The Real Meaning of Life Edited by David Seaman

Published by New World Library
$14.95


    The book The Real Meaning of Life is one of the most interesting books that I have come across in a long time. David Seaman is a student at New York University (NYU). A year ago, he was sitting in a Starbucks Coffee shop with his laptop trying to avoid writing a paper for his humanities class. While surfing the Internet, he went to an online forum and in a fit of despair typed in “What is the meaning of life?” He received 50,000 hits and 2,000 answers. From these, he compiled their answers and thoughts into this fascinating little orange-covered book.

    The answers people submitted are as varied as the people who wrote them. Many are deeply thoughtful and philosophical. Some reflect the pain in their lives, some are humorous. Some of the thoughts are short and sweet, and many are long. Regardless, it is so interesting to read everyone's thoughts as to what life is all about. One wrote, “Life is love.” Another wrote, “Life is deceptive.” And another shared, “It is our purpose to leave things better on this planet than we found them.” And still another feels that the meaning of life is “bikinis and beer.”

    Whatever your meaning of life may be, you will find the book The Real Meaning of Life thought provoking and enjoyable. And now, I would like to leave you with my meaning of life: “The only meaning anything has is the meaning you give it.”

Reviewed by Dennis Ehren, DC, the director of the Ehren Chiropractic & Wellness Center, www.ehrenchiropractic.com. He can be contacted at (216) 221-9990.

Contacting Your Spirit Guide By Sylvia Browne

Published by Hay House
$17.95

    You've heard that you have guardian angels and spirit guides, but did you ever think that you could actually contact your guide(s), find out who they are and communicate with them on a regular basis? In Contacting Your Spirit Guide, Sylvia Browne shows you how to do just that. Not only will you learn how to tune into your guides, you will also see how you can recognize who they are, their names and the messages they can give you. Once you have made your connection, you will always have access to your guide to help you, guide you and give you strength in ways that no one else can. No one knows you better than your personal spirit guide.

    Also, some people want to know what their guides do all day when they are not busy “guiding.” Although a 'day' in spirit is different than a day for us, Sylvia's guides, Francine and Raheim, explain how they spend their time and what life is like for them on their side of the veil.

    This book also comes with a CD in which Sylvia guides you through a meditation to meet your spirit guide. Sylvia offers great insight into the workings of spirit guides, and in so doing, gives you the tools to understand your “unseen companions along the way.”

Reviewed by Dennis Ehren, DC, the director of the Ehren Chiropractic & Wellness Center, www.ehrenchiropractic.com. He can be contacted at (216) 221-9990.

Xingu: Land of the Last Magicians A Trying Road to Shamanism Steven D. Farmer, Ph.D.

Published by In Print Publishing
$16.95



    Kamarino was a student at Long Island University studying Anthropology, Philosophy and Linguistics. While working on his degree, he went on a six-month field study into the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico to learn of the ways of the Huichol Indians. It was there that he was introduced into shamanic-healing practices. A year later, Kamarino traveled to Brazil and spent almost two years with the Xingu Indians in the remote regions of the Amazon Basin. The book Xingu: The Land of the Last Magicians is Kamarino's story.

    Reminiscent of Carlos Casteneda's journeys with Don Juan, Kamarino takes us on a colorful journey into the remote areas of Mexico and Brazil where he met people who rarely have contact with outsiders. Kamarino's anthropological journey then became a spiritual one as he was granted a rare apprenticeship in the shamanic arts of the “Ancients.” He was eventually declared a Paje, or Master Healer.

    In reading this book, we get to share Kamarino's spiritual journey, and we are taken to a world that is lost in timea world where indigenous people still live as their ancestors have lived for hundreds – if not thousands – of years; a world that is slowly disappearing due to the encroachment of 'civilization' and destruction of the rain forests.

    A percentage of the proceeds of the sale of this book go to the Mavut Sinim Association, which is fully owned and operated by the Xingu people. This helps them to protect their sacred land, reclaim ancient ways and maintain their cultural heritage well into the 21st century.

Reviewed by Dennis Ehren, DC, the director of the Ehren Chiropractic & Wellness Center, www.ehrenchiropractic.com. He can be contacted at (216) 221-9990.