Category: Books

Sleep and Sleeplessness

One of the things I love about reading books from my father’s collection is how I reach back in time to thoughts and wisdom often now supplanted by modern theory. One of the elements that I find lacking in current scientific discourse is the spiritual and unknown aspects of life, whereas work from the early 1900’s so often has a greater holistic and curious perspective which feels much more aligned to reality to me.

This delightful book is chock full of wonderful nuggets of wisdom, particularly as both my daughter and I have a tendency for sleep disturbance and insomnia. (Though I might have to investigate further the theory that cucumbers are a potential cause of nightmares before I can concur on that one!)

It was also full of fascinating tales of premonitions or subconscious wisdom being imparted through dreams, from lost treasures found, to deaths felt before news had arrived. The sort of stories that utterly entrance me and are far too numerous and detailed to be able to be dismissed as mere coincidence.

And in conclusion, after much practical analysis, the author also highlights how important faith and prayer is for the peace of mind required for a good and restful night’s sleep. Now that is the kind of scientific ponderings that I can really relate to.

First published on social media on 14th August 2022

The Greatest Secret

I love manifesting and I’m pretty good at it, with non attachment ideals. And I also have work to do on my limiting beliefs. I read Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret, a manifesting bible, in the early days of my marriage (I believe it came on honeymoon!) and was interested to read The Greatest Secret, wondering where it would take me next.

Well to a whole other level is the truth of it. And not comfortably so either. Because really I know what she’s saying in this book is absolutely true and I’m also attached to my very human experience of the world so stepping up to this feels daunting. Shall I explain a little more or leave you cryptically dangling?

Succinctly, it’s about remembering our eternal energy that has been in existence forever, that has experienced and knows all. And by remembering we can view and live our human journey with the reassurance of the bigger picture, enabling us to disentangle from dwelling on the challenges as negative rather allowing just what is.

There are moments when I have touched this place and have sat in the flow of awareness and life with blissful appreciation. But I have not sustained that by virtue of being pulled back into one drama, one trigger, or another.

This book is the guide to inhabiting that place more consistently and consciously. It’s a practice that requires consistency and effort to become habit, with the photographed affirmation a clear link to that. I’m not there yet but I have certainly stepped out of some dramas with ease and Grace by utilising the methods prescribed and how wonderful it will be to continue down this trajectory.

I just have to remember to breathe.

First published on social media on 30th May 2022

Bechamp or Pasteur

‘It has indeed become the fashion for humanity to consider itself wiser than – choose which name you will – Nature or Providence.’

Ethel D Hume, Bechamp or Pasteur

There are moments, such as these, when I am grateful for the biology and chemistry A-levels that I studied for, nearly 30 years ago. Dredged from the depths of my memories, they were helpful in staying on track with the exploration of the work of these two scientists, Bechamp and Pasteur. 

Pasteur is widely credited as a founder of modern science and medicine (despite not being a medical doctor himself) both with the concept of the Germ theory and with the launch of our vaccine passion. 

Unfortunately, it turns out he was a bit of a charlatan. The Bill Gates of his day, clever at manipulating information, plagiarising ideas and shaking hands with the right people, aka Napoleon. He knew how to sell a concept, no matter if he was contradicting himself, had little evidence or was even causing deaths. 

Ethel Hume carefully lays out all the evidence, the comparative work of these two men, who said it first, and who held the greater integrity. But beyond the politics, lies the real truths about how and why we really get sick – via germs or due to the terrain of our environment and bodies. 

Experientially I know the answer to this but sadly there is so much investment, on so many levels, based on the germ theory of illness that our individual examples fall short of their power. This book places the facts in a line but I wonder how many dare to open their hearts and minds to another paradigm and are willing to read and absorb this data?

I would hope many, I fear far too few. Not least it concludes by highlighting the propaganda used around the anthrax and  rabies vaxx, where a death within 15 days of the shot was not counted as a death from the shot. Remind you of anything? 150 years ago and still going strong. Isn’t it time to awaken to the true science rather than the popular one?  

First published on social media on 12th May 2022

Blackout

I could have written this book. Okay, I couldn’t because the research behind it is phenomenal and I’m more of an ‘intuitive reactor where I discover the data after the event’ type, whereas Candace has all the facts at her fingertips. 

But basically we are singing from the same song sheet, where radical personal accountability and responsibility married with resilience is the name of the game AND the necessary requirement for our society to start healing and moving forward. This blame/victim culture is killing our humanity, divorcing us from the strength of community and leaving us weak and exposed to the corrupt powers that be who wish to determine our paths. 

We need to stop falling for these labels and movements like #metoo, BLM, white supremacy, Covid paranoia; that imitate the collective, communal tribal energies but are actually false trails into darkness, disconnect and disempowerment. 

This book maybe highlighting the real struggles for Black America (and boy it was an enlightening journey of understanding) but the truth is it is entirely relevant for Western society everywhere. We need to claim back our sovereignty fast; it’s going to be uncomfortable for many and also entirely worth the self reflection. 

Candace’s own moments of self reflection are incredibly humbling and, whilst this book needed to be written, it could only hold the power it does by the fact that she has walked both paths. She has been the victim and has reclaimed her true essence with a voice that is unmissably honest and vibrant. 

This book is a must read to balance out the swathes of manipulated messaging beings thrust into our homes and hearts and a vital stepping stone to really recover the freedoms of our birthright for all of humanity. 

First published on social media on 21st April 22

The After Life of Billy Fingers

I devoured this in two days (sometimes the predawn anxious hours have their benefits!).

I have been fascinated and drawn to connection and stories of life after death from an early age. My grandfather had the entire collection of Doris Stoke’s books in his private loo and I remember sneaking them out one long summer at their house, one by one until I was saturated with messages from the dead. Later, in my teens I was introduced to Brian Weiss and in the last decade the likes of Anita Moorjani and Eben Alexander.

There is no question in my mind that the human plane is a soul learning experience, that one day we return to bliss and love and knowing, without all the painful and important lessons we have to face here. But sometimes I loose the assurance of that when I get distracted by those very lessons and so discovering a new story, a new experience to witness, feels like an essential reminder to bring me back to centre.

Annie Kagan’s memoir is just that. An incredible story of communication with her brother, endless validation of its truth and stunning reminders of our purpose, our journey and our faith.

If you want to remember why we are here, this is it in a nutshell.

First published on social media on 10th April 2022

One River Many Wells

‘[We need to resist the] “will to quarantine” and to separate ourselves behind self-imposed walls. For this is why we were born: Men, all men, belong to each other, and he who shuts himself away diminishes himself, and he who shuts another away from him destroys himself.’

Howard Thurman, quoted from One River, Many Wells by Matthew Fox.

Many moons ago I began a course to become an interfaith minister (a person who studies all the faiths and can minister to anyone in their combination of beliefs) but the joyful and long awaited pregnancy of my first child halted that training before it could really begin. However, in true bibliophile style I had already bought all my required reading books and they have sat on my ‘to read’ shelf for quite some years until my more recent discipline to read whatever reaches the top began.

So this book, One River, Many Wells, has been my latest read and what I love so much about allowing the Universe to determine my next study, rather than my just my desire, is how extraordinarily relevant the books have been to my current standing in the world. Is that because they are guided to me or because I see the answers in any text? Both perhaps.

I have to confess I found this book quite hard going, not philosophically but in style and format. The flow wasn’t there for me and it was certainly a matter of will and stubbornness that help me complete it. That being said, there were also a plethora of golden nuggets to take away (see small selection in photos) and I love how they have touched on all aspects of my journey, from health and nutrition, breath and purpose to reflection, justice, fear and love. It encompasses life in all of its finery and challenges.

And I absolutely agree with its holding principle, divinity is the river from which all beliefs are drawn from, whatever that looks like for you. A message so important that it needs to be reiterated as much as possible, to unify and connect our souls into a web of love, compassion and forgiveness.

First published on social media on 2nd April 2022

Wherever you go, there you are

Such a mixed bag of a book. Honestly the first half didn’t resonate wildly, I just wasn’t connecting with the words and sometimes even feeling a little divorced from his sentiment, it felt like he was writing from the male perspective on a couple of occasions whilst trying to make them fit for the female too.

And then I shifted 180 degrees with the second half. Was it my mood that had shifted? Was I just paying more attention or even being more mindful?

There I was suddenly feeling the real validity in his wisdom, the importance of seeing what is happening in the moment and experiencing it fully, good and bad. I have certainly taken home lots of tips and ways of being to help me be more present, to explore the spaces to mediate in my days; though I’m not sure I can set my alarm any earlier just yet, I maybe able to shift my waking into a more conscious start to the day. It’s workable and I know it’s important.

So lots to mull over and a good book to start the ball rolling in mindful mediation, in tandem with my more conscious breath work. All of which is entirely necessary this year as we face the impending shifts and adjustments to our society.

First published on social media on 23rd January 2022

Breath

This book has brought the missing piece of the health picture that I knew I was seeking but didn’t know how to find. It is, quite simply, a revelation.

My own breath has been something that I have sensed needed attention for some years, as I noticed the breathlessness I hit when challenged or anxious, but I really didn’t have a clue where to start or of its true importance.

Then this marvel of a book crossed my path, and took its time to reach the top of my pile, but, within days of beginning, the puzzle pieces started to connect and my whole family and I are now sleeping with tape on our mouths!

My son, who had always snuffled during sleep, some nights worse than others, has slept peacefully and deeply every night since tape forces him to nose breathe; I have never felt more rested or restored by my sleep in all my forty something years. There is still work to be done to change some unhelpful daytime habits but it’s a joyous leap into an entirely new level of health and well-being that has really set us up for vibrant living, and I particularly love how it comes from thousands of years old ancient wisdom.

James Nestor writes so accessibly and sensibly that this book really is a step to health that is available to anyone and I cannot recommend his work highly enough (I have already bought five more copies to give away to friends).

As with anything, it is not the ultimate bible and he still prostates himself at the altar of antibiotics and immunisations whilst simultaneously detailing the chronic ailments of our society… having not quite joined the dots on that front. Perhaps he might be tempted to explore that avenue for his next research, for if he is as thorough with that as he has been with Breath, then he will soon create a collection worthy of any health mentor.

In the meantime, the focus on breath is everything.

First Published on social media on 16th December 2021

The Four Fold Way

I’ve read many books on the various archetypes, their strengths, shadows and meanings but I have to say I think I’ve enjoyed this one the most. Super simple, very clear and engaging with simple techniques to bring awareness to our areas of work in order to find our balance.

Loved the quotes scattered throughout (always a winner to see #rudolfsteiner ‘s words on another pathway!) and really felt I absorbed more of the essence of archetype understanding than ever before.

On top of which #angelesarrien ‘s obvious respect for the indigenous cultures around the world and the wisdom they hold feels a lot like coming home. Ancestral and Elder wisdom is something I frequently crave and this book feels like I’m sitting at my grandparents knee soaking it all in.

Highly recommend, a super easy and accessible read, even tempted to pass it on to my near teen, though I might wait a couple more years… we’ll see.

First Published on social Media 20 November 2021

Our Traumatised World

I have just finished reading this marvel, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, and I have hit new depths to my understanding of trauma, not just for the world but so importantly for me too. To say I was triggered would be an understatement, so much rose up in me that felt painful and raw and therefore so necessary to face. More work to be done and more avenues to follow with the wisdom of this work by my side.

It is sensitively and compassionately written, with stories that wrench and illustrate in turn, leading through the vast array of trauma our society is generating and holding and offering a myriad of techniques and therapies that can calm, smooth, release and integrate the disregulation and pain that exists.

There is really too much to say and yet so little without simply repeating, verbatim, the written words but there are certain highlights, important themes (see photos) that are lingering in my consciousness.

I think some of my big takeaways are: how it validated so much of where I see our trauma being played out in society, from the simple, defensive, ready to be offended, response that has become the norm of reactions rather than the warning sign that needs attention; to the research that shows how much more impactful a mother’s depression is compared to a father, because biology matters, innate instinct and early years attachment cannot be overruled by a societal yen; it confirms the knowledge that abusers come from trauma, how it is by facing and healing and supporting that we shift our society not by shaming or judging or blaming.

All of these powerful confirmations actually bring me hope rather than despair, that there are healers out there in this field that really ‘get’ it. Over medicating is running its course and I so hope that means we can move onto this real ability to connect, support and understand.

After all, as Bessel says ‘Communicating fully is the opposite of being traumatised.’

 First published on social media 11th November 2021