Lynn Wilson Astrology

RECOMMENDATIONS

We continue to be in a period of intense change that is affecting all of us on the individual and collective levels. The old rules do not apply, and we don’t yet know exactly what our evolving society will look like. Throughout my life, I have found that books can be the greatest of teachers and companions during these periods. I usually make specific recommendations when working with clients, and thought I’d take the opportunity to update this list, with the hope that it will prove useful to many of you.

I’ve divided books into four categories, rather like grammar school, high school, college and graduate school. These are very subjective categories, and there may be some that appeal to you from each. In this list, my focus is on spiritual and psychological growth, and I’ve tried to order the books in such a way that the information from each level builds on the previous one. These are books that have been very helpful to me in my own growth process. They have often provided comfort and hope, and at the very least have stretched my mind. Enjoy :)

LEVEL I

“Care of the Soul” by Thomas Moore: an absolute classic, perfect for those of you who are in a period of transition and wondering what direction to take. This book will support you in listening to your soul speak.

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho: a best-seller for a reason. This is a lovely book that is full of spiritual truths. Again, it will support you in listening to your soul speak.

“Stalking the Wild Pendulum” by Itzhak Benthov: scientific and metaphysical truths presented in a very light humorous way, accompanied by drawings. An absolute delight.

“Many Lives, Many Masters” by Brian Weiss, M.D.: a great book for people with logical, rational minds. Weiss was head of psychiatry at Mt Sinai Hospital when a patient opened his mind and expanded his belief structure, through her spontaneous flashbacks into past lives. As a result, Weiss has spent the past thirty years focusing on past-life therapy.

“The Spiritual Tourist” by Mick Brown: A journalist’s research into many schools and teachers of spiritual/consciousness development. Great starter book.

“What Really Matters” by Tony Schwartz: Very similar to Brown’s book but a bit more personal and compelling. Schwartz is clearly affected by his research topic. These are both excellent starter books and can make great gifts for those who prize rationality and are hesitant to begin the inner search.

LEVEL II

“Synchronicity: Bridge Between Mind and Matter” by F. David Peat, one of my favorite authors. This book does a beautiful job of making clear the nature of synchronicity, a term made popular by jungians but truly understood by few.

“Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. A wonderfully affirming book for women who want to live an authentic life. It points out the strengths and weaknesses of the myths we tend to live by.

“The Way of Woman” by Helen Luke. The best book I’ve ever read on women’s psychology. The equivalent for men might be Iron John by Robert Bly.

“Wisdom of the Heart, Working with Women’s Dreams by Karen Signell. Dreams are one of the ways the superconscious/collective speaks to and through us. In indigenous cultures the dreamers, referred to as shamans, are revered.

“Lives of a Cell” by Lewis Thomas, another of my favorite authors. This is a sweet little book full of very interesting research on the reactions plants have to our thoughts and actions, leaving no doubt about the power of thought and feelings.

LEVEL III

“The Cosmic Serpent, DNA and the Origins of Knowledge” by Jeremy Narby. A scientist’s account of his personal research into indigenous ways of knowing, initially through the use of ayahuasca, a natural mind-altering drug. A fabulous book for those who truly love science.

All of Carlos Castaneda’s books, ideally in succession. Castaneda was an anthropologist who studied with a shaman over many years. These books chronicle his growth process, and make it clear how much work is involved if one chooses to become a spiritual warrior.

The Star Wars movies, again in succession. A visual approach to the same process of growth. Both Castaneda and Star Wars are very pertinent during this Plutonian time, a period when we all must acknowledge the “shadow” on a personal and collective level.

“Blackfoot Physics” another wonderful book by F. David Peat, a physicist who was invited to study and live with Native Americans. This book shows the meeting point between the new physics and aboriginal ways of knowing. It is imperative that we listen at this point in time.

LEVEL IV

“The Bell Notes, Journey from Physics to Metaphysics” by Arthur Young, one of the principal pioneers of today’s consciousness movement. “An extraordinary hourney through the discoveries, dreams, and creativity of a true genius.” (Pelletier)

“Heading Toward Omega” by Kenneth Ring. A study of the similarities in experience between Near Death Experiences (NDEs), UFO encounters and other mind-altering experiences. It will be very meaningful for anyone who has experienced any of the above and doesn’t have a context for their experience.

“The Medium, The Mystic and The Physicist” by Lawrence LeShan, PhD, a wonderful book that describes the differences and the similarities between these interlocking worlds. It’s a bit academic, but not a difficult read.

ANIMAL BOOKS

One of the major indicators of our increasing levels of openness is that more people are becoming aware of the innate intelligence of our fellow animals. Some of my favorite books involve inter-species communication, a sign of our evolutionary process.

“Goat Song” by Brad Kessler is my new favorite book. Kessler and his wife moved from NYC to Vermont where they bought and raised goats on a 78 acre farm. The book shows great respect for their new way of life, and great love for these remarkable animals. Kessler weaves together history, geography, and food policy in a way that supports the personal narrative. I finished this book with a sense of having taken part in something sacred.

“Wesley the Owl” by Stacey O’Brien. An absolutely beautiful love story, pure and simple. O’Brien took home a wounded baby owl and raised it as an owl rather than as a pet, becoming its significant other. I laughed and I cried. It’s a treasure.

Please consider buying from your local bookstore. It is important to support small businesses of all kinds in our local communities. Plus the authors rely on income from the sale of their books and they receive very little when you’re buying from the big chains and discount sites. Also, for those of you who love reading, there is a wonderful website called www.goodreads.com where people review books. Please let me know if you would like to be linked, as I frequently post reviews.

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