Average Rating:

.

New Earth, Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Eckhart Tolle

February 01, 2008
I found this too wordy and deep for a simple soul such as myself however I did as advised on the Oprah site and sat with 2 marker pens in different colours to underline that which I understood and that which I didn't. Needless to say one colour got a heck of a bashing!!

I've given it 3 stars though because I did actually get some really good bits out of it which I jotted down on the spare blank pages at the back (in my own words so I would understand later) and for that it was worth reading/buying.

What I am most chuffed about however is reading a review by Paul Chipperfield (lower down) recommending Cheri Huber's book which as he said is much kinder to us mere mortals and he is sooooo right!! Cheri Huber writes in ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Surprised by Hope

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Tom Wright

December 21, 2007
In many ways this book acts as a popular level summary of Wright's recent thinking, and that is both its strength and ultimately also its weakness. The book's big idea is that Jesus' bodily resurrection is not a one off event but rather the forerunner of the general resurrection, and that this is the key which makes sense of a great deal of new testament thinking, in the gospels and the letters and in Revelation. He contends that the loss of belief in the bodily resurrection being replaced by an idea of a non-corporeal heaven has resulted not only in a loss of appropriate hope for christians but also has wider consequences for theology and for how christians live their lives. These are important ideas, clearly expressed and forcefully argued. The book's ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Joseph Campbell

September 13, 1993
The Hero with a Thousand Faces is the work that first introduced me to Joseph Campbell. It was then and continues to be one of my favorite books of all time. Each time I read this valuable resource, I uncover another layer of usefulness. This time, I was specifically looking at how the cycle of the Hero's Journey directly related to the cycle of healing.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces presents Campbell's Hero's Journey. By looking at mythology worldwide, he noticed some very significant similarities in the journeys taken by the hero or heroine of these stories, hence the cycle. In this work, Campbell presents a number of snippets from different myths showing that indeed such a pattern exists. Indeed, it is a template still used by the best pieces ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Reinventing Your Life: How to Break Free from Negative Life Patterns

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Jeffrey E. Young, Klosko

March 01, 1998

Somehow I identified with all of the life-traps and so therapy beckons? The more I read the more any optimism I'd held began to evapourate. Hopefully though anyone who wishes to adopt the steps to change their lives has fewer schemas than I, even with one life-trap it would take grinding hard work to escape from it. However, nothing worthwhile came easy, so keep expectations low and success will come your way. An interesting view into our behaviours and their origins.

Average Rating:

.

Awareness

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Anthony De Mello

December 01, 1990
Anthony De Mello was a gifted writer, and a charismatic teacher but his books certainly aren't in line with a lot of Catholic teaching, which was why concerns have been expressed by the Holy Catholic Church about his writings. Officially we are told to read with 'discernment'. I would advise Catholic readers to take notice of this official advice from the Vatican.

Average Rating:

.

Mindfulness in Plain English

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

September 30, 2002
I have been interested in Buddhism and meditation for many years and have been waiting all that time for a book that is a true 'nuts and bolts' manual of how to meditate. This is the first book I have found that I can totally recommend. It covers the subject with honesty, humour and an amazing level of clarity. For a beginner or experienced meditator, there is no better book that I have seen.

Also, the author has integrity and comes from the traditional Theravada school of Buddhism - beware that there are quite a few dodgy modern 'schools' that use the name of Buddhism in vain. If you are new to Buddhism, I strongly recommend the Theravada school (e.g. Amaravati monastery in the UK).

A minor point and it doesn't detract at all from the book, but I feel ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Purpose-driven Life: What on Earth am I Here For?: What on Earth Am I Here For?

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Rick Warren

May 02, 2003
This book is an alleged christian book because it twists the scriptures and goes against what the word of God says. In my opinion this is not christian at all, but written from someone who I identify with cult practices. How come so many churches use this book when it goes against so many christian values and scriptures?? Do the christians that read this book read the bible? Apparently not, or they might find issues with it that I did. Also why does it make you sign a covenant at the start of the book? Me and my friends do not recommend this reading if you are serious about your walk with God. However if you are serious about your walk with God, the Holy Spirit will direct you into all truth.

Average Rating:

.

Lectionary: Advent 2008 to Advent 2009 (Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
from: Church House Publishing

2008-04
This book is an alleged christian book because it twists the scriptures and goes against what the word of God says. In my opinion this is not christian at all, but written from someone who I identify with cult practices. How come so many churches use this book when it goes against so many christian values and scriptures?? Do the christians that read this book read the bible? Apparently not, or they might find issues with it that I did. Also why does it make you sign a covenant at the start of the book? Me and my friends do not recommend this reading if you are serious about your walk with God. However if you are serious about your walk with God, the Holy Spirit will direct you into all truth.

Average Rating:

.

The Secret

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Rhonda Byrne

January 02, 2007
The Secret is an outward introduction and explanation of how we think on the inside becomes what we experience on the outside, because what we think we mirror and attract. With this aim, the book hits the mark.

If you are getting into personal development you will find the contents very easy to read, with superb explanations. The whole thing is gentle, encouraging, informative and uplifting.

People who have advanced and aligned themselves will find it does not give any new depth of knowledge, actual practice, or reference ordinary people who have achieved true creation and expansion; I will offer this advancement to you soon. As far as the book is concerned, it is a mirror, mirror on the wall image and introduction and does what it says on the cover.

Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Religion and Spirituality
by: Marita Sturken, Lisa Cartwright

December 21, 2000
This book is a splendid introduction to theories about visual culture. It opens up the sociological / psychodynamic / anthropological theories that exist about the visual media to laymen. Another good thing is that they do not focus on high culture visual media, but also on film, television, advertising, etc. This is what makes the book valuable to people who are specialized in neighbouring fields and who wish to know more about visual media (for instance, marketeers, perception psychologists, therapists, people studying politics, etc.). On every topic the background literature is made accessible by good references and a short introduction to these references. This is really helpful! For instance, i always wanted to know more about Barthes theorizing about myths, and how that applies to advertising, ... Read More: