by Stephanie Brail

I've had a copy of A Course in Miracles since the 1990s. When I first got it, I tried reading it and could not get into it. Yet, Marianne Williamson was all the rage (Williamson's book Return to Love was a huge new age hit in the 90s), and so I felt there must be something in there for me. After all, Williamson was quoted so much at the time, it just seemed like this was some sort of grand, amazing course all serious seekers should be taking. Maybe I wasn't quite "ready" for it.

Over a decade passed, and A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is no longer the "hot" ticket it seemed to be in the 90s. For some reason, though, I still had the book in my bookshelf. It had survived many moves (even an out-of-state move). So recently, I dusted my copy of ACIM off my shelf and took another look at it.

by Stephanie Brail

One of the great things about the Internet is the availability of documentaries countering the status quo and mainstream propaganda that programs our lives. Alex Jones, for example, has done a tremendous amount of work exposing the Illuminati and their plans for a "New World Order" through his videos.

Zeitgeist is one such cult documentary that melds religious critique, 9/11 conspiracy, and an expose of the global banking cartel into a manifesto for consciousness raising and activism. Zeitgeist explains the problem; the follow-up Zeitgeist Revisited offers a solution. (I've seen Zeitgeist, which I have mixed feelings about, but I have not yet seen Zeitgeist Revisited.)

The Compass is one of those allegory books in line with The Alchemist, where we follow a male protagonist through his life journey. In this case, we travel with Jonathan, who is paralyzed with grief after his young daughter is killed in a car accident with his wife behind the wheel.

Blind with despair, Jonathan leaves his job, his wife, and his world, and takes a trek around the globe to find himself again. Along the way we meet an assortment of mysterious characters who all seem to be psychic and just "know" things about Jonathan: A dying woman, an old man, a wheelchair-bound bike store owner, and a young orphan boy who spouts advice beyond his years. While some of the wisdom put forth seems almost too coincidental and inexplicable at times, there is enough heart here to forgive the literary shortcuts.

by Stephanie Brail

I've been a fan of Wayne Dyer's for a while but have not read much of his recent stuff. I used to have an audio course of his on cassette tape that I really enjoyed. He's a kind soul with a gentle energy that has always been appealing.

So I was very interested to read one of his more recent books, The Power of Intention, given to me by a friend of mine. Wayne looks older than what I remember - and I have to say, I actually kind of miss his old cheesy 70s mustache. But, he's evolved with the times, and he's gotten trendy. He's also unfortunately gotten on the “Law of Attraction” bandwagon, which is evidenced by his homage to Esther and Jerry Hicks in the back of the book.

by Stephanie Brail

Tuesdays With Morrie has become a classic in the "feel good" book category in the 10 years since it has been published. This tearjerker in print tells the true tale of Morrie Schwartz, a quirky college professor who is dying of Lou Gehrig's Disease. His former student, Mitch Albom, finds out about Morrie's illness on Nightline. He drives to see Morrie, and they decide to meet on Tuesdays until Morrie's death.

The main theme in this book is love, which Morrie shares in spades with his former student. Morrie is surprisingly peaceful and cheery about his deteriorating condition, and his bravery should be an inspiration to anyone undergoing a chronic or terminal illness.

The message of love is quite simple, and the book's spirit can be summed up in Morrie's words:

by Stephanie Brail

Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual teacher and author of the bestselling Power of Now. A New Earth is his second runaway bestseller, bolstered by Oprah's Book Club and Oprah's phenomenally successful online course about the book. A New Earth is the first book by Tolle I've read (though I've known of him for years) and has served as my introduction to Tolle.

A New Earth, according to Tolle, will shift your consciousness and "awaken" you, if you are ready. He claims this in chapter one - a bold statement, I felt, for a guy who claims to be anti-ego. But there's something exciting about feeling like you're one of the "chosen ones," those who are supposed to be awakened at this point in history as our earth is in crisis. (Just don't get too caught up in your ego about it.)