http://www.ncreview.com/ 498-1184 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/energy-medicine-for-women-aligning-your-bodys-energies-to-boost-your-health-and-vitality Donna Eden's energy medicine books are my favorites. They are well written and interesting to read, blending science and new energy teachings. The exercises are well-described, easy to do, and health-enhancing. Illustrations clearly how to do exercises. Worth reading. ]]> Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:02:34 -0700 2026-996 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/never-fear-cancer-again-how-to-prevent-and-reverse-cancer I just finished reading Never Fear Cancer Again and was about to post my review when I read another review saying that the author was wrong to place importance on pH, and that what you eat has no effect on pH. As one trained in the biological sciences, I feel a duty to throw some light on this so that people are not misled. The author is correct in his assessment of the importance of pH and that pH is influenced by diet. What you eat does matter. For example, studies show that hip fracture incidence among countries correlates very well with the acid load imposed by animal food intake, while alkalizing plant food intake is very protective against hip fracture. The science is very clear in this matter. Contemporary acid-producing diets produce a low-grade systemic metabolic acidosis in otherwise healthy adults. Numerous health problems are now resulting from the mismatch between our genetically determined nutritional requirements and our current acidic diet. Most of us are suffering from the consequences of chronic, diet-induced low-grade systemic metabolic acidosis that is causing growth retardation in children, decreased muscle and bone mass in adults, kidney stone formation, cancer and other problems. Further, many of the problems caused by acidosis have been shown to be reversible by alkalizing the body. Neutralization of the net acid load by supplementing with potassium bicarbonate has been shown to improve calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen balances, to improve reduced bone resorption rates, and to mitigate the normally occurring age-related decline in growth hormone secretion. Never Fear Cancer Again is the best book on natural cancer healing I've ever read. The author is an MIT graduate and obviously brilliant; he is a master at taking complex science and reducing it to simple concepts that anyone can understand and profit from. As he explains, if you restore your sick cells to normal function, whatever is wrong goes away--including cancer. I give it five stars! Review by Blochem, Amazon Reviewer ]]> Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:48:44 -0700 2106-988 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/leaning-into-sharp-points-practical-guidance-and-nurturing-support-for-caregivers Most of us are going to step into the role of caregiver to a loved one at some point. Maybe we’ll help our spouses or parents as they recover from strokes, open-heart surgeries, or some other health crisis. Maybe we’ll provide end-of-life care for family or a dear friend. Either way, we’re probably not ready for it. LEANING INTO SHARP POINTS is “a book of preparation” that offers us a glimpse into the difficulties and the joys of being a caregiver. Not a set of rigid guidelines nor a collection of easy tips, this is a book that encompasses the whole experience of caregiving and that answers the often-unspoken question, “What do I do?” Author Stan Goldberg is a therapist but it’s his years of experience as a hospice bedside and vigil volunteer that makes LEANING INTO SHARP POINTS such a valuable gift. He shares the lessons he’s learned while dealing with the dying and their families, covering situations we’ve worried about, problems we’ve never considered, and situations that would blindside us if not for the heads-up in this book. Goldberg covers the practical matters, such as Do Not Resuscitate orders, living wills, and other forms, and includes information about where and how to obtain all of these. He’s also included several appendices with information about organizations that are available to help with navigating the many stages and individual needs of both loved ones and caregivers. Perhaps the most important section of LEANING INTO SHARP POINTS is Goldberg’s advice about particularly awkward subjects, such as • letting our loved ones know how much they mean to us • what to say and when to say it • how to adapt to the physical and emotional changes in our loved ones as well as in ourselves • how to talk about dying • how to avoid feeling resentful. Goldberg goes beyond the daily routine and into the heart of serving-- not just accommodating-- while teaching us how to tend to our needs without feeling guilty or neglectful. LEANING INTO SHARP POINTS is a gentle book filled with reassurance for the caregiver. It might even be considered an inspirational book, addressing as it does the spiritual nature of compassionate care. Above all, however, it is a treasure for anyone who needs and wants to travel with a loved one on a difficult journey. ]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:14:58 -0700 1617-922 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/dreams-of-the-reiki-shaman-expanding-your-healing-power Dreams of the Reiki Shaman is a fascinating book about combining Reiki healing with shamanic journeying. It is an easy and joyful read that illuminates the potential to heal by combining these two elements. The book is divided into three chapters: apprehending reality, journeys and their meanings, and practical applications and lessons. The first looks at seeing beyond what we perceive as reality to enable us to broaden our perspective. The second guides us on how to interpret journeying, retrieve soul parts, and to become aware of our power animals. The final chapter gives advice on dealing with malevolent spirits, using Reiki as a secret weapon against harm and how to deal with beings of light, plus much more. Each chapter includes case studies, excerpts from the author’s “Energy Notebook” and key words to facilitate further research on subjects being discussed. There are exercises throughout the book including how to link with power animals, expanding the scope of perception, and how to define your purpose in the moment. The case studies, combined with the exercises that Ewing supplies, really illuminate how well Reiki and shamanism can work together. This book is packed full of information and inspiration for new and experienced practitioners alike, and is highly recommended. ]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:19:18 -0800 1600-881 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/healing-touch-essential-energy-medicine-for-yourself-and-others This was a great book for those interested in or dubious about any healing touch modality. It gives information and the developmental history of the "healing touch" method now used in many hospitals, particularly by nurses. Dorothea, a founder of this type of touch, also provides practical exercises for grounding and pain relief as well as ideas for working with each chakra. I can think of several acquaintances who are intrigued by energy medicine and healing arts, yet struggle without provided concrete ideas of "where to put my hands?" This book made me think of one of the ongoing issues today: the idea of energy healing as something "everyone has or can do" vs. "some people being innately more talented, and perhaps not needing teaching." One answer I have heard is "whether or not you have talent, you want to be able to use it consciously, know how to use it safely and know why you are doing it." While I do believe everyone has the capability for many types of "psychic awareness," not everyone is willing or interested in learning skills to use it and/or mucking around in discovering the barriers to coming into power with it. Regardless of your stance on this question, this book Healing Touch provides history and some good reality-based exercises in a user-friendly format. ]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:31:09 -0800 1512-875 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/burzynski-the-movie-cancer-is-serious-business-2010 You watch with movie with many conflicting emotions: fury that a cure for many cancers with no side effects has been withheld from the public; anger that the system meant to protect the public health is used to protect Big Pharma's profits and persecute anyone who has a cure but doesn't play ball with them; pride that there are so many passionate and bright people putting their lives on the line in the service of humanity; and finally hope that enough people will understand who has a vested interest in keeping the population sick and dependent on drugs, and take their health into their own hands. This film is a powerful wake-up call. ]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:37:45 -0800 1514-809 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/minding-my-mitochondria This empowering book should be required reading in all medical schools and for anyone who has a chronic illness! This is the story a medical doctor who refused to submit to the prognosis she received for her MS. She found herself deteriorating to the point that she was confined to a recumbent wheelchair, and the accepted wisdom was that her progressive disability could only be slowed down but not reversed. Always an active person, Dr. Wahls scoured the medical, scientific, and alternative literature for anything that could help. She began piecing together a protocol based on nutrition and exercise, and achieved remarkable results. She went from wheelchair to mountain bike, and is now conducting clinical trials at her teaching hospital. Although she shares her protocol, the recipes and science behind it all, the real message of the book is that we do not have to be victims of any disease. We have the means to live a healthy life, but we have to be aware of what elements in our environment, lifestyles and diets are dragging us downhill and making us susceptible to a Pandora's Box of illness and disability. The subtext is that we can't rely on either the national or medical establishments to protect us, so we had better educate ourselves and clean up our own acts if we want to avoid the modern plagues of autoimmune diseases, diabetes, dementia and more. Bravo to Dr. Wahls for her guts, brains and persistence in the face of overwhelming odds and pressure from her peers. Bronx Cheer to food and drug manufacturers who put profits before the welfare of consumers. ]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:21:03 -0800 1221-679 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/reiki-the-true-story-an-exploration-of-usui-reiki Sensei Mikao Usui (1865-1926) is regarded as the “founder” of Reiki, and author/sensei Don Beckett draws from extensive interviews with the founder’s former students to trace the threads of Reiki and Usui’s life, which included rich and varied experiences. Sensei Usui grew up in a Tendai Buddhist monastery, studied the Japanese equivalent of qi-gong, and obtained the highest proficiency in the martial art of Yagyu Ryu (Samurai swordsmanship) and other traditional Japanese martial arts. More informally he studied Chinese medicine, numerology and astrology. He also worked as the bodyguard for various minor Japanese politicians, a reporter, office worker, and supervisor of convicts. Reiki, as taught by Mikao Usui, was apparently taught according to the needs of the student. For example, some students learned it as a method of self-awakening with levels of initiation and ceremonial rights of passage modeled on Japanese martial arts practice. Others learned it as a spiritual path that included some focus on healing and an “empowerment” procedure called Reiju. It is this latter practice that has come to come to be commonly known as Reiki. For Mikao Usui, Reiki was “a method to achieve personal perfection.” This book is divided into four sections. The first three sections are based on the three levels of initiation into the practice of Reiki, and the final section looks at practices complementary to Reiki. The first section and first level of initiation is called Shoden (The Entrance), and describes the origin of what we call Reiki and how it passed from Japan to the West. The story of how a Japanese-based spiritual path to was transferred to America during World War II is an amazing story that by itself is worthwhile reading. Shoden also covers the basics of Reiki as a spiritual and energetic healing practice. This includes step-by-step instructions for working with the energy of Reiki. These are presented in terms of focusing Reiki-energy into the chakras, a practice derived from Beckett’s own work. Where the author’s own practice varies from “traditional” Reiki he is clear to identify it as such. The second section, Okuden (The Deep Inside), presents the second level of Reiki, with advanced exercises for spiritual development. These teachings are identified as Earth energy, Heaven energy, and a state of mind or being called Oneness. Students “become” Earth, Heaven, and Oneness through daily meditations and/or kotodama: the latter is a toning practice derived from Shinto. It is at this point that the symbols of Reiki, actually Japanese kanji (written text) figures become part of practice. The symbols were not always part of Usui’s original practice but were taught to his final students, officers in the Japanese navy, in lieu of meditation and kotodama. The third section, Shinpiden (The Mystery), presents the “Master” symbol. This section focuses on combining the Earth, Heaven and Oneness teachings along with a fourth aspect, Empowerment. Empowerment is presented as a symbol and as a series of exercises only given to someone who has “mastered” the energies of the Okuden level—a practice that might take years to integrate. The fourth and final section deals with the use of alternative energy systems that Don Beckett has found compatible within his own Reiki practice. These include the use of chakras as energy channels, Chinese elements, and Johrei— a different school of Japanese energy work. The book also provides a glossary of Japanese terms that are encountered throughout. Whether your previous experience with Reiki has been through a class or weekend workshop, or you’ve spent years in study with a Japanese-trained sensei or you are just curious about Reiki, this book provides a comprehensive account of the practice and its origins. ]]> Thu, 05 May 2011 01:48:08 -0700 1106-536 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/the-energy-cure-unraveling-the-mystery-of-hands-on-healing Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world where cancer could be cured requiring little or no medication? Dr. William Bengston’s The Energy Cure provides cautious optimism to readers who believe this type of cure is possible through energy healing. Dr. Bengston describes his journey from skepticism in a friend’s healing gift, to learning the skill himself. His path leads him in search of a scientific explanation for this healing phenomenon. The Energy Cure goes beyond simply defining energy healing, and instead provides several examples whereby Dr. Bengston’s healing abilities were tested and confirmed. This form of healing differs from others’ by reinforcing the body’s natural ability to heal, and can be done across great distances. The book also includes a “how-to” guide for this healing method in the appendix. My initial reaction to reading this book was exhilaration and excitement about the possibility of treating debilitating diseases using energy healing. The effect it would have on the medical world is almost too much to fathom. The Energy Cure is a book that comes during a time when I believe humanity is turning toward enlightenment and alternative models of healing. It gives me hope that soon we will have enough open mindedness and support from the medical community for energy healing to be used as an acceptable and complementary form of treatment. ]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:49:49 -0800 1074-491 http://www.ncreview.com/healing-arts/inner-tranquility-a-guide-to-seated-meditation In this second and revised edition of "The Findhorn Book of Meditation," author Darren Main gives clear guidance for a seated meditation practice. You would think that an entire book wouldn't be necessary for this, but anyone who has embarked on a meditation practice knows that although it is a simple technique, meditation profoundly affects our physical, emotional, and psychological being. To this end, the author brings contemporary examples from his own meditation teaching practice to demonstrate the hows and whys of meditation. This slim volume is an easy read, but chock full of salient insight and direction: ideal for a novice and affirming for seasoned meditators. ]]> Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:02:54 -0700