Book Reviews September and October 2018

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Book Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Living Kabbalah by William G. Gray

The title of this book is a bit of a misnomer, because while people just learning about Quabala can benefit from reading this book, it really is a book for anyone interested in Quabala. The insights you will get from this book will benefit your spiritual practice and help you recognize aspects of the Quabala that you might not have considered. The author makes all of these explanations very easy to understand. And you gt a treat with the last essay, which explores how spirits are communicated with and presents an innovative approach that is still not matched to this day.

My only complaint about this book is that the editors did a poor job. There are mispelled words, missing words and spaces between letters in a word, which diminishes the enjoyment of the book.

Book Review: Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience by Yi-Fu Tuan

This is an intriguing book which emphasizes the importance of having an experiential relation with the spaces and places we live in. The author explores how people live in space and place and how that influences the way space and place is designed and navigated. This is a thought provoking read that will help you experience your own space and place differently as a result of reading the book. Perhaps the most essential lesson is that we can’t rely on a conceptual framework to understand space and place. We need to experience and embody it.

Book Review: Actor Training the Laban Way by Barbara Adrian

This is a book you can't just read. You will only appreciate this book if you do the exercises and pay attention to the changes that result. I do recommend reading it first just to take notes and get a sense of the concepts, but then go back and do the work. While this book is labeled for actors, I think any person can get a lot out of this book if they apply themselves. I also like that the author acknowledges the occult interests of Laban and how they played a role in his work.

Book Review: The Rollright Ritual by William G. Gray

This is a amazing book where the author discusses how to connect and work with the land magically using ritual and elemental energies. It’s a profound book which shares a ritual that can be performed and used to connect with the original ritual, but just as importantly can inspire you to develop your own work with the sacred space and land you are part of. I highly recommend this book as an example ow how to work with the land magically and how to develop a ritual.

Book Review: Qigong Empowerment by Shou-you Liang and Wen-Ching Wu

This a collection of qigong techniques and also an exploration of the different sects of the Taoism. Its a fascinating read but the real treasure lies in doing the work contained in the book. The exercises build off each other and can be used to enhance your health and well-being while cultivating your internal energy. I highly recommend this book if you are interested n Taoist practices.

Book Review: The Quantum Mind and Healing by Arnold Mindell

This is a fascinating book which explores how to listen and feel the symptoms of pain in your body, and use them as allies to work through psychological and physical issues, while also developing a closer relationship with your body. Reading and it working through the exercises has helped me take my inner alchemical work further, because the concepts shared in this book can be applied to both Western and Eastern body practices. This is a must read book for anyone who wants to develop a conscious relationship with their body.

Book Review: Dollars and Sense by Dan Ariely and Jeff Kreisler

Dollars and Sense is an excellent book that helps readers explore their relationship with money and why they have the spending habits they have. A good 2/3rds of the book is dedicated to uncovering the behaviors behind our spending habits and showing people how to recognize those behaviors. The last 1/3rd of the book is focused on possible solutions and changes we can make to be better spenders of our own money. I recommend this book if you want to understand your own spending habits.