The Humming Effect by Jonathan Goldman & Andi Goldman

For those searching for a way to improve their health without medicine, or intrusive measures, The Humming Effect really rewards the reader. This slim book covers a lot of ground showing how humming can make a difference to one’s well being. The authors build a strong case through research and anecdotal data that humming can lead to increased oxygen levels, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, increased nitric oxide, release of endorphins, enhanced lymphatic circulation, and more.

The authors, Jonathan & Andi Goldman, highlight the long tradition of music and sound in all cultures: from the Biblical origins of “the word,” through the Hindu sound of “Om,” up to the modern day “Big Bang.”  With examples from cutting edge research, we learn how sound frequencies, or vibration, can affect our whole bodies and retrain us, down to the cellular level, to a state of health.  The authors include instruction on how to begin a humming practice, as well as a website link to examples of what they are describing. One of the most fascinating parts of the humming method, is that results appear to improve when it practiced with intention – in other words, one can direct the goal, or the outcome that one desires. That follows ancient teachings in yoga, and indeed, the authors explore those traditions.

Sound healing with humming may help those with depression, sleep disorders, stress related illness, and so much more. Importantly, Jonathan and Andi Goldman make the case for how the vibrations from humming have the potential to increase cell repair, neuroplasticity,  and to create new synaptic pathways. As the Goldmans point out, this has enormous implications for the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients, stroke victims, and those who have suffered head injuries. I highly recommend The Humming Effect for anyone who is interested in alternative approaches to enhancing their health and well being. I suspect that we’ve just touched on the surface of what sound healing can do, and that we will be learning much more about it in the days to come.

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Science, Being, & Becoming by Paul J. Mills, Ph.D.

| by Cheryl Shainmark

Science, Being, & Becoming is a remarkable glimpse into the spiritual lives of scientists and academics. Filled with inspiring first hand accounts of transformative metaphysical and mystical experiences, this book upends the notion that science has no place for the spiritual. Indeed, the author, Paul J.Mills, Ph.D., makes a strong argument that science needs to incorporate the spiritual now more than ever.

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Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age

| by Cheryl Shainmark

In his new book Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age Feiler notes that the idea that we’ll have one job, one relationship, one source of happiness for most of our lives is outdated, and that we now live in a non-linear world that forces us to make transitions. While this trend has been occurring for some time, what is new right now is that the whole world is going through these transitions at once. How we face these life altering changes, and what tools we can use to help the process these events is at the core of this book.

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The Pudgy Squirrel by Markus de Vries

| by Cheryl Shainmark

The Pudgy Squirrel is a marvelous little gem of a children’s book, written and illustrated by German author, Markus de Vries. Importantly, this slim volume tackles important issues of mental health, such as depression, anxiety and addiction, in simple language to which a child can relate. Through following the adventures of our hero Squirrel, the child is introduced to a variety of animal friends who are suffering obstacles until Pudgy helps them in small ways.

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The Back in Time Tarot Book by Janet Boyer

| by Cheryl Shainmark

This is a fascinating book, and a whole new way to bring the sub-conscious up to the light of day. The Back in Time Tarot Book is not like any other tarot book you may have read before. Janet Boyer has developed an innovative and unique method of working with the cards… Not only does this teach the Tarot deck in a uniquely personal way, but it allows you to gain valuable insight into your own psyche. By exploring the past you begin to learn what is influencing you in the present.

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Confidence: Holding Your Seat through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds by Ethan Nichtern

Have you been by a car wash or car dealership and seen those inflatable people (often called tube men) who come to life when the wind picks up and wave at all passers-by like everything in the universe is amazing, only to droop in despair when the animating breeze leaves them? One moment the tube man is on top of the world, and the next he looks like he thinks he’s the worst piece of shit who ever existed.

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A Talk with Sue Van Raes, author of Food and Freedom: Discover Your Personal Recipe to Eat, Think, and Live Well

Our habitual patterns with food are a porthole through which we can gain insight into where we may be out of balance, emotionally overwhelmed, or generally unfulfilled. When you uncover what is really going on, you will gain a better understanding of how to support yourself through it while learning how to remedy these deeper imbalances.

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Qigong Meets Quantum Physics by Imke Bock-Mobius

| review by Cheryl Shainmark

Qigong Meets Quantum Physics – Experiencing Cosmic Oneness by Imke Bock-Mobius Review by Cheryl Shainmark Qigong meets Quantum Physics is a wonderful integration of the various principles of qigong, mysticism, and the natural sciences. In the best Daoist tradition, Bock-Mobius has surmounted the duality of any discussion of religion (or philosophy) and science, and outlined her compelling vision of how it all comes together.

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Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW

Relationships are complicated. They are beautiful and messy and confusing and frustrating all at the same time. There are moments of joy, sadness, anger, uncertainty, and even boredom. All of this is normal and healthy. Perhaps you’ve recognized that within these complicated relationships, certain issues arise over and over again. Do you find yourself having the same fight repeatedly? Are there a few issues that you and your partner just can’t see eye to eye on? Is there one hot topic that you both avoid? Sometimes we need a little help navigating these issues.

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Spiritual Awakenings: Scientists and Academics Describe their Experiences

I’ve been reading the recently published book, Spiritual Awakenings: Scientists and Academics Describe Their Experiences, edited by neuroscientist Marjorie Woollacott and David Lorimer. In this book 57 scientists and academics discuss how their experience of spiritual awakening transformed their philosophical world-view and perception of reality. I have found that many of their stories validate my own experiences over the years. This in itself is a profound revelation for me, as I have had these events all my life, but found so few people, apart from my clairvoyant mother, Maureen Treanor, who also experienced these on a regular basis, with whom I could share.

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