Book Description
Once in a while a book appears, so simple and profound that it has the potential to change your life, and with it, the world. "Life: a complete operating manual" is such a book. Powerful and compelling, this breakthrough book unveils the "secret to life" — how your thoughts create your life experiences. Weaving ancient teachings, current scientific knowledge, and spirituality into a cohesive tapestry, "Life" untangles the mysteries behind life — how mind, body, and spirit work together with the Universe in a symphony of energy. Presented as a workbook and guide, you will discover how and why you have experienced what you have in life and then utilize that information to create the life that you desire. With the completion of each exercise, you will begin to understand your authentic power, and with that knowledge, gain a renewed sense of hope for our world. So, if you're ready to live life as it is meant to be lived — to experience joy more frequently, have more than enough money, live in radiant health, solve your problems, enjoy fulfilling relationships, and leave all diets behind while having the body you desire — dive into "Life." You'll be glad you did!
Customer Reviews:
Call in the Geek Squad.......2007-09-28
Purporting to unveil the secret behind The Secret this book is a confused mish-mash New Age philosophy and pop psychology.
On the positive side, this book is physically quite attractive. The binder and section dividers feature lovely photographs and I thought the format was promising. The problem, however is in the contents. The author's style is clumsily self-conscious and she doesn't have an original idea.(In all fairness, there is not much new on the Law of Attraction. The trick is in a fresh presentation.) The book is packed with quotations of other people's works and song lyrics. Apparently, the author once ordered one book and another, a book of inspirational quotations, came instead She found this book wonderfully inspirational and each chapter features not just one or two quotes, but sometimes pages of them. Sorry, if I wanted to read Conversations with God I, II and III, The Nature of Personal Reality or any of the others she relies on, I would not have been reading her book. This over reliance on quotes is disruptive and contributes to the careful, term paperish effect.
This book quickly loses focus, jumping wildly from a clunky law of attraction formula to a recitation of the author's traumatic and abusive childhood and journey through different recovery modalities. While I credit her for addressing these challenges, it reads like a bad episode of Dr. Phil. It is somewhat troubling that she disparages the classic twelve step method as it does not fit within the precepts of her message.
The author refers to her higher self as "Angel". If you subscribe to the traditional definition of angels as being messengers of God, you will find his usage jarring.
If you are interested in the law of Attraction, there are many fine books that present it in an accessible manner. You can't go wrong with the classic Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder. The Abraham -Hicks materials provide a contemporary look at the law of attraction as do the Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale and Lynne Grabhorn's Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting. Michale Losier's Law of Attraction workbook is simple but effective while The Sedona Method and Larry Crane's Abundance Course are superb tutorials on releasing. If you opt for this offering you will receive a really neat binder and a headache.
mind into soul.......2007-07-04
this is a great self help book if you are wanting to know how we work inside and out a must to read the exercises are amazing for me you must buy this to help you understand spirit and connect with our own power within another great self help book is the calling of your true self elizabeth anne bell this one makes loads of sense as to the spirit is already within [listen and you will find yourself]it also has self help both great reads i keep reading them over to take it all in.
Life a Complete Operating Manual.......2007-01-29
I am not quite done with this book because I am savoring every morsel. This book is what I needed to explain and guide what I have felt for years. I love the writing style of this author because it is easy to understand and her humor is exquisite. I recommend this book highly but to be enjoyable it must be read with an open mind.
Absolutely DIVINE!.......2002-02-09
I am a Metaphysician and an avid Law of Attraction (LOA) worker. One of my favorite things to do is continuously reveal to myself *evidence* of how Great Things Really Are. Lauren's book is an SPARKLING JEWEL! I totally adore how she has collected quotes & passages from throughout the ages from a huge assortment of Wise Voices and I definitely appreciate her research format of actually citing her sources (so often missing or incomplete in others' works). Her material is accurate, timely, and perfectly applicable - especially so in our current world situation. Read this book and drink from the Well of Wellbeingness. Your soul will thank you, your heart will rejoice, and your mind will have something very tangible to work with. The best part? You'll discover that your Sacred Imagination is finally free to do its thing: Make YOUR Personal Universe/Reality Delicously FUN! This is THE BOOK to savor for Deliberate Creators Everywhere :) I cannot say enough Good Things about this wonderful work. Lauren, you've made Life Easier and that's Really Fantastic!
Wow! What a life changing creation!.......2001-11-02
I have not been the same since I read this book. Lauren takes a lot of metaphysical teachings and puts them all together in one easy to read book, with practical applications. It's just amazing! I think that anyone who reads this book, and is serious about loving life and living life to it's fullest will find this "THE ONE" to get them on their way. Once you are on your way, if you falter, you can always go back through the book and re-apply it to new situations that come up. It will never be outdated.
Book Description
In her books and workshops, Caroline Myss urges her followers to look deep inside themselves by answering the many questions she presents for self-exploration. Like archaeologists of the soul, we need to excavate our hidden depths to unearth the shards of the spirit, and then reassemble those fragments into a whole self. Now Caroline's Journal of Inner Dialogue offers you the perfect tool with which to keep track of the answers to those questions. It allows you to return and examine your original answers, learn from them, and then move on to uncover the next layer of truth.
The journal is conveniently divided into sections devoted to her most popular concepts: Sacred Contracts, Archetypes, and the Chakras. Brief introductions explain each concept and then give you specially prepared forms on which to record information about the people with whom you have contracts; to answer questions to determine your 12 archetypes and to help you learn more about the function of the 7 chakras; and blank Archetypal Wheels on which to cast your charts. This is an expandable journal, which will allow you to add to or modify it in anyway in the future. The journal is the ideal way to work with any of Caroline's books, tapes, or workshops.
Customer Reviews:
good stuff.......2006-11-10
i love her work, this is a good companion to her book, sacred contracts.. would recommend reading that along with this.. i did like the workbook style
Journal for the Journey of Your Soul.......2006-11-03
I find this journal to be really helpful in following the work I am currently doing with Caroline Myss. It provides a format that is portable and a structure that directs the work well. The things in the book could be put together individually from other sources, especially if one is working with Caroline's books, but it's nice to have it together in this very attractive package.
Fantastic personal reference material.......2005-07-19
I have found this to be such a wonderful compliment to Caroline's published works and her online salon (for which I made the purchase).
If Caroline's work is where it's at for you then this is just the most ideal tool.
Highly recommended :)
Unexpected joy.......2005-07-09
Although it's listed as a journal, I guess it never really sunk in that it WAS REALLY A JOURNAL! I know that may sound ridiculous, but it's really a journal with lots of fancy paper and questions to answer as you go on a sacred journey of self, following the Sacred Contracts format. If you have already read SACRED CONTRACTS and are familiar with Caroline Myss' interpretations of Chakras and Archtypes, then this is a wonderful tool to help you put it all together. It's a fun and beautiful gift to give to yourself or anyone who is a Myss fan.
Archaeology of the Soul.......2004-03-24
"All archetypes have "shadow" manifestations as well as positive aspects." ~Caroline Myss
After discovering Caroline Myss and her work in the areas of Self-Esteem, I took an interest in other areas of her research. While Archetypes, Sacred Contracts and Chakras may be foreign territory for many of us, these ideas can be rather enlightening.
I first discovered Chakras while doing a yoga video called "Yoga Zone Flexibility and Stress Release" and was amazed at how healed I was just after imagining colors in various areas of my body.
The "Journal of Inner Dialogue" is divided into three main sections:
Sacred Contracts
Archetypes
Chakras
Caroline uses questions to encourage you to examine your inner motivations, strengths, fears, energy blocks and challenges. She believes you made a sacred contract before you were born and this determines what you will learn in your life. While I can't validate this information myself, it is intriguing.
Since this is a journal-style book, you will find plenty of lined sheets for your own writing. You can fill in answers to questions, fill in sacred contract sheets or explore each chakra in depth. The ring binding and cover are of high quality and this book is quite beautiful and has a linen-textured earthy olive green lining and even a pocket on the inner front cover.
If you purchase this item, do consider the Caroline Myss Archetype Cards. I found them to be essential when discovering your archetypes. A book explaining the Archetypes is also included in the box of cards.
~TheRebeccaReview.com
Average customer rating:
- To Carlos, with gratitude
- A Story That Gives Severe Curiousity...
- In Depth Sorcery...
- One must suspend their disbelief when they read this
- Hooked on other realities
|
The Second Ring of Power
Carlos Castaneda
Manufacturer: Washington Square Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Native American | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Shamanism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Castaneda, Carlos | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Tales of Power
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Separate Reality
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Journey To Ixtlan
ASIN: 0671732471 |
Book Description
ENTER THE SORCERESS!
Back from the abyss, Castaneda encounter his greatest test on the journey towards impeccability and freedom: to outwit and overpower the sorcery of Doña Soledad, herself transformed from a defeated and meaningless life to a warrior, a hunter and a "stalker of power."
Now the combat will begin. Now the journey will continue. Till the last danger is faced...the final paradox embraced.
Customer Reviews:
To Carlos, with gratitude.......2007-06-22
Carlos Castaneda was one of the most controversial writers of the twentieth century. Some in academia branded him a fraud for claiming his stories were biographical rather than fiction, while lauding him as a great novelist for exposing a mass audience to otherwise inaccessible philosophical abstractions they claimed were largely plagiarized. Each of his works is a piece of a larger puzzle, which makes it impossible to critique any one book without addressing the larger context into which it fits.
His first two books, "Teachings of Don Juan" and "A Separate Reality" describe experiences induced by ingesting psychotropic hallucinogenics prepared by a Yaqui Indian shaman from Sonora, Mexico he called don Juan Matus, and accounted for his becoming a guru to a generation seeking short cuts to spiritual enlightenment, as well as his lifelong interest in the relationship between perception and reality, a theme now explored in many popular books on consciousness and quantum physics. Unfortunately, these books remain his best selling works, in spite of Castaneda refuting their importance in his later works. Readers would be best served to skip these and avoid the risk of being turned off to Castaneda and missing the more stimulating works that followed.
His third and fourth works were "Journey to Ixtlan" and "Tales of Power." In Ixtlan he admits to over-estimating the value of his drug experiences, which caused him to overlook the more profound teachings of don Juan which became the focus of future writings. What emerges is a spiritual discipline dating back to the Pre-Colombian Toltec sorcerers of Latin America, culminating with don Juan's departure from our world, effectively ending Castaneda's direct affiliation.
In his fifth and sixth works "Second Ring of Power" and "Eagles Gift" Castaneda suffers strange flashbacks of what seem to be memory fragments of events he is unable to fit into any logical time sequence. In his seventh and eighth works, "Fire From Within" and "Power of Silence," Castaneda succeeds in reconstructing his lost memories, which derive from teachings previously administered by don Juan while Castaneda was in a "heightened" state of awareness.
In books nine and ten, "Art of Dreaming" and "Active Side of Infinity," Castaneda focuses on what he describes as inorganic predators from another dimension, some having the power to imprison humanity in "ordinary reality" so they can feed on the dark emotional energies we produce when succumbing to the negative thoughts they insert into our minds.
In later years several seemingly substantiating works appeared by two of Castaneda's female apprentices, Taisha Abelar and Florinda Donner-Grau. In addition, two scathing exposés were also published by two of his ex-wives. The first, "Magical Journey with Carlos Castaneda" by first wife, Margaret Runyon, offers little corroboration, since her marriage pre-dates the time when the bulk of Castaneda's adventures were claimed to have occurred. While steadfast that Castaneda was a sorcerer, she doubts the existence of don Juan, even claiming authorship of many of the concepts Castaneda ascribed to him.
The second, and more credible work, is "Sorcerer's Apprentice," by well-known writer Amy Wallace, daughter of the late best selling novelist Irving Wallace. Here again, we find little corroboration since the time of the events she describes is well after the period when Castaneda's relationship with don Juan is alleged to occur. What the book does provide is a troubling look inside Castaneda's final years, a picture of descent into what seems sexual addiction and possibly madness, leaving one to wonder if Castaneda was just one cup of cool-aid short of a Jonestown.
Many have asked why I put any stock whatsoever in Castaneda. A story from my autobiography, "The Vortex" may shed some light. A year before Castaneda published his first book I had an experience that would remain a mystery until Castaneda published "Power of Silence" twenty years later.
For a brief time, in my youth, I became a practicing Muslim, meticulously performing the complex prayer ritual five times a day. Then one night, sitting in my car, frustrated and complaining at not being able to find the address of my next sales appointment, something inside me snapped. It was as if some part of me had disconnected from my body and assumed control, lecturing me about my lack of discipline. A profound calm settled over me, rendering me simultaneously detached and engaged. For two days my sales figures soared. It was as if no one could say no to me. On the evening of the second day I decided to put my new state of being to the acid test by visiting my parents. Their behavior was so uncharacteristically supportive I hardly recognized them. It was enough to convince me that I was now living in an altered reality. But by the following morning I had returned to "normal." So distracting had this event been that I completely forgot to perform my Muslim prayers, and in fact, never did so again.
Twenty years later, in a chapter of "Power of Silence" entitled "Place of No Pity" Castaneda describes a very similar experience. In the aftermath of the event don Juan explains that humans are like televisions stuck on a channel called "self-preoccupation," lacking the energy to tune into any of the vast array of other channels available to us. To change channels, he explains, we first need to accumulate energy, by practicing rituals that are deliberate, precise and repetitious. Do this long enough and eventually our stored energy precipitates a shift to a channel where self-importance and self pity become impossible. Once this happens we connect with the force that controls the entire universe, a force don Juan called "intent," and everything can be bent to our will and even more channels can be opened, assuming we remember to keep practicing the rituals that save our energy.
This one realization alone was enough to inspire me to dedicate my autobiography "To Carlos, with gratitude."
Maxwell Austin van Lack, Author of The Vortex: A True Story of Passion and Karma
A Story That Gives Severe Curiousity..........2004-07-10
My dad recommended this to me; he told me he read them as a young adult when Carlos' books were just being published. My library only had this one, so I had to begin on a seemingly already well-traveled joruney. All I can say is this is one book I'll never forget. It was amazing, and yet indeed troubling for me because I've never heard anyone talk about life quite the way he explains it in a Sorcerer's eyes. I love, as a woman myself, that there are females Sorcerers that helped him, because indeed wherever men have been, women have as well. But other than that, I found them to be weird characters, people that don't sound like they live in our world whatsoever. The men, Nestor, Beningo, and Pablito and the women Gorda, Lidia, Rosa, and Josefina are just souls that could confuse any of us average kind, and I truly felt like Carlos- confused and severely curious throughout the entire novel. That's why I don't appreciate them all calling him stupid constantly, I mean, cut him slack. He's learning as they learned. And what things he learned, as well as myself.
Dad asked me if I believe it, or cast it aside as a really well- written story. I say...maybe. Look at it in my perspective. I'm young, confused, and just starting to get my own 'form'. I believe there is much more out there than can be proven under a microscope, but I need to be level- headed and realistic and understand how pessimistic viewers see it as well. There's no proof what this man wrote is true, but there's absolutely no proof he's lying either. It is eerie how good he is at writing such a story, making it sound so true, but there have been stories that have fooled us before. So I'm not sure. This man has really put me in a bind, and I don't regret it. The more you think, the more broader your mind and soul get. (That's my philosophy at least.)
I'll tell you this much, this is truly an author I would love to meet, but since that's probably never going to happen, I'm going to read more of him when I have time. I have still many questions, and regardless of if this is a story or not, I want them answered.
Just a note, try to get his very first book if can, and if you want a book on enjoyment instead of study, don't even pick this up. It's no fantasy novel. It's a whole other world of study that derives basically on shamanism in the vast and mysterious lands of Mexico.
In Depth Sorcery..........2004-02-02
This is when the fun Begins, Carlos Comes Back From the Abyss, And begins to ponder whether he really jumped off a mountain so he goes back to mexico to see if he can find answers, and boy did he, In order to completely understand this book its a must to read the last previous books Or else you will be Lost ! It gets pretty Complicated but if you've read the previous books you can comprehend it pretty well, this book also deserves at least 2 reads you'll find different answers all the time, Once you begin comprehending you will finally be addicted to the writings of Carlos, his descriptions are so thorough It paints a most vivid picture of his details. The Beginning of Carlos's First Battle with Sorcery and he finds in-depth powers he never thought he can achieve, and this also introduces the art of dreaming and the second attention,
Carlos Replaces his beloved Teacher Don Juan as the New Nagual for Don Juan's Mysterious Apprentices.
I read this book within a week cause i couldn't put it down.
Surreal and amazing
a must have for Castaneda Followers!
Let your Path to a Toltec Warrior Begin...
One must suspend their disbelief when they read this.......2000-05-29
Castaneda has a large and vocal following. Judging from previous reviews, all of them are not at the highest level of literacy, but they do seem to have confidence in the tales he relates.
I often wonder how it is that people will believe stories that can only be described as preposterous--stories at which they would scoff, if told them by a friend or coworker, simply because they are in book form.
Castaneda achieved great success with his 'Tales of Don Juan,' which the New York Times called "an extraordinary spiritual and psychological document." This book is a follow-on, only the sorceress, Dona Soledad, is a female who was trained by Don Juan, this gaining the loyalty of a feminine audience.
I have met a sorcerer's apprentice who lived with the Weshaw Indians of Mexico and used the sacred mushroom with them, and learned to use the water drum, and experienced other aspects of their culture. There are many deep mysteries to examine, and I am open to them.
Carlos Castaneda, however, does not resonate with me. Well-written, perhaps. I can see no reason to rush to judgment to believe him, though.
Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity
Hooked on other realities.......1999-12-12
Have read several Castaneda books and while much of it is difficult for me to understand it is compelling because he gives you a glimpse of another reality and then suddenly its gone but you know you were there. I love his books.
Book Description
The BarKeeper Pocket Peeker is a compact drink recipe guide that fits easily into a shirt pocket or backpants pocket for quick and easy access. Its easy to read and the recipes are in alphabetical order. The drink name, the type of glass to use, the ingredients, the mixing method and the garnish are all included. All this information in a neat little flip-chart style booklet that practically fits in the palm of your hand. The pages are even laminated to easily keep them clean and dry so your BarKeeper Pocket Peeker will last you a long, long time. You won't find any of those obscure or fly by night drink recipes thrown in to fill up space. These cocktails are being mixed by the millions today in nightclubs, bars, restaurants and casinos from coast to coast.
Customer Reviews:
Great basic pocket book.......2007-09-25
Great mini pocket book for all servers/ bartenders, or even people who want to throw mini cocktail parties at home. No pictures or anything, just a basic recipe for all kinds of cocktails you can imagine. It comes with a little bottle opener, what a neat idea. It might not have all new fancy drinks you see on HBO shows, but for the basics, this is what you need.
Simply The Best.......2006-05-03
I have never owned such a more convenient and detailed drink recipe guide as this! I would recommend this to any Bar Tender or anyone who wishes to make drinks like a pro.
it serves it purpose.......2005-10-09
this booklet is actually 9 laminated index cards held together by a keychain ring. it also has a small bottle opener. i have not used it much yet, but it seems simple enough.
it's arranged in ABC order and provides the following info for each drink:
type of glass used, ingredients, method of pouring (shaken, blend, over ice, etc.), and garnish used.
it definitely serves as a quick reference, but not much more than that. i recommend it if this is all you need it for.
PocketPeeker Disapoint.......2005-10-09
Overall the BarKeeper Pocket Peeker does have most usefull drink mix recipes for the average consumer and bartender, however, the size, shape and construction of this small "booklet" does not compromise the value. The book is held together with one small ring loop, and is quite hard to use as a quick reference guide if ti was in someones back pocket as it seems to be for. Even the pocket-knife bottle opener that the picture shows in the advertisement is not the same as the one shipped. The bottle opener has no knife and I could have bought the opener at any store for 25 cents. Dissapointed.
FABULOUS.......2005-08-03
This is the best idea! The little book fits perfectly in my back pocket. It's great for when you have a brain fart and need to remember how to make some of the "classics" that are coming back in style. It also has many newer drinks as well. I use it almost every time I work! Don't think it would be good for someone with poor eyesite as the writing is small, but it has to be to cram that much info into such a small space! I LOVE IT!!!
Book Description
While providing many accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) from men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds, Lessons from the Light is much more than just an inspiring collection of NDEs. In Lessons near-death expert Kenneth Ring extracts the pure gold of the NDE and with a beautiful balance of sound research and human insight reveals the practical wisdom held within these experiences.
As Stanley Krippner states, "In this remarkable book, Ring presents evidence that merely learning about the near-death experience has similar positive effects to those reported by people who actually have had near-death experiences. Kenneth Ring is one of the few authors whose gifts include the capacity to transform their readers' lives."
Customer Reviews:
An amazing undertaking and a good read.......2007-10-06
As one of the near-death experiencers written about in this book (and also Heading Toward Omega, Ring, 1984) I know how carefully and clearly Kenneth Ring interviews and reports. This book takes in all of the years of his research and gives us an overview that is pristine near-death studies.
Ring's writing is exceptionally engaging!
Barbara Harris Whitfield, Author and Near-death Experiencer
Lessons from the Light.......2007-08-23
This is a very good book in that the author reports the results of extensive studies of near-death experiences. I was especially impressed by his description of the life review experience and what it did to the people who experienced it. One thing puzzled me. Other books and accounts of near-death experiences describe cases where the experiencer went directly to hell or the "void." This book gives almost no recognition of that as a possibility. Did Ring want to promote a positive view of what happens after this life? Or, are the other writers catering to what some people want to be the case?
The best book on Near-Death Experiences.......2007-04-21
If you buy one book on the near-death experience, make it this one. Lessons from the Light is a treasure; radiant, direct, and moving. Like the light seen in the near-death experience, Dr. Ring's masterpiece is replete with messages and healing gifts for anyone who picks it up. In fact, it is impossible to read Lessons and not be transformed by its message, woven together from the many golden threads of Dr. Ring's case studies. We learn there is another mode of existence where the blind and comatose can see, babies can watch their birth from above, and life never ends. This testimony compels us to open our hearts to a luminous compassion for ourselves, others, and the planet. These personal glimpses beyond the veil help us re-envision the face of death from that of a feared specter to that of the perfect lover we have always longed for.
Ironically, by learning about dying, we gain crucial insights about living that can redirect our understanding to the things that matter; what we take with us to the other side, especially love and service to others. Nobody is lost to us, and we take no secrets or possessions to this final destination. These lessons can enrich our lives immeasurably, save us from wasted years and futile pursuits, and gift us with joy and peace of mind that can last a lifetime. With the Light, all ends well, however life appears as we experience it.
Good read but technical.......2007-04-12
This book was very informative and insightful about what is learned from near-death experiences. It reads very technical and dry though so not for the impatient reader.
Positive-minded, inquisitive, and spiritually uplifting antidote to the fear of death........2006-12-10
Professor Emeritus of Psychology and co-founder and past president of the International Association for Near-Death Studies Kenneth Ring, Ph.D. presents Lessons From the Light: What We Can Learn from the Near-Death Experience, a compilation of both individual experiences and the latest studies concerning Near-Death experiences, or NDEs. One strong conclusion is that NDEs overwhelmingly influence or persuade those who experience them toward belief in an afterlife. Numerous personal testimonies of religious or spiritual awakening resulting from NDEs are also presented, in this positive-minded, inquisitive, and spiritually uplifting antidote to the fear of death.
Customer Reviews:
Best book I ever read on the subject!.......1999-03-18
I read this book over ten years ago and have never forgotten it! It gave acounts from so many and made me feel as though I were sitting in on the interview. I have read many books on this subject, but I cant wait to read it again! Now if only I could just find it!
Well written but too subjective........1998-07-11
This book serves it purpose well as an introduction to the NDE. The book is very well organized and well written. As a writing exercise, I would give this book very high marks.
However, I do have one serious problem with this book. The author goes to great pains to present his material in an objective fashion, but this comes off as nothing more than wishful thinking on his part. These experiences, by their very nature, are utterly subjective, and therefore beyond the scrutiny of science. At the end of the book, the author presents a hypothesis to explain NDE's which I find to be frankly ridiculous. It is a wish based on an assumption which is founded on whimsy. This is not science, this is good karma.
Arguably one one the most important books in the field........1998-06-13
Dr. Ring was my advisor at school (Connecticut) and being ableto see him at work and pick his brain on a regular basis, I can saythat he is greatly underappreciated as a scholar and scientist (albeit a "social" scientist, with all of the stigma that such a title undeservedly carries). Heading Toward Omega and The Omega Project are tremendous contributions to the literature of the Near Death Experience in particular and Consciousness Studies in general. Although the dire predictions of global change in the later chapters of H.T.O. seem a bit goofy from our 1998 vantage point, Ring nevertheless forged new ground with this book that remains, I believe, the best "second" book to read on the subject (after Moody's Life After Life). It is intellectually challenging, thought-provoking, life-affirming and just a darn good read...on every page, no less. High praise, deserved high praise. Not to mention, you'll pick up a few dozen groovy vocabulary words along the way.
Intriguing introduction for those unfamiliar with NDEs.......1998-06-07
This book is fascinating and uplifting, and is still applicable even if it seems dated. There is one topic that Blackmore hasn't seemed to speak to: McDougall and his experiment.
Product Description
As man slumbers in awareness, the nature of his reality has altered forever. As one of the most profound mystics of all time, Almine explains this dramatic shift in cosmic laws that is changing life on earth irrevocably. A powerful healing modality is presented to compensate for the changes in laws of energy healers have traditionally relied upon. The new principles of beneficial white magic and the massive changes in spiritual warriorship are meticulously explained.
Book Description
Realm of the Ring Lords exposes the magical world - and historical fact - behind the grail and ring legends. In the course of this breathtaking exploration, Gardner demonstrates the historical truths and significance behind much of European folklore and fairy tales - ranging from Dracula to Santa Claus, from Robin Hood to Lorna Doone, and the grail quest to the Lord of the Rings. Most important, he demonstrates how these basic themes have consistently represented the best and brightest aspirations of humanity.
Customer Reviews:
Realm of the Ring Lords.......2007-02-27
Absolutely brilliant! Gardner helps the reader into the origin of mankind, where history and myth blend together perfectly: fairies, angels and the ancient fight between good and evil come out of fancy stories to find a place in our earliest forgotten times.
Page after page the truth, you have always known but you were not aware of, becomes apparent.
Nothing to do with new age or second rate archaelogy, this is a deep historical investigation. After reading this book, it will be impossible to resist buying other Gardner's books...
Fails to deliver on the title.......2006-11-22
Waste of money. Gardner is resting on his laurels. There is so much that could be done with this title, but it was not. Instead we get a recital of stuff already said elsewhere not particularly related to the extensive lore which Tolkien drew upon. Way too little to do with the Realms of the Ring Lords, as if he was knocking off a book to exploit the popularity of Tolkien.
Pity, I was expecting more.
Alot Of Material Here!.......2006-08-29
This book begins with a look into Tolkien's books and the relationships to distant history. Information and the process of the author's thoughts drift to linking the Ring lord culture into a roller coaster ride through almost every distant european and middle eastern culture. Lots of this material is well presented and factual. Some is also conjecture on the author's behalf. All is well presented and adventureous to read.
Awesome read!.......2006-07-25
Lawrence Gardner ranks among the best for me. As with any author, I don't agree with 100% of what he says, but he's pretty dead on and has certainly done his homework. He definitely opened up new ideas and new avenues for me in my own interests and research.
Annunaki Heritage.......2005-04-18
I am amazed that with our short lifespans that we can even function! Perhaps, we as a race cannot, look at current world conditions. The book makes clear that the race is young,we better grow up or the "gods" will end their experiment with self goverment. the implications are enormous,will they further improve the race,again ?
Book Description
Between the Worlds.
They inhabit the enchanted realm of dreams and legends, often crossing the threshold between this world and the Otherworld. They have been called the Little People, the fae, or the People of the Hills. With the ability to bestow great gifts if favored or wreak household havoc if angered, fairies have long been much loved and much feared in the Celtic lands.
Listen to the wisdom of the Little People as they speak through the cards of The Fairy Ring. This new oracle will enchant with its evocative artwork as it enlightens with insightful readings. The full-sized guidebook includes fairy lore, upright and reversed card interpretations, and nine unique card layouts.
Many fairies are seasonal creatures, so the cards of The Fairy Ring are divided into four suits: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. This motley assortment of fairies-from helpful brownies to ghostly banshees to the ethereal Morgan le Fay-appear on the cards in the suit of the season in which they are most likely to be seen. Eight additional cards celebrate the ancient Celtic solar and pastoral holidays, long considered to be auspicious days for working with the fae.
The gateway to the Otherworld stands open. Cross the threshold and enter the Fairy Ring, where the gifts and guidance of the fairy folk await you.
First Runner Up for the 2003 Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Sidelines/Gifts--Interactive Category
Customer Reviews:
A Pagan should know what a waxing moon looks like!.......2007-08-05
Others have described this deck so I won't repeat them. I give this deck 4 stars mainly for the artwork, which others may or may not like as art is so subjective. I've had this deck over a year and a half and bought the creators' previous deck, The Sacred Circle, well before that. Many of the problems I had with Sacred Circle's artwork are gone from this deck. The Fairy Ring's artwork is much more refined and perfected. The models fit their parts much better and the blending & distorting of images creates a much more surreal and integrated world. If you don't like the artwork, don't buy the deck (the same advice as with any deck really).
This deck reminds me of Brian Froud's Fairy Oracle, which I also own, in that it's more of a large, mostly random list of various fairies. As far as I can tell, there's no real reason why each fairy was assigned to a particular seasonal court or given a number. For example, why is Brownie in the Spring Court and a number three? Traditionally Spring would indicate something like renewal or rebirth and three symbolizes fertility. You'd really have to stretch the meaning of the card to fit with that symbolism. The card could easily fit into the other seasons and other numbers as well. I can similarly find no reason why certain fairies are court cards as opposed to lower numbers. This is my biggest problem with the deck. Probably a lot of beginners won't miss the symbolism, but it also makes it much harder to remember specific card meanings. And it gives less depth to the cards.
As a Pagan, I am drawn to the emphasis of the seasons, nature, and the eight festival cards, especially. Perhaps that is why I wish the four courts did have more seasonal impact. As I said in my title, it bothers me to no end when basic symbolism is wrong though. For example, the Boggart card has a waxing moon in the background. The description of the card indicates it's supposed to be waning and that phase of the moon is totally supposed to correspond with the meaning of the rest of the card. An identical mistake appeared in the Sacred Circle deck, which makes me think the creators simply have no idea what the moon's phases look like - a rather telling error from someone claiming to be Pagan for 30 years and to be a High Priestess. Makes you wonder what else they got wrong.
Pure Enchantment for both Scholar and Mystic.......2007-06-22
When I first saw this deck it took my breath away.
There are four suit cards (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) and eight fairy festival cards (Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasa, Herfest, Samhain and Yule). The suit cards total 13 and are numbered Ace through nine, with a Lady, Knave, Queen and King card.
The cards themselves are digitally done on the computer and are simply gorgeous, featuring real life models in a collage from the fairy realm.
A book, "Guide to the Fairy Ring" is included with the set, and contains a wealth of information on each fairy and festival. It describes the appearance of the card, gives a detailed description of the fairy, divinatory meaning (including the reversed meaning) and details on working with that particular fairy. The author also includes her recommendations on working or not working with certain fairies (due to their dangerous natures).
What I love about this deck is that it contains a wealth of information on fairy folklore, and I have used this book more than I can count now when doing research for articles [...].
The deck does come with several example layouts which each use between 5 and 13 cards, but I've found that a simple 3 card reading works best for me as there is so much information in the book to read about each card.
I personally have trouble reading the deck as some of the fairies who may look scary actually are quite good, for example, the Tiddy Mun, Knave of the Spring suit, appears a bit frightening, yet actually represents success and satisfaction. So I wouldn't feel really comfortable reading for someone else in a professional setting until I memorized the meaning of each card. However, I greatly enjoy them for my own personal use.
The Fairy Ring is a deck of pure enchantment and magic, and I would highly recommend it to both the scholar interested in the well researched folklore and the mystic interested in connecting to the realm of the fey.
Amazing Insight Into The Faerie Realm.......2007-05-31
These cards have more than lived up to the good reviews on this site. I have used them several times and have not only gotten accurate readings on other people but also helped people out in making good choices and decisions. I recommend this deck to anyone interested in a "different" kind of tarot deck. I will be using this deck along with my Faerie Oracle deck from Brian Froud for many years to come.
cute...but! .......2007-04-05
I was given a set of these cards by a friend who knows how much I appreciate the Sacred Circle Tarot by Anna Franklin. Unfortunately, the Fairy Ring oracle cards are not even as half as good as the Sacred Circle Tarot who is not only beautiful but also gives extraordinary messages when used in combination with the book it comes with!
The 'art work' of these cards is cute, but the messages of the cards are...not useful at all! And this is being kind! This deck is a cute past-time for those who like to play with the Fairies, and to be honest I believe the author and creator of the deck has just done that - gone off with the fairies!
Satisfaction guarantee...good for a laugh but not to be taken serious!
A Cut Above .......2006-10-13
I am so impressed with this set. Anna Franklin's scholarship is in depth and accurate (I've been a fan of Katharine Briggs for nearly thirty years so my standards are high) and Paul Mason's skill with the illustrations are very unique. I find more within this set the more time I spend with it. However, I am not comfortable "using" the fae folk to answer my human questions for some reason, so I am more or less using the deck as a part of my pathway to faery, and draw a card each day to notice how that energy manifests (or not) in my world that day. I also do love her guided meditations into contact with the various fae. I knew about this set long before I finally purchased it this past summer. Now I wish I hadn't waited so long, but in any case, I am very glad I got this. Since I find their work so well done, I am now getting their Sacred Circle Tarot for actual divination work. In conclusion, though there are many books on faery out there, and more appearing every day, I would say this one stands alone in the way you can learn from the book and meditate on the cards. Highly recommended!
Dawn Killen-Courtney, author of The Trollton Chronicles fantasy series.
Average customer rating:
- A Cheesy Reinvention of the Wheel
- A Lordly Tarot Deck
- Profound, Mysterious, Disturbing
- This is NOT a toy!
- I
<3 this deck
|
LOTR: Tarot Deck and Book Set
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Card Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Tarot | Divination | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1572810556 |
Book Description
A deck and book set, based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, that unites tarot archetypes with the fantastic realm of Middle-earth. Created by tarot expert Terry Donaldson, artist Peter Pracownik, and game designer Mike Fitzgerald. Rules included for a card game in which player journey to Middle-earth to destroy the One Ring. Game is for 2-6 players, ages 10 to adult.
Customer Reviews:
A Cheesy Reinvention of the Wheel.......2006-06-10
Firstly, there is nothing at all innovative about a "Tarot deck and card game" Not only may one play games with the Tarot deck, game playing, not fortune telling, was initially the main purpose of the Tarot. The superstitious trappings of the Tarot deck came at a much later date.
Secondly, there are much better Tarot decks for game playing. There are European Tarot decks of more modern design which include double headed figures or the French suits of hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds and they sometimes feature corner indices. These European made decks which may contain 78, 62 or 54 cards depending on region are far superior to this baroque abomination. Like most so-called "new age" or "occult" decks, this LOTR Tarot card game is ill suited for game playing.
Thirdly, the underlying game is nothing more than an UNO variant.
My recommendation, unless one is a die-hard LOTR fan who must own all LOTR items, is to buy one of the European playing tarots (see Modiano Tarocco on amazon) or the UNO card game instead of this ill conceived nonsense.
A Lordly Tarot Deck.......2006-02-03
I think this a great tarot deck. It wonderfully ties together the story of the tarot with Tolkien's books. The artwork on each of the cards tells a mini story because it's taking scenes from the books that are relevant to each card. So if one is completely familiar with tarot cards, you can very easily relate the scene depicted on the card with where the meaning fits into your own readings.
This is very helpful because the mini-booklet of definitions gives very little on how to interpret the meaning of the cards, especially those of the Minor Arcana. Reverse meaning for the cards are only found to be defined for the Major Arcana. This is why I think the artwork is so important, and each card has a line describing itself on the image. This, in my opinion, gives much more clarity where the defintions themselves are lacking.
I find this deck to be faithful to both the tarot and Lord of the Rings. They're blended together really well, and I don't feel as the one either element was sacrificed in the interest of more greatly emphasizing the other. I never saw that. I found this deck highly satisfying as frequent tarot reader and Tolkien fan!
Profound, Mysterious, Disturbing.......2005-10-11
I thank my ex-girlfriend Juno, with whom I shared many a psychic revelation, for the gift of these cards. The deep substance in the imagery of these cards, the symbolism of Tolkien profoundly integrated with the use of the Qabalistic Tree of Life, evoke astral journeys to the very gates of heaven. If you own one of these decks, don't listen to the fuss about Crowley's Thoth deck: your LOTR tarot deck is extremely potent, and deserves a serious student's full consideration in the matters of psychic divination.
Allow me to explain a reading: I array the cards in a "Tree of Life" pattern, starting with Kether, working down through the other nine sephiroth, finishing with Malkuth. At each card, I stop to contemplate the meaning of the card. Because the cards are so disturbingly beautiful, like a Nazareth song, I can contemplate the deeper meaning for long periods of time.
Take this first card I drew, placing it over Kether, "the crown": "The Lovers - Aragorn is reunited with his love, Arwen." How awesome! Aragorn is not only male, but an earthbound creature, a man (human). Arwen is Elven, she personifies the spirit world. Because Aragorn, the corporeal and earthly, has united sexually with his love, the spiritual realm, you can tell this makes a happy situation within the center of our intellectual existence. It is Tai Chi - the Great Ultimate. It symbolizes the very Gates of Heaven, which are indeed within us.
In the position of Chockma - wisdom - I lay an Ace of Cups -- "Galadriel's mirror shows many things, but wisdom lies in understanding what is shown." Chillingly personal. Sam kneels on a toadstool sprinkled lawn, while Frodo gazes into the mysterious vision well, under an erie and luminous moon. The Elven Queen spreads her arms over her dominion. The saying written on the card about wisdom, and this spot being the sephiroth of wisdom, is just amazing providence.
To complete the trinity of the "head" cards, I drew the Queen of Swords for Binah, understanding. This is the Lady Eowyn, Theoden's warrior daughter. She has slain the chief of the Nazgul, and holds in her hand the severed dragon's head. The Queen of Swords in the position of the Tree of Life's sphere of "Spiritual Purpose" indicates to me a psyche whose thinking is quick, decisive, and without guile. Quick to judge, and quick to execute judgement, the female intellect is "hidden" knowledge, occult. How interesting that in the story, Lady Eowyn loves Aragorn, but Aragorn loves Arwen. Lady Eowyn takes the energy of that unrequited love, and channels it into "killing dragons". This is a metaphor for problem solving by using single minded attention, and focused energy.
My drawings of the remaining cards on the Tree of Life were equally impressive. I believe this reading has revealed to me strengths, and weaknesses. Take for instance, the "heart" sephiroth, the sephiroth of beauty, Tephiroth. Over it I drew the Five of Swords. The card shows "Pippin and Merry are captured by the Orcs, and are bound and carried away." This is an amazing revelation, that the heart can be darkened by forces that occlude its brilliance within us. For myself, this is probably not such a good card to have placed over the heart/beauty sephiroth, and is therefore a good card for me to study what is wrong in myself. These forces can be actual devils, which act upon the heart the way storm clouds change the mood of an afternoon. The beauty of the innocence of Merry and Pippin is concealed in ugliness.
The other seven cards were equally revealing and meaningful to me.
I love the selections of scenes from the LOTR books, which predate the movie trilogy. They capture not just the essence of their ordinal card, but harmonize symbolically at successively deeper levels. One could really go to a deep level of psychic wizardry by studying these cards, I'm inclined to believe. With that, I'd finally like to say that my acquaintance with Lord of the Rings is strong and long, and the world of Middle Earth is a mythology which I take very seriously. Having read the books several times gives me some comfort with the cards, so that I don't have to struggle to understand who is whom, and I can view the story in its Gestalt, forming new and interesting relationships between cards fairly easily.
If you are new to the world of Tolkien, the guide book by the great and famous Terry Donaldson is superb. One could read the book on its own, and gain understanding, even without the cards. The package itself is a magical combination, it is not kid stuff. Also, I tend to think the artwork slants on the shady side of the mountain, if you know what I mean. There are no sunny days with white, poofy clouds, as there are a-plenty in the Rider-Waite deck. Here, we have lots of overcast, pall, dusky twilight, and lunar mist. Also, almost all of the trees in any of the cards of this deck are without leaves. The whole deck looks like it was painted in the month of November, which, if you live in the northern region of North America, is rather bleak, and we tend to party more to compensate for the gloom. The 3 of Cups, 4 of Coins, 8 of Coins, and 6 of Swords appear to be the only cards where I can find foliage growing on trees in the art work. Even these cards show grey, pale, and misty backdrops.
This is NOT a toy!.......2004-08-21
First let me say I rather object to the first question when I came to review this boxed set; "how much fun is this toy"!! Anyone with a grain of intelligence knows that neither the Tarot nor the meaning behind Tolkien's work was intended as 'a toy'. For that reason and that reason alone, my rating has to be 4 stars. How can one rate a deck of tarot cards as a 'durable toy'?? That said, let me begin.
I have lurked in the shadows watching the reviews of this item with quiet interest, and now I feel I must speak my mind. One reviewer stated that C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien were friends and Christians. Well, indeed they were friends, but unless my facts are howlingly wrong Lewis himself thought religion as "a kind of ... nonsense into which humanity tended to blunder" and became a Christian in his 30's "...because for him there was nothing else to do". So although I appreciate people are trying to make a point when they critique a work and that point is often tainted with their own opinions, please, try at least to research your topic and stick to the truth.
That said, let's get back to the review of the boxed set of the Lord of the Rings. Upon first inspection of this, I was -- like some of the other reviewers -- a shade disappointed at some of the correlations of the characters to the cards. I am an admirer of both Terry Donaldson's and Peter Pracownik's other works [the Dragon Tarot especially], and so I persevered. I was not unrewarded. The story of the cards does indeed begin to unfold naturaly and sweetly set in Middle Earth, and closer inspection of the artwork of the cards leads to much of the the traditional symbolism. It may not be blatantly obvious like it is on some other decks, but it is there, and the unique presentation of the artwork using Tolkien's characters is not hard to interpret.
Is this an item for beginners to the tarot? No. I still adhere to my belief that absolute beginners should start with the Rider Waite pack or an interpretation of it such as the Morgan Greer or Robin Wood tarot. Learn the symbolism, learn the suits, and get a feel for the meanings of the cards. Then explore the hundreds of decks on the market to find the one that truly resonates with your spirit. For fans of Tolkien's work, who understand the realms and realities of Middle Earth and its characters, the Lord of the Rings Tarot could very easily become a most cherished deck.
I
<3 this deck.......2004-04-08
First off, judging a tarot deck based on the religion of the man who inspired it is ridiculous. Judge it based on its merits as a TAROT DECK. And secondly, yes, Tarot is quite the Catholic tradition. I swear when I went to Italy, everyone I asked had a deck. But back to the topic at hand... I have yet to play the card game that this deck also functions as so I can't really say anything as to its quality, but I can most certainly say this has been the best tarot deck I have ever had the honor of owning. I've had these cards for i think 10 years and have never been let down by them. They've given me the most detailed and accurate readings out of any of my decks. I know many might not consider the artwork "beautiful", but it is still well done (certainly better than the godawful rider-waite) and stays true to the movies/books. For those of you who are concerned that the cards aren't exact replicas of the classic rider-waite symbolism, remember that tarot started based on playing cards which lacked all those pictures you're used to. I recommend you try listening to the cards rather than relying on the confining interpretation of some book or cliche symbols. It has been exactly this, the deck's noncomformity and originality, that has provided me with more detailed readings than any other.
Books:
- Lone Star Field Guide to Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of Texas, Revised Edition (Lone Star Field Guides)
- Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives
- March to the Sea (March Upcountry)
- Mirror Mirror: A Novel
- Modern Roses XI: The World Encyclopedia of Roses
- Nexus: A Neo Novel
- Out With the Stars: Hollywood Nightlife in the Golden Era
- Perilous Realms: Celtic And Norse in Tolkien's Middle-Earth
- Plague of the Dead (The Morningstar Strain)
- Potty Time for One, Two or Three! A Parent's Survival Guide for Potty Training One Child, Twins, or Triplets
Books Index
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