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ajlewis2's reviews
1603 reviews
A Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This book has helped me see a real purpose for meditation--more of a purpose for life rather than what meditation can do for me. I had wanted to meditate for what I could get out of it, but while reading this, I began to feel a real need for meditation. One helpful feature was a chapter that was a sort of in depth description of how a meditation session might go. It was not telling me how to do it, but just how I might experience it. That shifted my perspective which had been more on trying to do it right. This chapter was a relief. Now I see that I can do this and I also realize that it will be work, not a work of perfection, but something that I need as much as I need to cook meals and eat. We'll see where I actually go with this, but I do feel Levine has done his best to get me started.
The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life by Lisa J. Miller
informative
slow-paced
2.5
A scientific study of how our brains are wired for spirituality and the correlation between spirituality and depression--very interesting! However, the presentation of these ideas wasn't very good in my estimation. It was slow, hard reading. Not difficult to understand, just boring. But I will say that it is a rare book that I will continue to read in spite of rating it so low. I feel the actual results shown are very important. I guess it is hard to make such documentation into an engrossing read.
Active Hope (Revised): How to Face the Mess We're in with Unexpected Resilience and Creative Power by Joanna Macy
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Most helpful line to me: "...we know that what happens through us is life itself wanting to continue."
Retrograde by Peter Cawdron
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This is an mysterious and exciting tale about a group of around 100 astronauts from various countries in a habitat on Mars. The environment and characters are very well drawn out. It's realistic and engaging. I did enjoy Andy Weir's book, but I think I liked this one even more.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Guide by Carson Robertson
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This book explains Plantar Fasciitis in detail and those details were helpful to my understanding of why doing the exercises and stretches helps heal the problem. I'm glad I read the first few chapters first rather than skipping to the exercises. There were many exercises and stretches that I'd seen in internet searches. I had used the night splint in the past with good results. But I learned much more. The author does seem to know his subject and gives good info with the kind of motivation a good doctor also gives. I recommend the book to those with the problem, especially if it is recurring.
Coming Back to Life: The Updated Guide to the Work that Reconnects by Joanna Macy, Molly Young Brown
5.0
This is an in-depth guide on The Work that Reconnects with many activities and meditations to use in gatherings as well as explanations for their purpose. The book explains in detail what this work is and how important it is. Joanna Macy a brilliant thinker with a big heart for life on this earth. This is the first book of hers that I've read. I think _Active Hope_ will cover the same material, but will be more for a beginner like me. This book was a guide for those who are involved in leading these workshops, etc.