Book: “Spiritual Writing From Inspiration to Publication: 2nd Edition,” Deborah Levine Herman, Soul Odyssey Books, 2023
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
This book is after a specific niche market. It is for those who are both spiritually oriented and also wish to publish a book. Her title of the book is most appropriate and to the point. I understand where the author is coming from and her original intent.
Spiritual writing is definitely on the increase as evidenced by more titles being published. Main stream publishers seem to be taking notice with specialized departments now or they have developed, in some cases, off-shoot publishing companies. Having said that, it is still “difficult” to be accepted by the industry and mainstream society at large although this is increasingly changing with the changes of attitude, knowledge, information and insights.
This book by Debora Herman is good from the point of view that she has experience in the publishing industry and she explains it how it is. From this perspective, I found the book very good in terms of learning the ropes of how things work and what to expect. I found myself highlighting many great sections.
When it comes to combining this information with spirituality, I find that this book is trying to do too much. I find that the author tries “too hard.” I feel that she overstates points so many times about being a spiritually-inspired author that it seems forced and in a lecture type mode which I did not appreciate. She even mentions that she is repeating points to make sure we know it is important. I think it is fine to say the point once or twice but then to leave it well enough alone.
I think Deborah Herman tried to take on a huge task. I think the spiritual book market is an important area to consider as it is growing, developing and changing, however, I really do feel she could have done two separate books. I think a book on the ins and outs of the publishing industry is one book and then I think she could really have expanded on encouraging spiritual writers would be an entirely separate and second book. I think she would have the passion and the personal interest to encourage people who are on a spiritual journey who want to share with other like-minded individuals. She could profit by helping people go after their passion and drive in a written format.
Overall, I give the publishing information a 4.5 out of 5 and the spiritual encouragement a 4 out of 5 for an average of 4.25 out of 5. Finally, I would just like to add that her final essay at the end of the book wraps everything up very well and is to the point in a way that I really appreciate and sums up matters very nicely.
Book: “The Wisdom of The Council: Channeled Messages for Living Your Purpose, Sara Landon, Hay House Publishing, 2023
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
The first time I went to a workshop on channelling, I had no idea what it was or what to expect. I was living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the time, the nation’s capital. I found a quaint spiritual book store in one of the areas of the city back in late 1989 or in early 1990.
They offered evening classes on a variety of topics. The one night, it would be channelling and I was most definitely a novice on this subject area. A woman appeared on the platform and after being introduced, she went into what seemed like a trance or meditative state.
She spoke somewhat differently but essentially with her own voice. Her messages were interesting but at some point in time, I thought to myself, “This is BS.” Why did I say this? Because her messages were simple and, in my opinion, common sense. As I said this, she seemed to stop mid-track as if she were hearing my thoughts. She was a novice and she was clearly feeling disrupted as she kind of looked back and forth between me and the hosts. They encouraged her to carry on and so she did.
This book is kind of the same scenario for me. I feel that much of what Sara Landon says is common sense. I feel that her channelled messages are the kind of things that a parent or grandparent would lovingly say to their offspring in kindness, consideration and compassion.
On the other hand, when I look at it, her advice is sage. She has the wisdom of an older person who has more experience in life so maybe it is from higher light beings or some spiritual entity.
I know some religious groups may be opposed to such things, however, when there is truth in it, who are we to say that it is not valid and in the realm of the possible?
If you think about it, many of the greatest creative people clearly give their music, lyrics, art and writing credit over to a Higher Power or influence. They feel as if they were inspired as I have with my creative pursuits. Some feel and have admitted that the idea was somehow “downloaded” to them in a dream or thought process. “It just came to them.”
So, I stand with the notion that whether true or verifiable, there is actually much we do not know about the world, seen and unseen. If there is wisdom to be had, then I acknowledge and accept the channelling and the Wisdom of the Council as showcased in this book. If nothing else, they are words to live by.
I give the book a 4.25 out of 5.
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NASA – Digital Design by Mary Mikawoz – Click on image or link to see the bigger picture.
I took the abbreviations of NASA and took it to mean another worldly perspective with universal implications. I took it to be “God’s Meaning for NASA”
It stands for: Non-Attachment, Acceptance, Surrender and Allowance. I was inspired to write these words.
Some may say it is Buddhist in nature although Buddhism is not a religion per se but then neither is God a religion. These attributes of NASA are very important attributes to have as a soul living a human experience on Earth..
As for my creative work, I love beauty in all its forms. With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and feel as if I am “in the flow.” With my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time. I feel as if I am zinged when I capture that special shot and it is meant to be.
Saturn Photo Credit: NASA
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Book: “The Greatest Secret,” Rhonda Byrne, Harper One, 2020
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
What a simple title with a very simple message in a very good and simple way. I read this book quite quickly as it is an easy and enjoyable read.
Rhonda Byrne is most notably known for her video on “The Secret” that came out in 2006 via the Internet. It was like a big and huge, round rock rolling down the hill gaining momentum and speed as it went on. The impact on society was enormous especially before the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012.
Personally, I think Rhonda Byrne had a huge life role and responsibility in introducing the world to such incredibly good concepts that we now talk about it in common and every day conversation. It is now part of our lexicon and understanding in today’s world.
The Law of Attraction has been spoken of by many influential thought leaders going back a very long time. One could argue that it goes back to Jesus and to many cultures beforehand going way back to our ancestral origins.
The message in “The Greatest Secret” is very common sense. It is something so simple that you can easily and do miss it.
There are many paths leading to the truth but there is only one truth. Whatever journey you are on, may you find it here and now. Live in the moment for that is all there really is!
I highly recommend this book and give it a 4.5 out of 5. My biggest complaint about the book is that I feel some of it contradicts the information in “The Secret.” Rhonda says to permit negativity into your life and to embrace and allow it through acceptance. She says to greet it as you would an old and dear friend. I feel the message in the original “The Secret” was to not even entertain negative emotions and feelings for that which you think and feel, you send out to the Universe.
Now, there is provision for dealing with negative emotions and thoughts. You need to be aware of it in order to move through it and past onto the other side of acceptance and allowance. This is basically good counselling sense. In order to get rid of issues or problems, you need to look at the shadow side of your being. There is definitely a case that can be made for both views of negativity and an overall view that can incorporate both polar opposites.
Overall, the message and information is and are very good.
Swim and swimming are words I like because they involve me being directly in the flow. I love being in water but have not always. I once had an experience where I was at a public swimming pool and midway across it, I simply forgot how to swim. I am not kidding. I was about to panic but I said to myself “Stay Calm. You can do this.”
I somehow figured out how to float and then make progression across the pool to the side. I was so upset, I swam to the ladder and immediately got out of the pool and left. I changed and went home. That was that.
I did not go back to water of any sort for a long period of time. Even taking a shower was kind of like a mini-crisis. I could not trust myself not to drown or so I thought. I am not sure what happened exactly. I was doing fine that day in the pool but perhaps I just was not focussed enough. I do not know what came over me. What had come naturally to me from years of lessons in swimming, now became a big time issue for me.
Fast forward a number of years and on many levels, I still had my fear. Then something switched in my brain again. I realized that water is good. I came to value it whether it was coming through internally when hydrating myself or through being in it for showers and what not.
I actually think I have to thank Wim Hof for this one. I reviewed one of his books where he suggested doing cold showers along with his breathing technique. I quickly implemented the specific breathing practice and loved the results so it was only natural to end my hot showers with turning on the cold for a few seconds and then longer. I no longer feared the water and had a new profound respect for it.
Now, when I go swimming in the lake again, I revel being in the cooler waters. It is enticing and engaging. Now, I am swimming in a pool again and I love the way my body feels immersed in the soft, luscious and fluid substance. I love the subtle feel of the water as it encapsulates and surrounds my body. I love the flow of the water as I take each stroke swimming. It is an incredible substance that can be a vapour, a solid as ice or fluid as water. I now and again love my H20.
Wow! This topic is certainly a doozy. It immediately brings up a lot of emotion and recollection. To admit that I have been depressed is something that I do not like to do but to admit that I have had severe depression is quite another.
I have fallen deep within the well of despair many times and otherwise fallen clearly down that rabbit hole. I have ruminated and worried about what is, will be or has been. Upon much self-reflection, estimation and analysis through the years, I see depression as all the worries we have had in the past time period while worries in the future arises as anxiety in us. In either case, the biggest problem is that we are not living in the present moment, realizing and appreciating with gratitude all that is great and good already in our lives.
Depression is cycling through all the old, negative guck. It is remembering all that which did not go as well as we had hoped or would want it to be. It is about holding on with a firm grip like your fingers around a pencil that you do not want to let go of but that we need to let go of. We need to unclench our fingers from the object that we have spent so much time being attached to.
The thing is that the past is gone. What happened has happened. Even if you were abused as a child or if you were mistreated by deceitful people with ill, malicious or involuntary intent, what can you do about it? If it is possible or necessary for your soul’s growth to do something legal, then perhaps you should. Otherwise, let bygones be bygones, release and let go.
If you learned a lesson, it was valuable. Perhaps, you need to share this message of warning with other people in which case writing a book or sharing in some respects may be in order. Even when you have done so, you will still need to let go of it all and forgive in the end.
I ask that you and I live in the “present now” as Eckart Tolle recommends and see the value of this powerful everlasting moment for that is all there is.
I can calculate the number of days I have lived but not the amount of days I have left. That is entirely up to God and the Universe. I guess I do have some choices as some say. I had some decision-making choices before I came down. Perhaps, I did choose my parents and my siblings. Perhaps, I chose my gender, my ethnicity, my religion and so much more beginning data. Perhaps, I did choose the lessons I would work on while in my Earthly suit. Perhaps, I do have a choice as to how I will fulfill my destiny-driven life as I have free choice from moment to moment.
I can calculate the expectation of an outcome such as if I do part A alongside part B and C, then D is the most logical ordered outcome but this is not necessarily the case. There are other players in the mix and as they have free choice as well, their impact on my life has to be considered. It is all about synchronizing my efforts for my highest good while the other involved parties do the same on their end.
I do not judge the outcome but I do judge my efforts. Acceptance is key to it all. It is up to me to entice myself to do better and better. It is for my better judgement to accept myself as I am while doing my best on the path of life.
The process of moving forward is more important than worrying about the hows as I leave those details to God. It is about taking appropriate micro-steps to engage in the process of living and forwarding my movement in an ongoing and upward motion. It is up to me to take the necessary action to fulfill what needs to be learned in this lifetime.
I will calculate the next baby step and then the next after that. These steps build upon one another to the point where I will not realize and recognize how far I have gone because the journey has been meaningful and appropriate for my development as a human being and more importantly as a Spiritual Being on a path towards awareness and enlightenment.
Book: “Trust Your Vibes (Revised Edition): Live an Extraordinary Life by Using Your Intuitive Intelligence,” Sonia Choquette, Hay House, 2022
Audio Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I had listened to the original audio book called “Trust Your Vibes” a number of years ago. I am lucky to say that Sonia Choquette has rewritten this 20 year old book so that it is a newer version with updated information and experiences.
I was impressed with the first book and yet this one somehow tops even that one. I am not able to remember how many chapters the first book one had but this one has 34 chapters which are basically useable tips and techniques to increase you Intuitive Powers.
Overall, I am really impressed with this book and give it a 5 out 5. I highly recommend that you take appropriate actions and try to incorporate the practices into your daily life. Even if you only learn a few of them, you will be like the Chicago Businesswoman who was selected as the “Business Person of the Year” where she shared that her secret to success was using her Intuitive Intelligence.
In fact, I liked the book so much, I might listen to it another few times to glean more information and insights.
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If you wish more information on Sonia Choquette, feel free to visit her online website at https://soniachoquette.net or on her Social Media platforms. She has written many books, appeared at numerous workshops and conferences through Hay House and other organizations like Mindvalley. She offers quite a few courses, as well. Finally if you wish to have more a inspired connection, she has a private members Facebook group called “Good Vibes Tribe” and offers personal readings.
Book: “Affirmations for Empaths: A Year of Guided Journaling,” Judith Orloff, Sounds True, 2022
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I actually read this book in a very short period of time but that is because it is a journal that you need to work at. The author, Dr. Judith Orloff, is a medical doctor who is a board-certified psychiatrist. Her passion in life is to help empaths deal with issues, problems and concerns as they go through life being highly-sensitive and aware.
The affirmations are ways of being energy shifters from negative to positive or to reinforce positive ones you have started or already have in your foundational being.
I like what she writes about and it is evident that she has direct experience and understanding with and of dealing with empaths. The book was quick to read because I did not do any of the writing parts. It is meant to be done over a 52 week period during the entire year.
The questions are insightful and self-provocative in a good way. I reviewed only the digital book but apparently the actual book is 248 pages so it should have enough room to write answers to the questions but I can not guarantee this as I do not have a physical copy of the book. For this reason, I would recommend buying the actual physical book and writing in it on a regular basis to help reinforce good belief systems of self-caring and self-acceptance.
There are eight sections which you progress through from treasuring yourself to honouring intuitions. With each affirmation written out that you are to reinforce, there are a series of questions that you ask yourself about it and journal on that topic.
One of the most important points Dr. Judith Orloff makes in the book that stood out for me was, “I do what’s possible to make a goal happen, then surrender the results to Spirit to work its magic in my life.”
I found the journal to be a very good self-awareness and transformational process that you can do at your own pace. I give the book a 4.5 out of 5.0.
Dr. Judith Orloff also has her website under her name with much more information. She is also the author of several books written in the same vein.
Book: “The Greatest Manifestation Principle in the World: How Quantum Physics and Spirituality Can Enable You to Manifest Your Best Life,” Carnelian Sage, Think-Outside-the-Book, Inc.,2nd edition, 2022.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
This second edition book by Carnelian Sage is worth it. The beginning of the book starts off with praise from various people but then overall, it is a very quick read and is full of very good information spread throughout.
I have found many of the points are based on my years of study into quantum physics, the law of attraction or manifestation and also spirituality. I have actually gleaned much of the knowledge from reviewing good NDEs or Near Death Experiences. Strange as this may sound, people come back from the other side with great insights, knowledge and messages. Once put together, they are a wealth of knowledge and information.
I found myself highlighting many passages in various colours not because the information to me was necessarily new because, I kept on saying, “Yes!”
I won’t give the messages away of the book. I think it is more important to read it and absorb the wonderful knowledge. It is, in many respects a culmination of gathered information over the years.
Based on how I feel on many decades of reviewing spiritual type of books, I give this book a 5 out of 5 and highly recommend it. Just so you know, Carnelian Sage is a pseudonym for her identity and she has written 10 other books along the same genre and vein.
For more book reviews, check out my wordpress website under Mary Mikawoz specifically under the category of Book Reviews.
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