Review: Seeing Beyond Illusions

Seeing Beyond Illusions: Freeing Ourselves from Ego, Guilt, and the Belief in Separation
by David Ian Cowan
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Weiser Books
ISBN-10: 1578635748
ISBN-13: 978-1578635740

Barry’s score 5 stars out of 5

seeing beyond illusionsProduct description:
Using the fundamentals of A Course in Miracles, Seeing Beyond Illusions walks us through a gentle dismantling of the dualistic lie of separation, freeing us from our unconscious guilt at having forsaken Source by learning to trust our divine connection to all that is. At its core, this book is about letting go of our need and urge to control, freeing ourselves to embrace forgiveness, and experience the reality of our profound connection with others.

The easiest of easygoing spiritual coaches, David Cowan has a gift for synthesizing wisdom as old as Jesus and as cutting-edge as neuroscience, his writing is infused with an all-encompassing relevance that heals.

My thoughts:

Wonderfully paced and easy to read, Cowan’s “Seeing Beyond Illusion” is 17 chapters of brilliance. Like Ken Carey’s Foreword, I felt as if Cowan were putting my own thoughts on the page as I read. Of course, it was Cowan skillfully setting the table.

By misrepresenting the Divine through their own limited and anthropomorphic projections, human dualistic religions turn those who were awakening to new vistas of human potential through education and science away from a truly integrated and natural spirituality.

I really enjoyed this thought-provoking book and posted some of the quotes on Facebook as I was reading it. “Seeing Beyond Illusion” is a must-have for your spiritual home library. I give the book 5 stars out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In my mailbox 03/03/15

 

The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook: Wickedly Good Meals and Desserts to Die For

Hard-boiled breakfasts, thrilling entrees, cozy desserts, and more–this illustrated cookbook features more than 100 recipes from legendary mystery authors. Whether you’re planning a sinister dinner party or whipping up some comfort food perfect for a day of writing, you’ll find plenty to savor in this cunning collection. Full-color photography is featured throughout, along with mischievous sidebars revealing the links between food and foul play. Contributors include Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Nelson DeMille, Gillian Flynn, Sue Grafton, Charlaine Harris, James Patterson, Louise Penny, Scott Turow, and many more.

The Multidimensional Traveler

New book from New Page Books for the esoterically minded reader …

A hair-raising compilation of real-life stories, The Multidimensional Traveler: Finding Togetherness, or How I Learned to Break the Rules of Physics and Sojourn Across Dimensions and Time is a one of the most comprehensive accounts ever published of a person moving through time, space and the universe.

Beyond describing her own experiences as a multidimensional traveler, the author, Khartika Goe, also guides readers to discovering the tools and the wisdom to achieve and benefit from their own experiences beyond the limitations of their bodies.
At Amazon The Multidimensional Traveler: Finding Togetherness or How I Learned to Break the Rules of Physics and Sojourn Across Dimensions and Time

Free ebook: Atheism & The Spiritual Atheist

Atheism & The Spiritual Atheist id free on Amazon until March 1st … give it a try.

Atheism & The Spiritual Atheist: Personal & Spiritual Growth In An Age Of Skeptics (Spirituality, Meditation, Life Choices Book 5)

While atheism often points out the hypocrisies and faults of religious belief atheists desire a sense of integrity, honesty and wholeness just as much as anyone else. The atheist view of the world allows for an open mind, questioning and debate, but often excludes discussions on spirituality as a valid human expression of integrity or personal maturity. Atheism And The Spiritual Atheist is an exploration of what being spiritual is really all about.

If you already identify as an atheist you know a rejection of religious beliefs in does not change your core values of honesty, truthfulness, compassion, moral and ethical behaviour and personal integrity. Yet as atheists we often reject the notion that ‘spirituality’ is something we should explore or embrace. At the same time we have a yearning in our hearts and a mindful awareness for compassion in our society and a desire to do good, be good and effectively help others.

Atheism And The Spiritual Atheist is an exploration of what it means to be atheist and spiritual. If you question how to bring true value to your own life with a sense of spirituality, integrity and to live a life that is wholesome, compassionate, honest and dignified read Atheism And The Spiritual Atheist. Atheists in America have a particularly difficult social stigma to being atheist. Yet there is no reason atheism should not be seen and appreciated as valid an expression of compassion and integrity as any religious faith. Learn how to incorporate spirituality into your own life while maintaining a unique view of the world, your fellow citizens and those less fortunate than you.

This book is like an atheism for dummies or atheist manifesto without the arguments against religion or the divine. Perhaps just as much a spirituality for dummies or spiritual awakening book it explores the simple truths both the religious and the atheist often neglect or forget.

What is Barry reading?

Hi Gnostalgia folks!

I really wanted to get back into booktubing but my software has a hiccup when it comes to the microphone in narration mode. Weird…

It’s a cool morning here in sunny Florida and my attention has wandered off into topics such as potting soil. That being said, I have a few books that I am looking at…

Medusa: A Dark Victorian Penny Dread (The Dark Victorian Penny Dreads Book 2)

Ice Demon: A Dark Victorian Penny Dread (The Dark Victorian Penny Dreads Book 1)

I am contacting folks about a giveaway of a book titled “Love Never Dies” … we shall see what the Author says!  Keep and eye posted BTW the prize is mailed by the Author so the giveaway is for the US only.

One review pending of Seeing Beyond Illusions by David Cowan. I’ll sandbag this one until next month.

Expect to see my reviews of Medusa and Ice Demon cross-posted on my other blog Attention Earthlings (http://barry-gnostalgia.blogspot.com). While Attention Earthlings is more scifi and horror, I think dark victorian-steampunk title should work nicely.

Medusa-promo2

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

John Green plagiarized

Reminds me once of a date in which I tried to impress the lady by working in a few quotes. Sadly, she was having none of it and replied, “… do you have an original thought!” The last straw, as far as she was concerned, was when I accidentally quoted a TV show (one I didn’t watch).  Stuff happens, you simply have to apologize and try to fix it and I think John Green did just that.

 

Review: The Infinite Wisdom of the Akashic Records

The Infinite Wisdom of the Akashic Records
BY LISA BARNETT
NEW PAGE BOOKS – MARCH 2015

Barry’s score 3 stars out of 5

Product description:

The Infinite Wisdom of the Akashic Records is an extraordinary book filled with unparalleled tools for transformation. Accessing the Akashic Records is one of the most powerful paths to self-awareness and personal change currently available. Lisa carefully and lovingly guides you through the Akashic Knowing Wisdom Prayer System, a five-step system with three vibrational keys to directly and easily access your Akashic Record. You will also become skilled at:

  • The art of formulating questions to receive life-enhancing answers.
  • Releasing karma, soul contracts, and vows that bind you to negative life patterns.
  • Gaining clarity about personal situations by practicing exercises.
  • Learning new healing tools from the Akashic Lords to assist you in further releasing old issues and aligning with your life purpose.Author Lisa Barnett has gathered all her most successful techniques, strategies, shortcuts, and wisdom into this one book so you can do it yourself–anytime, anywhere.

My thoughts:

While I loved Smith and Shaw’s “Do It Yourself Akashic Wisdom” (link), I didn’t really warm up to Barnett’s The Infinite Wisdom of the Akashic Records. Barnett’s approach seemed to me to be too structured and ritualistic. For example,  she says that you must use your “legal name” to fully access your Akashic records. I can see using her prayers as inspiration, but reading her prayers and inserting your legal name just doesn’t feel right to me. She also says no  alcohol within 8 to 12 hours of an attempt to access your Akashic records — so much for that glass of wine.  I spoke to a psychic, who I respect, and she disagreed with Barnett’s approach. To each his own … I suppose.

The book is slow to build, the first chapter feels like one of those internet ads for a “simple trick to …” but it never tells you the simple trick.  Eventually, we land on an ad for  Barnett’s 4-part training course complete with website address.  I looked them up on the web and the prices of the courses varied between $350 to $450.

That being said, the book is an easy read.  The 4 chapters have a pleasant and positive vibe to them and it was an interesting read. I don’t think that I would recommend it for your home library, but it would be something to check out at the library. I give The Infinite Wisdom of the Akashic Records 3 stars out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from New Page Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”