This book is about premonitions and how people react to them. It’s divided into five parts which are: (1) The Cases (2) Evidence (3) Why, What, How? (4) Why Should We Want To Cultivate Premonitions, And How Do We Do It? (5) Premonitions And Our Worldview.
I liked the fact that the author started out with cases as this caught my attention from the beginning. The overall message of the book I took away with me was that if you want to be prone to premonitions you should have an open mind and be comfortable with the idea that this can really happen. Many people in the book were quick to point out that they, in fact, did not feel comfortable telling people of their premonitions for fear of being ridiculed.
One question that many people, myself included, wanted answered was the question about money. If it's true that we can see into the future, is there a way we can "fix" the future to win the lottery...to know the "magic" numbers and become rich? Wow! That would be great! The funny thing is that it doesn't work that way. Somehow, when there is an overwhelming sense of greed, the numbers don't work out in our favor. You'll have to read the book to know what I'm talking about.
This book was not only able to hold my attention, it also got me interested in exploring physics…I think I’ll be paying more attention to my dreams too.
10 Things You Need to Know About Premonitions By Larry Dossey, M.D.,
Author of The Power of Premonitions: How Knowing the Future Can Shape Our Lives
1. Premonitions are extremely common. They probably arose early in our evolutionary history because they provided our ancestors with a greater likelihood of survival and procreation. They were thus likely to have been incorporated into their genes and passed down through succeeding generations. As a result, we now appear to be hardwired for premonitions. They have become our birthright, part of our original equipment.
2. Premonition means literally "a forewarning," indicating that they often announce upcoming events that are unpleasant e.g., a health crisis or a natural disaster. This is not absolute, however; premonitions may also foretell pleasing events such as a job promotion, the location of a parking spot, or even winning lottery numbers.
3. Premonitions can be realistic or symbolic. They occur commonly during dreams, but also during full, waking awareness.
4. Five rules of thumb aid us in knowing which premonitions to take seriously: (1) if the premonition warns of a health crisis or death; (2) if the premonition is numinous, highly vivid, or "realer than real"; (3) if a dream is recurrent, appearing often in the same night or in succeeding nights, as if clamoring for attention; (4) if the premonition is associated with physical symptoms; or (5) if the premonition is experienced independently by a spouse, partner, lover, or close friend.
5. There are four categories of scientific evidence for premonitions: (1) presentiment experiments, in which the body responds to a future event prior to one's conscious awareness of it; (2) precognitive remote viewing tests, in which a distant individual "gets" information from a sender up to a week before it is mentally sent; (3) online tests of precognitive functioning, and (4) global consciousness effects that are detected by random event generators stationed around the earth, which often react prior to the occurrence of a subsequent happening.
6. Premonitions alert us to impending problems and crises of those we love. These warnings are extremely common between parents and children, spouses, siblings (particularly identical twins), close friends, and lovers. Empathy, love, compassion and a sense of oneness mediate premonitions.
7. Although we cannot have premonitions on demand, we can invite them into our lives by setting the stage for them, so they are more likely to occur. We can become more premonition-prone.
8. The most effective way to become more premonition prone is to develop a discipline wherein we quiet our mind and attend to the subtle messages from within and without -- through meditation, contemplation, immersion in nature, or just "getting quiet." Courting mystery also helps. As Rumi said, "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment."
9. Keep a dream diary, in which you record your dreams on waking. This makes premonitions more likely to occur and insures that they will be remembered.
10. Premonitions are an indicator of the soul and a bridge to the transcendent. Their value goes beyond their practical benefit of warning us of upcoming dangers. They reveal the presence of a timeless aspect of our consciousness, and therefore point like an arrow to an immortal, eternal aspect of who we are.
©2009 Larry Dossey, M.D., author of The Power of Premonitions: How Knowing the Future Can Shape Our Lives
Author Bio
Larry Dossey, M.D., author of The Power of Premonitions: How Knowing the Future Can Shape Our Lives, is a leader in bringing scientific understanding to spirituality, and rigorous proof to alternative medicine. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Healing Words, the first serious look at how prayer affects healing. He has been featured several times by Oprah -- her TV show, radio show, and magazine -- and is an international advocate for the role of the mind in health and the role of spirituality in healthcare. He lives in New Mexico.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Accountant's Story: Inside the Violent World of the Medellín Cartel by Roberto Escobar with David Fisher
This book was a quick read because it was very interesting. Although it’s hard to feel any sort of sympathy for drug traffickers, this real-life story about Pablo Escobar makes him seem like a modern day Robin-Hood to his people. Each story has two sides and this one definitely takes you to that other side, to see what it’s like to walk in the shoes of a different person.
I liked the way this book was able to take you into the busy city streets of Columbia as well as to the hidden jungles where many laboratories were built to make cocaine; it made me feel like I was actually there. What really stood out above everything else were the translations from Spanish to English; they were right on target and I’ve never seen a better job done when it comes to translating. I’m not sure if there is a movie planned for this book but it sure would be a great idea!
I liked the way this book was able to take you into the busy city streets of Columbia as well as to the hidden jungles where many laboratories were built to make cocaine; it made me feel like I was actually there. What really stood out above everything else were the translations from Spanish to English; they were right on target and I’ve never seen a better job done when it comes to translating. I’m not sure if there is a movie planned for this book but it sure would be a great idea!
The Richest Man in Town: The Twelve Commandments of Wealth by W. Randall Jones
This book: “The Richest Man in Town: The Twelve Commandments of Wealth” was an interesting read. One think I found different from other books that talk about being rich was the concept of doing what you’re good at and not what you want to do.
A lot of books talk to you about being able to do anything you want as long as you set your mind to it. There is nothing wrong with that but when you really think about it you’ll see that it makes more sense to do something that you have a passion for and are very good at.
This book looks at many people, a lot of them who started out with little to nothing, and how they made their fortunes. I would recommend this book to friends and family that would like to be inspired.
A lot of books talk to you about being able to do anything you want as long as you set your mind to it. There is nothing wrong with that but when you really think about it you’ll see that it makes more sense to do something that you have a passion for and are very good at.
This book looks at many people, a lot of them who started out with little to nothing, and how they made their fortunes. I would recommend this book to friends and family that would like to be inspired.
Monday, June 1, 2009
I'LL MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE by Michael Franzese
This book is about a former mob boss, Michael Franzese, who was able to leave the mafia and live to tell about how his experiences as an outlaw helped him make important business decisions. Although Michael does not glorify mafia life, he does provide information you can use in business.
One very important thing you can learn about “the life” is how to master the art of a sit-down. A sit-down is where most decisions are made for everything involving the life. In business we have another name for sit-downs…meetings.
Two people that Michael often quotes in this book are King Solomon and Nicolo Machiavelli. Most people involved in the mafia life like thinking of Machiavelli as their guide in whatever it is they do on a daily basis in business; Machiavelli was famous for promoting the “whatever it takes” idea. In other words, do whatever needs to be done in order to obtain the desired results.
After reading this book, the message I took away was that although you might have done some things you regret in the past, there is always a chance to change your ways.
One very important thing you can learn about “the life” is how to master the art of a sit-down. A sit-down is where most decisions are made for everything involving the life. In business we have another name for sit-downs…meetings.
Two people that Michael often quotes in this book are King Solomon and Nicolo Machiavelli. Most people involved in the mafia life like thinking of Machiavelli as their guide in whatever it is they do on a daily basis in business; Machiavelli was famous for promoting the “whatever it takes” idea. In other words, do whatever needs to be done in order to obtain the desired results.
After reading this book, the message I took away was that although you might have done some things you regret in the past, there is always a chance to change your ways.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock
In Sleepwalking by Daylight, Elizabeth brings you into a world in which the housewife feels undervalued and taken for granted. Does that feel like you? Her husband is often lost in his own thoughts and although he’s there physically, she can’t help but think that he is not there mentally and the there relationship is slowly going down the drain. They seem to grow farther and farther apart every day and she’s often left with the feeling that that getting married was a mistake…like she rushed into it without knowing what was in store for her.
In the beginning, the story starts off talking about how, after many unsuccessful attempts at getting pregnant, the young couple decide to adopt a child although the mother seems to the one that is thrilled and the father just seems to be going through the motions. This idea about not wanting to adopt a child is one, if not the main, theme throughout the book. Everything seems to center on Cammy, the young and rebellious teenager.
If this book was a movie I’d say it would probably be in the suspense/drama section. From page one it grabbed my attention and was definitely a page-turner. The author was able to bring the characters to life in this story and you’ll find it hard not to identify with what the characters are going through. I think all of us, at one point or another, have gone through or know someone who has gone through the events that take place because many of the things that do take place are universal; relationships, parenthood, and children. I mean, really…who hasn’t had to deal with teenagers in any sort of capacity?
In the beginning, the story starts off talking about how, after many unsuccessful attempts at getting pregnant, the young couple decide to adopt a child although the mother seems to the one that is thrilled and the father just seems to be going through the motions. This idea about not wanting to adopt a child is one, if not the main, theme throughout the book. Everything seems to center on Cammy, the young and rebellious teenager.
If this book was a movie I’d say it would probably be in the suspense/drama section. From page one it grabbed my attention and was definitely a page-turner. The author was able to bring the characters to life in this story and you’ll find it hard not to identify with what the characters are going through. I think all of us, at one point or another, have gone through or know someone who has gone through the events that take place because many of the things that do take place are universal; relationships, parenthood, and children. I mean, really…who hasn’t had to deal with teenagers in any sort of capacity?
Making Light of Being Heavy by Kandy Siahaya
This book, Making Light of Being Heavy, by Kandy Siahaya, is about being heavy, or in other words…fat. I have to admit that there were times when I was laughing out loud. The author has a funny sense of humor and you should have one too to enjoy the book.
There are many different aspects to being overweight and I’m glad that Kandy touched on many of them. For example, have you ever considered that the reason you are heavy might have to do with your genes? If this is the case, you’ll be glad to know, and maybe even a little bit easier on yourself, the next time you open the refrigerator or step onto the treadmill...quit beating yourself up for being a little overweight!
One thing I was quite surprised to learn, and hadn’t really given much thought to, is that eating healthy can become quite expensive. Kandy provided a list of different food items and was able to point out how eating healthy might cost a bit more when compared to buying foods that are not as healthy. You might be wondering why that would be the case…and even come to think of it as strange. Well, believe me…I was thinking the exact same thing. If unhealthy junk-food is cheaper that might, just might, be one factor as to why there are so many obese people.
There are many different aspects to being overweight and I’m glad that Kandy touched on many of them. For example, have you ever considered that the reason you are heavy might have to do with your genes? If this is the case, you’ll be glad to know, and maybe even a little bit easier on yourself, the next time you open the refrigerator or step onto the treadmill...quit beating yourself up for being a little overweight!
One thing I was quite surprised to learn, and hadn’t really given much thought to, is that eating healthy can become quite expensive. Kandy provided a list of different food items and was able to point out how eating healthy might cost a bit more when compared to buying foods that are not as healthy. You might be wondering why that would be the case…and even come to think of it as strange. Well, believe me…I was thinking the exact same thing. If unhealthy junk-food is cheaper that might, just might, be one factor as to why there are so many obese people.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Fault Line: A Novel by Barry Eisler
Fault Line was the first, but definitely won’t be the last, novel I read by Barry Eisler. I was glad to find out that one of his other works (Rain Fall) was made into a movie. Hopefully this one will too. It has a lot of action, suspense, and drama.
Without giving the whole story away, it takes place in San Jose, CA, otherwise known as Silicon Valley, and it’s about a guy (computer nerd) who invents a software program. The only problem is that there are some dangerous people willing to go to any lengths, and killing is no exception, in order to make sure this program does not reach the market.
What I liked most was how the characters, from early on, got built up. This allowed me to conjure up an image in my mind of what each character is like. The language was very descriptive and was almost as though I had a movie running through my head. I can honestly say that this is one of the few books that I have been able to finish reading in a couple of days. It’s one of those books that you want to finish in one sitting.
Without giving the whole story away, it takes place in San Jose, CA, otherwise known as Silicon Valley, and it’s about a guy (computer nerd) who invents a software program. The only problem is that there are some dangerous people willing to go to any lengths, and killing is no exception, in order to make sure this program does not reach the market.
What I liked most was how the characters, from early on, got built up. This allowed me to conjure up an image in my mind of what each character is like. The language was very descriptive and was almost as though I had a movie running through my head. I can honestly say that this is one of the few books that I have been able to finish reading in a couple of days. It’s one of those books that you want to finish in one sitting.
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