The former is a wonderful and life changing tome that teaches the keys to meaningful relationships with others.

When Love Meets Fear builds on that message with a book expressly on the subject of fear. The root of anger, frustration and stonewalling in relationships, understanding and accepting our fear is our greatest journey in life.

One caution: This book takes many sittings to read properly. I was able to read only a few pages then I needed to put the book down and spend a day or two thinking about what I had just read. Almost like magic, I found myself time and again reading just the few pages I most needed to hear as I worked my way through.

This book simply explains the key to happiness. It is to let go of our fears, which is at the root of unhappiness, hate, aggression, apathy, and everything negative in the world. Once we are able to do that, we can open our hearts and embrace each other with love, respect, empathy, hope and forgiveness. It is a simple idea but something very difficult to do because our fears run very very deep within us all. Once we are able to do this to some extent, we try to help others do the same. It is simply the mission of all of our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. When you think about it, nothing else really matters as much. This is what this book tries to help us understand. It is a wonderful message! In another excellent book called "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato, the author explains how this works in relation to human development and evolution. It shows us how we consciously begin living this life when we are naturally ready for it. These books are absolutely exquisite!

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I have tried a lot of self-help techniques but the ones contained in this book are unlike any I've encountered.

The biggest lesson I got out of this book is that so many of our problems nowadays occur because we had painful experiences earlier in life but instead of facing them and accepting the ramifications - we chose to lie to ourselves instead. Richo explains the most common lies: life is just, suffering is avoidable, things don't change, etc.

I understand from this book that it is much better to just experience those original painful feelings instead of spending your life overanalyzing every minute of every day trying to make the world something it is not.

I loved this book. It spoke to me in ways that I cannot describe. It is so simple, and yet, so profound. Valerie and Russ tell of a simple journey where love is the key in all aspects of life and the message is so clear. So similar to the writings of Neale Donald Walsh, Dan Millman, and Shakti Gawain. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Enjoy the way that the truth of love can serve you.

I'd already read a lot about spiritual awareness but reading Tahkamenon's words caressed me and caused a profound shift in my own spiritual vibration. I felt a powerful and personal spiritual connection with Tahkamenon that I still don't fully understand. I feel I've shifted slightly to another dimension--one that I feel will be more fulfilling in my life's journey and will allow me to become better at discerning messages from Spirit. I'd recommend this book to everyone who is on a quest for inspiration. Tahkamenon's poetic words are filled with divine wonder and knowledge--words you'll want to savor with your heart and your spirit. Anyone who has read and felt the magic in the "Conversations With God" books by N. D. Walsch will probably also be moved by "Whispers from Our Soul." I read the last pages longing for more and I anxiously and hopefully look forward to hearing more from Tahkamenon. Until then, I'll be re-reading "Whispers from Our Soul."

Whispers from our Soul whispers gently into your heart to remind you of the love that is always there. The story of how the book came to be is magical in itself and was a pure delight to read. Valerie's candor, emotion and joy touched me deeply. The words from Takhemenon flowed with such love through Valerie and Russ so that those of us who read the book can be the beneficiary of those same gifts. Thank you, Valerie and Russ, for your courage to share your deepest selves and Takhemenon with our world.

What I appreciate so much about this book is the fact that the authors never reckoned on their life altering journey. It is one thing to pursue a metaphysical path, to consciously develop one's psychic abilities, to take a class in channeling, or to read books about other people's outlandish experiences in order to hopefully have them yourself. But for these two unsuspecting business executives joined by telephone, both with families and living in different states, it was quite another story. Neither of them had any prior interest in the above mentioned areas of psychic development and were sceptical to say the least. It is amusing as well as deeply moving to read Russell Reed's and Valerie Wilkinson's magnificent account of how they came into contact with a powerfully loving and poetic spiritual presence without even desiring it. In fact, it could have almost ruined their fairly predictable and clearly down-to-earth lives. How did they finally come to terms with this mind-boggling new reality that wouldn't go away? Why did this have to happen to them? Russell and Valerie do a wonderful job of answering questions like these with humor as well as deep respect. Beyond the amusement and fascination is the terrific force of love which emanates from their mysterious guide, Tahkamenon. For me, just picking up the book and holding it seemed to transfer an indescribable compassion into my heart. The energy of this story will reach deeply into the reader's psyche and soul without the slightest effort. I cried and laughed my way through this totally believable tale.

Valerie Wilkinson and Russell Reed, friends and business associates, never intended to write a book. But the messages they received from an entity named Tahkamenon made it impossible not to. Whispers From Our Soul: The Voice Of Tahkamenon is both an account of Tahkamenon's very powerful message, and the effects it had on the authors.

Wilkinson, a CPA, is the president of a multi-million dollar health care company. Her job often requires political lobbying. Reed is also firmly grounded in the business world, currently operating his own successful consulting business. Tahkamenon contacted him while he was still a child. After Wilkinson told Reed about a "visit" from her recently-deceased father-in-law, he confided in her about Tahkamenon. Shortly after that, Tahkamenon established contact with Wilkinson.

Reed "hears" Tahkamenon, while Wilkinson is inspired to record his messages in the written word.

Tahkamenon brings a message of universal love and hope. His words are exceptionally lyrical and filled with the beauty of unfaltering love. He advises humans to tear down the "walls [of] color, race, religion, origin, and sex." To those with questions, he says "truth is eternal. Your soul is divine. The answers are within you if only you will allow yourself enough peace to hear the melody, to flow within the rhythm, to find comfort in the words."

Wilkinson concludes with the insight that "the world does not constrain you. Your walls do not constrain you. Only your fear can withhold you and then only with your permission and lack of faith."

Whispers From Our Soul is for all those seeking the "courage to act in accordance with your heart." Truth, beauty, light, divinity, and love are "all at your disposal if only you choose to reconnect with your soul." Through Wilkinson and Reed, Tahkamenon tells us in a beautiful and loving way how to find courage and make our reconnections.

Sandra I. Smith

I found this book very nicely organized and the Self Test very useful indeed. However, I wonder why there is not even a mention of Taoism, the ancient spiritual path of China, and the basis of the increasingly popular form of "soft" martial art, Tai Chi Chuan. Some may argue that Taoism is more a philosophy, not a "religion" per se, but in some sense neither is Buddhism. Maybe the third edition could correct this omission? Otherwise, A-plus!

This fascinating book is quite different than any other book that I have ever read. It starts out with a simple test that looks at your "Spiritual Identity." It allows you to question what you believe, as opposed to simply what religious group you belong to. After that, the book launches into a wide reaching description of many spiritual traditions. Hinduism and Buddhism are covered, as is Judaism. After that, the various Christian traditions are covered, as is Unitarianism.

Now, does the above description sound like this book is "all over the road?" Well, it really isn't. The whole idea of the book is to question your spirituality, and look at other traditions. Overall, I found this to be a fascinating and quite eye-opening read. Even if you are not a seeker, looking for something new, you will enjoy this profound look at spirituality, and will feel your mind truly exercised. I highly recommend this book.

I thought I knew where I was spiritually, and read this book mostly out of curiosity. The Spirituality Type test proved to be right on and helped me to understand my spiritual path. The surprises came in the spiritual traditions sections. Hinduism? Really? Me? Well, I'm sure looking into it. I also discovered Creation Spirituality, and intend to read more.

This book is so exciting and encouraging. It is my gate way to approaching the altar fully myself, with no compromises. Even if I'm alone, I can be fullfilled. This book really helps.

I love this unusual book. I bring it out whenever friends come over; it is a great conversation starter. I've taken the Spiritual Identity Self-Test several times myself, and it never fails to amaze me how interesting my results are. You'll like what happens when you get talking with others around this book!

This book is amazing and wonderful. A pretty simple, straight forward, set of tests with some great resources for continued study. I really thought I new where I was spiritually, and I read this book out of curiousity. I found out some things that made my spiritual journey not seem so disjointed but actually makes sense. I found out about Hinduism and Creation Spirituality. Not what I expected, but facinating.

I agree with the other reviewers who wrote that this book is not revolutionary in its thought; but I think that's the point. Br. Raub is reiterating the words and messages of Christ in an up-to-date and easy-to-understand (and apply) way. I have used its lessons for more than 10 years, have recommended this book to so many people, and am in the process of buying yet another copy to pass along.
In response to the reviewer who felt inundated with its messages, I want to suggest that I found this book much more helpful when I read a few sections and spent time (anywhere from an hour to a month!) considering them before proceeding; rather than reading it straight through.
To anyone who's considering this book, I'd like to say: BUY IT, READ IT, CONSIDER IT ~ you won't be sorry.

This is trully a remarkable book. While reading this book everything within me wanted to give the author lectures and quote verse and authority to him. But he won me over to feel that one should give substantial weight to his position in balancing one's own position. While I was not bowled over by the genius and brilliance of a Merton, or seduced by Mertons gift with language, I felt that the Holy spirit might just have offered a little input to this work, as I am certain he did with much of Merton's work as well, but a true humility seems to shine through all the while presenting something that seems to shake our roots, though often those roots are little more than the church's equivalent of old wifes tales.

Great book. Went to Gethsemene to meet him! Thomas Merton would be proud. Like "Silence on Fire" by Wiliam Shannon, the editor of the Thomas Merton papers. Hope the word gets out!

Getting rid of fear and guilt is not an easy task and one must ask for the grace of letting go and letting be.

We are who we are, human, imperfect and full of guilt about our imperfections. Letting go is the only way to fulfill our humanness. Its okay, all is right with the world, there is no need to pretend to be other than who we were created to become.

We have become laden with heaviness with our "sins" we are unable to accept ourselves and our growth. No one is born perfect and no one will die perfect.

Christ came to lead us to the Father and became human to show us the "way". The "way" to God the Father, the "way" to our heart, the "way" to love and be loved. Christ took upon himself our burdens, our hopes, our dreams our very selves to show us the "way" to peace, joy and love.

John Jacob Raub draws an excellent portrayal of our human dilemma and encourages us to acknowledge our guilt and fear and move on with our lives.

Growth is the only evidence of life. Let us walk tenderly with our God and may God be merciful throughout our journey with Him.

Other books for your consideration with my book reviews:

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ (Library of Spiritual Classics, Volume 2) Jesus is the way and the truth.

Therese Simplicity is the key to God's inner life.

Amazing Grace From one pilgrim to another thank you for journeying.

amazing ideas laid out in a logical, easy to understand format. not a really religious type book (although it is based upon Christian ideals), its more spiritual........ it's a bit wordy (i was saying "i get it, i get it", by 3/4 the way through) but truely some revolutionary thoughts that inspired me in an eye opening way......a must read for anybody questioning their spirituality or looking for more answers.