Book Description
Matt Sanfords life and body were irrevocably changed at age 13 on a snowy Iowa road. On that day, his familys car skidded off an overpass, killing Matts father and sister and leaving him paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair. His mother and brother escaped from the accident unharmed but were left to pick up the pieces of their decimated family. This pivotal event set Matt off on a lifelong journey, from his intensive care experiences at the Mayo Clinic to becoming a paralyzed yoga teacher and founder of a non-profit organization. Forced to explore what it truly means to live in a body, he emerges with an entirely new view of being a whole person. Waking is a chronicle of that process. By turns agonizingly personal, philosophical, and heartbreakingly honest, this groundbreaking memoir takes the reader inside the body, heart, and mind of a boy whose world has been shattered. The author allows us to follow with him as he rebuilds from the ground up, searching for healing stories to help him reconnect his mind and his body. To do so, he must reject much of what traditional medicine tells him and instead turn to yoga as a centerpiece of his daily practice. The author finds not only a better life, but meaning and purpose in the mysterious distance that we all experience between mind and body. In searingly candid, frequently poetic language, Sanford pulls back the curtain on what it means to survive devastating trauma, from returning to a broken life to the uncertainty of finding sexual intimacy with a paralyzed body. But first and foremost the author offers a powerful message about the endurance of the human spirit, and of the body that houses it.
Customer Reviews:
For anyone who lives in a body.......2007-10-08
When my husband, a stroke survivor, ordered this book I did not read it immediately. I failed to understand it's relevance to MY life. Matthew Sanford has tapped into yogic wisdom in a deeply personal way, and although his story is of loss and reawakening through spinal chord injury, his message has value to anyone who lives in a body (or would like to).
Aside from the wisdom he offers, Matthew is a clear and compelling storyteller with a powerful mastery of writing. I read this book in two sittings because I could not tear myself away from it. Highly recommended for everyone over age 14.
Wonderful.......2007-09-29
This heart wrenching account helped me reconnect with the meaning of being in a body. I want to read it again already. I am a novice yoga teacher with 200 hour certification. I learned a lot about how we ignore our bodies, acting as though we don't really need them, and simultaneously thinking that we are our bodies, contradictory ideas that are both incorrect. A body is the interface between one's consciousness and the world of form in which one operates. Loving and listening to it make you more aware of oneness with everything.
Amazing story.......2007-06-26
I rarely write reviews, but I just finished this book and I have to put my thoughts down. The book is phenomenal - not only did Matt overcome a most devestating experience, he turned it around and made his life better because of it. He not only did it once - he did it over and over again.
I am a yoga fanatic and I also work in publishing. 95% of what my reading consists of memoirs, usually of individuals who have suffered very painful and difficult periods in their life. This book seemed to have everything I was interested in. Not to mention, I took a yoga class from Matt when visiting Minnesota a few years ago (a friend of mine said I had to try his class).
I am incredibly impressed by Matt's writing ability. It looks like he wrote his story himself -the writing is wonderful - at times poetic.
When I took the yoga class that Matt taught, I have to say that at first, it was quite distracting to be taught by someone in a wheelchair - especially Iyengar yoga which is so focused on alignment. But once the class was about 1/2 over, I totally forgot he was in a chair. He is so dedicated and interested in his students and focused on helping them, that the wheelchair quickly becomes a non-issue.
Congratulations Matt on all of your accomplishments and thank you for sharing your amazing story!
Inspiring.......2007-05-13
An acquaintance of Matthew Sanford's turned me onto his book and his work. Matthew Sanford's story of trauma and subsequent healing is well-communicated and inspiring to read. It has also opened a new path for me in my yoga training and in my own life. I highly recommend it for anyone who has a personal connection to trauma, injury, physical limitations, or who wants to help those who do.
Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence.......2007-04-05
This book is one of the saddest BUT BEST stories I have ever read. I read all of the time but this was unforgettable. The obstacles this boy overcame are unbelievable. BUY IT!!!
Book Description
The 5-Level Ultra Meditation System For Transcendence...Peak Experiences & Discovering Your Place in the Universe.
I'VE SPENT THE LAST 20 YEARS searching for tools that could shift the energies of consciousness, and unfold a state of enlightened awareness. What I'm about to reveal may be the simplest, most powerful technology for unleashing the hidden powers of the human mind.
A VACATION IN 28 MINUTES
Listen: I did everything in the 70's and 80's. From retreats to flotation tanks, and brain tune-up machines. But none of it prepared me for the power of the Brain Supercharger® technology. As I plugged it into my stereo player, I kept thinking, "it's just a recording." Then I put on my headphones, flipped the switch, and woosh...I was immediately transported into another time and place. My body became extremely relaxed. My arms and legs felt numb. I began to experience new things. I started having long conversations with a voice inside my head, experiencing vivid memories, and a flood of creative ideas.
It seemed as if my mind and body were in two separate places. Words can hardly describe the experience but it was like taking a two-week vacation in 28 minutes. Perhaps one of the great untold discoveries of our time is the knowledge of how to manipulate the energies of consciousness—to unleash the true potential of a human being. For thousands of years the only way to achieve a state of enlightened awareness was through meditation. That's where this new audio technology steps in. And the results are confirming what the ancient masters have intuitively known for centuries. And that is this...
Sitting in a cave chanting or staring at a candle focusing your consciousness —driving it inward—shifts the energy in your brain, eventually unfolding a state of enlightened awareness.
ULTRA MEDITATION—MEDITATES YOU!
The difficulty with traditional meditation practices is it takes years of concentrated effort to train your brain to redirect its energy into optimal patterns. But there is a way to access higher states of consciousness, without being an expert in meditation. A way to drive your brain into an altered state—automatically, at the push of a button. If you're skeptical, I understand. However, I wouldn't ask you to make this leap of faith without proving it to yourself and basing your answers on actual personal experience. That's why the Ultra Meditation™ 5-Level Transcendence System was developed.
ZEN MONKS & FIREWALKING YOGIS
Experienced meditators, such as yogis and mystics, spend a majority of their life learning to control these physiological responses. After years of practice, they develop an ability to tap into the unconscious portions of their minds and unleash creative and mental powers that cannot be accessed in their normal waking state. We've all heard and read about firewalking yogis who can walk across a bed of burning coals at temperatures that should have reduced their feet to smoldering stumps, yet at the end of their walk, they suffer not so much as a blister. For those new to meditation it is very difficult to grasp the concept that our so-called "normal" waking state is neither the highest, nor the most effective state of which the human mind is capable. That in fact, there are other states of much greater awareness where one is able to enter into for brief periods of time, and then return—enriched and enlivened.
It is widely known by science that only a small part of our total mental activity takes place in the conscious part of the mind. Science has no idea what really goes on in the vast portion of unconscious. This is unknown territory. What we do know is that those who make direct contact with their unconscious mind through meditation, find incredible personal insight and are able to remove self-limiting blocks that prevent them from achieving their goals and finding happiness in life. This is why people spend years studying meditation practices. To empt
Customer Reviews:
Ultra Meditation........2007-07-04
Great product but it was not what I expected,I guess it would take time to get used to it.
Extremely potent.......2006-02-17
I have done a lot of research on stress reduction programs going back to the early 70's. I have taken the Silva program, meditation training and purchased numerous CD and Tape programs over the years. Based on that experience I can say that the Ultra Meditation program delivers what it promises. Within minutes of starting the first CD you will find yourself totally relaxed and at peace. As you move through the set you will find yourself going into deeper meditative states and will find that you are calmer and more focused during the rest of your day. I would give this series a big thumbs up.
Achieved altered states and gained increased energy levels.......2003-10-02
I bought these CDs after they were recommended by a business associate. I had heard about the benefits of experiencing extended altered states and the early development of binaural beat technologies, but I was not prepared for the amazing results that I achieved with the Ultra Meditation series. The set is a multi-level progressive program which requires you to spend at least thirty days on one CD before progressing to the next higher level. Beneficial effects that I felt after the first week of use included increased energy levels (I required less sleep per night to feel fully rested - which with my busy schedule is a great help to me.) And the big one: REDUCED STRESS. Many "problems" that I used to dwell on or needlessly worry about (I have been called a worry wort) were suddenly washed away. Then there are intangibles about the experience that must be witnessed to believe. I have often seen spectacular light shows, with my eyes closed, during the meditation process, while the sounds feel like they are moving throughout my head, bringing my entire body, every muscle to deep state of relaxation. It is the single most relaxing experience I have ever felt. I never hesitate to recommend this product to business partners, friends and family.
I love these CD's.......2003-05-19
I am so glad i bought this because it is like instant meditation. I dont know what the first guy was thinking when he posted his reviews. The CD he recommends sounds terrible. One of the CD's just has the sound of rain falling for 30 minutes. I fell asleep listening to it. This 5 level CD keeps you alert, yet in such a comfortable state of mind. I also have problems with illness and listening to this on a daily basis takes my pain away !! I am not lying. This is the best investment i even made.
BUYER BEWARE.......2002-07-06
If you're considering buying this, there's really a few things you should know. Doing a quick web search of the author's name, I found the e-text of a complaint which the Federal Trade Commission brought against Dane Spotts for false advertising. Many of his other products, such as quick fat-burning pills and and quick mind enhancers, were in the complaint. Particularly of note is the complaint that his company has not, in the past, honored its 30 day money back guarantee. BE CAREFUL. I'm sorry but meditation is not something that can be perfected in some short arbitrary length of time. If you're interested in meditation, I strongly suggest Joseph Goldstein's "Insight Meditation." It's Buddhist, but anyone can follow his instructions. Also Buddhism has a 2500 year history with meditation. On the other hand, Spotts' products seem to be little more than present day snake oil: dangerously false get-rich-quick schemes trying to capitalize on current fads and the general public's ignorance with no concern for product effectiveness or the buyer's safety and well-being. Dane Spotts needs to put out of business, as he obviously is a career charlatan. He has made his money playing upon people's insecurities and weaknesses. Don't let him do the same to you.
Average customer rating:
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Diophantine Approximation on Linear Algebraic Groups: Transcendence Properties of the Exponential Function in Several Variables
Michel Waldschmidt
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 3540667857 |
Book Description
The theory of transcendental numbers is closely related to the study of diophantine approximation. This book deals with values of the usual exponential function ez: a central open problem is the conjecture on algebraic independence of logarithms of algebraic numbers. It includes proofs of the main basic results (theorems of Hermite-Lindemann, Gelfond-Schneider, 6 exponentials theorem), an introduction to height functions and Lehmer's problem, several proofs of Baker's theorem as well as explicit measures of linear independence of logarithms. An original feature is the systematic use, in proofs, of Laurent's interpolation determinants. The most general result is the so-called Theorem of the Linear Subgroup, an effective version of which is also included. It yields new results of simultaneous approximation and of algebraic independence. Two chapters written by D. Roy provide complete and at the same time simplified proofs of zero estimates (due to Philippon) on linear algebraic groups.
Average customer rating:
- Highly recommend
- The Heart of Listening: A Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Work Vol 1 Reader Review
- Truth Rings Clear and Beautiful
- hmmmm..........
- Not the Definitive Text I wanted...
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The Heart of Listening: A Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Work: Anatomy, Technique, Transcendence, Volume 2 (Heart of Listening Vol. 2)
Hugh Milne
Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Your Inner Physician and You
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Somato Emotional Release
Accessories:
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Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
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Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
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RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device
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philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer
ASIN: 1556432801
Release Date: 1998-07-07 |
Book Description
Originally published as a single volume, The Heart of Listening has been re-issued as two separate volumes because of public demand for a more concise, portable edition. Milne, a third generation Scottish osteopath, begins by explaining the visionary approach to healing, and how it may be applied to the realm of craniosacral work. In the second volume, Milne details the anatomy, physiology, energetics, and techniques that are the essential core of visionary craniosacral work. His particular genius lies in his ability to weave a delicate tapestry of narrative, poetry, and scientific fact into a fascinating and insightful exposition of the visionary healing arts.
Customer Reviews:
Highly recommend.......2007-01-09
Hugh Milne's 2 vol. set combines poetry, art, and technique in the field of Craniosacral Therapy. Great insight to the therapist's process, as well as, the client. It goes beyond the technical to the artful and creative process of being with your client, as you help their body heal itself. Not only beautiful, and inspiring, but deals, in detail, with the technical aspects of craniosacral work. It is a definite "must" in the library of the body worker who wants to go beyond the ordinary.
The Heart of Listening: A Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Work Vol 1 Reader Review .......2006-08-21
Well written with a good index, bibliography and footnotes for each chapter. The author's analogies are also quite helpful as it is really a book that tries to teach a feeling, hands on, touch subject. The diagrams are accurate and easy to follow. At times there are references to techniques that are in the next volume. Volume one deals with the background, history and cerebral/philosophical aspects of craniosacral work. These aspects are a key to how the author practices craniosacral work. This is not just a technical manual of how to shift bones. It deals with energetic aspects of healing as well. As I am a veterinarian, the medical aspects were easy to follow. I cannot speak to how someone with less anatomical training would see the text.
Truth Rings Clear and Beautiful.......2003-07-03
If every Massage Therapy School would teach The Heart of Listening's lessons on "transference" and "counter-transference," I believe Hugh Milne would have provided a direly needed understanding and set of constructive guidelines for therapists who are human and therefore tend to get into trouble when in close contact with other humans.
There are many other extraordinarily helpful and interesting stories, explanations and illustrations to be found in The Heart of Listening. If you believe that truth is beauty and beauty truth, I think you would deeply appreciate Hugh Milne's book. It is a fine creative effort, especially in presentation of both the technical and spiritual aspects of Visionary Craniosacral Work.
Another thing I like about the writing: Milne doesn't take credit for someone else's work. Quite the contrary. I noticed meticulous care in giving credit where credit is due. A certain humility permeates this book, letting the reader know the author is not just knowledgeable in a gentle way, but quite honest. Jockeying for "who's the best" status obviously isn't a Milne characteristic.
hmmmm.................2001-11-14
It is interesting to see such divergent opinions and ratings regarding this book. Does it mean that a person looking for texts on craniosacral therapy should accept the average rating for this book to mean that it is middle of the road? Hmmm....I don't think so. For the person seeking out help with their healing process, craniosacral work is only as valuable as the consciousness of the practitioner is clear and open. Milne writes that "presence is more important than technique." He also teaches that it is important to learn the techniques well and to have a fully-equipped, expert tool bag (realizing that this may take many, many years of practice to acquire). Then the practitioner will have just the right technique that may be intuitively chosen for each individual in their own timing and need. It is also important to realize that no one is the sole authority on craniosacral work. If you have undertaken a journey to incorporate craniosacral work in your practice, it would be wise for you to read many books or articles on the work, including the words of Rollin Becker, Don Cohen, Hugh Milne, Michael Shea, Franklyn Sills, William Sutherland, John Upledger and others. The best way to learn the work is to wipe the slate clean before each bodywork session, before each study session, before each class, and let the cranial wave and dreambody of the person offered before you to teach you what craniosacral work is and what is needed. This includes the practitioner accessing his/her own cranial wave as a wisdom teacher. The truth is--craniosacral work cannot be completely written down in any book or completely taught in any class. It can only be wholly known in the place where there are no words. This book just may be the help and the inspiration for you to be able to arrive in the place of no words and no doing, the time/space where the "breath of life" (Sutherland) is united with the blue print for health. The world needs this work. Let us all learn to listen with our hearts, and keep our minds open in the process.
Not the Definitive Text I wanted..........2001-10-03
After reading Elsa Cort's reviews of this text, I was hoping this would be the "definitive text" for CranioSacral Therapy for me that it was for her. Unfortunately, this text added little to my previous studies. Having studied cranial work from the Cranial Academy and CranioSacral Therapy from the Upledger Institute, this text did little to expand my knowledge. For my money, there are better books in the market.
Average customer rating:
- Intellectualizing ADD-style
- the cosmos summed up
- This book could be a drug itself
- A tapas bar for the mind
- Expand your mind
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Sex, Drugs, Einstein & Elves: Sushi, Psychedelics, Parallel Universes and the Quest for Transcendence
Clifford A. Pickover
Manufacturer: Smart Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1890572179 |
Book Description
A smorgasbord of subjects designed to bend reality and stretch the reader's mind.
Customer Reviews:
Intellectualizing ADD-style.......2007-08-16
This book is not a drug in itself. Any serious thought it generates will not be due to Pickover's examination of the topic in question, but by its mere mention. For example, he mentions that a general formula exists from which one can generate a modern best-selling novel. He even gives you several permutations of that formula and tips on using language in a way that will engage the reader. Fascinating stuff, right? Not really. Pulp novels are described as "formulaic" on a regular basis, thus implying that the existence of an underlying formula behind them is common knowledge. A true analysis of this concept would involve asking various permutations of the question: "what does this all mean?" Is it a good thing that most of what passes as literature these days can be reduced to a simple formula based on psychological smoke and mirrors? What does this say about the human condition? What does this say about literature in general... particularly the institution of a "modern novel? These are the sorts of questions that a truly great book would ask, given that subject.
Reading this feels like an immersion in Pickover's thought process. He jumps around all over the place (sometimes in mid-paragraph), covering all sorts of intellectual ground. The title really is no lie; there isn't much that ISN'T mentioned in this book. That said, it's completely useless to jump around like this if it does not result in any in-depth analysis. It's almost as if the auther is a kid in a mental candystore, jumping around and screaming "Oh, that looks yummy!" "Oh wow, that will be really delicious to eat!" However, he never truly eats and digests anything, instead going around and exicitedly nibbling on a lot of things. This book may well be useful to someone looking for interesting questions related to modern life, but it certainly doesn't say anything profound in itself. Although Pickover is certainly of above-average intelligence, this alone does not make him a "deep thinker" in any way, shape, or form. I recommend skipping this book and looking at something that might be a bit more narrow in its scope, but deeper. "Sex, Drugs, Einstein, and Elves" reeks of dillitantism.
the cosmos summed up.......2007-07-14
In Pickover's recent novel, he takes us for a journey to the farthest reaches of the cosmos all within our own consciousness. In a manner of prose that is insightful and humanistic, he flows seamlessly through subjects such as Language dynamics, Psychic exploration of altered states, quantum physics and the continued resonance felt by infamous physicists and literary giants. What is most compelling about Pickover's work is his sincere desire to fully unveil the many shrouds of reality using an incredible sense of curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He approaches each subject with the academic intensity of a scholar, yet he relates to the reader as an amateur (albeit, genius) autodidact.
One would do well to read Pickover's books if you are ready for a complete remake of your psychological and intellectual framework.
This book could be a drug itself.......2007-07-09
Just simply a fascinating read. I had my copy on the coffee table during a party, and one guest picked it up casually, and never put it down throughout the whole event.
This book is just a wildly ecclectic assortment of essays, but taken as a whole it is much more than that. I think it changed my view of the world.
A tapas bar for the mind.......2007-06-21
DO NOT MISS! There are more things pointed out in SDE&E than are dreamt of in ANYBODY's philosophy. SDE&E is the intellectual and imaginative equivalent of an evening at the world's most wonderful tapas bar, where everything on the menu is free (once you've cleared the cover charge by buying the book). If you like Rudy "Karl Tucker" Rucker, Vernor "Powers" Vinge, Gregory "Cosm" Benford, James "Connections" Burke, Douglas "Strange Loop" Hofstadter and/or Terry "SHRDLU" Winograd (not to mentions Proust and Joyce), then Clifford Pickover's the sentient entity for you! He'll be your spirit guide and trip-sitter through 3+1d (or is it 10+1d?) spacetime, the mind, infinity and beyond! This is your brain. This is your brain on Pickover. Any questions?
Expand your mind.......2007-03-22
As the title suggests, Sex, Drugs, Einstein, & Elves presents the reader with a seemingly endless variety of topics that stimulate and expand the mind. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, the transitions between topics such as DMT, Proust, religion, reality, perception, and countless others are smooth and surprisingly relevant. It's brain candy.
Amazon.com
In Transcendence, the second book in his second DemonWars Saga, author R.A. Salvatore adds another layer to the events of book one, Ascendance, with a parallel plot line in the desert kingdom of Behren. He spotlights the Elven-trained Ranger Brynn Dharielle as she quests to claim her birthright and free the nomadic To-gai from the theocratic occupation of Behren and its dark kingpriest--Yakim Douan.
Transcendence is as much the story of Brynn's quest to free the oppressed To-gai as it is the tale of their oppressors. While events in Ascendance are heating up, Transcendence introduces the Yatol leader Douan who is single-mindedly preparing for his, yes, "transcendence" wherein the leader will die to be reborn. It's the secret behind this miracle and Douan's machinations to secure his lands in preparation for the rebirth that will eventually allow Brynn to free the To-gai from the Behrenese yoke. But Brynn's quest will unleash the deadly power of an ancient ally who will test her resolve to win her people's freedom.
Transcendence is excellent fantasy. Salvatore's characters stride across a grand stage that is epic in scale yet still detailed and personal. The juxtaposition of happenings in the first two books sets up what will be a thrilling conclusion as the political implications of each will undoubtedly collide in book three. --Jeremy Pugh
Book Description
It is the summer of 839. Brave and beautiful Brynn Dharielle sets out on a daring mission to free her beloved homeland from tyrannical rule. But she cannot imagine the depth of chaos, corruption, and betrayal that seethes admist a ruthless sect of warrior priests, led and manipulated by an evil chieftain who conceals a dark, age-old secret.
For Brynn and her trusted elven companion, the way to Behren turns into a fierce and illuminating voyage beneath the Belt-and-Buckle mountains. And while they face many dangers, the knowledge they acquire will have profound implications for the future of the elven valley, a land shaped by the plotting of a queen desperate to hold onto her magic.
Meanwhile, by the time Brynn reaches the land where she once saw her parents murdered, the seeds of revolution are already flourishing. For a courageous young woman and her elven mentor, the first salvo of a sweeping battle has begun–one that will threaten to destroy the heart and soul of their world.
The eagerly anticipated new novel in R. A. Salvatore’s Second DemonWars saga, Transcendence is an extraordinary adventure that introduces a remarkable new hero–and explores the mysteries of enlightenment and the art of war . . . in a dazzling epic of the imagination.
Download Description
It is the summer of 839. Brave and beautiful Brynn Dharielle sets out on a daring mission to free her beloved homeland from tyrannical rule. But she cannot imagine the depth of chaos, corruption, and betrayal that seethes amidst a ruthless sect of warrior priests, led and manipulated by an evil chieftain who conceals a dark, age-old secret.
For Brynn and her trusted elven companion, the way to Behren turns into a fierce and illuminating voyage beneath the Belt-and-Buckle mountains. And while they face many dangers, the knowledge they acquire will have profound implications for the future of the elven valley, a land shaped by the plotting of a queen desperate to hold onto her magic.
Meanwhile, by the time Brynn reaches the land where she once saw her parents murdered, the seeds of revolution are already flourishing. For a courageous young woman and her elven mentor, the first salvo of a sweeping battle has begun -- one that will threaten to destroy the heart and soul of their world.
The eagerly anticipated new novel in R. A. Salvatore's Second DemonWars saga, Transcendence is an extraordinary adventure that introduces a remarkable new hero -- and explores the mysteries of enlightenment and the art of war... in a dazzling epic of the imagination.
Customer Reviews:
Never slowing down.......2006-02-28
Transcendence is the second book of the second trilogy of R. A. Salvaore's Demonwars Saga. Interestingly it reads more individual in of itself ( As I have not read the final, which I am sure will follow with occurences in this and in Ascendance) Because it does not follow the story in Ascendance, but instead is Brynn's tale that takes place during the events of Ascendance, and no less in a land that is `new' to the reader. Brynn is a woman, trained by the Elves, sent to return to her homeland and free her people from those that killed her parents and have in many ways enslaved her race.
The books before this one have a medieval European feel to them as this one has a more Orient. Or Middle east in nature, which really worked for the book.
This is really the first book in this series to have battles of epic proportions - and they occur almost throughout the book after we have well-rounded characters running us through it. What I have found interesting is that in each of these books Salvatore has been able to write in differing ways, but still produce a wonderful story.
Salvatore really dives deep into the new areas of his world - and easily creates more memorable characters in all his books. This is certainly not a series a fantasy fan should miss!
Great Book but Not Perfect.......2005-11-11
Transcendence was a great book and a great way to introduce Brynn to the main storyline, however the book left you feeling a little bit empty. This was the first book I believe, that signified R.A. Salvatore's slight downward spiral which has not yet ended.
Aong other Fantasy novels this book is magnificent, but with Salvatore's high standards it is only "great"
Pharaun you are a pimp.......2004-09-13
This one was even better than Dissolution. With the incredible intrigue of Ched Nasad unfolding slowly in a dark trap that could be the end of the Menzoberranzyr it is a great book. Only problem- The beginning can be a little dull but, like all books involving the drow, the intrigue and chaos will pull anyone in. I couldn't put it down!
down a different road..........2004-06-09
If you've read my previous review on "Ascendance" you'll know It was a recomended read, but the over all feel of that book kinda of left you wanting more...
With "Transcendence" RAS has stoked up the fire and we've got new characters and stories and for the most part, it's alot better than the first book in my opinion. The way RAS brings some of the new characters into the story is great and you will definately love some of the other characters. This deviation from the series is most welcome and I can't wait for the final book...now.
A definate read and one of the better releases thus far in the "DeamonWars" saga...
Justice Delivered
More of the same with less inspiration.......2004-06-01
In Transcendance R.A. Salvatore explores more of the world of Coronoa. The story takes place ten years after the fall of the Demon Dactyl and follow the ranger Brynn Dharielle as she travels with the elf Bellimar Juraviel to a southern kingdom so she can launch a war. Much of the story, however, reads like his other war novels (Demon's Apostle, Witch's Daughter, etc.) and the characters are far less tantalizing.
Many people have come to enjoy the passion and philosophy of Drizzt Do'Urden, the Drow from his Forgotten Realms novels. To this end he has tried to create a character very much like Drizzt with Brynn. Brynn, however, lacks the background that Drizzt had during his formative years. She lacks the uncomparable skill in swords that awed many readers. She even is unable to truly come to grips with death and destruction in the same way Drizzt did. For example, she bemoans having to attack and kill in a city and then calmly hangs the equivalent of the mayor. She'll have a quick conversation with her confidant Pagonel, and then move about the next piece of business.
In fact, few of the characters illicit awe from the readers. His early charcters were the greatest at what they did (Avelyn with gemstones, Drizzt with swords, etc.) The only one to remotely inspire is Pagonel. He is unfortunately introduced a quarter of the way in the story and is mostly relegated to sidekick.
Furthermore, there seems to be little new ideas within this book and it mostly falls within traditional fantasy. The dragon is the biggest, strongest, most fearsome creature around. The elves are secretive and mistrustful of humans. This contradicts the novels of the first DemonWars Saga when a new world was introduced wherein the magic came from gemstones. That was at least a twist on traditional fantasy stories. Sadly Transcendance lacks that.
What you will find in Transcendance is a greater exploration of Corona. It is in fact a very big world. You will even see a couple of familiar characters though few will inspire you.
Book Description
Uses the insights and research of a new wave of biologists and neurologists to explore how we can transcend our current cultural and societal crises.
• Explains new biological understanding of the human organism having five brains, the fifth of which is located in the heart.
• Explains that transcendence of our current modes of behavior, thinking, and believing require the dynamic interaction of our fourth and fifth brains (intellect and intelligence).
• Explores the idea of Jesus, Buddha, and other historical great beings as models of nature's possibility and our ability to achieve transcendence.
• How is it that we as humans seem stuck in a culture of violence and injustice? How is it that we can recognize the transcendent ideal represented by figures such as Jesus, Buddha, Lao-tzu, and many others who have walked among us and yet cannot seem to reach the same state?
In The Biology of Transcendence Joseph Chilton Pearce examines the current biological understanding of our neural organization to address how we can transcend our current evolutionary capacities and limitations. This latest research identifies our five neural centers--or brains--and establishes that our fourth and most recently developed brain is located in the head while the fifth is located in the heart. It is the dynamic interaction of this head brain (intellect) and heart brain (intelligence), of biology and spirit, that allows transcendence from one evolutionary place to the next--we are, quite literally, made to transcend. Conversely, it is the breakdown of this interaction through the effects of cultural dictates surrounding us from the time we are children that keeps us where we are, mired in the current crises of violence among people and between people and the planet.
But Pearce reminds us that we are not stuck for good. Transcendence is our biological imperative, a state we have been moving toward for millennia.
Customer Reviews:
Joe Pearce shakes up the status quo again!.......2006-06-30
Back in the late, great 70's, I read Joe's "Exploring The Crack In The Cosmic Egg", and had my mind opened in ways I've been grateful for ever since. Now this venerable sage has demonstrated he's still got more game than 99% of his modern peers. His lucid exposition of cutting-edge science, linked coherently to ancient wisdom, provides a uniquely accessible template for Transcendence as THE crucial strategy for our species in this time of unprecedented challenge. As I read this timely work, highlighter in hand, I was struck repeatedly by syncronistic relevancies to my our psychospiritual journey.
I've been deeply impacted by my regular use of "The Journey to Wild Divine", a biofeedback game/training tool available through Amazon.com, and Joe's elaboration of the neurocardiological underpinnings of my overwhelmingly positive responses to this practice have greatly deepened my commitment. I've already given two copies of this astonishing book to friends and family, and am likely to bestow more.
I heartily endorse this book, and urge all seekers after transcendent truth to explore it. Jeffery E. DeCelles, Durango, CO.
" Yee shall know them by their fruits !! ".......2006-04-18
Members of traditional churches will not be swayed by this latest of Dr. Pearce's books and - as is evident from previous reviews - neither will certain MDs. Speaking of the "fruits" in my headline: Where are the fruits of billions of dollars spent on, say, cancer research, or heartdisease or SIDS deaths (10000+ annually)? Certainly, many MDs are known by their fruits and 'intent' and deserve tremendous respect, but the field of medicine in general leaves a lot to be desired.
Anyone who followed Pearce's "intent" over the years, knows he is a man who takes his journey through life seriously and what's more, he is willing to SHARE his insights and his progress. To us the readers, these insights come at an affordable price, can get enhanced with steady homework, something many other fields cannot lay claim to. There, 'sharing' often means fleecing you of your money at devastating costs.
Thanks to authors like Pearce, Liedloff, Halfmoon and the producers of flicks like "What the Bleep do WE Know?", we have an opportunity to grow into the beings many of us are yearning to become, beings in control of their lives rather than the misguided ideas of others. The "Industries" of Church, Medicine and Politics certainly don't want us to have control.
Life is meant to be a liberating event, not a suffering from anxiety, depression and disease. Pearce is doing an incredible job, by making palatable ancient Eastern thought, aligning that with Western thought and modern science, thus lifting the serious seeker onto a higher plane. I completely share his feelings about that liberating person Jesus, who is so sorely misrepresented by church. Thanks Joe!
Excellent, Loved it!.......2006-03-09
Great book with fabulous information about the brain and how it relates to the heart and transcendence.
big disappointment.......2005-10-28
There has been a lot of fascinating research recently about the biology of transcendence. But you won't find it in this book. What you will get is a personal reconciliation of his Christianity. Not that that's bad--but it is not how the book is represented. A fundamental problem with this book is one that bedevils (so to speak) many works by authors who write on subjects outside of their field of expertise. Pearce is a theologian (apparently). He is not a physician, physiologist, biologist, or anthropologist--and this really shows when he writes about those subjects. The theology is OK. The physiology is ho-hum--the same any intro course would give--except that he strays into details that are unfounded or absurd. As for the anthropology--whew! where does he get this stuff? Ancient cities from 20,000 years ago?! Early Americans that were 7 ft tall?!! This the stuff of fantasy and unfortunately really discredits his attempt to study the phenomenon of transcendence.
Blueprint needs transcendence........2005-09-07
I read the book, in its entirety, twice. It is difficult reading. I think that the information is generally worthwhile. The author provides a fair number of personal vendettas and numerous references to his earlier work which i think detract from the book. The writing style could be improved. Most notably, the flow of thinking, reasoning, and development is not smooth. Finally, the author talks about the development of a large brain frontal lobe in certain humans, going to the extent of showing a picture of a child with a prominent forehead. It is ironic that the picture of the author on the book jacket depicts him as having a discernibly small forehead.
Customer Reviews:
Zen, Psychology, Phenomenology........2007-10-07
I am a psychotherapist with a long history of involvement in phenomenology (mostly interested in the worksk of Heidegger). I was attracted to Buddhism though a couple of years ago and stumbled onto David Loy's work. David has a number of books out, one on non-duality, a couple extending his notions of "Lack" to the socio-political arena. All are innovative, interesting, accessible and for my money, extreemly important. I highly recommend this book, though people intersted in philosophy and/or psychology are probably going to warm to it the most quickly. Or... if you are interested in Buddhist thinking (especially those interested in Zen), this is an invaluable book. I have found that I have to read maybe 6 or 8 books about Zen to find one that really stands out. Over the past couple of years, my bookshevles have bowed under the wieght of new Zen books. But Loy's works stand out like few others. I hope this book provides you with the same kind of psychological "glue" it did me. Buy it, and happy reading.
Superb.......2002-11-20
Although David Loy's touchstones in Western thought are Nietzche, Freud, and Heidegger, this book does not require any extensive familiarity with these figures (as a person trained in Anglo-American analytic philosophy, I wouldn't know a Heidegger if fell over one!). In any case, Loy investigates the idea that the basis for much of our unease and dysfunctional behavior is not so much fear of future death, as Freud thought, but rather a sneaking suspicion that we have no substantial self, that we are not really real, but rather, as the Buddhists teach, a kind of convenient fiction. It is a treat to follow Loy as he follows up on the implications of this possibility, and I think that even those without an interest in Buddhism will find themselves reflecting deeply on their own lives and on some of the institutionalized forms of craziness that affect modern society. This book has stimulated my thinking like very few others, and I strongly recommend it.
Phenomenal.......2001-05-24
I encountered this book in the University of Massachusetts library. I usually don't go in for books that deal with "Western" philosophy in-depth, but something about it made me check it out. I'm so glad I did.
It's a fantastic book. Loy contrasts the Buddhist outlook to the outlooks of some Western thinkers (Freud, Nietzsche, Heidegger, etc) . It was a good feeling to see sketched out the relationship between my religion and modern philosophy, that they were motivated by the same questions but have come to different responses. This was one of the few books that have given me an "aha!" experience, where lots of disparate things fall into place and start to make sense.
You don't need to have a lot of background in philosophy, either Western or Buddhist, to appreciate this book; the author goes into enough detail about each field to bring a novice up to speed. If you're an American or European Buddhist and/or you have ever wondered how Buddhism relates to mainstream Western thought, you should definitely read this book.
Book now available in paperback.......2001-01-17
Contrary to the 'out of print' notice, this book is now available in paperback (since December 2000) from Humanity Books, an imprint of Prometheus Books.
I rate this book a 5, but then I'm biased -- I'm the author!
Book Description
Once modern science declared the emptiness and meaninglessness of a strictly material universe, it was only a matter of time before architects would adopt the new understanding of space, that is to say that no space is special because none is any different or better than any other.
In their quest to adapt to and speak to the present age, Catholics over the last forty years have unquestioningly allowed the trends in modern architecture to fashion their churches, and the outcome has been the construction of the ugliest and emptiest churches in history, according to author Moyra Doorly, an architect from England.
In No Place for God, Doorly traces the principles of modern architecture to the ideas of space that spread rapidly during the twentieth century. She sees a parallel between the desacralization of the heavens, and consequently of our churches, and the mass inward search for a god of one's own. This double movement -- away from the transcendent God, who reveals himself to man through Scripture and tradition, and toward an inner truth relevant only to oneself -- has emptied our churches, and the worship that takes place within them, of the majesty and beauty that once inspired reverence in both believers and unbelievers alike.
In non-technical language accompanied by photographs, Doorly explains what has gone wrong with our churches and suggests a simple way to begin rectifying it.
Customer Reviews:
The Devil is a Modern Architect.......2007-05-30
I'd thought everyone had lost the plot. Now I'm sure The Devil must be a Modern Architect'. Exigent, compelling reading.
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