BOOKS THE HINDU WAY OF AWAKENING by J. DONALD WALTERS Crystal Clear Publications $14.95 (softcover) reviewed by Douglas S Johnson If you desire an introductory course in Eastern thought and religion — things like basic chakra and what to do with your kundalini — you might pick up John Randolph Price's Living a Life of Joy (reviewed in The New Times, June 1998). If, on the other hand, you have read several books of this sort and feel you are ready for the advanced course, then J. Donald Walters' The Hindu Way of Awakening might be more for you. In a scholarly and thorough manner, Walters explores the true meaning of self-discovery through the various ways of Hindu religions. There is a considerable section devoted to symbolism and its impact upon the practitioner of self-revelation and how symbols in general, both natural and contrived, influence and speak to the human mind. Also of great interest to the scholar of Hinduism is the chapter entitled "Dating It All," in which Walters places the Hindu philosophies and religious practices within a comprehensive time frame. After giving a lengthy historical background of the Hindu way, Walters then explores the Way itself, returning again to the impact of Hindu symbolism. Not only is the journey to self-awareness written of here, but also the importance of the journey, the reasons why we should desire transcendence to begin with. Study of Hinduism is study of Hinduism, but it is not enlightenment itself. The key to the Garden Door, Walters insists, is not a collector's item, but rather something to be used and then lost in its own purpose. Most interesting of all to this reviewer was the section entitled "Unity in Diversity." In this interconnected world, in which faiths are no longer safely isolated by the borders of nations and states, such a concept is very important to understand if we are to avoid serious clashes based in religious differences and thus find true enlightenment. "The essential truth in all religions," Walters writes, "like the central point of a circle, is one...The Ways of Belief are like lines radiating outward from that center." People often wonder why there are so many religions, so many ways, so many faiths, but Walters sees this diversity to be in itself essential to real spiritual discovery. "The circle is a necessary concept for understanding the universe. And there would be no circle, and no center, were there but one straight line." In this fashion, Walters places the Hindu way not only in history and within the contexts of the psychology and spirituality of symbol, but also directly demonstrates how it participates in the revelation of the ultimate human destiny. AS YOU THINK by JAMES ALLEN revised and updated by MARC ALLEN New World Library $9.95 (softcover) reviewed by Kate Lin As a Man Thinketh, written by James Allen in 1904, has long been considered a metaphysical classic. Allen writes of the enormous effect that our thoughts have on our experience of the world. Topics explored include thought and character, the effect of thought on circumstances, the effect of thought on health and the body, thought and purpose, thought as a factor in achievement, the importance of visions and ideals, and the importance of serenity. Recently this classic has been revised and updated by Marc Allen (no relation to James Allen) and has been released under the title As You Think. This revised edition remains true to the original message while changing language that is obsolete and making the text more gender-inclusive. The resulting text is much more readable. Following are excerpts of the same text from both the original and revised versions. From the original text, As a Man Thinketh: "Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry. "Thought in the mind hath made us. What we are by thought was wrought and built. If a man’s mind hath evil thoughts, pain comes on him as comes the wheel the ox behind. If one endure in purity of thought, joy follows him as his own shadow — sure." The same text in the revised edition As You Think: "Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus do we gather in the sweet and bitter fruits of our own planting. "What we are was designed and built by our own thoughts in our minds. If we nurture ignorant or evil thoughts, pain will soon follow. If our thoughts are healthy and beneficial, joy will follow us as surely as our shadows follow us on a sunny day." As You Think allows us to focus on James Allen’s message without getting sidetracked by arcane and outdated language. This inspirational text provides guidance for uplifting our thoughts and, as a result, improving our lives. WE ARE THE MIRACLE by SUSAN MAGUIRE Great Ocean Publishers $14.95 (softcover) reviewed by Douglas S Johnson It is perhaps coincidence that this review of Susan Maguire's new book, We Are The Miracle, is running in the same issue of The New Times as my article on suicide in relation to clinical depression (though Maguire insists that there are no accidents, but only pieces of the cosmic puzzle falling into place in order that those who are paying attention may profit and grow). I often note in my reading, writing, and thinking a curious, unpremeditated dovetailing of ideas and concepts, an unforeseen harmony, and the way in which We Are the Miracle moved effortlessly into my life at just the right moment by itself made this book both useful and delightful to me. After the death of four family members and the near disintegration of her marriage, Susan Maguire found herself in a seemingly unstoppable spiral into hellish depression and realized that she was moving straight toward self-destruction at alarming speed. To compound all of this, she had moved her family into a huge, Gothic house in which came to reside all of the evil spirits that had, until that time, only haunted her from within. Unable to drown her horror and despair in alcohol or have them exorcised by psychiatrists, spiritualists, or nutritionists, Maguire realized that she needed a miracle. What certainly seemed like a miracle came in the way of two Tibetan monks whom her family took in while the former were visiting in the United States. Though the monks spoke only fragmented English, they sensed Maguire's extreme predicament and began to show her how to meditate, simultaneously teaching her many secrets of the spiritual life. There was nothing in the way of an overnight fix for Maguire, but rather a long and difficult road of self-discovery (especially after the monks went on their way). However, by using the wisdom that the two wise men imparted, she was able to move from the brink of almost certain suicide to a more full realization of herself than any she had managed at any other time in her life. (Her childhood was no picnic, either; she grew up in the very definition of a dysfunctional, alcoholic family.) In the opening chapters of We Are the Miracle, the author relates, sometimes in riveting detail, an account of her struggles against the internal and externalized ghosts of psychological irresolution and terror. In the remainder of the book, she shares with readers the way in which she not only coped with but also recovered from her depression. This book is interesting in that it is simply written and very personal (it seems almost a letter to the reader in its tone), yet it contains some very profound conceptual knowledge. Maguire's tacit understanding of what Jung called the "collective unconscious" is impressive. At times, this reviewer was put in mind of William James' ideas about the intersection of human minds, the ways in which we subtly and often subconsciously influence each other, and how God just might be the Gestalt of our ultimate union, the final Conscious Whole greater than the fusion of its parts. Maguire acknowledges this vast potential for human interconnectedness and very much believes in "occult" help, aid from those distant in body and from those who no longer inhabit a body. She quite often credits such spirits with a goodly portion of her ability to recover from depression. Maguire's assertions about spirit and ego, the eschewing of fear, the embracing of love and forgiveness, and the setting aside of judgment are quite Christian in essence (she was born and raised a "fallen away" Catholic). Yet there are no particular doctrines left sticking to her philosophy, and she states that one could be of any religion — or of no religion at all — and still follow in her path (making it, in the end, catholic indeed). Most important, however, are Maguire's concluding ideas concerning miracles. During the near-tragic nadir of her depression, she prayed constantly for a miracle, a sign, a wonder, not really realizing what they were. After her recovery, she understood that a miracle is almost anything that helps one to live and comprehend God better, even in the tiniest way, and that they occur every second that one looks for them. The philosopher Martineau once insisted that showy "freak of nature" miracles were not God's best work, evidenced by the fact that they were performed only very infrequently and then usually in extreme circumstance, whereas the Divine's true masterpieces were in the wonders of the everyday; Maguire decidedly agrees with this view of the miraculous. Furthermore, and finally, Maguire's most important discovery was that she is — that, in fact, we all are — the miracle, that we possess, latent or active, within every one of us the power to heal, to connect in ineffably intimate ways with others, and to know God, to have infinite light, in all that we do. Thus, the final lesson of this book is its title. Miracles are not mind-bending contortions of the natural world, and they do not have to be begged for in head-banging supplication: we are the miracle every single day of our lives. GHOST DANCING by ANNA LINZER Picador USA $21 (hardcover) reviewed by Arlene Arnold Through Jimmy One Rock, Anna Linzer brings together stories told and retold by the One Rock family. Each one poignantly recalls family wisdom and history as well as sorrows, loneliness, deprivation, and joys. Throughout, Linzer maintains that special colloquial quality of Johnny One Rock, while creating a vivid picture and powerful impact. One can’t help but be moved by Johnny’s desire to connect with his Lenape Native American heritage while, at the same time, we feel his disconnection and loneliness. Grandma One Rock stands out as a wise woman of strength and character that any one of us would have liked to know. Anna Linzer is part Lenape herself, so these stories come from her heritage as well. She is a Washingtonian, living in Indianola (near Poulsbo) on the Port Madison Suquamish Indian Reservation. Ghost Dancing takes us inside a world we may not have experienced. Each story stands alone, yet together the stories maintain a common thread. You will be drawn from each one to the next until the thread is complete. Ann Linzer is speaking at Village Books in Bellingham, WA Wednesday, November 4 and at Looking Glass Books in Portland, OR on Thursday November 5. SHADOW SYNDROMES The Mild Forms of Major Mental Disorders that Sabotage Us by JOHN RATEY and CATHERINE JOHNSON Bantam Books $12 (softcover) reviewed by Douglas S Johnson Historically, mental and emotional illnesses have been an endless conundrum. In the Middle Ages, and during Puritan times, they were thought to be the result of demon possession, and when "exorcism" failed, the mentally and emotionally ill often suffered horrible fates. Even early in this century, and in this country, the mentally ill were often confined for a wretched lifetime stay in "snake pits," institutions with unthinkably rank living conditions. The wanton use of the lobotomy, "psychotropic" drugs, and electroshock "therapy" is widely documented. (Thankfully, such abuses are not so prevalent these days.) On the other side, mental illness has been seen as a part of creativity or genius. Poe and Dickinson both thought they were connected, and Melville once wrote that "genius is but madness well governed." Many Indian tribes believed that those with mental illness had been possessed by benevolent spirits and that they had been transported to a place closer to the gods. Even today, in our technological age, medical doctors and psychiatrists struggle to unweave the complex tapestry of factors leading to the development of problems such as depression, mania, schizophrenia, autism, and antisocial behavior. While such searchings will take some time, one important discovery that has been made in recent decades is that mental illness is not an all-or-nothing situation. There are degrees of these disorders, and there is a whole spectrum of symptoms and near-symptoms to be considered before making a positive diagnosis. Shadow Syndromes explores what happens when a psychological difficulty is not quite full-blown, when there is a fine line between "odd" or "high-strung" and seriously sick, when mental and emotional illness do not rage in our souls like a Beethoven symphony, but rather persist in (an often just nearly debilitating) minor key. This book was written for both individuals who might be suffering from a "shadow syndrome," and certainly for their families, but it must be said that it would definitely be contraindicated for the alarmist or those psychologically hypochondriacal (anyone who is all-too-ready to proclaim, "Oh my God! That's me! I'm mentally ill!"). The problem with "shadow syndromes" is that they involve a lot of things that are "a little bit normal and a little bit abnormal," and it is easy for all people to see such things in themselves from time to time. Perhaps always is a key word to remember here. Am I always raging? Am I always a little depressed? Am I always withdrawn and passionless? (Everyone shows signs of mental or emotional illness at one time or another.) Most interesting to me, as a sufferer of depression (see column in this issue), was the section on the mild form of "melancholia." "Shadow syndrome" sufferers of depression do not have the crashing and esteem-obliterating lows that some of their "full-blown" counterparts do, but life can drag on for them like one long gray day, and, unfortunately, without knowledge of the spectrum along which mental and emotional illness slides, such a person might continue to suffer interminably without a diagnosis. It is the same for the manic personality. Those who have the "shadow syndrome" variety of mania do not necessarily go on wild spending frenzies or partake in uncontrolled sexual escapades, but simply feel "out of control" or like they have "too much energy." (There is also a "shadow syndrome" form of manic depression called "cyclothymia," and even the two sides of manic depression themselves slide independently along a scale of severity. Some sufferers have wild highs and moderate lows. Others, like me, have crashing lows and then periods of high energy and creativity which, while sometimes a bit overwhelming, are not necessarily debilitating.) Then there is "intermittent rage disorder." Those with this emotional problem might be viewed by friends and family as "always angry," "ready to fly off the handle at a moment's notice," "generally hostile." Again, there is a fine line between the crank, the curmudgeon, and the truly sick; still, Shadow Syndromes cautions that perpetual hostility may be more than just a personality quirk or the result of too much caffeine. (One would imagine that this syndrome would be even more difficult to diagnose than certain others, since the sufferer of "intermittent rage disorder" would actually seek out [or create] situations in which to be angry, thus making the appearance that the anger was "about something real" and not the cause of the problem to begin with.) There are also "shadow syndrome" forms of autism. Many people suffering from this disorder pass through life referred to as "odd," "distant," "obsessive," "a cold fish," unaware that their lack of feeling or connection with others is anything to be worried about. There is also a section of Shadow Syndromes that deals with the minor forms of attention deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction disorder, and anxiety disorder. It must be reiterated that we all possess a certain degree of every disorder and that one must read this very interesting and engaging book objectively and carefully and not with the desire to find oneself (or anyone else!) in any of its pages. It might also be mentioned that the authors seem to be strong advocates of (though not wanton cheerleaders for) Prozac, a drug which has worked wonders for some but which has, paradoxically, rendered others much more sick than they started out. (Shadow Syndromes was published in 1997, and, like all medical books, should be read in conjunction with other cutting-edge texts so that the most up-to-date information is always obtained.) ONLINE reviewed by Elana Lindquist On Health <http://www.onhealth.com> Down-to-earth consumer health information to protect and empower you at your doctor’s. Read about how to deal with cyberdoctor's offices, whether or not to disrobe in a doctor's office, and doctors that keep you the healthiest. Check out their cardiovascular, diabetes and breast cancer centers. Urban Legends Archive <http://www.urbanlengends.com> Very entertaining and sometimes shocking! Read the weekly ten favorites: how Donald Duck was banned from Norway, how there was a hanging on the set of The Wizard of Oz, and Barbra Streisand's life as a porno star! Life After Death <http://www.After-Death.com/hfh.htm> For comfort, insight, and tips. This is designed as a safe and respectful space! (P.S. If you are promoting a book, this is a great format to create enthusiasm for your topic.) Heart Links <http://www.ior.com/heartlinks/> Interfaith, Spiritual Resource Online Magazine, dedicated to bringing forth the teachings and messages God has given to each of the world's religions. Gay and Lesbian News <http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_news.htm#98feb> Items of a major nature in the drive for equal rights for persons of all sexual orientations. Elana Lindquist publishes Online Solutions for Success at <http://www.seanet.com/~lindquist>; e-mail <lindquist@seanet.com> or call (253) 858-7969.   MUSIC reviewed by David A. Young MOTHERLIGHT BETSY ROSE Paper Crane Music A couple of years ago, Linda Ronstadt, for her umpteenth album (Dedicated to the One I Love), recorded a program of love songs for her new baby at lullaby tempo; the simple concept was very effective and touched me greatly. On Motherlight, Betsy Rose's eighth album, this idea is taken to infinitely richer depths, yielding moving rewards for the listener. Rose (who was interviewed in The New Times, October 1998 in an article entitled "Parenting as Spiritual Practice: Honoring the Not-So-Still Small Voice") became a mother for the first time four years ago. Her exultant love for her son Matthew and for her own experience of motherhood is the glue that holds this album together, but one needn't have ever been a mother to be touched by the words and music. One need only have been someone's son or daughter at some time to appreciate the gifts that more and more parents, like Betsy, are giving to their children when they honor the child's role as teacher. In fact, the only bad thing I can say about this record is that I occasionally find myself, with a sense of melancholy, wishing I could go back and be parented from this perspective. I know many of my generation who have every reason to feel that way. At the same time, Motherlight offers inspirational hope for future generations as parenting evolves toward its higher nature. For example, the song "Spirited Child" celebrates the strong-willed child for knowing and expressing its true nature from an early age; this is the same child that, in my generation, would have been labeled a "problem child." As many of us have learned, attempts to break a child's spirit result only — and tragically — in a breaking of his or her trust. It will be interesting to track the difference that the new parenting paradigm will make as today's youngsters reach adulthood. A bit of comic relief is offered in "Mama's Milk," slyly reminiscent of "Shortnin' Bread" as it expounds the virtues of the ultimate comfort food. "Under My Skin," on the other hand, constitutes an introspective inventory of the familial "baggage" — good and bad — that Betsy brings to her own experience of parenting. From the intent-setting album opener, "I Want a World for You," to the closing lullaby, "Gentle Wind/All Night Long," this CD has great value as a tender touchstone for new mothers — and fathers — wanting to stay focused on conscious parenting. For others, like me, it is a poignant way to offer reparenting to a damaged self, a way to offer oneself the closest thing yet to the Godlike mother love we all crave. This isn't "Mother Lite"; this is Motherlight. (Paper Crane Music, P.O. Box 9538, Berkeley, CA 94709) LANDSCAPES A Territorial Adventure MARK BIEHL Acuity Soundworks It's rare to see such a fully realized project as Landscapes by an established artist on a major label, so it's especially gratifying to herald the impressive independent debut of Mark Biehl. The artist's intent, as implied in the album's title, was to activate the listener's imagination, and in particular, the visual component. Indeed, I'd rate this the most visual (and among the most visionary) album since Kitaro's Cirque Ingenieux of last year. I have no trouble coming up with my own "pictures" while listening to this instrumental album, but Biehl apparently doesn't want to hedge his bets. The booklet provides a "guided tour" of sorts, with commentary and with graphics that would be stunning in their own right, but which offer a meaningful point of departure for a focused (preferably headphone) listening. Notice that I didn't say a "meditative" listening; this music isn't sufficiently laid back to qualify for that use as far as I'm concerned. That's to its credit: there's plenty of great music out there for that purpose. No, this music is more like a drive down Route 66, yielding surprises, delights, and, yes, sometimes even disturbing images (although these are never left unresolved). For the most part, Landscapes has the feel of a soundtrack; it's just that you get to create your own movie. The opening theme, "Belize," creates the proper listening attitude. It follows the form of classics from "Canon in D" and "Bolero" to "Tubular Bells," establishing a mesmerizing musical mantra belying the increasing complexity of melody and rhythm that takes place as the piece develops through its eight minutes. My own favorite cut is the majestically sweeping "Chamonix-Mont-Blanc," which in fact is the only track with its roots in actual soundtrack music; an earlier version had been used behind an A&E special on "extreme" skiing. In my "movie," I fly over the Grand Canyon when I hear this one, but the text and graphics credibly provide a virtual French ski trip for those desiring a "script" to bring a visual dimension to the listening experience. I said that this isn't meditative music, and that's true; its motion, its ebb and flow, is too swift and constant. That doesn't mean that it's "up" music, or dance music, either, though. It is, however, trance music; one can (and will want to) become lost in the interactive goings-on. Apart from being pleasant and catchy, these occasionally jazz-tinged grooves serve their greatest purpose as musical sparks for igniting one's own creativity. I have found this a very useful album for eliciting peak performance when writing and editing; if you're into any of the arts, I daresay it may help you achieve new levels of inspiration, too. (Acuity Soundworks, P.O. Box Z, Belleville, IL 62222) TIBET WATERBONE World Disc Music World musicians Jimmy Waldo and Donny Jones, collectively known as Waterbone, offer a commanding first outing with Tibet. Having spent three weeks in Kathmandu, Nepal (the primary sanctuary for refugee Tibetan monks) recording its native sounds, they returned to the U.S. to begin their sampling magic. Note that therein lies the difference between this album and corollary projects: they did not merely sample recordings from the distant lands; they went there themselves and got authentic, spontaneous recordings in the streets and temples. What they wound up with after having their high-tech way in the studio with these sounds is, in the words of the CD cover, "ancient visions in an extraordinary mix of trip hop grooves and organic voicings." What the hell does that mean? For me, at least, it means that the integrity and mysterious, exotic nature of the Eastern source material is not compromised by the decidedly cutting-edge finished product. (I hesitate to say "trendy," because I can imagine myself loving this just as much years from now.) While the music stops sufficiently short of the techno/electronica sound dominating today's dance floors to qualify as worldbeat/New Age, it's easy to envision someone half my age grooving to "Tantra" at a rave just as much as I do while doing housework. This is definitely music in motion, defying the listener to be still and reminding one of the timelessness of music's place in life and history. Many familiar elements form a comfortable point of departure on this sonic adventure, and along with Celestial's Spirit House (reviewed here last month), this is one of the best albums for introducing newcomers to this as-yet-unlabeled new genre. The interweaving of such spiritual conventions as chant and flute with the sensuous arrangements, particularly when ritual drumming contrasts with synthesized percussion, is as effective here as it's ever been. The struggle for freedom among exiled Tibetans can be discerned as a counterpoint to the musical settings created for them, and part of the beauty of the result is the way the universality of the human experience, with all its suffering as well as all its hope, has been captured here. The album closes with the Tibetan national anthem sung by a chorus of youthful students, whose positive energy complements the backing track's feeling of optimism. This is an album to which I find myself returning on a very regular basis and in which I find a sense of comfort, connection, and compassion. I'd like to suggest that you do the same, and hereby lift it up as The New Times' album of the month. (Northwood Press, P.O. Box 1360, Minocqua, WI 54548)