General Practice Books

Great read! Common sense approach to application of biblical guidance in that toughest of jobs - - being a modern-day parent.

I loved this book ! I find Cheryl Dickow incredibly insightful and very gifted.

Raising Christian Children in a Secular World is a gentle and inspiring guidebook to being a good parent.

An excellent book, I highly recommend this book to all new parents!

Infact I was so impressed, I plan on buying several as gifts!

I was given this book as a present so I want to recommend it in the highest form as a gift for new parents! Start them off on the right path so that some of the pits and falls that come with raising children will be hopefully a little easier. So, first I recommend buying this book for yourself. Second I recommend as a present for all the parents you know! I love her books! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Cheryl Dickow's book provides many insightful and supportive tips to parents who feel challenged by the conflicting values of our secular world. Many bible passages are included to provide inspiration and biblically based principles to encourage and uplift those of us involved in the task of parenting. This book can be read and reflected upon many times. It is a JEWEL!

Being a parent in this day and age can be difficult when your values don't mirror those of society. There are times when it would just be much easier to "give in" -- after all, if so many people think the trappings of society are right, why beat your head against the wall? Parents are under a lot of pressure, sometimes even from their own spouses, to let little things slide, but those little things add up to big ones in a hurry!
Cheryl's book offers the inspiration we parents need to "stick to our guns" and keep on reinforcing the values that we know are important in the long run, in our children's lives. Her references to scripture add even more "authority" and proof that raising Christian children is a right and good aspiration! I recommend it highly!

This book is a Buddhist western woman's dream. Ani Tenzin Palmo has the ability to transcend Tibetan Buddhism's cultural differences and bring them into clarity for us right here and now. It is funny while being drop-dead serious, and very informative.

Venerable Tenzin Palmo describes in a very clear prose the benefits of meditation, its difficulties, how to overcome them, and extend this practice to our daily life. It is a book to be read more than once, and a must for those in quest of enlightment.

Reflections on a Mountain Lake is composed of Tenzin Palmo's talks to audiences of Western lay people and Buddhist nuns and monks. The talks cover a whole range of subjects on Buddhist teachings, practices and spiritual life. Reading her words of openness, warmth and fluidity, I felt as if I was with her in the audience. She begins with the story of her twelve-year retreat in a cave in the Himalayan mountains, and the words that fill the books seem to flow from that deep place of concentrated practice.

The book is lively, intelligent, practical and straightforward. Each chapter end with questions from the audience, such as: Where do thoughts arise from? Is it a good idea to take political action to right social evils? What's the process of making amends if you have acted unethically at some stage in your life? What happens if you don't keep your commitments?

One of her consistent messages is to keep it simple. She advises people not to be overcome by ambition to do more, or get more initiations and teachings. Tenzin Palmo has gained many insights and much wisdom from her practice and commitment, as if she has dug a deep, deep well from which she can bring up what is clearly needed in each different situation with people.

We all start with an undisciplined mind, and Tenzin Palmo has many excellent examples of how to approach spiritual practices and what these practices are all about. The mind has to be relaxed yet alert, and needs to be tuned like an instrument, with the knowledge of how to return to a clear place. It is then we can be of benefit to other people.

Tenzin Palmo is an example of how women are re-establishing the lineage of yogic practice for women. She is developing a Buddhist retreat for nuns and making available the teachings of Drukpa Kargyu lineage, which has a strong tradition of fully ordained female practitioners. Because of Tenzin Palmo's work, in 1995 nuns debated publicly for the first time in Tibetan history. "There is nothing that women cannot accomplish and have not accomplished in the past. It is up to us to support them...it is time to appreciate the whole picture and bring the two sides together."

I enjoyed Reflections on a Mountain Lake because Tenzin Palmo is a storyteller. Like all great teachers, she uses her personal life and traditional stories to engage us in the teachings. It seems somehow easier for the mind to catch hold of profound ideas if they are told as myth and metaphor. And because she tells many personal stories - from her home life as a child, her searching as a young woman and her times with her guru - she becomes human and accessible, as well as an example of dedication.

If I were to be stranded on a deserted island and could have but one book along, it would be Reflections on a Mountain Lake. With her lifetime in spiritual pursuit, twelve years as a woman in male dominated Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and another twelve years alone in a cave in the Himalayas, Tenzin Palmo indeed has something to say. Our good fortune is that she is a talented orator and expresses herself with dazzling clarity and wit. Her persective on life (before, here and after) is deeply wise, casting welcome perspective on what It All is truly about. In the West we are proud of how many books we consume. In the East, the intense study of one magnificent book is revered. This is one such book.

This is a great book for Western Buddhists, especially useful as a loaner to friends seeking to understand Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana). It includes extensive Q&A; 8 photos, and a great number of quotable quotes. Ani Palmo (Ani is an honorific for a Buddhist nun) is VERY down-to-earth and realistic and relates a considerable about of advice and commentary from her Lama. She points out that Tibetan mythological themes should not be taken literally-even Tibetan teachers indicate this. For example:
pp. 61-2: "Shantideva says, `Who made the red-hot iron floors? All this is a projection of the personal mind.' Even if we don't believe in the physical reality of the hell realms, we can definitely believe that a mind filled with anger, which loves harming others and takes pleasure in cruelty, could easily project a paranoid environment for itself...the content of our inner mind is projected outward and becomes our entire reality." Furthermore, she invokes valid psychological principles such as: p. 67: "Those who deny the shadow are in a very insecure and precarious position...It is hard to develop true compassion when you are continuously blanking out all suffering from your own life." Also, Sociological principles: p. 81: "Today the West is making a significant contribution to the way the Dharma is presented. Every time the Buddhadharma travels to a new country, that country gives it something of itself."

Ani Palmo, in a highly readable and understandable style, provides pithy advice to practitioners: p. 93: "We need to dissolve the boundary between the subject and the object. In other words, we need to become the meditation" & p. 102: "Worldly desires are like salty water. The more you drink, the thirstier you get...The problem is the way we cling to things" & p. 141: "Our problem is that we believe our mind and identify with it." She also provides logical explanations for many Vajrayana practices: p. 95: "intricate visualizations of mandalas...totally occupy the mind so that there is no room for distraction." She provides considerable, pragmatic material on relationships between Vajrayana and Western religions: p. 96: "All true religions seek to gain access to that level of consciousness which is not ego-bound. In Buddhism it is called the unconditional, the unborn, the deathless. You can call it anything you like. You can call it atman. You can call it anatman. You can call it God." She also provides a number of intriguing teaching stories such as p. 103: monkeys captured by refusing to let go of a sweet--: "If you want to hold water, you have to hold it with cupped hands. If you make a tight fist, it runs away" and of a king unattached to his palace with a guru attached to his gourd. She also observes that the movie "Groundhog Day" can be interpreted as a Buddhist film about reincarnation and karma.

And, best of all, Ani Palmo provides quotes which defuse misconceptions concerning Buddhist doctrines: p. 156: "The Buddha said, `I too use conceptualization, but I am no longer fooled by it."
pp. 159-160: "Difficult Points for Westerners" chapter: "The Buddha replied, `do not take anything on trust merely because it has passed down through tradition, or because your teachers say it, or because your elders have taught you, or because it's written in some famous scripture. When you have seen it and experienced it for yourself to be right and true, then you can accept it.'" However, the one criticism might be that she fails to apply this regarding: p. 238: Eastern images & p. 241: Tibetan lineages.
p. 166: "According to the Buddhadharma, the most important component of any action of body, speech, or mind is intention."
p. 168: when asked about hell, her "Lama just laughed and said, `Oh well, we talk that way in order to frighten people into being good. Actually, it is very difficult to be reborn in hell. You have to be especially evil, and particularly, very cruel.'"
p. 169: "My Lama once said, `Not everything you read in the sutras is true. You don't have to believe everything you read.' ... The Tibetans took from that huge ocean a few drops of this and a few drops of that and put it together into a mixture which was helpful for Tibetans. Much of it is relevant for the rest of us as well. The ways they present the Dharma is wonderful. But there is no doubt that certain aspects, although helpful for them, are not very helpful for us. We can leave those aside." Higher teachings often contradict lower teachings and not everything is appropriate for everybody.
p. 191: "Some Tibetans say it's almost impossible to realize the nature of the mind without a teacher. I don't think that's true. Some people do realize the nature of mind spontaneously without a teacher. But a good teacher helps."

She also provides valuable observations and techniques on Vajrayana practices: pp. 179-180: in utilizing tonglen - "black pearl-like seed of self-cherishing at our heart center...sometimes instead of a black pearl...we can visualize a crystal Vajra which represents our innate Dharmakaya mind. The dark light absorbs into this and is instantly transformed into radiance, since no darkness exists within the pristine nature of the mind." p. 235: "My Lama always said to me, `Don't undertake big commitments. Keep your practice very small and simple, but do it.' ... I have always been very clear with lamas when it comes to initiations. Sorry, I am not keeping this commitment. I say this before taking the initiation, then they can decide whether or not it's okay for me to take it. Usually, they say its okay."

Dr. Armstrong has produced a document vital to the safeguarding of personal dignity in today's world. In language accessible by anyone reading the book, she dissects complex legal matters and lays them out in plain view for all to understand. This book should be required reading for all people tasked with ensuring our personal rights within the framework of our various legal systems. It should also be recommended reading for anyone when the natural course of life puts them in a position of reliance on the ethics and goodwill of others...even those 'nearest and dearest' to them. When we are vulnerable... that's when we need help. This book gives us the ammunition to help ourselves. Everyone intends to survive the journey to the retirement years; this book exposes some of the ambushes that others have found there and lays out steps each of us should take to avoid those ambushes. As proof that fact can be scarier than fiction, this book will curl your hair quicker than anything King has ever put on paper.

If you are elderly, or even think you may someday become so... then...you need to read this book and keep it close at hand as one of your most valuable reference sources. Dr Armstrong draws on her tragic family experiences with involuntary guardianship litigation and combines that with excellent and scholarly research, to produce a book containing historical background, the law, a broad range of case studies covering most aspects of the subject, and many answers/recommendations concerning this potential problem that we might all someday face. The appendices covering the various state laws and hundreds of resources for the elderly, are alone worth the cost of admission! I found the book to be alarmingly informative and I feel much more knowledgeable and secure now that it is sitting on my research shelf.

This is a must read book about the truth of the rampant fraud and abuse of conservators and guardians. While this author writes about family members trying to get "Granny's dough", she does touch on another perverse type of guardian, that is a "court appointed" guardian. In Florida, and in many other states, they only require a high school education and a 40 hour course. But whether educated or not, from the lawyers/guardians in the recent New York case, to the high-school educated sociopaths here in Pinellas County, Florida, they are getting away with fraud and abuse.
To avoid a guardianship in the State of Florida should be of paramount importance. Find out how to protect yourself and your loved ones with alternatives: health care surrogate, durable power of attorney, mediation and more. Consider that if you leave your parents to fend for themselves, and ignore the deterioration associated with aging, a guardian can gain a guardianship over them and their assets, without informing you. That guardianship will nullify the most meticulous of plans. To really cover your aging parents, make sure they create a "Pre-need" guardianship and name someone they trust, this is the only way predators in the retirement homes will not be able to force guardianship on them. Also create an irrevocable trust.

Retirement Nightmare isn't your typical retirement guide on how to save up enough money or make investments: its focus is on how to protect yourself from heirs, and chapters survey involuntary conservatorship and guardianships with an eye to revealing how incapacitated seniors fall victim to the statutes designed to help them in their old age. Advance planning is recommended as the key to avoiding situations such as the author's own experience and those described in courtroom cases.

As a lawyer, I found this book to be a tour de force compendium of the guardian and conservatorship laws in our country. For both lay readers and lawyers, it is an invaluable reference tool - comprehensive and clearly written. Full of actual stories of actual individuals, it also makes for eye-opening human interest drama.

This is a no nonsense book of some very devious people who were outlaws in morotcycle gangs serving self and their evil ways selling drugs, getting high, beating up people and just being real bad keeping up with the outlaw biker image. You'll learn of the gang initiations and the brutal nature of the biker gang if you upset them. Most were filled with an angry rage ready to unleash at any moment of provocation, which they did so frequently. Jail, prison, theft, hatred is just some of the personal anguish they experienced. Suddenly, these hard-core bikers come to an end point of total frustration and failure, even sickness and are saved by God, Jesus Christ, and tell about their rotten lives without God and how wonderful life is with the Lord. These men and women (and the girls were tough bikers, too) tell it all in a personal interview format. This is no small book and the cover and paper is of high gloss quality. If you want to know about bad people living in a bad life then this book can bring you face to face with these outlaw bikers who are now living for the Lord and are happy tell you their story! There are dozens of motorcycle pictures in this book with photos of the gang members and 263 pages of very interesting true crime reading. There are pages that reveal cruel tortures, so it's not a book for children. These are true stories by those who have commited crimes while operating inside the dark world of the outlaw biker lifestyle.

Remsberg's powerful and intimate photographs imbue his subjects with a dignity too often missing from studies of people living at the margins of society. Though Riders for God is worth the price for the photos alone (the Blessing of the Bikes is brilliant), it is much more than an art book. Remsberg elicits from his subjects the startling truths that belie the easy stereotypes conjured by the notion of Christian bikers. I found the powerful stories of redemption gripping and utterly unexpected. Rather than masking or exploiting their interior lives, Remsberg's photographs reveal. Remsberg's patience and gently prodding curiosity make him a wonderful guide connecting the reader with people generally regarded as marginal or simple. While he remains an outsider to the gang, he clearly gains their respect along with their candor.

This finely crafted book offers a fascinating look at a world that is doubly obscure: the mind-set and lifestyle of outlaw bikers and the world of religious extremists. Remsberg's photos are mesmerizing. And his text, which reveals these unique bikers in their own words, is equally compelling. Anyone with curiosity about human nature will be engrossed from the first page on.

This book takes an uncompromising view of people who simultaneously live at two extremes of society--the wildly liberal, almost anarchistic side, and the deeply religious. The photography is stunning in its ability to cut through what I would normally notice about a man or woman decked in leathers on a motorcycle--features such as hands (particularly hands,) faces, postures, etc. are brought to the surface by this talented documentary photographer. This is a book which will surprise and absorb anyone who pulls it off the shelf in your home.

This book gives a new perspective on the inner lives of motorcycle gangs and bikers. Excellent photographs coupled with first-person interviews give the reader an in-depth view of bikers who have given up the violent life for a shot at spiritual redemption. Remsberg talks to all kinds of 'scary' people and shows us their humanity. A great read.

This beautifully illustrated book is what every person who knows how to pray the rosary or would like to learn needs. The text is wonderfully written with explainations of prayers and Christian timelines in history that offer insight into these prayers. The illustrations are and added bonus and inpsire the reader to really focus on the prayers they are saying. This is a book that should be shared with friends, who like yourself may need refreshment of prayer or first time teaching of how to pray the rosary. As Catholics it is assumed that we were taught this in school, but if you are around 50 years old you may not have learned how to pray the rosary like I did not. This book will be of great value to you for a lifetime.

This book is a beautifully done work explaining a completely beautiful prayer. It will help a beginner to more fully understand and someone who has been saying the Rosary for years to grow in their understanding and appreciation for this wonderful form of prayer.

I bought this book for my daughter who is away at college.
It is also in our Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Peter in Geneva.
I have seen many people reading it during their prayer time in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It has a complete list of references for each Mystery of the Rosary. For example, a scripture passage from the Gospel of Mark is printed for the Fourth Luminous Mystery, the Transfiguration. The chapter and verse where this same passage can be found in the Gospels of Luke and John are also noted. At the back of the book there is also a good list of Marian Organizations with their addresses and websites, a detailed bibliography and an index.

Doyle's latest book is a basic presentation on the rosary for beginners and also a rich resource for those who have a little and a lot of experience and knowledge of this prayer form. She opens with a history of the rosary, an explanation of the individual prayers, and an overview of the mysteries. It is here that she invites readers to consider the scriptural basis of the mysteries, suggesting a variety of ways they may be tied to church teaching and everyday life. She also suggests alternatives to saying the rosary daily when our prayer time is limited.

The rosary, Doyle shows us, is a many-faceted devotion that shapes and is shaped by our changing life circumstances. She uses the joyful mysteries as an example. As a child, she saw them as a sequential story from Jesus' conception to age 12. As a young mother, she identified more with Mary as a role model. Later in life her focus when reciting these mysteries shifted toward the revelation of God through the person of Jesus.

The core of the book consists of a complete rosary for each of the four mystery groups: joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious. For each mystery, Doyle provides the relevant scripture passage and her own reflection. All mysteries are accompanied by annotated scans of a rosary to aid beginners and enriched with unique full-page illustrations depicting the theme. The final section contains more prayers and basic teaching tools, lists of Marian organizations, a glossary, bibliography, and index.

This was the best book I have ever read! Mary Doyle is a wonderful author, and this book is a must for all Catholic households, and a must for anyone who enjoys a good read! The illustrations were also just to die for

Don't be misled by the simplicity of the story -- the message is very wise, very much Higher Self. Recommended for all ages.

Excellent! Everyone of all ages needs to read this work. It really helps to understand the Law of Attraction in terms you REALLY understand and can start using in your life.

All 3 books of Sara are great. They show how to deal with things happening in everyone's life. I and my friends could feel every emotion experienced by Sara, it seems like the book is about each of us. Thanks Abraham and the authors!

The Sara series by Esther & Jerry Hicks is a must read for children and adults alike who want to attract everything that they want in their lives! I thoroughly enjoyed this set of 3 books and want my grandchildren to read them!

I bought all 3 books and CD's of Sara for my 4-year old daughter. Sometimes I am not sure who loves them more... :-)
We listen to it together while driving places and sometimes she just puts on her Headphones and listens alone. We also read 1-2 chapters a night and she loves the stories!!!
Although she is just 4, she is getting it- always says "remember what Sara says?" and then she quotes Sara for a specific situation.
Amazing...I wish I'd hd this when I was growing up- life would have been less of a surprise!

Although this book was short in length, it was long in content. The seldom addressed theory of systems was easy to understand. The author takes such seemingly unrelated analyses of golf and symphony orchestras to demonstrate the wholeness of systems theory. The first half of the book was jam-packed with management concepts and ideas that evolved from the theories of the late W. Edwards Deming. The second half was comprised of actual examples of these theories in successful practice. Overall, this was a marvelous learning book.

Dr. Baker's book is an excellent contribution to the Deming legacy of systems thinking. Our mental shift from mechanistic to social, interactive concepts is well served in "Scoring a Whole in One". I strongly recommend that educators as well as managers in business take this book seriously. Systems thinking is essential to re-thinking education. Dr. Baker adds substantially to this task.

Dr. Baker has given us an excellent reflection on the theoretical and practical aspects of systems thinking. Drawing us from a strictly mechanistic view of organizations, he leads us to a deeper understanding of the social, interactive organization, and the differences such thinking will have on our managerial actions. Second, this is an important book for educators. If we are to reform education, we must do so by return ing to a theoretical basis for ensuing dialog. Dr. Baker offers us an invaluable contribution in this task.

Dr. Baker has managed to create a very portable and accessible volume that gets to the heart of management theory. It is no secret that the issues associated with managing the modern enterprise have multiplied in complexity in recent times. Dr. Baker's experience in consulting and with Ford comes through in relevant examples. His examples of short sighted decisions and their impacts will feel familiar to many. The power of the book comes in the discussion of how such problems occur, the theory of how to solve them, and practical solution tools to use. This level of completeness sets this book apart. Dr. Baker's theories on management and systems are aligned with those of the late Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Dr. Baker condenses concepts which have troubled many in Dr. Deming's books into easily readable and practical format. Particularly for those intimidated by Senge's "The Fifth Discipline", Wheatley's "Leadership and the New Science" or Deming's "Out of the Crisis". Scoring a Whole in One is a great place to start.

Like much of the writing of the author's mentor, Dr. W. E. Deming, this book is deceptively simple and straightforward, but contains some basic principles of leadership that have profound implications for the management of any enterprise.

Before proceeding, I have to reveal my bias. I have to good fortune to be friend of the author. Dr. Ed Baler. He and I co-facilitated several Deming 4 day seminars and have kept in touch over the years. It is doubtful that there is much that Ed would say about the subject of Deming's teachings with which I would disagree. This book, however, clarifies and extends those teachings considerably.

A variety of metaphors are used to present the basic concept of systems thinking and the implications of these insights for managers. Of those used, I thought the illustrations using the metaphor of the symphony the most helpful. Ed continually points out that it is the coordination of the talent contained within the orchestra that produces the sound. The interactions of the players produces an effect over and above the sum of each's individual efforts.

It is this concept of interaction that I think is made particularly clear. Some people use the word interaction to mean inter-relationship, but in the sense used here (and by Deming), it means more than that. The interaction is an effect over and above the sum of the parts. This is an important distinction as this book points out clearly, because the interactions must then be considered in any attempt to manage the enterprise as a whole.

The first part of the book is given over to some clarification of the nature of systems generally. They operate over time, they are far-reaching, they are nested within other, larger, systems, and, as pointed out above, a system is more than simply a collection of parts. As someone once pointed out to me, if you divide a pile of sand (not a system) in half, you have two piles of sand. If you divide a cow in half, you are not left with two cows.

The book then draws out the implications of these principles of systems for the human enterprise that operates at the core of any organization. It is disheartening to hear some managers continue to divide organizations into `people problems' and `technical problems'. Surely we know by now that these are all people problems and the technical state of the art at any point in time is usually given.

There is, in Chapter II, a discussion of the interaction between the individual and the enterprise which is right on the money and shows clearly one of the major problems with any policy of pay raises or advances based on individual rating and ranking. Separating the contribution of the individual and the enterprise is virtually impossible. The authors description of the `Enterprise-in-the-Individual' shows clearly how the enterprise molds the activities of those who work in it, and the `Individual-in-the-Enterprise' shows the converse.

More than half the book is taken up with a fairly specific discussions of the requirements of leadership given the foregoing. There are some general points made such as the echoing of Deming's caution about managing by visible figures, and there are some very specific suggestions such as the Interactions Matrix and it's list of "do's and don'ts".

Finally there are some specific examples of enterprises that have operated to one extent or another with these some of the principles as a basis.

All in all, a book well worth reading not only for those who manage enterprises, but also for those who help them. It would be nice to see similar, companion pieces on some of the other aspects of Deming's teachings such as variation and his Theory of Knowledge.

Rarely have I read a book written in modern times about Islam that is so beautiful and truly delves into the matter that this book talks about. You need not to believe in everything Abou El Fadl believes in nor to even be Muslim to truly grasp the beauty of this book. This book is not a book about the nuances of Sharia or the arguments for or against a certain opinion but rather the author's heartfelt emotions that guide him through his life. After reading this book I promptly bought one myself.

A great change from all the other religious books. Great for anyone who is searching for beauty anywhere, anyhow.

For those unfamiliar with Isalm, Abou El Fadl cracks open the tradition. You can see Islamic reasoning at work as he compares sources, uses the ancient writers and parses out conclusions. Read especially his deconstruction of alleged authorizations for violence against women in Islam and his defense of the tradition of women scholars. You can also feel his anguish at how much of Islam has turned its back on reason and the core belief that God commands the just and beautiful in favor of a narrow-minded fundamentalism. Christians struggling to defend against Christian fundamentalism will find an ally here.

And, if you love books, you will rejoice in his loving invocation of the conference of books, the collected wisdom of centuries, that swirl around him each night as he studies. My only complaint is that I would wish to have had more of this book: more Islamic analysis of issues.

Abou El Fadl has been accused of being a `sympathizer' of terrorists by Pipes; reading this book will show the absurdity of that claim and how his opposition of extremism is woven into his entire world view.

i have fallen in love with Dr. Khaled's words and thoughts. please, please, please read this man's book and support him with all your might. he is the bright shiny light at the end of the tunnel for all Muslims who thrive on intellectual theological discussions.

5 billion stars for Dr. Khaled!!!

This is an exceptional collection of essays articulating a profound mixture of legal and spiritual inquiry. There are 2 ways to experience being human: male and female, and Khaled Abou el Fadl has a remarkable and attentive regard for the female experience. A main theme presented is the necessity for Muslims, especially now, to recollect and find ways to revive and express their legacy of beauty and refinement. This is a book that can be appreciated by thoughtful people of any faith perspective.

Editor Robert Durback has gleaned the best of Nouwen's writings and successfully linked them together in a meaningful sequence creating a chain of inspirational thought. Seldom has the work of an editor paralleled that of the writer, but when it happens the end product is better than the sum of its parts.

Durback has harvested every resource of Nouwen's spiritual essays, taking excerpts from books, magazine articles, and unpublished journals. They touch upon the human journey in a personal, intimate style; a style that has made Nouwen one of the most widely read spiritual writers of the past century. In this anthology his essays define hope and they definately communicate hope in an inspiring manner. I don't feel that Nouwen ever acquired the hope he was seeking, but his desire to capture it for himself, as well as for others, was a lifelong pilgrimage of his. In his search, he shared with his readers the struggle and the ideal of nearing perfection.

Compassion was one grace Nouwen was not lacking and could be found in every topic he wrote about, whether expressed implicitly or explicitly. Here's a sample:

"Compassion lies at the heart of our prayer for our fellow human beings. When I pray for the world, I become the world; when I pray for the endless needs of the millions, my soul expands and wants to embrace them all and bring them into the presence of God....In praying for others, I lose myself and become the other, only to be found by the divine love which holds the whole of humanity in a compassionate embrace."

The second edition includes a 50 page Memorial Tribute that tells of Nouwen's life as a person and as a writer. There's also a great 18 page bibliography.

If you are just getting started in your readings with Henri Nouwent this is a good place to start. This is a great books because it is like a greatest hits album. Just sample some of Nouwen's writings in this book and from there you can choose what you want to read next. I have been reading Nouwen's books for the past three years and I really enjoy his writings.

"Seeds of Hope" is an excellent introduction to the writings of this gifted man of God. The selections contained herein cover a range of related topics and each section is short enough to read in one brief sitting, yet substantive enough to provoke thought and discussion.

Nouwen was a man blessed with many talents: author, lecturer, intellectual. Yet, the gift that shines most clearly throughout his works is pastoral humility. He reminds the reader that thoughtful insight is valuable only if shared with graciousness and humor. Fortunately, most, if not all of his works remain in print. For those seeking an introduction to his inspirational writings, this is the book

I happened upon this book, and was blown away at it's relevance to personal questions and issues that I had been pondering. Nouwen's understanding of the ebbs and flows of our humanity and our need for relationship with God and his community is exceptional, as is his honesty about his own journey through suffering and personal pain. This is an excellent book for those wanting to experience a closer relationship with God in a practical and authentic way. The editor did an excellent job of choosing short excerpts from Nouwen's writings and journals to present a tasteful collection of inspirational reading, palettable for short periods of reading time.

If you need a spiritual uplift, a beacon of light in a sea of darkness, or just the warm voice of a friend on a lonely day, pick up "Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader" edited by Robert Durback. Henri Nouwen follows the age-old adage about writing, namely, "writing is simple: just take off your clothes." Henri Nouwen, like Jesus, exposes the wounds in his hands, his feet, and his side. He doesn't try to show you only the good stuff. He entrusts you with his fears, hopes, doubts, aspirations, failures and triumphs. Meanwhile, he is pointing away from himself, toward the Master, and also toward the ineffable being that is God.

I love Christina Baldwin's work and the way she is able to incorporate spirituality in writing and daily life without dictating a certain dogma. Her book is a wonderful boost to anyone's spiritual practice.

Christina Baldwin has written a masterful book on the importance and wisdom of spiritual practice and guidance...and of cultivating the ability to listen to our inner voices. This material is compact, precise, and powerful and is a magnificent addition to the library for any serious student of authentic, spiritual living. Plus, Ms. Baldwin is a superb storyteller, and weaves beautiful tales throughout the book that any reader can strongly relate to. This is,very simply, an outstanding book!

What I love about this book is that weeks later I can still remember Baldwin's seven whispers and have been able to incorporate them into my busy life. I know I should be doing a better job at whisper #2, "Move at the pace of guidance," but even at the pace I'm moving I find these lovely sayings and the essays that accompany them reside in my mind. Many times a day they float to the surface of my mind and help me stay connected to spirit all week long. This book lives on my bedside table and I read little paragraphs over and over. It's a great gift. I've bought half a dozen copies for people of different religious persuasions and they all like it as much as I do.

Christina Baldwin's "The Seven Whispers" has become a cornerstone text in my life. Rich with practical spiritual wisdom, Baldwin's stories and suggestions teach us how we might be more authentic people who can create a compassionate world. I've even started a Seven Whispers Study Circle so that friends and I can go deeper into each "whisper" and emerge the better for it. Thank you, Christina Baldwin!!!

After reading Christina Baldwin's Whispers several months ago, I find myself coming back to it on a regular basis. Comapnioned by her book I am integrating the seven truths, the whispers, into my daily practice. Of the seven, the most persistent whisper for me is "Move at the pace of guidance." I am discovering how to move through life at the cadence of my inner knowing, honoring my wisdom, my gifts, and those of others. Christina's book is gently powerful, inviting the reader into that space where we recognize the "voice that invites a dialogue only we can hear."
As a clergywoman I have recommended the book for small group study. As a counselor I refer clients to it regularly. And personally, I feel that the holy is whispering to me through Christina's words.