The Reiki Cafe 

All those books that propouse to connect you to your angels archangels higher self, spirit guides, totems rocks crystals, etc., etc., make me VOMIT!
Why? Well, I've read a few, and after the first few pages my lower self goes on hiatus and then some. some of the books are ok, I haven't read them all so I can't say that the're all bad.
So I've stopped reading them.
Even so I've picked up one of them, and wow! this one speaks to me. ME!
And I feel blessed. All of five seconds, then I get bored.
My point?
I'm wary of what is being sold.
And So Should We All.
I think I've been connecting all wrong with all this.
I've been connecting with my head, thinking that I need this or that.
What I should do, and what I've being proposing to do is listen to what the rest of me feels, and go with that.
There has to be a balance.
Do I make sense? or non-sense!
Only to me, but that's ok, Nobody else has to proscribe to the same doctrain.
I hope this finds all in good spirit.
Nameste

Hello Jaguar, *hugs**

Wow, you seem almost angry about these books. The cool thing about books, crystals, spirits, guides, healing work in general is that all leads to the same path. Not everyone is able to grasp it in the same way so Spirit made manifest many different ways to see and connect with the same thing.

Were all going to the same place. There is no out there or other that everyone is searching for. What is being searched for is Self- Done through the many expressions you see made manifest through how each person experiences their own Spirit.

I think as far as books go, its least expensive to go through the library. That way you don't pay anything and if it really resonates with you then you can just go ahead and buy the darn thing.

What types of healing works are you most interested in if I may ask? Or, I guess I could just look it up in your profile! :}}
Have a wonderful day and remember to bless that which you would not choose for yourself so you can move into higher experiences with Spirit.

Loving you always,
Jahnavi

Otoharo!

I don't read any more either. Once one gets going with their own growth what others say about theirs do not apply necessarily. I never even go into a book store. My daughter sends me mysteries which she can pick up cheaply in Marin co. or in San Francisco. This is what I read.

Years ago, it was the CIM and Conversatiosn with God series that meant a lot to me, and Ruiz"s The Four Agreements and The Mastery of Love.

finaltiy

Hi Jaguar, You got it right when you said listen to what i feel and go with that. Be careful not to put negative thoughts into those things you listed, i mean who wants to vomet? I look at those things as cruches and they are good things when used for what they are intended ie. to help you walk untill you can walk without them. Problums can happen when it's it time to let go and walk on. I had hip replacement surgery and used cruches fo 8 weeks. When the Dr. said OK you dont need them anymore walk, guess what? I could'nd walk, I had to hold on to the chair and the wall untill i could relearn to trust myself to walk. So we are back to trusting our true feelings, go for it. Luv to you all. Jerryji

Dear Jaguar,

I happen to agree with you. So many I get the feeling are written by would-be gurus to make money. Some of them I think play on fantasies and wishful thinking. And others really stink of spiritual materialism.

There are some good metaphyisical books out there, though. There are some people, IMO, who really are trying very hard to help others on their spiritual path. I just happen to think they're few and far between.

Best wishes,
Roxy

Dear Jaguar,
Historically, there have always been "ideas" that came into vogue & become hot fads only to fade away. I find it interesting when I read about the thoughts or beliefs that were prevalent during the times of certain famous "intelligent" or "talented" people. It helps me to realize that what we see in our culture today truly is a reflection of our "times". Our needs & desires fuel the books, the lectures, etc. If people stop buying these books, the publishing houses will stop printing them.

peace & joy,
holobon

Wow, I'm blessed. Thank you for your kind words. I agree about fads, and all that. I tried to read conversantions with god, but couldn't go past the first page. I'll try not to put negativity into what i write, but sometimes bad habits are hard to break. or to take. I was expecting to get a rap on the knuckles for my hard words, but what I recieved was an unexpected warm hug. My bodies are tingling.
I suppose I needed those books for a while, but now that I don't so much, I shouldn't knock 'em. Not so much anyway.
Funny thing is when I pick up one of those pertaining to meet your angels, totems or goddess, I find it sort of wishful thinking. I'm going with the thought if I'm going to meet any of 'em, they will do so. I think I'm ready now. No book is going to make a difference. Unless it's needful.

Síochan libh i gconaí
(Peace with you always)

((all round))

I can see your frustration. There are so many choices presented to us and it's hard to know what to books or topics to take seriously or what will actually resonate with us in the long run. I personally look for books that will challenge me and stimulate my thinking, but not be so exhaustive that it fails to hold my attention or so trendy or "out there" (my standards for this may be more narrow than others) that it is difficult for me to see the concepts having lasting applicability. I also have to admit I learn processes better from a teacher or a talk, rather than from a book so some books are only useful to me as a reference after I've learned the basic concepts. Other books, like those on Eastern religion or philosophy are there for me as food for thought. The writer has to really grab me, say something in a way that makes me pause and open my heart wider.

A lot of times I'm annoyed when I look at selections in the bookstore and feel there's lots of breadth of selection, but little depth. However, I also remind myself that everyone gets to where they are going by their own path so what might ring true for me isn't always going to work for others, and vice versa. It's good to be honest about how you feel. Some of the practices outlined in "new age" books don't feel comfortable to certain people, and that's OK. :)

Anyone can write a book. It does not have to be accurate or "proven" to be published. Combining fact & fantasy appears to be quite common. There is something about our society that respects "authors". The every day citizen however gets no respect, we are apparently so ignorant as to swallow everything we are served! Go to the library & read for free ( or do the garge sale/thrift shop thing) & then decide who you wish to support with your hard earned dollars! $10.00 or more for a paperback?? We reading addicts could go banktupt with this passion! :)

peace & joy,
holobon

Otoharo!

When I read this again this morning, I heard something different. It is not necessary to get your help from books. You are right. YOur help is within you and you must be finding your way to it. You are riaght it will find you but only when you ask. Seek and you shall find. Be still and know. etc.

finality

Little did I know that I was on the same wavelength as others, regarding this subject, subjective that it is. I'm done with the path of reading these books, probably because I've found(ish) what i've been looking for, or because i don't need to anymore, of course, I bought one the other day...lol.
On the subjective of new wave, some of the stuff is ancient, but is new to me, but doesn't sing to me as I thought it might.
They were there when I needed them most, I guess, and though I mightn't need 'em as much, the're there if needs be. I've accepted that, and am not as angry or such at the moment. Maybe I was angry with myself for being in the need, and now feeling gullible, lashed out at them, so I didn't have to look at me. Blaming something else for my own lack.
I feel slightly embarrased.
Good lesson there, If I could phrase it right.
I'm getting there.

Nameste

Its good to hear people opinions about books. I have just had one published and when I was writing it I began to worry about what people would think and what they would say. I had to get round that by being honest about what happened to me in life and how I hoped it would help people avoid the emotional pain I put myself through. I was told to trust people as they would identify with me and they have. Every shop I have went into has ordered them so I must be doing something right. I had to learn to open up my mind, listen and learn.

Jaguar, namaste ....

I can SO relate to what you have written. And please don`t be embarrased - you phrase things very well, and you have shared something that a lot of us (certainly me) can relate to.

But just occasionally, a book comes along that does "sing" to me ... and that makes all the reading, thinking, chucking out and taking on board, worth every minute.

Some twenty five years ago, when taking a course on "Art and Environment", one of the topics studied was Dreaming, and keeping a dream diary. A book was mentioned which was out of print. I wandered into a second hand bookshop near my home ... and there, in the centre of the shelf I glanced at, was the book in question ("Creative Dreaming" by Patricia Garfield.) This thread has encouraged me to go find it on our bookshelves, and I shall now re-read it, because I know at the time it meant an awful lot. I wonder if it still will?

Love and light,
philanty

Dear Jaquar,
At least you're honest and the books you describe are sort of in the realm of self help which are for ones from dysfunctional families. I mean where else would you go to learn and some family members who are more dysfunctional would do the Christian bible thang. Maybe it stems from the lie that we are separate from God and have to be made whole again as we are sinners and these people know more than us and will help us when they could be more screwed up than we are. So I say it's good you acknowledge your feelings and it could be good habits you have to put down a book you think may be negative rather than say you are negative.
Thanks for your post.
peace,
Prosperity

On re-reading what I've uh, written, I find it difficult to believe that it was me writing it. A lot of stuff has happened since, and I still pick up a book, lay it down, read, stop reading etc.,
It's wonderful to know that there are books out there on nearly any subject one can imagine. Sometimes the journey of searching for that elusive piece is more fulfilling than the finding.
Fun though.

Dear Jacquar,
Well I hear ya and believe what you wrote as you wrote it! Maybe you were in a funky mood but still it's what you believed at the time and could there be some guilt attached? I have written things and then cringed afterwards but there is ususaly something valid underneath that needs to be addressed.
peace,
Prosperity

What a journey from the beginning of your thread to now, jaguar....I love how everyone wanted to journey with you. So many good words and thoughts to ponder...perhaps, since I'm a craniosacral fool....you'd enjoy...."Your Inner Physician and You" by John E. Upledger. Some folk call it voo doo, of course....but it speaks to me....like gemstones speak to others....thanks for so much wonder & fun, jaguar...ride on, cookie!

Well, I, for one, am still sick of new age nonsense.

Rock On!
Roxy

ponderings

Funny you should mention gemstones, cause I love 'em.
They mightn't speak to me, but the're fun.

Not so much sick of new age/old age at the moment, It doesn't seem to matter as much.

prosperity

Underlying things do tend to come to the surface and only via this medium have I realised that. by typing my mind at
the time I wrote, helped to do so and I'm beggining to again address such.
or hope to.

I came across a book by julia cameron, it's called'the artists way'
one could call it new age, and I've only just scratched the surface(intro) of the book, but to put it simply it's a course of creativity and I think you'd like it, roxy.

Cool runnings.

Hi Jaguar,

I did start reading "The Artist's Way". I found it to be quite interesting, and could be valuable. I especially found the morning pages to be a great thing.

I gave up reading because I realized I lacked to motivation to do all the exercises in the book.

Rock On!
Roxy

Roxy

I only read the intro, just as far as the first chapter. It said in the bit I read that there might be times when, just as you described; lack of motivation etc., might happen, which is why I haven't progressed. I haven't even started the morning pages yet. So your doing better than me in that respect.

Not to worry, things happen when they happen at the right time.

cool runnings

jag

Hi Jaguar,

I didn't do so great with the morning pages, myself. Somehow, I just slipped up on doing them. It was good when I did it, I keep wanting to start again, and then forgetting. Ah, well, it was great while it lasted.

Rock On!
Roxy

Hi
I love to learn by reading and I have a bookcase full of 'spiritual books' that I have gathered up or been given over the years. Some good, some not so good. But I didn't realise until recently that the messages we sometimes seek (where ever we are on our journey)can be found in books that don't profess to teach us anything! Heres a couple of examples;

From the sublime: Steinbecks- Grapes of Wrath- What Reverend Casy says about our souls being attached to a universal energy.

To the ridiculous:Hello Magazine (or any trashy alternative) shows us the misery of greed and dishonesty and reminds me of the importance of our reiki principals/precepts.

Hopefully you're well on the way to this kind of learning now you've moved on from the more simplistic stuff.

Love, light and peace

Oak Jo

Even before I knew 'reiki' existed I came across a reference in the middle of Fantasy series I was reading at the time.

It described drawing symbols and the laying on of hands, the ability to ease a persons passing. I thought it all fiction and wistfully lamented that it was just fiction. When I did learn of its truth, I was joyful.

Is New Age really just Old Age?
Peace,
Prosperity