I've read several books on the subject of meditation, and this is one of the best. The author does a great job of making

deep meditative states understandable and accessible without getting too wordy or guru-ish. If you'd like to learn

meditation, but find you just can't quiet your mind, then this is the book you're looking for. I'd also recommend it to

anyone who has been meditating for awhile, and would like to explore new techniques. I, personally, found the chapters on

stillness and putting things in context to be the most profound and helpful. Sandy Newbigging has created a great system

in Mind Calm, and you can't help but be changed by this book. I was given a copy of Mind Calm by the kind folks at Hay

House Publishing for review purposes. I was not paid for my opinion, and it is my honest assessment of the work.

I was initially skeptical about reading and reviewing a book on global warming. I've known many "green" people over the years who seem well meaning, but spend the majority of the time railing against what they perceive as wrongs against the world, wrongs against the animal kingdom, and wrongs against nature. I was also worried this would be another conspiracy book that spent 95% of it's subject matter on horrifying its reader, and 5% on empowering solutions. However, I needn't have worried. With Take the Red Pill And Cure Global Warming, A.G. Cusick makes the only real solution to global warming and peak oil that I've ever heard. The first section of the book deals with the author's trip around the world in 2006. It mostly focuses on his experience in Australia and New Zealand where he relays first hand accounts of his time spent on WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.) Many of these farms operate with total self sufficiency. Part of the book is dedicated to explaining how society finds itself in its current state. World leaders, lenders, and power elite are studied without being demonized. By far the most interesting part of the book is the study of spiritual concepts throughout human history. Ultimately all of the problems humanity face boil down to a problem of consciousness. "Global problems require global solutions." We can't 'save the planet' by doing less or conserving energy. Real world solutions will only matter when humanity changes. I hope my summation doesn't give the impression that this book is new age woo-woo fluff, it isn't, there are new paradigms and great ideas within. It will change the way you look at the world.

The Remembering Process by Daniel Barrett and Joe Vitale is a cool and

interesting book. The authors take turns sharing and teaching, so you get to

benefit from learning the Remembering Process from two unique personalities and

perspectives. There is a lot of great stuff here, but the process itself is

what's most memorable. It's an active meditation and if you have a good

imagination you can use this technique to create some pretty amazing stuff. I've

been experimenting with it, and love it. There is a question and answer section,

as well as many testimonials in the back of the book that are very helpful. One

thing I particularly like about The Remembering Process is how the authors speak

on the value of letting it flow rather than forcing. Trying to do this when

you're not in the mood could leave you frustrated. You're going to get the most

out of it when you're in the right mindset. This book illustrates, very well,

that meditative techniques aren't a chore belonging only to the

self-disciplined, they can be fun, powerful, and productive. And they should be.

I recommend this book to anyone who is ready to set some big goals, and make

some serious change while having some good fun. I was given a free copy of this

book, by the good folks at Hay House Publishing. I wasn't financially

compensated for this review, and the opinion expressed is soley mine based on my

personal view of the material.