MA

Twisters are tornadoes. I learned about them in the book Twisters by Will Osborne. Twisters wreak everything. Twisters can destroy homes because the winds go 300 miles per hour. They hit in the midwestern U.S. in April, May and June. I feel excited about this book because it's good to know about natural disasters so if it happens you'll be prepared.

My final comment is, "What a fine book and guide this is!" I say this because even though it has been several years since I've read the book thoroughly, it has been my bedside companion and daily guide. The Way of the Goddess book starts out rather slowly and harkens back to the 60's and early 70's - with a rather thick flower child approach to the life of the author - afterall those were the days she was brought into. Her early life was 'comfortable' and rather normal even for the current late '90's - laden with a rebelious streak, confusion, abortions, drugs, etc. But for me the fascinating story is with her encounters and experiences which provided her with inspiration on her spiritual path. Even though each step of her life has put her firmly on the path of a sacred and gifted life, she has not been without a great amount of grief and sacrifice at times - and these life stories are there to wake the reader up to better 'listening.' She talks of different realms of reality that psychics touch on whenever I go to a reading for myself - only her stories seem to be 3D pageantry. She draws from the many colorful encounters she's had with a remarkable number of teachers from around the globe, mostly from New Zealand and India, but it is not a heavy name-dropping trip either. The book has shown me about trusting more and when in doubt, questioning what's in front of me - what's really going on - the possibilities of things operating on oneself from different realities. Whatever they may be I feel I can't really interpret them yet - but here at least, in this book, is a beginning vocabulary. Shantara also lists various practices at the end of the book - step by step breathing meditations, work with crystals, daily afirmations, etc., which I have referred to day after day for my own inspiration. She also describes the current catch-concept of soul-mate, or her Twin Ray, her Beloved. As the book was copyrighted in 1993, I would be very interested in contacting the author, (which is actually what got me to this review!), to see what Shantara and Virokana are doing. This is a book worth reading and having, especially if the spiritual stirrings and yearnings in you are fledgling and you need a guide to open up your own book, so to speak.

Having been born and raised in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, I found this book quite interesting. It's fun to look at the historic pictures of what my neighborhood looked like when it was just a town.

It also explains how West Roxbury got that name. Many people mistakenly believe that West Roxbury is the western side of Roxbury, but it is not. West Roxbury is separated from Roxbury by Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, and borders Dedham, Newton, Brookline, and Roslindale. This book explains that back in the 17th century, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and West Roxbury were all Roxbury. To make a long story short, they were eventually divided up into different neighborhoods. Today's modern West Roxbury is actually at the western tip of what used to be Roxbury in the 17th century. This explains why the oldest school in the country, Roxbury Latin (which is located in West Roxbury), has that name.

West Roxbury has the look and feel of a suburb, but it is actually a neighborhood in the city of Boston. It is very Irish, and some refer to it as the "lace curtain Irish section of Boston."

Lee Marsh's careful research and description of the town's history really shows through the use of photograph captioning. I thoroughly enjoyed the book; it adds to the collection. I would definitely recommend this book for history buffs young and old alike!

If there is any book out there that can explain the complex and profound teachings of Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra, you need not look any further; it's right here. These two paths provide all of us with the most profound and skillful means toward awakening, helping us directly savor the truth of both our minds and surroundings. But make no mistake about it though, for these two are some of the most difficult teachings in all of Buddhism to follow and understand.

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche became a monk at an early age and studied under arguably the two greatest masters of modern times in Tibetan Buddhism. The 16th Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He has traveled all over the world to spread the Buddha's wisdom for us. He is also a faculty member of Naropa University (school for Buddhist studies) in Colorado.

In this book, Ponlop explains how the Buddha taught us that outside of our own minds, there is no wisdom or enlightenment. This alone, for me, is a subtly reflective statement. From this outlook, anything we gain in the form of teaching (be that reading texts or listening to dharma talks) is actually not something separate from us. That's a very important point. The Mahamudra and Dzogchen pathways are the two most immediate routes for attaining realization of the truth of reality, and Ponlop Rinpoche does an expert job at presenting us with some of the basic fundamentals right here. Enjoy this work.

I picked up this book while waiting in transit at the Singapore airport. It made for enjoyable reading, and I learned a lot about humor in the Chinese culture. It contains short stories passed down from ancient times that are funny and interesting. It would make a great gift, and I am disappointed that it has gone out of print.

Worcester, Massachusetts, while well known to those in the center of the state, is a city ignored by many. This selection of pictures and text gives those who live here and new visitors a great look into the past. The city developed with an immigrant population and has continued to grow with each decade. The photographs here give readers a glimpse into an engaging past. While many people in the state consider only the areas around Boston as important, this author proves them wrong. Pictures are rich, text is illuminating; the combination is an excellent work. Keep an eye out for "Worcester, Vol.2." Don't pass this selection by....you will regret your folly!!!

Excellent pictorial history, but the title is mispelled as indicated in the above one-line summary.

This book is an excellent resource for prayer. It can be understood no matter what level you are working from. There are many resources Mr. Dunnam draws from, especially scripture. The book takes you step by step through various methods for prayer and gives the reader many insights. There is reading for each day of the week, culminating in a group sharing experience. Overcoming hurdles and keys for effective intercession are wonderful weeks for increasing understanding. Faith imagination is also included in week number 6. The final week, "The Intercessor" is powerful. I have used this book in a group setting for adult Christian education. Group size suggested is 6-12, however, we have had about 10-18. This resource is a wonderful guide for the leader of the group as well as the individual. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to strengthen or deepen their prayer life.

Simply put, this is a very good book. It explains so many useful concepts that you need to focus on and try to apply in your tai chi practice. The language (including the very useful translations from Tai Chi Classics) is clear and the book is well organized. Notice however that although the book also describes the slow form, you will not be able to learn it from the book. The form is there for reference.