New Books Reviews by Valerie Sziraky

After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path
by Jack Kornfield.
Buddhist teacher and meditation master Jack Kornfield weaves his storytelling talent with his rich experience to give us this uplifting account of the modern spiritual journey. He explains to his readers that enlightenment does exist, but with the caveat that it does not go on continuously. Through personal stories, old traditional tales and experiences from Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Sufi practitioners, the reader can understand and develop his personal spiritual path. Kornfield gives us a wonderful book filled with inspiration, laughter, and timeless teachings. $24.95

Getting Through to Your Soul: the Four Keys to Living Your Divine Purpose
by Phillip Mountrose and Jane Mountrose.
The question "What is my soul's purpose?" is the main topic of this timely and readable book. The work answers this question by explaining the four keys to experiencing your soul. They are 1) Understanding your soul, 2) Connecting with your soul's reality, 3) Becoming an expression of your soul and 4) Living your divine purpose. Not only does it clear the path to discovering the deeper meaning of one's life, but explains why doing so is vital to the way we exist. Using kinesiology techniques along with mental practices, the reader learns how to live on divine purpose and to discover the wonders of the soul. $14.95

Transforming the Mind: Teachings on Generating Compassion
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Based on the premise that we are all in search of a happy life, the Dalai Lama presents us with the Eight Verses for Training the Mind (written by the eleventh-century meditator Langi Thangpa) along with an explanation of how these verses work. These teachings concentrate directly on the mind through changing one's attitudes and thought patterns. He emphasizes the importance of loving, kindness and compassion as they relate to personal well being. He also teaches us that through meditation, we can sustain the effort to feel these positive emotions and therefore incorporate them into our daily lives. With his usual depth and perception, His Holiness has once again handed us a key to living a peaceful, joy-filled life. $20.00

The Art and Science of Feng Shui: the Ancient Chinese Tradition of Shaping Fate
by Henry B. Lin.
Feng Shui has practically become a household word in the West and many people are familiar with the main elements of this practice. Henry Lin now takes us into the artistic domains of Feng Shui by giving us the underlying classical principles. You will learn concepts such as Feng Shui's Taoist roots, Situation and Direction Schools, planning for construction and finding the dragon lair. He gives a detailed history of the practice along with the importance topography plays in defining the principles. If you are ready to go to the next level toward a deeper understanding of this ancient art then you are ready for this book. $14.95