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by John Calabrese, Huntington, NY
LOVE FROM BOTH SIDES Riseley’s mind-blowing account of communicating with her deceased husband is easily one of the most thought-provoking and irresistable books of our young century. To write something this extraordinary, a person has be exceptionally courageous– because there will be plenty of people who won’t believe them. But Riseley– and her husband, Dan–speak with such honesty and riveting detail that the reader is compelled to believe, and, in doing so, is offered an incredible tapestry of hope for the enduring nature of love. In eloquent and often heart-breaking depth, Dan offers profound apologies for not thoroughly honoring his love for Stephanie while he was alive. Their dialogue will move you to tears but, more importantly, help you to powerfully understand the dangers of taking the “gift” of your partner’s life–and their presence in your life–for granted. In a word, Love From Both Sides is comforting. Reminiscent of Dr. Brian Weiss’ Many Lives, Many Masters, it speaks to the infinite, eternal connection we all share, reassuring us that endings are not always what they appear to be, and lifetimes aren’t just physical.
DEATH BY MEDICINE A concise, eye-popping overview of the deplorable state of our “healthcare,” Death by Medicine is more a criticism of the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry rather than doctors themselves. “No one had ever analyzed and compiled all the published literature dealing with injuries and deaths caused by government-protected medicine,” state the authors, yet “the FDA continues to interfere with those who offer natural products that compete with prescription drugs.” This is the first book of its kind, where every piece of evidence “ . . . is validated by published, peer-reviewed scientific studies [and government health statistics]. The startling findings from this meticulous study indicate that conventional medicine is the leading cause of death in the United States.” Iatrogenesis–deaths or injuries caused by medical error–are discussed in detail, along with specific problematic drugs. And although the authors believe that modern medicine has made phenomenal breakthroughs in many areas, they also believe that “by exposing these gruesome statistics in painstaking detail, we provide a basis for competent and compassionate medical professionals…to recognize the inadequacies of today’s system and at least attempt to institute meaningful reforms.”
SPACES OF SANCTUARY: Discovering Peace & Contentment Through Prose & Poetry Having access to nearly-instant inspiration for our overscheduled, harried lives is almost priceless. But Starace, a veteran of the mental health profession, has succeeded in a way few modern poets have. Divided into three sections– Nature, Life, and Spirit–each page contains a single poem that helps push aside the “veil of consciousness” that so often cuts us off from an understanding of our shared Source. Spaces of sanctuary ingeniously refers to what the poetry allows us to do: quickly create a space of reflection and refuge, where we can temporarily transcend the limits of our five senses and rational minds, simply by using the words to help us sense something so much vaster and timeless. The evolution of one man’s consciousness–and contentment–can be the starting point for your own. See which poems become greater than the pages they were written on, the poems that make their way into your mind, heart and soul. See which ones deeply resonate with you, creating a space of sanctuary that ultimately helps to shift the very way you see and interact with your own “reality.” Reviewed by Andrea Garvey
ASTROLOGY (For Those Who Won’t Admit They’re Interested) “It’s more about psychology than science,” proclaims Sudhir, a syndicated astrologer based in Australia. Astrology is a map of who and where we are – our personalities and the tendencies that go along with them: the strengths we gain by, and the liabilities we lose by. But it’s also a guide for showing us where we could go. In 50 colorful pages, with each sign enjoying a three-page spread, Sudhir offers clear, compassionate and oftentimes humorous insights into what astrology is and isn’t. An illuminating feature is the interview with Sudhir, most notably where he reveals his “crap detector”: “There’s a lot about astrology that deserves to be doubted….[but] it can never simply be dismissed. To enter into it is to discover that it has weight . . . psychologically and metaphorically, its got weight – even in spite of my objections.” If you’ve ever been interested in learning about astrology, but were either overwhelmed by its scope or just didn’t have the time to study it, then Sudhir’s Astrology is by far the easiest, most entertaining way to satisfy your inner craving for the stars. Publisher’s note: Creations Magazine has proudly featured Sudhir’s column for many years. (You can read his column here).
John Calabrese is the Editor-at-Large at Creations Magazine and has a private counseling practice in Huntington, NY. |
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