books – Page 2 – Soul Reflection

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

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