The most formidable books on spiritual growth focus on the wisdom of perfect evolved gurus and their untouchable pureness. This book is not that. I actually thought it would be less helpful because it's not. The author admits fallibility and communicates openly of his lengthy ride to truly knowing God, Love and his purpose. Well the long ride is fast, amazing and too short as a series of personal stories about real lives that he thought to touch but touched him as deeply. This book is about the wonder of our ability to remember our birth and pre-birth and I enjoyed each story, but I was especially struck by the transformation anyone can experience when they listen to and experience the suffering and subsequent growth of another human being. I'm missing out on opportunities daily. Thank you ,Mr. Bongard, for the reminder!

My favorite quote from the book is, "...that who you are is not primarily a human being having a spiritual experience but rather a spiritual being having a human experience."

This book addresses our connection with God without the confines of religious thought. It addresses very human experiences. This book gives support for the idea that the "unexplainable" things we experience may have meaning in the bigger picture.

I recommend pages 135 - 136 as a preface to reading the book for anyone who struggles with the role of God in their lives. This is an excellent book for everyone, even skeptics! This is an uplifting and quick read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Near Birth Experience by Jerry Bongard is one of those landmark publications that opens the windows of our minds. We all ask, "Who am I?, Where did I come from?," and "What is my purpose in life?" The Near Birth Experience leads us to the answers to those questions. Very importantly, Jerry Bongard leads us to find our own answers to those questions through the memory regression technique he has used countless times as a professional counselor and which he describes and documents in his book. Jerry Bongard joins Michael Newton (Journey of Souls) and Loel L. Whitton and Joe Fisher (Life Between Life) in exploring the boundaries before our birth and revealing the deep roots, the guidance and connections we bring with us on our life journey. His evidence is clear! A "must read" for any soul in search of truth and meaning, and a beautiful addition to anyone's metaphysical/spiritual library.

Dr. Tara Fairfield, a young anthropologist, is on a quest to find her father, renegade tabloid journalist, Drew Fairfield, who has missed most of her life, but most notably has been missing for the last two years. Tara has received a letter from Drew containing photos and artifacts which she believes might be proof of the existence of a secret society of shamans hidden deep in the New Mexico desert. Either this, or it is an elaborate hoax, perpetuated by her father, who is not above foregoing integrity for a good story. To uncover the truth, she leaves her young daughter and travels to New Mexico, where her search leads her through a shamnic journey to find her own soul. She meets spirit guides who shape-shift and take her to places beyond the tangible world she knows. An old friend of her father's who has returned to his Zuni childhood origins, teaches her the way of the Medicine Wheel. She is at once the teacher and the taught as she takes the reader on a magical voyage between worlds, all the while tripping over her own skepticism. With an old shaman, she journeys to meet the crone, Mongwa, who tells her "You are a messenger. You have no choice." Tara's mission is to bring back to her world the teachings of the "fifth world," where understanding the Spiritual Source eliminates all appearance of separation between time, place, and physical identity. Bennett's writing is visually stunning, taking the reader into the quiet beauty of the desert mesa and deep into the caves hidden high on the cliffs. A masterful storyteller, he weaves spell-binding adventure and spiritual revelation. This book begs for a sequel.

A few months ago and quite by chance, I ran onto this author/writing instructor in the strangest way. I was surfing the Internet and happened to find this website for writers. It's a very informative website with a little bit of everything for everyone in the literary world. I clicked on the discussion board to see what was happening. I'm not one to join a discussion group because I don't have the time, but like I said, the website is full of writing information. The discussion group actually has comments posted by published authors, giving helpful information to the fledgling writers. In so doing, these published authors not only have my respect, they have my attention. After reading some of the informative posts by Hal Bennett, I was impressed with what he had to say. I sent him an e-mail conveying my compliments. Being a man of intelligence and good manners, Bennett thanked me via an e-mail, thus allowing me access to his website by his reply. I think I would have eventually found it anyway, but it saved me a lot of time. Bennett's book on "Write From The Heart" took my attention first and I ordered it. Very impressive. I concluded the man knew how to write a non-fiction book on the subject of writing. I rated him as being in the caliber of Brande, another great one. So, figuring he knew how to write non-fiction and hold my interest, I'd find out if he could write fiction and still hold my interest. I'm a romantic by nature, always have been, but I'll read anything that's well written, whether it's mystery, suspense, self-help, non-fiction, etc. For a long time, I've stuck with the really big name authors, but eventually I think we all live and learn. I'm pretty gutsy and I'll venture spending the price of a book by any author who has my attention and interest. I don't know if you'd call it cheating when you open a book to the center or the end and read a few excerpts to determine whether it's a good book or not, but I'm famous for doing this. I DIDN'T DO THIS WITH "SPIRIT CIRCLE". I started on page one and read through to the end. I hardly put the book down until I finished reading it. The story was very different and touched me deeply. Bennett writes a book like I would venture to say he teaches writing, straight from his heart. The story plot, the characters, the vivid description of beautiful setting, his vast knowledge of Native American culture and last, but not least, the superb editing of this book, makes it an excellent read. Bennett is very gifted and well-educated, and quite obviously in good standing with his Muse. I do highly recommend this book to anyone.

This is a novel about Tara Fairfield who is an anthropologist at a university. She leaves her comfortable job to search for her outrageous, adventruous father who has been missing for 2 yrs. She travels to New Mexico to catch his trail and is caught up in a series of intriguing events that force her to confront her own identity. The professor part of Tara slowly surrenders to her intuitive self and she embraces a new, deeper vision of the meaning and purpose of her life. Essentially, she stops studying life and begins to live in a new way. Spirit Circle is a really classic shamanic story, told in an original, exciting way that brings out the mystery of the ancient mystical traditions of the Southwest. The heroine's adventure is an initiantion--she doesn't find her goal, she become it, and eventually recognizes and accepts her destiny. This is a fast-moving adventure story with great characters, which you don't find much in novels with spiritual themes. It has a surprise ending with a truly powerful message that reaches far back in time. What I particularly like is that this book teaches the basics of shamanism while it entertains. I'd recommend it highly for anyone who wants to find out more about the shamanistic traditions and actually experience what it can teach us about the inner truths of our lives.

This book really is one the definitive discussions of mental training from the first chapter where Charles Garfield describes an actual experience with, and the remarkable results of, Soviet-style mental training. The exercises are generally excellent (although I found some of the exercises for planning to be a little bit difficult to follow). I believe that if you're serious about this subject, you have to read this book.

This book is accessible and pertinent to anyone who wants to perform more consistently and effectively. While it focuses on sports, it has a number of useful lessons that can be applied to any aspect of life. The book sets up a program step by step that builds on a very solid foundation of research in both the U.S. and the former U.S.S.R. All of the information is, and will continue to be pertinant. A friend lent me his copy and I was overwhelmed.

The information in this book is excellent! I use it regularly with my hypnosis clients for sports and this author really did his research. His information is very valuable and easy to understand. I recommend it for any athlete who wants to take their sport to a higher level of performance

As a child, Linda Keen learned to hide her metaphysical experiences. As an adult she risked ridicule "by discussing my communication with spiritual beings on national radio and television [where] it became obvious to me how important it is for everyone who has psychic experiences to bring them out into the open."

Her latest book, Intuition Magic: Understanding Your Psychic Nature, is intended "to help you unveil the spiritual aspects of your world in a simple and playful manner." It reflects her belief that we all have psychic abilities, and that those abilities need to be developed, rather than hidden.

The first part of the book tells how she learned about her own intuition and spirituality. The remainder of the book is designed to help readers "learn to trust in the intangible world and all the miracles and magic to be witnessed. . .."

Keen defines intuition as "knowing without reasoning. It's sensing information coming from your own source within, without intellectual effort." One of the keys is learning to trust and use our imaginations. She provides numerous exercises for stimulating the imagination and intuition. Other exercises focus on transforming the way in which we see ourselves and healing old hurts.

One chapter is devoted to learning how to go with the flow, that is "to let go of old, limiting patterns, trust the universe, and surrender to your destiny." Another chapter focuses on "dealing with the dark side" of our human natures. She also explains how to get in touch with our inner teacher and our spiritual guides and helpers. The book ends with a chapter on healing others.

All of the exercises are explained clearly and simply. None require anything other than some quiet time to yourself and a desire to develop your own intuitive and psychic powers.

Linda Keen is the founder, with her husband, of the School of Intuitive Development in the Netherlands, and is an internationally-recognized leader in the field of intuitive research. She designed Intuition Magic "not only to acquaint you with some new ideas, but also to give you a complete hands-on experience, providing concepts and exercises you can put to use right away." Readers will find that she succeeded in her goal.

Just as you would need an instruction book for learning any skill like accounting or building a bookcase, Intuition Magic de-mystifies the psychic world and provides nice, down-to-earth guidelines for developing our intuitive side. Linda Keen makes it clear that you do not have to be a gifted shaman to consider yourself intuitive or psychic. Far from being remote, she befriends us by sharing her own initial doubts and lack of confidence at the beginning of her own psychic journey, something which most of us feel. She then describes her successes and challenges at an intuition school with brevity,generously sharing what she learned there. Her advice on "grounding energy", i.e, staying connected to the physical world while expanding the spiritual, to maintain a healthy balance of energy, is vital to anyone beginning their own spiritual journey. She also gives great perspective on how to establish "psychic boundaries" in order to maintain neeeded independence from other people's emotions and energies. Her ideas on developing psychic vision, ability to read auras and actually do healings are, again, very easy to understand, very readable. Her advice on receiving past life information is excellent, suggesting, first of all, that it is easier than we think and gives basic techniques. She reminds us to narrow our search to only those past life experiences that will help us clear old negative energies that keep us locked in unhealthy emotional patterns. All in all, the reader makes the transition from thinking they could nevr be psychic, to realizing we are all intuitive. We just have to wake it up with a little excercise and practice, with some healthy groundrules to remain focused and keep our feet on the ground. In this way, any fears one might have in beginning this process are dispelled, and our God-given, natural intuitive sense can be reclaimed. The book is small enough to fit in a purse, easy to read anywhere, very handy, with a beautiful cover. Highly recommended as we begin a new century when so many people are awakening their spiritual selves.

Michael Toms (of the New Dimensions radio program) interviews best-selling author Lynn Andrews in this fascinating book. Lynn tells stories of some of her real-life experiences with sorcerors and magic, and how she felt at the time these amazing things happened. Lynn also does a beautiful job expressing the importance of learning to manage our emotions... for if we don't, our emotions will control our lives. This book is a must-read for Lynn's fans!

Charming and delightful are the words that come to mind when I remember the experience of reading White Mountain Blues. This novel is based on a script Hal Zina Bennett wrote for the TV series Northern Exposure. His wife, Susan Sparrow, loved the story so much that she urged him to convert it into a novel when Northern Exposure was cancelled before the script could be produced. The transformation from script to novel was quite effective -- the result is very enjoyable on its own merits, while retaining the quirky humor of the TV show. (Now and then, the author receives a letter from a Northern Exposure fan who has read his book and discovered the link.)

White Mountain Blues "celebrates the spirit that connects us to each other and to the natural world, where eagles fly." In fact, one of the characters in this book IS an eagle whose name is Sun.

In his prologue, the author warns that "the tale is pretty sparse on impertinent sex scenes, kinky emotional abuse and colorful violence. Even more out of fashion, there's a mostly happy ending." Venture into White Mountain Blues -- you'll have a great time.

Before I read Write From the Heart, I had a book trapped inside me that was screaming to be written. I've been a creative mentor for years, but never had published a book, and didn't think of myself as an author. This book helped me to find and unleash my own unique voice, and the exercises acted as guideposts along the way that kept me on track. My confidence level went from very low to very high in a short amount of time, thanks to the practical tools that Hal Bennett offers. I was able to kick out my inner critic and let my imagination knock over the blocks that had been running my inner dialog. The insights I gained from this book provided the discipline for me to keep writing and not get distracted, and I can safely say that without the help of this creative and wise man, my book would not have been finished. Not only is it finished, but as of September 2002, it is published! I am so grateful for Write From the Heart.
Katherine Q Revoir, author of the recently published book "Spiritual Doodles & Mental Leapfrogs: A Playbook for Unleashing Spiritual Self-Expression (published by Red Wheel/Weiser)

Hal Zina Bennett believes that becoming a good writer involves much more than mastering the techniques, although those skills have their place. He says writing is a way to "share our humanness," and that "being true to ourselves is what gives our writing fire." In the Revised Edition of Write From The Heart: Unleashing The Power of Your Creativity, he shares the insights he's gathered over a long career as a prolific writer and creativity coach.

He delves into the sources of creativity, noting that for many people, this requires a certain amount of solitude. He then discusses language itself, saying that "it is the marriage between language and the deep mysteries of the human mind that excites me." Writers write to tap into that connection, for themselves and for others. The creativity is within--we only need to learn to recognize and utilize it.

Some people don't have the resources to have a private place of their own for thinking and writing. Bennett explains how the perfect place can be created through guided imagery. Writing can help complete the imagery and the imagery helps to make the writing possible.

Early in his career, Bennett learned that having an "imaginary reader" brings life to writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. The imaginary reader is the one special individual to whom the writer directs his words. He explains how to create an imaginary reader and use it to bring humanness and sharing into the writing.

All of us have intensely joyous times in our lives, called peak experiences, and time of deep suffering, which Bennett describes as "essential wounds." Both are a source of personal growth and creativity. Dreams are another source of creativity--sometimes they lend themselves better to stories than to interpretations.

Writing has the ability to transform the writer and the reader. In Writing From The Heart, Bennett provides the advice, exercises, and guidance that beginners and experienced writers need "to overcome blocks, unleash their inborn creative voice, and channel their creativity toward becoming happily published."

Hal Zina Bennett's book "Write from the Heart" is a must read for any person attempting to embark on a fulfilling literary life. Bennett states it very plainly, or at least to me, that a writer should learn to tap into their mind, via their heart, to find there within the inner peace we all search for. By acquiring the calm and inner peace in the mind, the heart will do the rest, telling the mind what to say. A writer shouldn't have to struggle if they can only learn to attain an inner peace and listen to their heart. Bennett tells that writing about what we know best, and drawing from our own life experiences, is an excellent place to start. He has learned this and gains tremendous recognition through his published writings and workshops. I have always believed that every writer has their own personal muse, whether they know it or not. Bennett holds the same belief. I personally feel that new writers should not confuse a Guide with a Muse, but I do believe writers can draw inspiration from either or both. Good writers, allowing for good plot, great characters, and the ability to put words down correctly on paper (proper editing) can get published. Knowing how to write from the heart isn't about learning how to get published (although Bennett's book does hold some good information here), it's about learning to write period. For me, I find it is sort of like Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Bike", only with Bennett, "it's not about the book". It's about the person within to assist the work and to overcome the obstacles. I consider myself to be very lucky because I think I understand what Bennett is talking about in "Write From The Heart". I'd wager there isn't a person, who has had the privilege of attending one of Bennett's workshop, that came out of it without understanding. To any person who is thinking of writing a book, I strongly recommend getting a copy of "Write From the Heart" and reading it first. The quotes, the core concepts, and the writing explorations at the end of each chapter are excellent. I'm placing Bennett's book next to Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" on my desk. Do yourself a favor and read Hal Zina Bennett's book, then go ahead and unleash the power of your creativity.

Stan Grof is a leader in and one of the founders of "Transpersonal Psychology". This book describes much of Stans work in the study of altered states of consciousness. This book is a must for anybody interested in this field of study.

Stansilav Grof writes about non-ordinairy states of consciousness from the perspective on one who has experienced them. He explores three transpersonal realms: 1) "within" everyday reality, 2) "beyond" everyday reality, & 3) the "psychoid" realm. The author contends that experiential patterns he calls "Basic Perinatal Matrices" (BMPs) of which there are four, constitute the guiding forces within our lives. These patterns are specific and individualized to each human being, they are the "psychospiritual blueprints" that guide the experiences in our lives from an emotional and spiritual standpoint. These guiding forces can be accessed through altered states of consciousness. There are archetypes and symbolic experiences all human beings share based on the BMPs - these relate to "birth-death" experiences, artistic expression, spiritual symbolism/imagery and several other categories. The book connects/links humans based on their one common experience: physical birth and how it relates to the remainder of the human journey of life. It explores human transpersonal reality which is the core basis of life ... This is an excellent psychological treatise on a complex and controversial subject. Highly recommended reading! Erika B.

Stanislav Grof's new book is a moving journey into the depths and heights of the human psyche. Based on thirty-five years of consciousness research-originally with psychoactive substances, then with a powerful non-drug technique, Holotropic Breathwork ™--this work represents the most extensive mapping of inner space compiled to date. Edited with the help of a professional writer this is also one of the most accessible of Grof's writing, appealing both to the interested beginner and the veteran explorer.

Grof's research suggests that profound healing happens automatically when people enter certain non-ordinary states of consciousness that are intrinsic to their own being. The process usually begins with a working through of emotionally charged memories from the lifetime. Eventually it deepens into a confrontation with biological birth and the inevitability of death, sequences that are intermixed with historical, karmic, and archetypal themes. Finally the process opens out into ecstatic transpersonal and spiritual realms, beyond the boundaries of individual consciousness. This book is full of fascinating case histories of people who have had the courage to look beneath the surface of everyday reality. Some of the accounts of healing and personal evolution described here will move and inspire you.

Self-exploration of this type is truly a kind of final frontier. Grof makes a solid case for the reintroduction of healing practises that use non-ordinary states of consciousness, techniques that have been used in non-industrial cultures for thousands of years. The documented effects of these suggest a potential for healing and transformation "undreamed of" in traditional psychotherapy.

I have read numerous books on the Native American Medicine Wheel, seeking to understand this Old Way of relating to the Earth and all upon it.

This book gives excellent information as well as clear instruction on that subject.

Many people have lost touch with what brings peace and harmony to their lives. They are also concerned with what's being done to individuals, animals, and the Earth itself in the name of technology. They're looking for help with spiritual development and finding their own centers.

Hal Zina Bennett offers practical help in Spirit Animals and the Wheel of Life, his twenty-third book. In it he continues to explore how we can incorporate universal love in our daily lives. He has chosen the wheel because it has no beginning or end and thus "teaches us how to work with the limits of human knowing and how to find peace with our apparent human differences."

Bennett believes that people are searching for ways to become closer to Earth, and finding the solutions in ancient practices, such as shamanism. He describes "nature-based spiritual practices" that emphasize the connection between Earth and all its inhabitants. Some of these practices involve looking at characteristics of certain animals and using them as models for our own behavior.

He says, however, that animals are not just symbols. They are living creatures. We learn from observing them in their natural environments. Since not everyone can do this, Bennett describes the powers of the seven primary animals with the most to teach us. These are correlated with the seven chakras, for those who find it easier to think in those terms. He provides complete instructions for setting up and using an "ecospiritual wheel," which helps to establish rituals for learning from animals.

Bennett says that he "offers Spirit Animals and the Wheel of Life as a way to begin reclaiming your own ecospiritual connection with our planet--not just as a philosophy but as a practical spirituality and a way of mapping your own path back to the center." Readers will find that he has provided the knowledge and guidance they need to make their own sacred connections.

Hal Zina Bennett has written a very interesting book about using fetishes for meditation and guidance, accessing inner knowing. My only real objection to his book is that it purports to explain how the Zunis use fetishes and what the Zunis believe about animals. There is no evidence to support those claims, in my opinion and my 14 years of working with Zuni fetish carvers. The ideas are his own and seem sound and useful. If only he had not claimed to interpret what Zunis believe, a common failing of non-Zunis when writing about the religious, social, and spiritual beliefs of these wonderful people.

This book is well written and helps fetish collectors to understand the history behind fetishes as well as explaining the meanings of each "animal". The reader learns how to put these powerful pieces to good use for him/herself. The information is usable for everyday life and today's society. Even those without fetishes can gather useful information to assist in gaining control over one's thoughts, actions and meditations. Highly recommend this book to all!