This is a great book, funny, personal, compassionate, and realistic. Part of the message is not to take yourself so seriously that you forget how to play. Or, that there is sometimes fun in places that you do not expect. Do not pre-prejudice yourself against situations.

Illusions by Richard Bach is really very simple. Funny and touching. It is a sort of remake of J.L. Seagull as Richard Bach during his barn-storming days. In this book he meets another pilot who becomes his teacher in ONEness.Like how to swim in earth and walk on water. This book begins with a wonderful parable about what would happen if the return of Christ was an average Joe who told people that God wanted them to "Go and be happy." Whereupon the people realize that it is easier to "Go and suffer for your beliefs."

This book has become a sort of Bible to me. You can flip through and get answers to a lot of questions from the excerpts from the "Saviors Manual." My favorite is "You are never given a wish without the power to make it come true.You may however, have to work for it."

One by Richard Bach takes you on a journey with Richard and Leslie as their plane unexpectedly lands in alternate realities. They see many of the possibilities or "what ifs" that would have happened if events had happened differently. At one point Richard goes back to his air-force days to advise his younger self about flying the plane that might drop the bomb anddestroy his future with Leslie. As usual, there are a lot of "Ah Ha" moments here.

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield is a wake up call to both the novice traveler and the experienced trekker. To a beginner this book is a necessity. Those who have been trekking may find it somewhat obvious in places but very helpful. Prophecy contains most of the spiritual basics and looks at them in fresh new ways. This is a book to motivate and instruct. This book is sold in Christian bookstores as well as Pagan and regular bookstores. It has points that everyone can use.

For those who have been trekking for some time, it reawakens knowledge that has been forgotten or become so taken for granted that it is ignored. Reminds us not to forget the basics. Pay attention when you read this book and you will most certainly find new areas opening up. I would recommend reading "Mutant Message Down Under" after this one for an additional viewpoint. These mesh really well. Consider "Prophecy" to be spiritual and self help as well as a great how-to book.

As an after-note The "Tenth Insight" is well worth reading. Its concept of soul groups is very well put. While it does not have the power or depth of the original insights. You would be missing out if you do not read it. Some of its points will help down the line.

The Experiential Workbooks by Carol Adrienne are made to develop the ability to understand and use the seven insights. The Workbooks are at their best used in a group. I met Carol at a seminar in Dallas where we formed groups. I had previously used the Workbook at home on my own. While it is certainly usable on your own, consider joining or forming a group to go through the various sections. There is much to be gained. The insights from others are often far beyond what you can see because it is difficult for us to see ourselves without preconceived notions. Again, the Workbooks are spiritual, self-help and how-to.

The Holy Man by Susan Trott is the most amazing book! It is a modern day fable. Somewhat along the line of "Illusions, Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah." The main character is a Holy Man named Joe who lives in a retreat on a mountain. People mst stand in line for months to get to him. Many stories are mostly about the things l realized while standing in line. Another part is about Joe and his search to find his successor. One of the first interesting parts is about those self important people who get to the door and demand to see the Holy Man. All they see is an old man answering the door. Since Joe has in fact answered the door, he takes these straight to the back door. When they get angry he points out that they have indeed seen the Holy Man. Many, many lessons here. All done in a subtle easy to read and absorb fashion. There is no real category for this one. Spiritual, Uplifting Funny, maybe self-help, probably not how-to but who know. let me know what you think.

The Holy Man's Journey, also by Susan Trott takes up where the Holy Man left off. Joe has found his successor who is now dealing with adjustment issues between family and disciples and self image. Joe announces that his teacher is dying and he must go to him. Joe is also dying. This story cover the trip taken by Joe and his successor to aid the old teacher. There are many lessons here. This book was also wonderful but perhaps not quite as enthralling as the first book. Either book is a short read that will leave you wanting more. Use the same categories as the first book.

The Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan is another rare find. This is an excellent choice to follow the "Tenth Insight." Actually, this is a good choice anytime. It could be classed as a shamanistic journey, spiritual, or anthropological. The story is about Margo1s trip to the Australian Out-Back with the aborigines. As it happens, this was not a planned trip. She thought she was going to an awards ceremony for her work with helping aborigines in the city start a business and become self-supporting.

When she arrived, in the middle of the desert, all dressed up in her city clothes, she was met by a wandering tribe who requested her to put her clothes into a pile and don their clothing. She really was not expecting her clothing to be part of a bonfire. Since she had no shoes, clothing or ride out of the desert, she decided to accept their invitation to join them on their trek across the continent. During this trek she witnessed their use of magic and telepathy and discovered as her own abilities as well.

You will find much useful information here. You may be totally dismayed by the treatment of the aborigines as non-human by the Australian government. It parallels Americans treatment of Native Americans but continues to be unacknowledged by the government or the people. Margo is still being followed and persecuted by the Australian authorities for revealing the aborigines as extraordinary human beings who have been exploited and nearly driven to extinction. This story will give new meaning to Dreamtime. Must Read.

"The Dance of Power" by Dr. Susan Greg is one of the most useful books I have come across for meditation. This is very much not a buddhist type meditation book but rather a "Person of Power" meditation book. Dr. Gregg shows some meditations that I have not seen anywhere else. Her advice is helpful and unusual. For instance. at one point she talks about the value of mediating on the shadows in water or leaves rather than in the light patterns. Her book shows ways to increase your personal power "in a good way". Whether you meditate or not you will find some wonderful basic pointers here, along with a fresh way of looking at meditation, shadows and light. Big Help, Don't miss it.

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is the one book that sums up almost all seekers. Sidhartha is of the brahman class in India. He has all of the teachers and wealth available. In spite of this he decides to leave his home and father and, with his friend Govinda, go seek enlightenment in the world. He studies with the aesthetics and undergoes great hardship. He and Govinda meet Buddha. Govinda becomes a deciple but Sidhartha knows that enlightenment cannot be given even by the enlightened, but must be found by each individual. As the story goes on Siddhartha falls in love, becomes a business man, and wakes up one day realizing that he has lost his way. He leaves everything to return to his search for ultimate enlightenment and finds it in a place easily overlooked.

Since reading this book, I say that I am Siddhartha searching for my river. I have recommended this book to friends who do not want to be "thought for." They loved this book because, neither did Siddhartha. At the end, when he encounters Govinda again, his words sum up all of the seekers quest. Read this book. It will be a keeper and a treasure.

The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James is exactly what it says. A book about the varieties of religious experience. It contains an excellent chapter on mysticism among other things. The entire book may be found on line at http://www.gasou.edu/psychweb/psyrelig/james/toc.htm or http://www.gasou.edu/psychweb/books/index.htm This book would be well worth looking up. I did make a link at the bottom of the page but it is sometimes hard to get through. It may be easier to copy these so that you may try all of the options. If you have difficulty getting through to the site try shortening this down to the psyrelig or even the psychweb section. This site also offers the entire Freud dream book.

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn is literally nothing short of brilliant. This book won a huge award in a contest to come up with a totally original idea that had never been written about before. (Mr. Quinn wanted to know exactly what year all of the ideas were taken.) I can only tell you that this book is about a truly unusual teacher. The future student sees an add in the paper saying "student wanted." After running through a whole series of emotions, he responds.

There are questions asked and answers given. Do not read ahead to the answers until you think about the questions. The answers appear to be obvious when you read them, but were they really? You will get a whole new perspective on our "scientific mythology." This book turned me into a rabid enviromentalist. Ishmael is a (green) book as well as a spiritual book. Soon after this, you should also read the" Story of B", followed by "The Lost gospels of the Earth" by Tom Hayden. Another DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK.

The Story of "B" by Daniel Quinn is a continuation of the ideas in "Ishmael." The content, however, is totally different. This is a much darker book and does not leave you with good feelings. The teacher, "B," for Blasphemer among other things. A Jesuit priest is sent out to observe "B" and report whether he appears to be the Antichrist or not. This plot gives a whole new meaning to Antichrist. The changes called for would eventually be good but would call for catastrophic means of people control to make them work. We do not really take into account the controlling aspects of human nature and the fact that someone will always find a way to be in charge and stop any changes at the most advantageous (for them) place. As right as he may be, this book is frightening but only if you really think about it. I do advise that you read the Tom Hayden book "Lost Gospels of the Earth" after this to give you back some hope for a less painful solution.

Providence by Daniel Quinn is about Quinn's life and search for meaning. It goes from his childhood family and on to his young adulthood and short time in a monastery where Thomas Moore was in charge of the new boys. There he had his first mystic or animistic vision. He was forced to leave by Moore, partly because of the vision. This caused his life and calling to be seriously confused. The book continues through his life and tells of how he came to write many of his books, including "Ishmael."

This is a very interesting book for many reasons. It gives a good example of the suffering that can come from being different. (Not everyone is happy with this.) It shows how a calling can evolve. And if you are interested in Quinn or enjoyed his books, it gives an interesting insight into the man. If you really pay attention, it may give more of an insight than he intended.

Lost Gospels of the Earth by Tom Hayden is a book that is a truly frightening look at humanity. At the same time it gives us hope for an awakening to our responsibility to maintaining the Earth rather than just using it. The book begins with some hair raising chapters on California and our extermination of the indians as well as the flooding of another Yosemite to provide water for a city.

Senator Hayden believes that much of the destruction is brought about by our religions advice to Use the Earth. This advice is supported by many churches to the point where in the Catholic church people have been labeled blasphemers for speaking green. Several major evangelists have demanded that those celebrating Earth Day be labeled Pagans and exterminated as dangerous.

The encouraging part of this is that he is now seeing individual churches, priests, and community religious leaders stand up for the Earth. Because of this grass roots movement the larger bodies ar being forced into a more tolerant attitude and may even begin to support respect for the Earth. It is noted that we do tend to follow what is considered "acceptable" and "good," as preached by our churches. If respect and caretaking of the Earth were to become recognized as "good and acceptable" behavior by our religious community, the only holdouts would then be those who stand to lose some contact with their "green god," Money.

Spirit Walker by Hank Wesselman is an amazing book by an anthropologist about his unexpected personal experiences with astral and time travel. There were many places where I recognized my own experiences. In this book Wesselman sees through the eyes of a young man far in the future after disasters have changed the face of the world. Things are much more primitive there and some of the points about gene pools bear thinking on.

An interesting point is that survivalist groups would die out because of their isolation and limited gene pool. The only long term survivors would tend to be pockets of Eskimos, Native Americans and other groups that have been self supporting while still maintaining contact with other groups of the same type. This is a great book for fantasy readers as well as students of astral travel or shamanism.

Whether you believe him or not, the story is fascinating. This is where I first heard about Harners school of shamanism. That is what led to my soul and power animal recovery. (See also Jill Ingerman.)

Sati is another teaching story by Christopher Pike. Most of his books are more or less teen or young adult reading. Nevertheless, Pike is a good source for a relaxing but scary story. I recommend Remember Me as a good beginner text for reincarnation. His two adult books are The Cold One and Sati. The Cold One involves several Hindu Gods preparing for the rebirth of Kali to a mortal. This is an excellent book. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel. Sati is a story about a trucker who picks up a young female hitch-hiker in the desert. She claims to be God. There are a lot of lessons to be learned here for young adults or "old adults." For easy recreational reading with a lot of Ah Ha sessions, check out Christopher Pike. I think that he is being totally underestimated.

Winnonas Web by Pricilla Coogan is about a modern psychiatrist who takes on an old Native American woman who is a healer. The womans' daughter is a thoroughly modern nurse who does not believe in the old ways. When her mother when she tells her that it is her time to die she brings her to the psychiatrist. As it turns out, the old healer takes the psychiatrist as her final student. This book is recreational reading, the subject Native American. It explores attitudes about life and death. Very good book.

Coyote Medicine by Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D. is another Native American book. This is the autobiography of a doctor learning to blend shamanism with modern medicine. It starts in medical school where he begins his rebellion and goes through the founding of an alternative healing clinic. Lots of interesting incidents. I enjoyed this book. It falls into Native American as well as recreational reading categories. This book could scare anyone who is not already afraid of our modern "healers."

The Medicine Way by Kenneth Meadows does not fall into recreational reading. This book explores the medicine wheel clearly and concisely. It includes exercises and clear cut information. I am still using and exploring this book. There are too few serious, or realistic books out there about the medicine wheel and Native American viewpoint. This one is written by someone who is actually believable and does not contain gobbledy gook or wannabe stuff. If you are looking for good information read this one.

Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan: Excellent and informative. Could fall into herbalism and shamanism categories. This book is a guide to connecting with the plant spirits. You are taken on Meadows journey as he learns to connect to the healing spirits in plants. There are some original ideas to be found here. Read and enjoy.

The Alchemist by Pablo Coelho brings us to one of my favorite authors. These books are keepers. They are recreational, sorcerer category but they go way beyond recreational and make catalysts for further study and growth.

The Alchemist is about a boy who gives up everything when he is sent on a search for treasure by a mystical being. In this story there are lessons even in the delays. When he finally joins the caravan across the desert he is accompanied by a "learned gentleman" who is in search of a famous alchemist said to live in the desert.

During the journey, the boy learns to listen to the voice of the desert but has no idea that this is important. He would like to be like his companion and book learned. Upon finding the alchemist, it is the boy who becomes the apprentice. More lessons are learned and the alchemist joins the boy on his quest for treasure. I will only say that the treasure comes from an unexpected source. Please read this book. Possibly re-read this book.

By the River Piedra I Sat and Cried another marvel by Pablo Coelho. A woman receives a note from someone she loved when she was younger, before she became hardened and pragmatic. The young man is now a well known speaker. His subject is religion of the Sofia type. During the course of this story, the heroine learns about unselfish love, trust and faith. This book qualifies as recreational but as a learning book, mostly in the Mysticism category. I really cannot say more but do read it. It is a keeper.

The Valkyries also by Pablo Coelho gives you a look at Coelho himself. It starts during his last days of satanic sorcery and power hunger and why he left. From there we come to the almost present where he remains a sorcerer, man of power but with a new attitude. On this adventure we go into the desert with Coelho and his wife. He is on a quest to meet his guardian angel. His wife is a long mostly for company.

In the desert he meets a group of female bikers who preach the end of the world and they are to be his guide to his angel. During the course of this adventure he learns many lessons about his relationship with himself, his wife, and his power. If nothing else, the lesson on when and how to break a promise is extremely valuable.

I suppose the category here is sorcerer, mystic, recreational. There are places where there could be some comparison to Castenada without the drugs. It is yet another keeper.

The Magus of Strovolos by Kyriacos C, Markides falls into the recreational mystic and lesson categories. It is a true book in which the author tells of his trip to meet a healer in Greece. He witnesses miracles and learns some great truths. Once again, there is little I can say about this book. You must read it yourself.

Beyond The Quantum by Michael Talbot is now out of print and must come from the library. I would pay almost anything for my own copy. This book is the very best book on quantum physics as it relates to our perception of reality that I have found. It has clear, simple explanations that are easily understood and remembered. There is a lot to think about here.

I first heard of Michael Talbot while reading Whitley Striebers Communion series. Talbot was a friend of Whitley during the time that Talbot was dying of leukemia. Talbot has the answers to the questions that most of us ask. This is a must read introduction to quantum physics. I am not a science person and I loved this book.

The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot is another masterpiece. This explains the holographic universe principle and in essential proves that perception is all. After reading this you will question the complete reality of the things we see and touch. Again, you will be able to understand this book even if you dare not a science buff. It will give you a whole new perspective on reality.

I'm Not Really Here by Tim Allen (Yes, I did say Tim Allen) is fantastic for recreational reading, mysticism or quantum physics. This book is funny , intelligent, and really well written. It begins with Tims family leaving for camp. Tim has been having this dream which seems to intrude into reality almost immediately. The entire last chapter is a very well written paper on quantum physics and the lead in is perfect preparation.

One of the best little pieces of this was when Tim compared God and Oneness to a beer, as in: If our reality was the foam on a beer and we are the bubbles then God is the gold part. They are all One. Simple and profound huh? Even a Bubba can understand this. I have given copies to those I think want to learn but have trouble understanding what I mean. This clears things right up.

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Reading List
Quotes and Poems
Excerpt from Alan Watts/Gods Dream
The Varieties of Religious Experience

Again: Three good sources for the above books are Amazon .com, Waldenbooks and The One Spirit Bookclub.
Information about the One Spirit book club may be obtained at 1-800-538-2662.
I will complete the list of reviews as quickly as possible.

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