General Practice Books

Fantastic book which clearly elucidates the basic and vital information for Buddhist practitioners to benefit those who are dying or recently deceased as well as essential advice of Buddha concerning preparing our mind for death by practicing the Five Forces, accumlating virtue, abandonibg delusion and so forth. These practices are meant to be integrated into our daily lives as we practice Dharma so that when the time of death finally arrives we will be prepared.

This practice derives from the special presentation found in the Six Yogas of Naropa and this practice is derived from the lineage of these instuctions which passed through Je Tsongkapa, as Geshe Kelsang states in the book.

On a personal note, before, during and after my grandfather's death I was able to perform the included sadhanas, or prayers for the accomplishment of spiritual attainment, for him. I felt like I was repaying a small amount of the kindness he had shown me during the times when our lives overlapped. Also, my grandfather's death mirrored the process described in the book quite closely. That made me think!

I have read many books by this author, one of the greatest teachers to help people live a meaningful and pure life, as well as how to cross over with great merit, so we never have to come back to negativity as a result of bad karma.
Dying is a part of physical life, however Geshela's teachings go far beyond this fact, as the soul is eternal, and we ALL have to come to the realization that our motives and actions carry with us, even when we depart physical life. They just come right with us on the other side.

For a negative reviewer below, I shall share that Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's teachings are pure, with the motive to bring the teachings out of suffering that were taught by Buddha, in plain English that anyone can understand, so they can apply the teachings, and truly be free from suffering permanently in this life. The teachings have made an immeasurable difference in my life - suffering has vanished, and that was no small feat! I credit this to the teachings that have so eloquently been translated into English.

Other fantastic books by this author that I HIGHLY recommend are: "Universal Compassion" "Transform Your Life" "Joyful Path of Good Fortune" "The New Meditation Handbook"

They are all incredibly and immeasurably helpful for permanent benefit to all who wish to attain full awakening. HIGHLY Recommended!

An objective analysis of the Tibetan people clearly shows that they know about the process of death and what happens afterwards. They have it down to a "mind-science." Only a fool would not study this book if he had the opportunity. Because we can bank on one thing. Death is getting closer to us by the very second. It's a frightening and horrible thought, I know. But still it remains... And when I finish this review, I will be closer to death. So what do we do? ... If we are evil, we can think pragmatically about cheating God. The Tibetans believe in "powa", a technique of transferring one's conciousness into a pure land. A pure land is like heaven. Once there, we can choose our rebirth. We can choose our parents. Our family. Our place of human rebirth. If
we want a human rebirth. So there are an infinite number of possiblities once we reach a pure land. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
gives us instructions on how to do this. "Powa" is "transference
of counciousness." And most of you badly need this book! I badly need this book! I have this book. Buy this book! The
last half teaches us in the training of virtue. It is assumed that we want to make our transition in death easier. But what is really incredible is Gyatso's precise description of the death process and what happens afterwards. It's a map. Gyatso
is the best writer of Buddhism in the twentieth century. He is
simply a great man who has survived false accusations from the
henchmen of the Dali Lama. This book will make you steady and straight. You might find the visualiztion of powa extremely difficult at first. When ordering this book, also order "The
Medition Handbook" and "Joyful Path to Good Fortune" by the same author. Just do it. Just go ahead and do it.

After I read "Living Meaningfully....." I was even more thankful that I have this human life and I understand more fully what my responsibilities are in the world. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has written many books, and I have read almost all of them, but this is by far my favorite. Geshla brings the most difficult things for the western mind to comprehend right into our consciousness in a practical way. With clear and understandable language The Author takes us step by step through the process of death and rebirth and he then tells us how to live and die, both without the resounding fear that can grip us as we journey through samsara. To expound here on what the author reveals about the joy of life and how to find and maintain that joy would be unfair. You should read the book for yourself and like me, you may read it over and over again. At the end of the book are prayers to Avalokitesvara, The Bodhisattva of Compassion. You can sense His/Her presence when you recite the Avalokitesvara mantra. There is also a service for the dead and for those who are dying at the back of the book. Geshla couldn't have given the wonderful gift to the world at a more important time.

This book gives a very clear explanation on the Buddhist practice of transfer of consciousness. I personally know of many people who have died extremely peacefully using the instructions contained in here. This is especially suitable for those who have had the blessing empowerment of the Buddha of Compassion.

Love And The World: A Guide To Conscious Soul Practice draws the definitions for a new type of psychology: spiritual psychology, "an active practice that develops embodied, conscious soul life to make that life open and receptive to spiritual realms. This is done as an act of love toward ourselves, others and the world." Author Robert Sardello takes the theories of psychology to another level, recreating psychology based on the anthroposophical writings of Rudolf Steiner. Love And The World presents the ultimate goal of spiritual psychology through the many types of love, including love as friendship, love as grieving from loss, love as knowing a soulmate. The result is an insightful, profound book on the hidden depths of the human mind's interaction with the heart and soul.

(c) 2001 Sheridan Hill--- To follow Robert Sardello's writing and to attend his workshops is to participate in the ongoing creation of one of today's most original thinkers. I have not found another author who so eloquently steps out of the accepted structure of spiritual clichés, synthesizes ancient wisdom and writes so intelligently from the heart of the future, and possesses true understanding of spiritual worlds and depth psychology. He throws absolutely nothing out while maintaining that to live, to love, and to not know is the real work of the day.

Sardello's fourth book, "Love and the World," addresses the necessity of the individual "I" and its relationship not just to the world but to the soul of the world. Along the way, he debunks today's popular notions of soul (he has been known to say, "It is not a pet that we care for.") He carefully dismantles pervasive, romantic notions of spiritual love and leads the reader into a new realm of thinking about individual nature and soulful relationships.

This new idea of intimacy involves a rich feeling life, one that includes but transcends personal feeling and returns us to a way of living and loving that includes soul as a quality already present in the world.

To understand Sardello, all that is required is an open heart and the ability to imagine ourselves, the world, and soul in a way that we have never seen before.

If you only read one more book on love, or relationships, or "finding" yourself, make it this one.

well, maybe not, but without a doubt "Love and the World" is an immensely significant work in the field of depth psychology. Originally titled "Love and the Soul", Sardello's book takes an experiential look at the connection between the individual and the world. By staying within the realm of experience, Sardello allows the reader to begin the process of psychological research for him or herself. Sardello honors the original direction which Freud and then Jung trailblazed but points to the danger inherent in any exploration of soul which leaves out the world. Yet Sardello's experience of 'World' and his methodology which leads to it is what is truly groundbreaking about this work.

In "Love and the World" the world is not maintained to exist 'out there' independent of the individual, and yet, Sardello avoids any hints of suggesting the relativistic/constructivst conception which denies the possibility of talking objectively about realms such as Truth, Beauty and Goodness. Sardello maintains that to truly speak objectively about soul and the world, we must enter into the creative processes which they are. It is in the creative process that we can find, through sensing the creating activity of our own 'I', the link between ourself and the world. Sardello shows how spiritual psychology demands a distinction between the ego and the 'I'. This distinction has never been articulated in depth psychology and it is for this reason that the world has always been left out. And so after we identify the 'I' as distinct, not separate, from the ego, we can then experience the 'I' as the creative, non personal, yet completely individual, activity through which the world individuates itself and from which fully conscious, world oriented love is born.

How refreshing to read a sophisticated work in the field of psychology that earns that distinction by leaving theories, abstractions and in-bred language systems at the door. Like any truly improvisational art, Sardello is not content to present a system of finished concepts that can be repeated and systemized, but rather, he enters the active images of experience and from there performs language which can deepen the readers own explorations and questions. This is reflected in the poetic style which imbues each sentence of "Love and the World".

So much more could be said. And that's the point. This book does not attempt to finish anything. It's sole objective is to begin creating a new foundation for psychology which is based in active practice and which leads towards capacities for experiencing the creative, soul-filled and spiritual activities which are the world.

ps...my only frustration comes from what was left out of the new edition. In general not much is changed and in fact, some things are tightened up in a helpful manner. However the "Getting Started" section has been rewritten and while the new pages are a wonderful and, I believe, needed introduction to the book, the original "Getting Started" was a masterpiece. In the four or five pages of the original, Sardello wove together in a creativly condensed form all the images which live in the book as a whole. The orignial "Getting Started" also contains a few brilliant paragraphs on 'soul logic' which desribe the necessity for a new methodological approach to psychology. For these reason I would urge anyone who is still hungry after reading "Love and the World" to order the out of print original "Love and the Soul" from bibliofind.com. I hope that someday both pieces can work together in this most outstanding and potentially life changing book. Perhaps, Sardello will post the original words on his websight.

Love and the World showed me a deeply felt and considered view of the world and how to approach it authentically. Chapters on dreams, relationships, grief, the World Soul and more were thoughtful, and eye and heart opening. This is the first book I have read by Mr. Sardello and I look forward to reading more of his work! Highly recommended!

Suppose that soul is not yours or mine, but rather a quality in the world that we enter into? What if soul has a connection with the current of the future that has been largely overlooked, and each human individual is the living,loving connection between soul and the future of the world?

What is felt in the new millennium as an emerging, urgent turning toward soul is, Sardello contends, a calling for us to realize our capacities as creators in the world. In order to do this, we must discover what it means to love (not "I love myself" or "I love you" but simply "I love," and what self knowledge is. Goethe ssaid, "Man knows but himself insofar as he knows the world, for he sees the world but in himself, and himself in it alone." Sardello observes that one knows another only insofar as one knows the world, and our relationship with the world is rightly characterized by a never-ending curiosity for truth and the ability to observe the world through a heart that thinks.

Robert Sardello's fourth book, "Love and the World," addresses the necessity of the individual "I" and its relationship not just to the world but to world soul. Along the way, he debunks popular notions of soul (he has been known to say, "It is not a pet that we care for.") He carefully dismantles pervasive, romantic notions of spiritual love and leads the reader into a new way of imagining individual nature and soulful relationships.

For more about Sardello's work, see sheridanhill.com

I've read hundreds of books over the past five years, but this is without a doubt one of my top few. In fact, I've read and underlined it four or five times now. I guarantee you will laugh until you wake up your spouse! I did. You will also discover that the things that matter aren't really things at all, they're relationships. Though most of us know this already, few of us live that way, and therein lies the beauty of this book: helping us realize that the most rewarding life comes from living the way God intended us to, investing in others, and walking with God.

I picked up this book in the airport, needing something to keep me entertained during a particularly long flight. I finished the book during the plane ride home, then rushed to purchase the other books Phil has written. Phil Calloway has a knack for driving home important points without being overly preachy or condescending. I laughed, I cried...but most importantly, I came away with a better sense of what's really important in life.

I work as a Financial Planner and am very familiar with money matters. Phil Callaway has hit the nail on the head with this book. I am sure that everyone who reads it will immediately be "richer." This book is for everyone, young or old, rich or poor. I enjoyed this book immensely and would highly recommend it!

I too heard this author speak on a local christian radio station. After reading this book I'm sure this will not be my last book by this author. My favorite part is from the movie "City Slickers" when the prophet Bill Crystal says...in your 30's you raise your families, in your 40's you grow a pot belly, in your fifties you have minor surgery, in your sixties the music is too loud, in your 70's you and your wife retire to Ft. Lauderdale,and in your 80's you end up babling to a Jamaican Nursewho you can't understand..... Any questions ?"

For a heart warming and humorous look into Mr. Callaway's Life read this book !

One night while coming home from work, I caught the tail end of an interview with Phil Callaway, on our local Christain station, Family Radio, and was impressed with what little I heard. Was abel to access more info via the Net and ordered a copy. The day after I recieved it in the mail, I had an incredible work load on the job, but just before I was going to leave in the early morning darkness, I thought I'd read his introduction, two hours latter, with tear tear stained cheeks, I realized that most of what I do on a day to day basis really is not that important. By now my family was up and we all sat by the fire place and I read some of my favoirite exerpts to them. Durring the next seven days, I earned over $25,000 at work, but the time spent with his book and my family was far more valuable. As a Latter Day Saint, I enjoy learning all I can about my Savior Jesus Christ and His children. Phil's book was a blessing in my life and I have just ordered five more copies to give out to friends and family.Thanks Phil!

To find your way home, you must leave the house.

Many have sought the path, as illustrated within this book.

In the west all roads lead to Rome, but not all paths lead to enlightenment...

To hear, we must listen - this book sets out to lend an Eastern voice to the Western ear and express the thoughts behind the words.

This is basically a collection of textx commonly used by Zen Monks in Japan, although not very comprehensive. The Dharanis are somewhat confusing, but the Gathas are nice and work well as liturgy. The Sutra excerpts are pretty run-of-the-mill, not worth comprehensive study, mainly liturgical. There is the Diamond, Heart, an excerpt from the Lotus, as well as some from the Lankavatara and some from the Surangama (more a paraphrase). Then there are numerous teachings from Chinese & Japanese masters. These are pretty good too. The Pictures are interesting as well, but perhaps more suited toward Deity Yoga. The Indian pics have a Tantric, Vajrayana feel to them. This book is not a "How-to" manual. I don't know if D.t. Suzuki actually ever wrote one. It is more of a daily recitation and/or devotional. The kind of thing you read in the morning & evening, or memorize. If you really want a good Zen Buddhist Manual, there are many to choose from, and if you want a good assortement of text, there are many more comprehensive and better organized than this. But, this book has alot of appeal to it and can be quite useful as a book for daily reflection.

MANUAL OF ZEN BUDDHISM by D. T. Suzuki. 192 pp. London : Rider and Company, 1974 (1950) and Reprinted.

Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki was no ordinary man. A Buddhist scholar, and proficient not only in Chinese and Japanese, but also in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, English, and other languages, after attaining his Enlightenment at the age of twenty-seven he imposed upon himself an extremely difficult task - that of bringing a knowledge of Zen Buddhism to the West, and of somehow trying to get over into English, a language which was quite unprepared to receive them, the ideas and insights of the great Zen Masters.

For over two thousand years, many of Asia's most brilliant intellects have been actively engaged in exploring the mysteries of mind, an exploration which Jung himself was to admit could hardly be said to have yet begun in the West.

Anyone who has looked, for example, in one of the huge collections of Buddhist Scriptures such as the Taisho Tripitaka, or in a comprehensive Sanskrit-Chinese-Japanese Dictionary of Buddhist technical and philosophic terms, will have realized that, Buddhism has developed tens of thousands of words, many of them expressing the finest shades of meaning, for which English has no real equivalents.

This fantastic profusion of ideas and vocabulary, a sort of higher mathematics of thought compared to simple arithmetic, has generated a literature of extraordinary subtlety and sophistication.

One of the fruits of Suzuki sensei's sixty-five years writing, translating, and teaching, is the present book, the object of which, as he states in his Preface, is "to inform the reader of the various literary materials relating to [Zen] monastery life" (page 11). We are, in a sense, being invited into a Zen Monastery, and granted the privilege of viewing a selection of its literary and artistic treasures.

In the case of an actual applicant for admission to a Zen Temple or monastery, no-one would think of simply breezing in and saying : "OK. I'm here. What can you guys offer me?" Applicants, as is well known, are kept waiting at the gate, often for many days, before being allowed the privilege of meeting with the Master.

It's a test, a test of the applicant's humility, respect, and determination. And when the applicant finally does get to see the Master, he is expected to show the same respect, not perhaps so much for the Master as a person as for what he stands for - for the state of enlightenment and for the vast ocean of Buddhist knowledge he represents.

Suzuki sensei, would, I feel sure, have hoped that we ourselves show a similar respect for the contents of the present book - for its Prayers and Invocations; for its selections from the Sutras and from the Zen Masters; and for its fifty interesting plates and illustrations which depict Chinese and Japanese statuary, scroll paintings, woodblocks, etc., of a kind one would find at any Zen Temple in Japan.

All of them are standard Zen and are standard Buddhist fare, but just as at a feast we are not expected to eat everything on the table, readers are free to select whatever most appeals to them, without necessarily being dismissive of items that don't happen to suit their taste.

The more devotionally inclined may be strongly drawn by some of the Prayers. Students of the sutras will be delighted to find one of the key sutras of Zen, the Prajnaparamitahrdaya or Heart Sutra, a sutra one could spend one's life studying (as did Edward Conze), along with extracts from the Lotus, Lankavatara, and the mind-boggling Diamond Sutra, and a useful resume of the Surangama. Those drawn to the early Masters won't be disappointed either.

Personally I was happy to discover Suzuki sensei's fine translation of Seng-ts'an's 'Hsin-hsin-ming' ('On Believing in Mind,' pages 76-82), the very first verse treatise on Zen - which in the original Chinese takes up just two thirds of a page in the more than 100,000 pages of 'Taisho' - a text which embodies the quintessence of Zen and that deserves to be far better known. Here is the first of its thirty-one verses, with my slash marks to indicate line breaks:

"The Perfect Way knows no difficulties / Except that it refuses to make preferences; / Only when freed from hate and love, / It reveals itself fully and without disguise" (page 76).

I don't know how long Suzuki sensei spent on his translations, but I do know that Peter Haskel spent ten years to give us his marvelous translation of Bankei, and I myself, inspired by the version in the present book, spent three years working on a translation of the Hsin-hsin-ming, a text which has yet to yield up its full lode of meaning.

There are many other deep and wonderful texts in this book, including two versions of 'The Ten Oxherding Pictures.' Some of these texts will appeal to one kind of person, others to another. But all will repay careful study by the serious student, and by one who approaches them in an attitude of humility and respect.

Many other Zen anthologies have appeared since Suzuki sensei's pioneering effort, some of them with more 'up-to-date' (though not necessarily superior) translations, but his 'Manual of Zen Buddhism' has always had a special importance for me. After three years spent studying just one of its texts, I wonder how long it will take me to assimilate the rest? And there must have been many in the past, in both China and Japan, who were happy to nibble on much less than the feast provided here.

This was fully intended to be an actual Zen manual, full of liturgy, ritual and explanations. D.T. Suzuki, the preimminent and enthusiastic ordained Japanese Zen Scholar, presents the subject matter as always with perfect confidence and numerous flying sparks.

Good book to have on hand if learning how to perform formal Japanese Zen liturgy or hosting your own sittings.

Of tremendously breath-taking range this book gives scope to us myriads of kotis of kalpas of the three thousand chiliocosms with all the essentials for becoming purely enlightened and better-looking Bodhissatvas. Pre-eminently readable gathas, sutras, koans,and sacred illustrations to please the young and old alike. Buddha is with us. Satya.

I purchased this book in spite of some misgivings about the title and the expectations of finding KJV English in it. But it turns out to be much more than just a book about prayer. Lynne Hammond gently leads the reader to discover the joys of being led by the Holy Spirit day by day not only in prayer, but in all other areas of life. By allowing the Holy Spirit to take the leadership, prayer ceases to be a drudgery and becomes an adventure. Time and again the author cuts through ritual, religion and formality and simply encourages the reader to be honest with God about their feelings. She addresses a number of questions Christians may have, like: How can I hear God's voice? or, what is the purpose of speaking in tongues? and addresses them biblically and in such a way that the readers will want to go and try it out themselves. I will recommend this book to my friends.

There really is a better way than just praying a list or the needs we see. For pray-ers at any level who are interested in moving higher in prayer.

This is hands down the best book I have read on prayer and I have read many books. Lynne Hammond brings us back to whats REAL. It's easy to go through life praying without a real intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. This causes prayer to become dead, dry and powerless. Christians many times give up on prayer leaving a vast void between themselves and God. People perish for a lack of knowledge. When we truly know our Father and go to that secret place in prayer with Him, our prayer life becomes more powerful than we could ever have imagined. I have given this book as a gift around 13 times. Do yourself a favor and order it!!!

This is such a great book about prayer. She puts powerful prayer into simpler terms, that shows how you can pray and make things happen!

I am a new pastor who has taught and preached the word of God for over 14 years, and this is the finest book on prayer I have ever read. E.M. Bounds and Andrew Murray have great books on this subject, but this title by the wife of Pastor Mac Hammond has done more to energize my prayer life than anything I have ever encountered. The author has done her homework and can attest to these Biblical truths with practical down-to-earth experience. This book is a must for any pastor who finds prayer to be a dull, laborious affair. Blessings and agape for sister Lynne Hammond for lifting my spirit and changing my prayer life.

This is a very good book. Easy to read and thought provoking. The copy I have is old with yellowed pages. I am glad to see it is in print. This will be christmas presents.

"The Meaning of Prayer" by Harry Emerson Fosdick is a fine book, There are
10 Chapters each made up of readings for the 7 days of a week. Each day contains thoughts on the particular aspect of prayer for that week, a short quote from Scripture, and an example of a prayer by a devout person.
Each chapter is followed by a well-thought-out comment for the week, The chapters close with excellent suggestions for thoughts and dis-
cussion. The book closes with a full biography.
I can remember my childhood funamentalist Pastor condemning Fosdick as a modernist back in the 1920's. Now I believe that HEF was a fine
scholar a little ahead of his time.

My prayer life has been radically changed and challenged since reading this book. You will find new meaning in your prayer life as you see that God desires us to speak with Him as we would to a friend.It will open your eyes to new aspects of prayer that I feel most people either struggle with or just do not understand. May God add a blessing to your life as you read and desire to draw closer to Him through prayer.

My prayer life has been radically changed and challenged since reading this book. You will find new meaning in your prayer life as you see that God desires us to speak with Him as we would to a friend.It will open your eyes to new aspects of prayer that I feel most people either struggle with or just do not understand. May God add a blessing to your life as you read and desire to draw closer to Him through prayer.

I purchased this book from a library close-out of old books for a mere 10-cents and having read it, I wouldn't sell it for ten-thousand pennies. It is truly my most favored piece. It's tattered pages have provided depth and riches to my prayer life as I'm sure it will to anyone who seeks a greater intimacy with our Creator and Father. Fosdick, in bringing the prayers of others into his pages, present a more comprehensive study to liberate our communication with our Lord. I can't love it enough for the way in which the Father is worshipped. A must read!

I don't usually take the time to write reviews for Amazon, but this education book inspired me enough to 'sell' it to you...

One of the reasons why I enjoyed this book was because of the wonderful layout and content presented in the text. It is cleverly divided into six fundamental strategies upon which "Best Practice" ideals are based. These activities (integrative units, small group activities, representing-to-learn, classroom workshop, authentic experiences and reflective assessment) are explained to the reader, one by one, then different teachers contribute activities which were effective for them. Their suggestions were innovative and useful in the classroom.

This book does not only focus on the language arts, but also spans across the math, science, art and phys ed curriculum. It discusses and explains how you can integrate several subjects into a lesson or workshop.

The activities can be used for primary students up to high school students, although I found it to be really useful for my junior/intermediate students. The activies are flexible and can be adapted for any grade level.

This book GAVE ME IDEAS right away. I highly recommend it. Read it, and you too might be inspired to write a review!

This is one of the most thorough books on how Best Practices works. Mariyln Bizar and Harvey Daniels explain the theory behind Best Practice and then explain how to implement it. We used this book in my Methods Class at National Louis University, where Marilyn and Harvey teach. I have also been to best Practice High School in Chicago and observed classes. Their theories hold up in the actual classroom. Students that you would not neccessarily have expected to do well,, do so with Best Practice Methods. Each and every child at Best Practice High School comes from the inner city , mostly from the West Side of Chicago. 80% of all graduates from Best Practice High School go on to college. Can your school say that?

Anyone who wants to teach or to change their teaching methods and get students involved in the process of their own education needs this book as a part of their library. When you do so, study it well and ask questions. Your students will love you for it and will buy into education. And isn't that worth every penny?

This book provides teachers with many useful student-centered activities. Authors Harvey Daniels and Marilyn Bizar of National Louis University show progressive approaches that engage students in even the most difficult schools. Among their useful methods are integrative units, representing-to-learn, classroom workshop, and small group activities. The authors show how to use these methods by describing their application at Best Practice High School, an alternative public school in Chicago's inner city. Students at Best Practice are almost all low-income Blacks and Latinos, yet the school boasts far higher graduation rates than most city high schools - in part due to methods found in this book. As an "inner city" high school teacher who taught one semester at Best Practice (and much enjoyed it), I've used many ideas from this book over the last few years. The result? These methods work fairly well, although perhaps not to the level promoted by the optimistic authors. Still, good teaching ideas are always welcome, and educators will find several in this concisely readable book.

At this writing, Best Practice High School has lost many top staff members and arguably part of its character, apparently as a result of political conflicts with the Board of Education. Still, educators will benefit from the many solid teaching ideas in this very practical book.

This book is an excellent overview of what it takes to be a teacher for today's world. Gone are the days of children sitting silently in rows while the the "sage on stage" lectures endlessly on facts and figures. In the year 2000, teachers need to be willing to share responsiblity for learning with their students, and present subject matter in relevant, engaging, collaborative ways. Daniels and Bizar do a masterful job presenting the "basics" for today. Teaching with integrated themes, the value of response projects, student conferences in their various forms, and creating a workshop atmosphere in the classroom are just some of the "methods that matter" presented in this highly readable, jargon-free book. If you are looking to to move toward stepping out of the spotlight in your classroom, to become a more child-centered facilitator of learning, this book is an excellent place to begin.

An added bonus: this book is not "pie-in-the-sky" idealistic, as many professional development books tend to be. Daniels and Bizar come across as "real", and acknowledge the realities that we as teachers face in the day to day politics that is American education today.

A practical guide for teachers wishing to employ student-centered methods of teaching in their classrooms. The authors provide six step-by-step structures (integrative units, small group activities, representing-to-learn, classroom workshop, authentic experiences and reflective assessment) for implementing best practices in the classroom. Readers are given concrete examples of how to cross disciplinary boundaries through the development of integrated unit plans, engage students in exercises that promote deeper learning, and assess their effectiveness as teachers by comparing their experiences with case studies written by instructors who have used these methods in their own classrooms. Assessment guides and activities that can be adapted to any age group, are especially helpful for both novice and experienced teachers.

This book will remain within arms reach throughout my teaching career. I expect to
use it as a companion guide and reference to assess my own development as a teacher and to guide me in implementing best practice methodology in my classroom. I found it especially helpful to have the experiences of teachers who have employed the lessons included with each chapter.

Of the greatest spiritual teachers in living memory, Neemkaroli Baba was the essential teacher of unconditional love. This love and the deep devotion it inspired shines through all the short stories of this book, all gems of simplicity, immense kindness and of an abolute mastery of life.
If you want to be inspired by this great soul and connect with your own purity of heart, then this book is for you. Today, as in the past, Maharaji touches many directly in profound and life-changing ways. This book has been a vehicle to allow many people to make this connection.

What can I say, when you read the stories of Maharajji, it moves you on the deepest of levels. Grace and love are the messages of this great saint. I cried and and laughed, and am still laughing 7 years later. He is a wonderful teacher, and will play with you if you get to know him. Blessings.

This book is a marvelous collection of anecdotes and teaching stories from the devotees of Neem Karoli Baba, a true "Avadhoot" (one who has "shaken off" the world, to exist as a wandering vessel of God) of the Hindu tradition, but who transcended all traditional spiritual paths. He was impossible to classify or pin down. Maharaji, as he was lovingly called, would simply wander into a village and stay awhile, while people offered fruits and sat at his feet, then he would abruptly disappear into the jungle. He would laugh, scold, hug, talk briefly, or just sit. Miracles occurred often in his presence. Maharaji's only teachings seemed to be love, serve and see God in everything. No one could keep him in one place, not even police or jail cells. When the time came to leave a place, he just left. He was simply an old man in a plaid blanket, full of humor and love, who shone the Light of Eternal Consciousness.

I thought this book was really interesting. I didn't know a lot about Neem Karoli Baba before I read this - now I wish I was old enough to have traveled to India and met him myself. The book is broken up in individual stories so it's easy to read a little at a time ( a great boon to anyone who is busy!)

Powerfully told from the perspective of numerous students and devotees. Shows the many sides of this amazing teacher.

I will not do justice to this book by reviewing it. All I can say is, if you seek, this book will lay it down so that you may find. Be cynical as I am, be critical as I was, be hesitant as you should be. Buy this book, read it, understand it, internalize it. I did not have the luxury to learn from it. I learned elsewhere and at great cost. This book will save you decades, and impart wisdom if you are able and willing to receive it.
If you know what I am talking about, buy it as a gift for those in your life who can learn, and act, and alter the future.

All blessings from bill at logicalmetaphysics dot com

The author writes about the Kaballah, a jewish mystic, as about her own experiences in very clear and beautiful language. I read and reread the book and still enjoy reading it very much. When reading it is as if I may join in the spiritual experiences of the author, which are very normal day to day experiences of deep stillnes. In ten chapters Shoni Labowitz describes the 10 sephirot of the tree of life and each chapter is devided again in paragraphs in which she describes aspects of the sephirot. These paragraphs are like meditations, in simple and very beautiful language. And when reading I notice that each sephira can be a part of my daily life. That's the beauty of the book for me: spiritual experience is not out of reach and holy and only for very spiritual people, but living day by day with both feet on the ground, enjoying life in many facets.

I have read this book and loved it so much that I've taken notes and returned to it over and again.

Based on teachings from the Kabbalah's Tree of Life and the ten branches (Heavenly Gates) that are said to be touched by a particular power of God. Each chapter is devoted to a 'branch' of the Tree.

I enjoy studying the RWS Tarot, and have found that through reading this, it has given new meaning and understanding to the images in the cards that never occurred to me before. Reading certain things here would remind me of a scene on a particular card and I would think: "That is SO what that means!" Supposedly tarot cards have a history that is connected to/from Kabbalah so it makes sense that principles from this "Tree" would correlate so perfectly with the cards.

Reading this is like a tool to help you grow and explore more deeply in your spirituality and your life. So much good information on how to live.

To begin with this book is a life journey kind of book. I am Catholic and have found this book has given me such depths of spirituality that I read and reread entire parts of it and read them again with new eyes. It has a brand new lesson in each reading. Something I might have missed suddenly comes to mind.

I am currently buying my eighth copy of this book. Not saying that I give it away lightly but I know I want to have one handy when I meet someone who is seeking their Godspark.

Rabbie Labowitz has written a spiritual guide that leads the reader on a wonderful journey of discovery. Each page brings new insights into the awareness of the reader and shows the reader the paths available in the journey we call life.

Miraculous Living beautifully describes the Kabbalah's 10 gates of the Tree of Life and the TAO. The commonalities of the two ancient and important works unfold before the readers eyes. Each gate includes a meditation that supports and enhances the message.

While written in very different sytes, I found that the truths of Miraculous Living are the foundation of books such as "Simple Abundance" and wonderful companions to books such as "Anatomy of the Spirit".

Take time to savor Miraulous Living and you will be on the Journey of a lifetime

This is an important title if one can believe organized crime figures. Did the Mafia plan Casto's murder? Or, did it BS the federal government? There's some pretty good arguments for Castro wanting to get even with Kennedy and the Bay of Pigs fiasco. And, with Kennedy's initial statements that he would free Cuba. Highly recommended for Mafia fans as well as JFK assassination students.

A outstanding naration of Frank Ragano's life and career, and of the nature of one Santo Trafficante Jr..A perfect example of getting too comfy with the wrong crowd. A tale about how connections can give you incredible power or crush and reduce you to nothing. I couldn't put this book down. This book will have you rooting for an underdog lawyer at first. By the middle of the book you'll seriously question his morals and judgement. But by the end of the book you'll began to understand how vulnerable we all are to power . Hell, being honest I probably would've fallen into Santo's trap as well. He seemed honorable. But Frank Ragano, being Sicilian, should have known better. Cuba, Bay of Pigs, JFK, and Hoffa........need I say more?

I was overwhelmed by the reviews, both positive and negative. The book only reveals some of the highlights of my
father's career. It captures the essence of what really transpired between Hoffa, Trafficante, and Marcello. He was in an unusual position to be able to represent all three of these men at once. According to my father, it was "tantamount to being counsel for General Motors." The book explores the uneasiness of trying to represent your clients zealously, yet ethically. In the end, though, he crossed the line of objectivity: Your never socialize with your clients, he would warn. When he was fighting Bobby Kennedy ("The General") in court, all too often he would refer to it as: "Their enemies became my enemies." The book reveals the inter-workings of a truly brilliant criminal defense attorney. It also shows how insightful these mafia chieftains were to the american public being exposed to drugs, particularly cocaine. This is later demostrated in John Gotti's interactions with the mob. I am very proud of him and I think he would be very proud of me, although I concentrate my practice in family law, where the clients are less difficult.

I read the book years ago and in my opinion the most compelling "insider" account of mafia mores...It is true that most true crime mafia tales are written by or with the help of mob members, hence the dubious veracity of some facts.(I was reminded of this book, as I just finished For the sins of my Father, written poignantly by Al Demeo, the son of a murderous mobster. We get to see another avenue in this certain world of horror.)
Mob Lawyer provides this same kind of insight, as Ragano was invited in to the mob world for a function, but he was not involved in the criminal activities.Extremely insightful.

A Straight-Forward and seemingly reliable Mob-insider's account by one of the LCN's top lawyers. Ragano is no name dropper, nor is he full of it. He was a top Lawyer for both Hoffa and Santo Trafficante from the late 50s through the 80s.

The books explores the life of Tampa lawyer Ragano and his close relationship to Santo Trafficante. This is one of the few, if not only books, that examines the life of this shadowy, but important mobster who by his own and others' admission, was involved in planned or real assassinations of Castro and JFK.

Ragano's account of his dealings with Hoffa and Trafficante and his association with a who's-who of Organized Crime personalities- Carlos Marcello, Luchesse, Gooodfellow's mobsters Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke, Sinatra, Alan Dorfman (who milked the Central States Pesnion fund for all it was worth) and others -- is told without nonsenes and in a fully credible way.

Ragano is not a conspiracy nut, nor does he come across as one who makes up stories. Neither was Trafficante. So that is why when Ragano reveals what was told him by Trafficante about Hoffa's and JFK's murders, accounts which jive with other and most prevelant thoughts about those killings, I think he can be taken at his word. Clearly, it should come as no suprise that the Mafia was involved in those murders. And while not much is added to details of JFK's assassination, the death of Hoffa is clearly related, including the names of the triggermen and who ordered the hit.

Unlike some mob-insider accounts I have read, where the subject's integrity is of little worth and the story sometimes hard to swallow, 'Mob Lawyer' is both profound, soul searching and entertaining.