The World Will Follow Joy: Turning Madness into Flowers (New Poems) by Alice Walker

In this luminous collection of poems, Walker casts her eye on history, politics, and nature, as well as world figures. In tributes to such people as Jimmy Carter, Gloria Steinem, and the Dalai Lama, she reminds us of the urgency of our times and of our human capacity to come together and take action. Walker imbues her poetry with memorable images, anger, forgiveness, and profound wisdom. Chronicling the conditions of human life today, she demonstrates in The World Will Follow Joy her deep compassion, profound spirituality, and necessary political commitments.

Alice Walker was born on February 9, 1944, in Eatonton, Georgia. She worked as a social worker, teacher and lecturer, and took part in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. Walker won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her 1982 novel, The Color Purple, and is also an acclaimed poet and essayist.

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Profile: Alice Walker

“So in the end you can’t even really regret your misfortunes,” explains the beloved author Alice Walker, “because they led you somewhere.”

Walker speaks from experience. From growing up poor in the segregated south and losing part of her vision in a childhood accident to receiving threats from the Ku Klux Klan for her interracial marriage and work with the NAACP in 1960s Mississippi, Walker has experienced her share of hardships.

But over the years she has channeled these experiences into groundbreaking fiction about the lives of blacks in America, becoming one of the most celebrated writers of her time. Through her continued dedication to writing and politics she remains a powerful example of what it means to lead a purposeful life.

Riz Khan Extra – Alice Walker on Obama’s victory – 5 Nov 08

Al Jazeera’s Riz Khan talks to Alice Walker, the Pulitzer prize-winning author of “The Color Purple” and an activist on gender and race issues, in this web exclusive.

Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment by Katrina Kenison

“No longer indispensable, no longer assured of our old carefully crafted identities, no longer beautiful in the way we were at twenty or thirty or forty, we are hungry and searching nonetheless.”

From the author of The Gift of an Ordinary Day, this intimate memoir of loss, self-discovery, and growth will resonate deeply with any woman who has ever mourned the passage of time, questioned her own purpose, or wondered, “Do I have what it takes to create something new in my life?”

With the candor and warmth that have endeared her to readers, Kenison reflects on the inevitable changes wrought by time: the death of a dear friend, children leaving home, recognition of her own physical vulnerability, and surprising shifts in her marriage. She finds solace in the notion that midlife is also a time of unprecedented opportunity for growth as old roles and responsibilities fall away, and unanticipated possibilities appear on the horizon.

More a spiritual journey than a physical one, Kenison’s beautifully crafted exploration begins and ends with a home, a life, a marriage. But this metamorphosis proves as demanding as any trek or pilgrimage to distant lands-it will guide and inspire every woman who finds herself asking “What now?”

Katrina Kenison is the author of The Gift of an Ordinary Day and Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry. She has appeared on Oprah, as well as other shows. Her writing has appeared in O, Real Simple, Family Circle, Redbook, Better Homes and Gardens, Health,and other publications. From 1990 until 2006, Kenison was the series editor of The Best American Short Stories, published annually by Houghton Mifflin. She co-edited, with John Updike, The Best American Short Stories of the Century (Houghton Mifflin, 2000). She wrote, with Rolf Gates, Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga (Random House, 2002).

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An Excerpt from “Magical Journey” by Katrina Kenison

MAGICAL JOURNEY, a memoir by Katrina Kenison about her search for purpose, meaning, and joy in the midst of loss and change, has been called “warm and wise, soul-searching” (Kirkus Reviews). More an account of a spiritual journey than a physical one, MAGICAL JOURNEY explores the belief that even as old identities are outgrown, new ones begin to beckon, inspiring readers to summon their courage to heed the call.

This short film features an excerpt from the book, in which the author receives a powerful and life-affirming letter, sent to her by her own true self. Available wherever books are sold, and to order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound. Visit Katrina at http://katrinakenison.com

Waking Up in Heaven A True Story of Brokenness, Heaven, and Life Again By Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski

On December 10, 2009, Crystal McVea, a thirty-two-year-old mother of four, stopped breathing. Her face turned a dark shade of blue, then black. Her mother screamed for help, and a nurse tried to revive her . . . to no avail. Today, Crystal does not remember what happened in that hospital room during the nine minutes she was unconscious and unable to breathe on her own. She has no memory of the panic and the rushing nurses and the loud cries of “Code Blue.” She simply remembers drifting off.

And she remembers waking up in heaven. For most of Crystal’s broken life, she felt utterly beyond the reach of God— if God was even real. Then came December 10—and the nine minutes that changed everything. Waking Up in Heaven invites readers along on a journey to witness the relentless pursuit of God in a life that was shattered and seemingly beyond hope, an awe-inspiring account of love, forgiveness, and redemption, and the healing power of God’s presence.

Crystal Leigh McVea was born in southwest Oklahoma and still lives there today. She is a schoolteacher and has four lovely children. Crystal and her husband Virgil, a US Army veteran, are devout Christians and active in their local church.

Alex Tresniowski is a former human-interest writer at People and has written several books, most notably The Vendetta, which was purchased by Universal Studios and used as a basis for the movie Public Enemies. His most recent book, An Invisible Thread, has spent more than twenty weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

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Waking Up in Heaven

The remarkable story of an everyday woman, plagued with guilt and skepticism, who was dramatically changed by the nine minutes she spent in heaven.

Waking Up In Heaven Author Crystal McVea on FOX & FRIENDS

Waking Up In Heaven’s Author Crystal McVea’s interview on FOX&FRIENDS – 4/2/2013

The Ten Bridges of Transformation: Spiritual Guidance for Radically New Life by Marianne Williamson

Make a radical shift toward a more peaceful, powerful, purposeful life!

In The Ten Bridges of Transformation, world-renowned spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson addresses 10 universal human challenges that act as gulfs, separating us from all the things we most want and need in life. When they rear their head – as they quite frequently do – we are rendered paralyzed by them, powerless and incapable of true movement.

In response, Marianne offers 10 radical new ways of encountering these inevitable challenges. These “bridges” will enable you to recognize the challenges and transitions of life as incredible opportunities for growth and enlightenment. Each one will carry you instantly from a specific challenging circumstance – anxiety, living in the past and future, focusing on guilt, negative thinking, and many more – to its positive alternative.

The 10 bridges are an eternal compass that guides us along the path to spiritual wholeness. Anytime you are lost, confused, frustrated, doubtful, fearful, even hopeless, you can use these 10 active principles to immediately reorient yourself toward love, peace, and fulfillment.

The Ten Bridges of Transformation includes several live segments, recorded at Marianne’s renowned workshops. These segments will infuse and ignite you with the incredible energy and enthusiasm of Marianne’s live events. As anyone who has heard or witnessed Marianne Williamson live can tell you, there’s nothing quite like it.

Without question, Marianne Williamson is one of the most profound, insightful, globally important spiritual teachers of our time. People who hear Marianne are invariably stunned by her incredible energy, but most of all by the absolute illusion-shattering truth of what she says.

The Ten Bridges of Transformation is absolutely essential listening for every Marianne Williamson fan, and anyone who wants to discover how to transform life’s changes, challenges, and hardships into miraculous opportunities for growth.

Marianne Williamson is the number one New York Times bestselling author of A Return to Love, A Woman’s Worth, Healing the Soul of America, Enchanted Love, and Illuminata. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages and have inspired spiritual seekers the world over.

Contents:

disc 1. Bridge #1: from forgetting who we are to remembering who we are –
disc 2. Bridge #2: from negative thinking to positive thinking –
Bridge #3: from anxiety to atonement –
disc 3. Bridge #4: from asking God to change the world to asking God that He change us –
Bridge #5: from living in the past and future to living in the present –
disc 4. Bridge #6: from focus on guilt to focus on innocence –
Bridge #7: from separation to relationship –
disc 5. from spiritual death to rebirth –
disc 6. Bridge #9: from your plan to God’s plan –
disc 7. Bridge #10: from who we were to who we are –
disc 8. Walking the bridges: forgiveness and service.

The Sky Is Always There: Surviving a Kidnapping in Chechnya ~ Camilla Carr, Jonathan James

In April 1997 Camilla Carr and Jon James set off as volunteers in a £500 lada stacked high with toys, games, footballs, paints and a parachute. After working for two months setting up and teaching in a rehabilitation centre for war-traumatised children watching the children begin to smile and play again they were kidnapped.

There followed fourteen months of incarceration in homes that varied from a concrete box with no natural light or fresh air to a pink tromp l oil bedroom via a sauna and various cellars. They experienced everything from rape and mental torture to moments of compassion and kindness. They survived by using tools such as tai chi, yoga, meditation and humour; and through creating a dialogue with their captors, looking beneath their masks of fear and anger to reach the small flame of love and laughter unquenched by the demonising nature of war.

Camilla Carr and Jonathan James who married after their release and return to Britain are active participants in The Forgiveness Project, a touring exhibition and workshop which enables those who have been either victims or perpetrators of violence tell their stories and rebuild their lives. They live in Devon.

Camilla Carr & Jon James The Sky Is Always There. Interview by Iain McNay

Published on Mar 16, 2013

In 1997 Camilla and Jon drove to Chechnya to help set up a rehabilitation Centre for war-traumatized children in war-torn Grozny. Two months later they were kidnapped at gunpoint. For the next 14 months they were kept in basements with no natural light or fresh air. She was also raped. They tell their story, and how they survived by using meditation, Tai chi, Qigong and prayer circles. They wrote the book ‘The Sky Is Always There‘ as a kind of cathartic healing for themselves. Camilla says, ‘the captors could never touch my essence… my body is only a part of who I am. My spirit will always be free.’

Three Blessings of Awakening Consciousness- Part 1A & 1B ~ Tara Brach

Three Blessings of Awakening Consciousness- (Part 1 of 2)

In this two part series we explore the evolution of consciousness through the lens of three key capacities: A forgiving heart, inner fire (conscious aspiration toward freedom) and self-inquiry.

Three Blessings of Awakening Consciousness- Part 1B

Three Blessings of Awakening Consciousness- (Part 2 of 2)

In this two part series we explore the evolution of consciousness through the lens of three key capacities: A forgiving heart, inner fire (conscious aspiration toward freedom) and self-inquiry.

Marianne Williamson ACIM Lecture Everyday Grace – Part 1 to 4

Marianne Williamson ACIM Lecture Everyday Grace 1

Marianne Williamson ACIM Lecture Everyday Grace 2

Marianne Williamson ACIM Lecture Everyday Grace 4

For more details on the book, Everyday Grace, view HERE

The Wow of the Now: Awakening to the Big Glow Within By Brian Piergrossi

The Wow of the Now‘ is the second book of meditations, prayers, insights and poems from Brian Piergrossi articulating a new, unique spiritual teaching for the 21st Century. It’s not just a book, it’s an energetic vibration. It’s a heart-felt invitation to awaken to your true essence and potential. It’s a new culture. It’s a growing movement to live authentically with presence in each moment. Join the movement and discover the Big Glow within!

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The Big Glow: Life Artists Awakening the Dream. – Brian Piergrossi

Brian Piergrossi.. Life Coach, Spiritual Teacher, Author of The Big Glow & The Wow of the Now .

Brian Piergrossi – Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview

Author of The Big Glow and The Wow of the Now, Spiritual Teacher, and Life Coach.

At the age of 20 years old, Brian was suddenly struck by a mysterious, debilitating illness, later labeled chronic fatigue syndrome, that lasted for years, leaving him in intense, daily, physical pain and too weak to effectively function in society. When no medical or other authority figure could explain the suffering that was happening to him, Brian made it his life commitment to inquire into human suffering.

What began was over 11 years of committed, serious inquiry, study and personal application into the fields of spirituality, religion, psychology, sociology, cosmology, ecology, health, arts, science, yoga, as well as the core of the enlightenment and self-realization teachings.

After leading a quiet, simple life for over a decade, Brian felt a passionate calling to share his straight forward, timeless, spiritual truths for the 21st Century in a modern context with those who are ready and interested.

Since that time, Brian has dedicated himself full time, professionally, and privately, to supporting the path of transformation, spiritual liberation and Self-Realization in individuals, families and communities around the world. His highly acclaimed books and the viral Internet sensation ‘Love is the New Religion/Spiritual Conspiracy’ continue to inspire new readers worldwide. He works one on one, by phone, Skype, and in person with influential personal life coaching clients from around the world. He leads transformative Big Glow retreats, classes and workshops internationally.

Brian has shared his message as a featured guest on numerous radio and television programs. He has lectured at colleges, schools, festivals, expos and conferences. His blog posts are now shared to over 400,000 readers worldwide each day. He is a professor at Entheos Online Academy He’s written cutting-edge articles for spiritual magazines. He co-founded The Big Glow Online Community leading global online chats there weekly on aspects of his teaching and the inner workings of the mind as well founding the growing international network of Big Glow Community Houses. He co-founded the new Facebook Community: The BE Generation: Spiritual Community for an Awakening World and the online video course “Panic to Freedom”

With the unrelenting sole intention of educating and facilitating the awakening of consciousness and creating the New Earth inside individuals and communities around the world, Brian Piergrossi is an emerging voice of awakened spirituality, peak performance and human potential in the 21st Century.

“When the pillars of my limited mind collapsed, the roof caved in and I could take in the beauty of the stars.”
-Brian Piergrossi – The Big Glow

Interview Recorded 3/2/2013

Your Essential Self: The Inner Journey to Authenticity & Spiritual Enlightenment Richard Harvey

Despite the relationships, possessions, and prestige we all strive for, most people live at only a fraction of their full potential. But with the guidance and wisdom in Your Essential Self, you will awaken to your divine nature. Learn how to attain the three stages of human awakening—the process of self-discovery, the transformation into authenticity, and the source of consciousness—on the inner journey to your true self.

This comprehensive guide describes how spiritual attainment is not an unreachable fantasy, but rather a logical extension of human development. The personality, the authentic self, and the transcendent self are discovered through stories from Richard’s personal experience, case studies from his therapy practice, questionnaires, and exercises designed for your journey toward self-realization.

Richard Harvey (Granada, Spain) is a psychotherapist, author, and spiritual teacher with thirty-five years of experience. He is the founder-director of Therapy and Spirituality, a personal and spiritual growth center in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Spain. He has helped thousands of people find greater peace and fulfillment in their lives through workshops, courses, training, and private therapy practice.

For more information about this book which is yet to be released Click here

The Cup of Our Life: A Guide for Spiritual Growth ~ Joyce Rupp

From the publisher…

Anyone thirsting for a more intimate and disciplined life of prayer will find a rich wellspring in The Cup of Our Life. In this original and practical book Joyce Rupp shares how the ordinary cups that we use each day can become sacred vessels that connect us with life and draw us ever closer to God. She explores how the cup is a rich symbol of life, with it emptiness and fullness, its brokenness and flaws, and all of its blessings.

This creative guide for individual and group prayer offers six weekly themes based on different images of the cup. The open cup, the chipped cup, the broken cup, the blessing cup … each in turn becomes a teacher in prayer. For each day the author offers a short inviting essay, a wisdom saying, a scripture verse, a brief meditation, questions for journaling, and a suggestion for keeping the theme close to one’s heart throughout the day. The reflective art that accompanies each theme offers yet another inspiration for prayer. The Cup of Our Life can also be used with groups that meet regularly for spiritual growth. Simple, helpful suggestions for group sharing and ritual are provided for each of the six weeks.

The Cup of Our Life will both revitalize and enrich your relationships with the Divine.

Thoughts from the Author…

“…I have found the cup to be a powerful teacher for my inner life. The ordinariness of the cup reminds me that my personal transformation occurs in the common crevices of each day. The cup is an apt image for the inner process of growth. The cup has been a reminder of my spiritual thirst. As I’ve held it, filled it, drunk from it, emptied it and washed it, I’ve learned that it is through my ordinary human experineces that my thirst for God is quenched. In the cup I see life, with its emptiness, fullness, brokenness, flaws, and blessings.

A cup is a container for holding something. Whatever it holds has to eventually be emptied out so that something more can be put into it. I have learned that I cannot always expect my life to by full. There has to be some emptying, some pouring out, if I am to make room for the new. The spiritual journey is like that–a constant process of emptying and filling, of giving and receiving, of accepting and letting go.

“…the main purpose of a cup is to have its contents given away.”

The cup has taught me many valuable lessons for my spiritual growth. I have learned that my life holds stale things that need to be discarded and that sometimes my life feels as wounded as a broken cup. I have learned that I have flaws, chips, and stains, just as any well-used cup may have, but that these markings of a well traveled life need not prevent me from being a valuable gift for others. I have learned that the contents of my life are meant to be constantly given and shared in a generous gesture of compassion, just as the main purpose of a cup is to have its contents given away. I have especially learned gratitude for all those moments when the unexpected has transformed my life into an abundant cup of blessings.
“…The spiritual life is a journey toward becoming whole, a day-to-day movement of continually growing into the person we are meant to be.”

(The) yearning for greater spiritual oneness with God is the foundation of The Cup of Our Life. I hope that this six-week guide, which is centered around the many facets of the cup, will inspire you to grow in your relationship with God and will fill your cup of life to overflowing. – Joyce Rupp

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Click here to view her previous book “The Cosmic Dance – an invitation to experience our oneness”