Tag Archives: #spirituality

Book Review: Conversations With God Book 1 ( Non-Fiction)

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Well, what can I say the title of the book is not one I would naturally gravitate to, as I simply am not religious at all but highly spiritual. Judging by the title I would have assumed this was a very religious book, on the contrary I learned so much and fell right in love with it!

Conversations with God Book 1 began a series that has been changing millions of lives for more than ten years. Finally, the bestselling series is now a movie, starring Henry Czerny (The Pink Panther and Clear and Present Danger) and Ingrid Boulting (The Last Tycoon). Produced and directed by Stephen Simon (producer of Somewhere in Time and What Dreams May Come) and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Fox Home Entertainment, the theatrical release is set for October 27, 2006. The movie is the true account of Walsch (played by Cierny), who went from an unemployed homeless man to an “accidental spiritual messenger” and author of the bestselling book

My Review- 5 mind-blowing stars!

This book is totally not what I expected, I found out about it as I was listening to a YouTuber who I follow. The way she described the book and took a passage from it related to what she was talking about, made me sit up and take note. I listened to the audio-version and followed along with the paperback. The first thing to say is this is not a book on religion, God, the Bible in the context that you may may imagine it to be this book covers:

  • The myths of man-made beliefs about God and religion.
  • Why it’s better to not confirm to mainstream religions.
  • Discovering why you are here, who you are, and how the natural laws of the universe and things like Law of Attraction really work.

I must say, this book opened my eyes mainly via the way that it is written. The author penned it in what he calls a series of meditative ‘conversations with God’. He wrote ‘an angry letter’ to ‘God’ complaining about life, then started to literally hear the responses to his questions. This is commonly called ‘automatic writing’ if you have ever heard of it, you write in a meditative  state. The book follows the author as he poses some serious questions about life, the meaning of it, life after death, and the universe to the ‘God’ or voice he hears.

We as readers read the conversation as it happens, and it is is just wonderful. What I really liked about this book is that there was a male and female narrator so we are not led to believe that whatever or whoever you consider to be ‘God’ or a creator is male alone. In fact this book and the responses the author heard and recorded makes it pretty clear that there is no real ‘God’ in the way we are led to believe, just energy.

Generally speaking this is a very eye-opening book that those with an open mind, spiritually inclined, and non- religious would appreciate. If you believe in the universe and the wonders of it, believe that we are all energy and connected you may want to check out this book, and see exactly what answers the author got, during his conversations with ‘God’ and I use the term ‘God’ very loosely, you can also say conversations with an energy in the universe.

There are four books in the series and I went straight on to book two. This first book focuses mainly on self-realisation, understanding the myths around the universe, ‘God’ in the sense of a man in the sky who is a jealous and vengeful God, who punishes is really not what we should be buying into, and this may offend those who are deeply religious. If that’s you stay away from this book. It’s such a refreshing, uplifting, and spiritual non-faith based  read for the those with a curious mind, it could even be life changing if it lands in the right hands. I recommend it.

Daily Writing Prompt: What Would I Do More Of, Daily?

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What do you wish you could do more every day?

Great question, in all honesty it’s not actually writing LOL. I’m not sure if I should really admit to that. That said, I must be real and as I considered this question at this moment in time, I sincerely wish I could do more yoga every day.

In particular this yoga asana here called Pincha Mayurasana   it has been a dream for many years! I attended my first yoga class in the depths of south London, when I was around nineteen or twenty years old. I was a member of a gym called Fitness First I don’t even know if they are still around, but anyway I first discovered the yoga mat here. My first class was a Hatha style yoga class which I enjoyed, as this style of yoga is focused on breath work and holding the asanas.

How Did My Love Develop?

Well, I think it was more the teacher that really sparked my love for yoga. After I attended the first Hatha style class and  experienced for the first time the feeling I had physically, mentally, and emotionally after I went on to do more of his classes. My teacher was a mature man, probably in his fifties at the time ( this was about twenty years ago), very flexible, dynamic, gave great instruction, played attention to all his students, and had a ‘vibe’ to him which was a bit hippy like and I liked it. He really held my attention and made me want to do the best I could, I found him encouraging, his name was Frank, and yep you guessed it his classes were always PACKED. You had to get there early to get a good spot in Frank’s classes.

He taught Vinyasa and Ashtanga style classes which are much, much more dynamic and focused not so much on holding the poses, but the flow from one asana pose to another using the breath. This I love, love, love, oh my gosh I love it!! I fell in love with both these styles of yoga. I  bought a yoga mat from Frank, and completely abandoned the gym LOL. I remember paying an expensive gym membership and only going to yoga class and the sauna, and occasionally running on the treadmill. But Frank’s classes were well worth the gym membership fee to me.

I moved from the area and stopped my classes, in fact I didn’t practice for many, many years, after going at least twice a week for a good year. I did notice the changes in my body during that year and after, but I could not do the Pincha Mayurasana pose yet!

From Yoga Student To Yoga Teacher and Fanatic!

So fast forward may be ohhh I’d say about six years of being out of practice since I first started at around nineteen/twenty years old, and then trying to restart it again at home, and spotting an offer on a yoga teacher’s course. This is what happened, if you remember the website Wowcher I don’t even know if they are still around, I bought an online course from their deals to work towards gaining a qualification to teach yoga. Even though I was out of practice and very inflexible and unfit. I wanted to study the art of it more for me, I had no intention of ever teaching. I sadly  I didn’t complete the course on my first attempt, life happened, I was taken in different directions, I was with a terrible ex-partner at the time, and my lack of energy meant that this goal was left behind.

That said, once I got my shit together, left the most horrid relationship I have ever had, and moved on in life I slowly went back to it. I would try to make the effort but this was mainly  with online  videos and not via formal classes. 

At the start of the pandemic a wonderful blessing happened, since my first attempt at yoga teacher training in my mid-twenties the process had changed. It meant that you had to go away to a retreat and do it in person, a 200 or 300 hour course in a remote place ( normally somewhere very exotic mind you), and it cost an arm and a leg! It excluded many yoga lovers, aspiring teachers, and people like me who just want to study it, qualify, and not necessarily teach! This was due to the cost of it, and having to upsticks for a week or more to go there.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 everything moved online. Somehow I ended up with a promotional email announcing that you could now do your teacher training and study online! No in person trips to India, Barley, or an exotic location. I jumped at it, bought the course and it was only a few hundred dollars. Normally it would be a few thousand dollars.  The cost reduction was due to the pandemic I would imagine. I did my 200 hour training course via a company called Yoga Renew, it was fantastic, the online videos, course materials, Zoom calls, free resources, everything about it was just amazing. Then I managed to get the same offer for the 300 hour course so you can qualify as an advanced yoga teacher, so of course I took it and paid it when it was on offer.

Now, I still can’t get into Pincha Mayurasana pose and I am still no where near as flexible and fit as I would want to be, but for me the rational for undertaking yoga teacher training has never really been to teach. It has and still is all about me! My love for the practice, how it makes me feel once I am done, and during the sessions is something I really can’t put into words, it’s a whole vibe!

So anyway, as of this moment I am working on my 300 hour course which is focused more on the ‘yogi lifestyle,’ philosophy, history, and spiritual side of the practice. Normally, when one thinks of yoga we think of the poses (asanas) and the visual form of yoga. Seeing a person bend themselves like a pretzel into a cool shape really is cool! Even for me after a twenty-one year love affair with yoga, but  this is just one side of yoga and the very ‘western’  or Instagram approach to yoga.  The 300 hour course teaches you this principle.  My reason for undertaking the 300 hour was to make yoga a life-long learning process and habit… as I practice moving into Pincha Mayurasana pose also! And to understand the roots of the practice, the theology of it and where it comes from. We also study anatomy in more detail and eating habits. All this is something that does interest me a lot.

How Much Yoga Would I Do A Day?

I’ll keep it real with you, I find it so hard in the winter months to make time for my practice, and this is because I like to do it in the morning as soon as I wake up. I find it hard ( when it is cold) to really want to get on my mat and stretch. I aim for at least twenty mins each morning, even if all I do is stretch. This has not always been consistent and comes in dribs and drabs sometimes LOL. But I do make an effort. Because as I write this I am aiming to finish my 300 hour yoga teacher’s advanced course in 2023, I am being more strict about doing some yoga daily or minimum three times a week. If I had more time I would do at least one- two hours each day, every day, I would love to also do it outside near water somewhere. I would also like to explore the different types of yoga too. 

If I had more time, I would love to go to a class… actually I probably could if I am honest, I just need to find one local to me that I like. Now that’s an idea as I write this. I think if I had a community of other yoga lovers I belonged to, I would be much more likely to keep it up, and that is saying something to me personally as I write this! I do follow may popular yoga teacher’s on YouTube and often do the lessons that the post though.

My Favourite Asanas ( Poses)

  • Pincha Mayurasana obviously! I think that it’s the look of it I like. The perfect social media ‘good morning’ post.
  • Pigeon Pose I really enjoy.
  • Sun Salutations I adore
  • Moon Salutations I love.
  • Low and High Lung.
  • Runner’s Pose.
  • King Dancer’s pose- I adore.
  • Downward Facing Dog- I really love.

This list is pretty endless, it’s hard to pin point just one. I would say  for sure there is not a yoga asana that I don’t like, or avoid. I give them all a try even if I can’t do it perfectly.

I really do love this form of exercise, I think it really is one that connects and addresses balance and good feelings in the mind, body, and soul. This also spills over into your daily life, which is what I like about it too. If you really apply yourself to the concept of yoga and detach during your practice, you will be taken to a place you’ve never experienced and always want to go back to.

What about you, what would you do more of? Do you do yoga?

Daily Writing Prompt: Do You Believe in Fate or Destiny?

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Do you believe in fate/destiny?

In nutshell, yes I do. Why? Because I feel that fate and destiny are two things that every soul, human, and person have a part to play in.

What is Fate, Though?

‘Fate’… meant to be, making things happen, this is also a verb in the dictionary defined as ‘to be destined to happen, turn out, or act in a particular way’. This means that ‘fate’ is an action, and action is something that is done, and what do we do as people= take action and do stuff both good or bad.

Given this basic way of looking at what fate is, to me it would appear that fate is a very real thing, and of course as a verb in this context you and I can have control over it to a certain extent. Not all the time of course, but sometimes based on the actions we take. The other way of looking at fate, where we don’t have control and things are ‘just meant to happen’ I still believe in, even if you remove the action part that a person can play. I feel this way as I believe in the laws of the universe you could say, and I do really believe in things like astrology and the ‘mystical and unexplainable’ side of life. I feel that the fate that we don’t have control over with our actions is down to things like this.

Destiny?

Yes, of course I believe in this because we all have a purpose, simply put. Which to me personally is your ‘destiny’ it’s your purpose, where you’re heading or not heading. Just like fate you can play a part in this, and the universe and unexplained things can also play a part.

I think the older I have got, the more I have been able to see that in reality we can all to some extent create the life, goals, dreams, ideas, or whatever it is that we strive for. Even in the face of adversity, all you need is careful planning, be prepared to keep working and I really mean this, and be willing to take a few risks, challenges, and not let fear guide you too much to the point you become stagnate and don’t reach for whatever it is you want. Given this, this is why I feel that fate and destiny are real, you can create them for yourself, and you are always supported by unexplained things along the way.

Should You Let Fate and Destiny Guide You?

Absolutely, embrace whatever comes your way in life good or bad. But I don’t believe in being ridged and not moving, thinking, or living outside of the ‘box’ that destiny and fate can create. By this I mean, oftentimes if we think or feel ‘this is meant to be’ or ‘this is my fate’ there is a chance we can become stuck on this, inflexible, and not open to what else may present itself or what you could take action to create! This is where I feel that fate and destiny should guide you … and that’s it guide you, not define or trap you.

Can you Change Your Fate or Destiny?

Yes, I would say so and I have even experienced this myself. This is what I call life’s U-turns. Like I said fate is a verb, an action, whatever you do as an action can become your destiny, so if you are not keen on the way your fate is looking, change your action and your destiny or even destination will change and you can move in a new direction, hence a change in fate and destiny. It’s called living and life LOL.

How Can You Be Sure of Your Fate or Destiny?

Mmm, I don’t really think you can as only two things in life are for sure death and paying taxes! So all a person can do is have an idea about these things and work towards the outcome (fate and destiny wise) they would like. If your actions are in alignment with the fate or destiny you want, there’s a likely chance your fate, destiny, and outcome will be desirable … hopefully.

Are Destiny and Fate linked to God or Religion?

Not for me no. I am of no real religion, in fact I’d say I am not religious but deeply believe in the spiritual side of things not linked to what we have been fed is ‘God’. My creator, or person in charge is not in alignment with what any mainstream religion would have you believe. Am I against it? Mmm, no it’s just not for me.

Do you believe in fate or destiny? Or is this just something people like to believe in?

Book Review: Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Crystals (spirituality/non-fiction) 5 Wonderful Stars!#TheZennedOutGuidetoUnderstandingCrystals #NetGalley

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CrystalsThis is the second book I’ve read by this author, but the first time I’ve ever heard of her. I feel like she’s a new favourite non-fiction author of mine already from just two books. I also bought this one too. I thank the author and Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for a review, all opinions are my own.

About the Book:

The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Crystals covers everything you need to know about crystals and their unique healing properties.

This is your spiritual guide to using crystals for healing, meditating, boosting energy, improving mood, elevating your health, and much more. Discover which crystal is right for you and harness its power as you become more balanced and centered. Approachable exercises make it easy for you to practice techniques for amplifying healing energy, manifesting your intentions, and enhancing your ritual work. A gorgeous illustrative guide to over 90 crystals helps you identify which crystals resonate with you the most. With this book, you’ll:Learn the significance of each crystal’s color and its relation to chakras, the best way to position it, and ideal crystal pairings.Find out which moon phases, days of the week, zodiac signs, and chakras work best with each.Learn how to best clean, program, and protect your crystals by using elements such as the moon and the sun, so you can enhance each crystal’s power as you work with them.Use crystals as intention-setting tools to manifest what you want to bring into your life and add more meaning to your spiritual craft.Practice meditation techniques and protect your energy to raise your vibrations.With The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Crystals, you’ll deepen the connection between your mind, body, and spirit as you explore the earth’s energy through crystals.
The Zenned Out series is an open invitation to seasoned and curious spiritualists who want to explore their craft. With Cassie Uhl’s approachable steps and explanations to mystical tools and symbolism, readers can start using the information right away.

blendedfamilies - my review

So this is my third book on this subject matter I’ve found on Netgalley and then purchased, while the others are both five star reads, I feel like this book offers something very different. It’s to die for also, visually as is the author’s other book I read. This book on crystals felt more down-to- earth and by this I mean, less technical, or metaphysical with the fine details of what makes up each crystal from the earth. That said, for me the more toned down approach was not something I needed, I could get head around the metaphysical approach of the others, it was just nice to read a more reader friendly book on the subject!

Also, the author covers a very different angle for example moon phases, astrology, and different areas of crystal use, information, facts and practical info that other books have not. I found this really nice. Generally it is an easy to read book, and very enjoyable. I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in metaphysics, crystals etc. Especially beginners because the author’s approach is very different to what I’ve noticed is common, with books on this subject matter. Five wonderful stars from  me! I can’t wait for the hard copy to arrive. Thank you again Netgalley and the author for the chance to review it free!

Book Review: Understanding Auras (Non-fiction/ Spirituality) 5+ Wonderful stars!! #TheZennedOutGuidetoUnderstandingAuras #NetGalley

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Understanding AuraThis book is OMG gorgeous on EVERY level, I thank NetGalley and the author for my free review copy. All opinions are my own. Let’s just say, I bought a  hardback copy after I read the e-book version!

About The Book:

In this beautifully illustrated comprehensive guide to auras, expert spiritualist Cassie Uhl shows you how to identify and interpret energetic fields with actionable steps that will make you an expert in no time.

Auras are constantly changing. Everything can affect your aura: your mood, your health, the food you eat, your environment, and the energy of other people. With The Zenned Out Guide to Understanding Auras, you’ll learn how to intuit your auric field and what steps you can take to keep your aura radiant, healthy, and protected. You’ll also learn the different layers and colors and what they mean, plus discover techniques to cleanse and heal your energetic field. Gorgeous illustrations make it easy to navigate through the chapters as you enhance your intuition and understanding of energy. You’ll:Learn about the subtle energy body, the many purposes of the aura, and how each chakra connects to the auras.Tap deeper into your intuition and third eye chakra to open yourself up to experiencing auras by feeling, hearing, touching, intuiting, or “seeing” them.Take the aura quiz to find your primary aura color(s) and better understand your personality and traits.Protect your aura through energy work, crystals, herbs, food, meditations, visualizations, sound healing, and breathing techniques.Do quick aura scenes to identify energy vampires that are harming your aura and help keep your aura healthy.Perform aura readings on other people and on yourself! With these interactive exercises and tips, you can protect your aura from unwanted energy and feel like your best self.
The Zenned Out series is an open invitation to seasoned and curious spiritualists who want to explore their craft. With Cassie Uhl’s approachable steps and explanations to mystical tools and symbolism, readers can start using the information right away.

blendedfamilies - my review

I picked up the book off Netgalley as I just love these kind of esoteric subjects, and yes I have been able to read my own aura by using my hand in the past.  It’s not a new subject to me, but there’s always more to learn and understand. In fact, I have never really read more on the subject of auras, than what I found on small blog posts on esoteric websites I follow. The first thing to say is, this book is visually to die for, the illustrations are beautiful, diverse, and feature people from all over the world. There are so many ethnic pictures it is just adorable to look at. Apart from the stunning visual I found as a reader, that the author is very down to earth, uses everyday language, very detailed, and makes the whole subject matter of ‘auras’ we give off as people 1. interesting 2. fun 3. very practical in ‘how to’ actually read someone’s aura, or your own.

The book also covers a lot of reference to the body’s chakra system, therefore it gives additional learning and deeper understanding. It also covers why we have auras, where they come from, the different types and so many other cool things.

One statement that the author makes is that, ‘we give off an aura before we even say anything, shake hands etc.’ ‘ Vibes don’t lie.’ I totally agree with her, I have always felt this way. The author is very relatable in her style of delivery.

Overall, I give Understanding Auras 5 plus wonderful stars, the level of detail, ease of reading, and general enjoyment for me was off the scale! I recommend it to all those who enjoy spirituality and esoteric subjects. I can’t wait for my hardback to arrive it will sit very proudly on my bookshelf for ‘woo woo’ subjects LOL. I thank Netgalley and the author again for the preview.

Book Review: Moon Baths : Bathing Rituals and Recipes for Relaxation and Vitality 3 Wonderful stars.( Self-help) #MoonBath #NetGalley

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Thank you to Netgallery for the information on this book, as other reviewers mentioned, when I tried to download my review copy it wouldn’t work. However the blurb sounded fantastic to me, I was convinced after reading it that ‘this is one for the bookshelf.’  I pre-ordered a copy and waited patiently. It arrived, I read, had a lovely bath last Sunday during this month’s new Moon in Virgo! But… and there is a but, I found that this book could be improved slightly in my honest opinion, but I do like it. And would still recommend it.

About the Book:

 Moon Bath a luxurious guide that invites readers to immerse themselves in the healing powers of nature.

cover192964-mediumThis transformative book features 16 bath and shower rituals aligned with the lunar cycles and the natural rhythms of the cosmos.

Organized by moon cycle –New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, and Waning Moon – each ritual includes a bath recipe featuring healing natural ingredients.

– Includes affirmations and meditations
– Journaling prompts promote reflection and self-discovery.
– Filled with lush, nature-inspired photography

Brimming with Ayurvedic wisdom and plant-based medicine, Moon Bath is a lovely companion for modern mystics, wellness enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to wash away the stresses of daily life.

blendedfamilies - my review

3 Lovely, But Room For Improvement Stars

First thing to say is, this is a visually stunning book, it screams luxury the pages, hardback, colours, everything about it. I really love all of this. I also love how the book is organised into seasons. So each month we have a new, waxing, full, and then waning moon– the moon’s natural cycle. Within the book there is a special bath tea ( tea to add to your bath water), with herbs and lovely essential oils for each moon during the spring, summer, winter and autumn months– love this! I also really love the pictures the authors used, and the writing prompts for each moon/season and bath.

On the other hand, while I expected all of this wonderful stuff to read, and loved all the information what I found was that:

  1. A lot of the herbs used to make your ‘tea’ to add for your bath can’t be sourced very easily at the local supermarket, or herb store. Just by reading them I could see that, without even heading out.  Now if you are someone that knows or has an interest in herbs ( like me) you can reach for other resources, and use alternatives. But, really this should not be the case. This is where I feel the book has room for improvement, it’s not very suitable for everyone in that respect. And some may even feel they need to search the internet, import these herbs/flowers etc and go through a lot of expense. I feel that overall the herbs should be easily accessible– all of them. In each of the sixteen rituals I could pick out herbs that would not be in the food aisle, sadly.
  2. The authors really do explain well how the different moon phases can cause us to feel, as people Eg reflective, creative, etc. However, here is room for improvement too. How about explain the moon’s phases in more detail, for those who don’t know the difference between a waxing and waning moon for example. Some readers ( myself included) do, but  some or even many may not. There’s major room for improvement here to educate readers further.
  3. The herbs themselves– why are we using them? Again if you’re not someone who is familiar with all of them that the authors recommend to use in your bath, where is the extra education for readers? I would have love to know WHY the authors settled on the herbs they recommended for a waxing moon in the summer for example, compared to a waxing moon in the winter? Clearly there’s a difference what is it? As I don’t know and would love to!

As mentioned, last weekend I did look at the bath tea recommended for an autumn new Moon, and take a lovely bath. However, I did replace the raspberry leaves for raspberry herbal tea  I had at home LOL. So, you can see that in some months you may need to use alternatives. It  would have been lovely if the authors recommended herbs that allow ease of use, for more people. Generally, this is a beautiful book, and a stunning concept simply boiling herbs, water, flowers and in some cases fruit with hot water on a stove, tip it into your bath water, have a nice relaxing bath with it with candles and music etc, then reflect in your journal at key points in the month, based on the moon’s phase. However, there is a lot of room for improvement to enhance the average reader’s experience, learning, and connection with WHY they are using what they are using, and WHAT the moon’s actual energy is! I realise the latter is moving into the astrology realm, but it’s not hard to explain the differences between the moon’s phases for those who may not know. For me, it was worth the buy straight away without the free review copy, as I do like the book and can fill in the gaps. Readers who can’t may not get as much out of the book as they hoped, especially if the herbs for the bath teas are hard to find, which is the main concept of the box ‘tea baths’. Three stars from me, but I do love it and recommend it even to have on the shelf and look at it’s stunning. I will take more baths using the recipes  as in all honesty my house smelt amazing!  I felt like some kind of Goddess when I got out the bath, so thanks! Give it a try if you like the concept of a relaxing bath, some you time and relaxation.