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Reviewsby Michou Landon, unless otherwise notedReview PolicyMt. Shasta Magazine does not do reviews in-house. If you have a book, CD, DVD or product you would like us to review, you should send a copy to our editor, who has final approval on all reviews, at Mt Shasta Magazine, POB 1289, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067. With reviews only, preference is given to advertisers. Those wanting to reprint a review in another publication should contact our editor for approval. There is a small fee involved.
Newest ReviewsOlder reviews can be found in our archives; click on Books, Audio, Video, etc. above! Book Title: Application of Impossible Things On November 24, 2007, Natalie Sudman, a contract engineer in Iraq, was "blown up" by an improvised explosive device. The scene has become all too common; but what Sudman experienced was entirely unique. This is a marvelous little book, one as challenging to properly review as, I imagine, it must have been to write. By "little" book, I refer only to its size — about 120 pages — into which is folded infinitude, implications beyond description (although Sudman makes a good start). An example of form fitting content, the book is a reflection on the realm of infinite possibility, beyond and between time and space, that Sudman "visited" (or glimpsed, or instantaneously and comprehensively apprehended) in what we'll call (mostly for convenience) her Out of Body Experience. And it is the implications of her experience that become the "applications" of the title. After painstakingly unpacking and expounding on the three-page summary of the account delivered in the introductory pages, she concludes her last chapter with a message similar to that reached through other NDE accounts: the changes in one's view of, relationship to, self-regard and behavior within, the blinds and constraints of physical, human existence once one gets the expanded view: the unity and connectedness of it all. However, this is not an NDE or OBE account like others you might have read. It is not the imagery of the tunnel of light and being met by angels and grandma — not to disparage such accounts, which are powerful, perfectly and profoundly designed for those who experience them. Sudman's report is quite analytical, and her descriptions, while wordy, are considered, precise and pragmatic, and carry a clarity of resonance with the phenomena she describes, so as to enable their frequencies to awaken and activate in the reader — this reader, at least. Her lucidity in recalling, delivering and commentating on the subtleties of her experience is so refreshing, especially for those for whom other NDE imagery doesn't quite find home. It is a book that a normal guy, a skeptic or a scientist might relate to. It isn't flowery, but the content feels very true, and inspiring, rather like finally finding one's tribe after feeling a vague, lifelong "unfulfilment" with all other options presented. In Sudman's account, we are put in touch with our own wholeness and power and place. At the book's end, readers may not want to relinquish the contact she provides with this realm, any more than a whole, expanded self relishes re-entering the densities, conundrums and impairments of the physical plane. (Although, she makes the important point that, at some level, accessible to us always, we do relish this and all experience). Refortified with perspective, self-recognition, purpose and her unique assignment, Sudman, quite sportingly, did return with this report and other gifts. And I, for one, am grateful. CD Title: Sound Medicine Anima, an inspired duo consisting of Ali Calderwood and Daniela Broder, continues to create evocative soundscapes. Following up 2010's releases, Temple of the Stars (a compelling ambient CD with select spoken passages in the mix) and Temple of the Heart, emerges 2011's Sound Medicine. Sound Medicine makes use of the six Solfeggio frequencies -- the original frequencies of familiar notes of our scale, which were misguidedly reassigned more "convenient" frequencies in fairly recent history. I believe the original frequencies are more true to the deep cosmic frequencies from which creation has evolved. Also speaking from the mix are indigenous soundings, as well as Daniela's plaintive vocalizations in places, which augment emotional subtexts of the music. The way the latter are mixed rather forward in the music may provoke some listeners to curl up into the fetal position, either contacting their inner child in solidarity with her childlike timbre, or in attempt to escape the rather saturated emotion emanating from the sounds. The music scape would lend itself well to accompanying bodywork or other inward endeavors. But the vocalizations seemed distracting from the rest of the sound, calling attention to themselves rather than blending in synergistically. This may in fact have been intended. The disc is called Sound Medicine. Medicine and healing are not always smooth and yummy. They often illuminate and activate discord, that it may be brought to consciousness, or its energy moved. What I can say is that the sounds continue to work on the listener after the CD stops spinning. What we do with that is up to the wisdom within. Divination Cards: The Chakra Zodiac Healing Oracle Cinnamon Crow is proving herself an astute channel, of sorts, for wisdom decks. The Chakra Zodiac Healing Oracle is quite simple as divination decks go, both in artistic style and in the support text of the guide book; and here, less is more. At first I might have shrugged these cards off as a superficial muddle of influences, a loose weave of astrology, chakra, and related color significances. However, there was a minimalistic and luminous clarity about the images, and an undeniable resonance with the first card I drew intentionally for myself; so I gave them opportunity to speak further. That opportunity came as I observed the 13 Holy Nights of Christmas this year, which stretch roughly from Solstice into the first week of the new year. I found the Chakra Zodiac Oracle cards to be very lucid, succinct and precisely attuned in their support through that time, when the veils are thin and guiding impressions of the coming year's full arc are available to us. The artwork, as I said, is simple, featuring a simple color rendering of the symbol of a planet or a chakra, with the name written below and the theme above in a complementary color -- all on a black background. The explanations in the guidebook are concise, usually three or four paragraphs; but they transmit the essence with effective quietude, inviting the diviner's own wisdom into any gaps between the lines. Powerful tools come in small packages. Divination Cards: Selves in a Box J. Tamar Stone has created a beautiful set of cards based on Voice Dialogue work, pioneered by her father and stepmother, Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone. The artwork brings the beholder immediately into a sense of thesacredness of self-- as a unique expression of archetypes, experiences and forces inherent in us all --and the sacred essence that connects us. The depth of the creator's care and understanding is also palpable, even when the images don't immediately synch logically with the associated word or concept. The illustrations are simple but carefully layered collages of images, which blend into an impressionistic synergy that works on the subconscious, while sometimes acting like Koans on the mind. These create a choice point, where the beholder can withdraw or constrict into intellectual analysis or open into a realm that draws from a full range of intelligences available in us: conscious, subconscious and superconscious. What is interesting is how the creator's choice of images can inspire the beholder to agree or disagree with those choices and then notice his/her own heart and mind wordlessly suggesting alternatives in a subtle process that, if not overridden, is itself revealing. It would seem this deck could illuminate in any context a divination deck might be used. However, there is a different angle here than with Tarot or other mystical decks. While, ultimately, external/internal and personal/impersonal are illusory (or conceptual) subsets within a divine continuum, I gather that these cards purport to reflect the psychological aspects of one's human personality involved in the themes and challenges brought to the reading, rather than emphasizing universal forces one can externalize. Again, though, it's hard to tell where one realm ends and the other begins. Each card is dedicated to a "subpersonality" Stone calls a Self. There are 52 distinct Selves here, though some thematically overlap. The artwork rescues their names from a knee-jerk over-simplification by the mind. Our impressions of each Self presented are instant and telling. The thoughtfully written guidebook, however, can facilitate much deeper observation and realization. In addition to the brief summary of the psychological foundations of the cards and the work, Stone offers several insightful draws and spreads, as well as a parlor game -- a perfect diversion for inhabitants of the Tower of Psychobabble that is Boulder, Colorado, whence originate the cards. Seriously, though, this set is a rewarding tool for anyone with a psycho-spiritual bent, offering an intimate support and a nourishing and validating calling home of all our disowned or competing selves. Book Title: Six Weeks to Yehidah In Six Weeks to Yehidah, author Melissa Studdard strikes an endearing balance between the overt preaching of teaching adventures like Celestine Prophecy and the more metaphorical, encoded yarns of more literary times, like Through the Looking Glass, A Wrinkle in Time, and the Oz books. It's a quick read, and suitable jog of remembrance for adults and younger readers alike. At times quite obvious with her message and other times sneaking up on the reader, Studdard uses a comfortable dose of innocence and playful, dreamlike imagery to wash the wisdoms down, to deliver them almost osmotically. Yehidah, defined in an introductory quote from Rabbi David Cooper, means "unity," and refers to "the soul level most connected with the source of awareness," most intimate, continuous with the totality. The plot concerns a young girl who finds herself in a strange world in the clouds and must find her way through various unusual encounters-- thinly veiled initiations-- often with characters representing aspects of her own self. I confess the book's start was so poetic and promising that I wished for more than I found on first reading. There is enough substance to the message and content of the book, though, that one is tempted to read it again, to see whether all that it is hinted at was apprehended, all the references caught, because the pace, language and delivery is such that it's easy to speed through and miss any subtleties that might be there. I'm not going to call it a masterpiece, but Six Weeks to Yehidah is definitely smarter than the average piece of contemporary youth fiction, more uplifting, and a positive, entertaining and even illuminating gift, not only for older youngsters but for their parents or the wise youngster in any oldster! Book Title: The Poetry of Yoga, Volume One When I received this book for review, it struck me as remarkable that such a thing hadn't appeared before. And maybe there have been many such volumes in other guises. Certainly, as poetry is a form of yoga (as a practice of contemplation and communion), and as asana practice lends itself so fluidly and profoundly to poetic expression, this edition will not be the last, as the title itself states. The book is a collection of poetry by well over 100 yogis and yoginis, including a few widely recognizable names in the yoga world (e.g. Krisna Das, Rod Stryker, Eric Schiffman). The quality and style of the poetry ranges broadly. On any given day, there will likely be something here with which anyone will resonate. And the resonances will change with each reader's own vicissitudes, making the book itself a poignantly supportive resource for practice, not to mention inspiration for one's own poetic expression. This is a sweet gift offering to any poetically inclined yoga practioner and a perfect item to have at yoga studios. Often, instructors will bring resting students back from Savasana with an inspiring reading. The Poetry of Yoga, Volume One, offers a trove of fresh selections. Like asana practice itself, each visit to the book may bring new discovery and communion. Book Title: Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth Within your Life Story Those familiar with the teachings offered by Gangaji will recognize the same message restated in her new book — the same simple and arrestingly profound message. The message is not new here, not revelatory, except that it discusses and illuminates what is ever being revealed anew in every moment, in every way. The hidden treasure of the title refers to one of many teachings stories used by Gangaji's teacher, H.W.L Poonja (Papaji), and also to the spiritual treasure it points to, the true and common identity of each of us — silent awareness and presence — which is always here, if hidden under or within the din of personality, circumstance, thoughts and sensations. In part because of ungrounded interpretations of Eastern philosophical traditions, one's personal story has gotten stigmatized as a distraction from "enlighenment." In Hidden Treasure, Gangaji seeks to put that right a bit. She continues to acknowledge "story" as a potential trap, as fuel for drama and egoic imprisonment; but she seeks equally to demonstrate how it can and must be included as integral to human life and to show how our personal story may be used as leverage for awakening. This book contains much more autobiographical content as she candidly uses her own life story as illustration. These passages are refreshing complement to the more abstract discussion of something that is not really articulable (though, as usual, Gangaji does admirably). I found the initial chapter strangely abstract and dry and encourage readers not to bog down there, especially if already familiar with Gangaji's teachings. It richens as it goes along, and, as with any of Gangaji's public satsangs, certain moments, passages or exercises will have more impact at any given time than others. The Truth can be revealed in any combination of words, depending on what combination unlocks the door it is hiding behind within us. Hidden Treasure offers us a very promising new combination.
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