Reviews

From Pride To Neutrality

by | Nov 26, 2017 | , ,

In Dr. David Hawkins' "map of consciousness," courage first registers at the level of 200 on an ascending logarithmic scale of creative power that goes to 1000. Master teachers like Jesus and Buddha calibrate at the top end of the "map," which Hawkins designates as Enlightenment. Just below the level courage at 200, is the energy of pride, which calibrates from 175-199. Dr. Hawkins maintains that the collective vibration of humankind globally is just above 200, after being calibrated for...

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Keeping Unity Wide Open

by | Jun 17, 2017 | ,

At the Unity People's Convention 2017, held last week in San Antonio, the theme was "Keep Unity Wide Open". Based on the workshops, seminars, keynotes, musical events, and the optimistic enthusiasm of those in attendance, it is certain the Unity movement is once again poised to be a spiritual leader worldwide. The annual event, which is held every other year in the Kansas City area where the Unity movement first began in the late 19th century, was hosted in San Antonio for the first time....

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Blessed Are The Peacemakers

by | Oct 3, 2016 | , ,

In Dr. Roger Teel's spiritual bestseller, This Life Is Joy, he presents a conceptual structure called “The Seven Pillars of Truth.” In writing about peacemaking, Dr. Teel offers a powerful perspective that acknowledges the spiritual and creative power of truth principles that are available to us, while also reminding us that peacemaking is an inside job. If we are to become peacemakers, we must assume personal responsibility for our own inner peace. One of Dr. Teel’s peacemaking strategies...

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Stephen Doster’s “Arizona” Is One For The Ages

by | Apr 10, 2016 | ,

Stephen Doster is one of Austin music’s secret weapons, at least outside of Austin. Around here, it’s not such a secret. Not counting his collaboration records with Will Sexton and Bill Carter, Arizona is his first solo album, since Rosebud, his power pop chestnut from 1996. However, Arizona is an altogether different affair. Where Rosebud employed the rock muscle of chiming guitars as its principal brushstroke, “Arizona” offers a more diverse, subtle use of guitar sonics. Added musical color...

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The Greatest Discovery of All Time

by | Sep 10, 2015 | , ,

In the "Foreword to the 40th Anniversary Edition" of Eric Butterworth's spiritual classic, Discover the Power Within You, the esteemed poet Maya Angelou acknowledges her affinity for the compelling idea at the very heart of Butterworth's teachings. Namely, that "the power of God, the essential spirit, is within each of us." This idea is also at the heart of what Butterworth would call the greatest discovery of all time, and is essentially the foundation upon which his celebrated metaphysical...

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Tangled Up In Dylan (Or, My Favorite Song Of All Time)

by | Apr 20, 2011 | ,

About a year ago, an old friend from high school tagged me on Facebook and asked me what was my favorite song of all time? For a certified lunatic for music such as myself, one might think this kind of question would be impossible to answer. Apparently, my friend had second thoughts about such a possibility as well, because before I could undertake to frame an answer, I received a second message from her apologizing for posing such an impossible question and further explaining the real reason...

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One Is The Holiest Number (Part II)

by | Apr 11, 2011 | ,

Wow! I guess we've got it wound pretty tight down here on Earth. It's lonely and bad being one, and only a step above that being two. When does the joy of being one, or even one with another one, begin to kick in? How many ones does it take before it becomes good,meaning not lonely? Don't get me wrong here. I am not bashing Harry Nilsson. To the contrary, as a songwriter, he is one of the all-time greats. I like the guy, truly! A handful of his songs are, to my mind, among the greatest songs...

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One Is The Holiest Number (Part I)

by | Apr 10, 2011 | ,

Over the last year or so, I have undertaken the long-term project of digitizing my vinyl collection. For those of you who know me personally, you know, this is going to take some time. Today, as I write this, I am on a country-rock binge. This means wax platters of Pure Prairie League, Gram Parsons, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers and the like are taking their turns on the turntable. The best part about this project is that I am listening to a lot of music,...

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Survival of the Wisest (Part II)

by | Apr 9, 2011 | , ,

Just so this is clear right up front, I absolutely believe that reason and science are necessary for our evolution. The faculty of reason is a God given power, and is intended for our use. So, contrary to how it might sound, I am actually pro-science. Likewise, I believe that matters of faith, God, spirituality and consciousness are equally necessary to our evolution. I believe that science placed in the service of evolving our spiritual consciousness is the highest expression of our faculty...

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Survival Of The Wisest (Part I)

by | Apr 7, 2011 | , ,

I seriously enjoy learning something new every day, and what I enjoy most is learning what it is I am going to be learning about each day. You with me? For example, just yesterday morning, I was getting my day started with a cup of morning joe and had an inclination to Google "spirituality videos." A link to a Deepak Chopra presentation surfaced near the top and I launched it. The presentation centered around the content in his most recent book, Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul: How...

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