Sunday, January 24, 2010

Awakening the Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel

Awakening the Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel
Author: Ralph P. Brown (Tawennihake)
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing

I've always had a great personal interest in alternative thinking, especially in the areas of religion, spiritual belief and personal guidance. I thought I had a fairly good understanding of the various tribal lore of American Indian Tribes, but I always did want to learn more. For any reader interested in tribal lore, spiritual life, wisdom and guidance; Ralph P. Brown has written a fascinating and indepth study of the Medicine Wheel in his wonderous work, "Awakening The Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel".

Ralph P. Brown is a Mohawk tribal member and spiritual advisor. His Mohawk name is Tawennihake. In this unique book, Tawennihake leads us on a spiritual journey along with a young Mohawk boy named Okwaho; and the elderly tribal sage, Lightening Eyes. Through the indian lore and fables Lightening Eyes shares with young Okwaho, we learn about the Medicine Wheel, the vibrant entity representing and reflecting the existence of everything within our universe. Through Lightening Eyes' use of parables, fable and indian lore, we learn more of the Native American culture and tradition, and begin to understand the powers of the Medicine Wheel. By viewing the medicine wheel as it relates to our lives and spiritual needs today, the medicine wheel will bring us to an understanding and recognition of our human potential and see how we relate to our world, whether in the abstract or the literal, the positive or the negative.

The Mohawk use of the medicine wheel illustrates our universe; and ultimately ourselves as humans and earth inhabitants. Through understanding and interpretation of the medicine wheel, we can learn insight into ourselves and patience with those around us.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in indian lore and beliefs, anyone who is a student of theology or metaphysics; or any reader with a yearning to learn more about the potential of the universe and their personal life and spiritual health. It is an easy to understand and truly enjoyable read. In fact, I have read it twice already, and know I will continue to learn from each reading. I look forward to the opportunity to learn more from Tawennihake, he is truly a gifted and caring writer.

Emotional Black Holes by Grant J. Hallstrom

Emotional Black Holes
written by Grant J. Hallstrom
publisher: ClearStone Publishing

Think about your social circle, your family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. How many of those people are suffering from depression, addiction, and self damaging behaviors? For most of us, probably at least five to ten people we know, at any given time, are finding themselves in that emotional black hole, that void, the sadness that doesn't go away. Maybe you are suffering yourself.

Recognizing the problem is the first step. Then comes finding the way out, and fighting for the life that is valuable and worth living. The journey out can begin with the book by Grant J. Hallstrom, Emotional Black Holes.

The author has written a moving and thought provoking account of his own journey from his own "black hole". By using this book as a guide, you will see that you are not alone in the journey; and will glean helpful ideas for yourself or others. Chapters include dealing with lust, temptation, addiction, even the addiction of religion. You may know someone who is a control freak, or by reading this book you may realize that you are the control freak. There is hope for healing and help for everyone suffering from any form of depression and emotional emptiness or vacuum.

Today's world brings trials and problems for all of us. Getting the help we need to deal with our trials and problems can be daunting; by reading this book you can and will be helping yourself or someone you know find the way out of that black hole. There is hope on the other side. Hallstrom has given us a valuable help in finding the way up and out.