Healing & Growth

How People Heal: Exploring the Scientific Basis of Subtle Energy in Healing »

by Diane Goldner
Frog Books, 2007, 2009.   325 pages

Originally published as Infinite Grace: Where the Worlds of Science and Spiritual Healing Meet, this engrossing book is an impressive introduction to the nature of subtle energy and energy healing. Journalist Diane Goldner spent four years exploring energy healing modalities both as a client and as a reporter initially skeptical of their benefits. She shadowed energy practitioners and teachers, interviewed clients, researched the scientific foundation of subtle energy healing and talked with mainstream medical professionals whose work prompted them to explore or incorporate energy modalities into their work with patients.

For those new to this subject, the book offers a clear, easily understandable overview of the human energy field and energy anatomy. The author skillfully synthesizes key information and concepts from science, religion, indigenous cultures and other sources as she explores the profound gifts and opportunities for healing, growth and transformation that exist beyond the boundaries known by Western healing traditions. Her vivid profiles of three world-famous energy practitioners and teachers—Rosalyn Bruyere, Barbara Brennan and Jason Shulman—form the centerpiece of the book and illuminate how the individual personalities, paths and skills of these gifted healers have helped to shape the new frontiers of healing.

Easy to read and filled with real-life stories of those whose lives have been transformed through working with subtle energy healing, this book is the best resource I can recommend for those seeking a balanced, well-grounded and respectful introduction or overview of subtle energy healing.

Your Soul’s Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born »

by Robert Schwartz
Frog Books, 2007, 2009.   325 pages

Why are we challenged by difficult circumstances or experiences in life? Author Robert Schwartz believes that our souls plan these experiences before we are born in order to learn and grow.

In this illuminating book, he introduces readers to ten people who have experienced such life challenges as physical illness, death of a loved one, addiction, accidents and parenting a disabled child. He shares some of the information they received through working with gifted mediums and channelers as they became aware of the pre-birth plans their souls made, the contracts they made with other souls for their fulfillment and the reasons they chose these lessons.

Blending interviews with these people, excerpts from the channeled descriptions of their pre-birth planning sessions and his own commentary, the author lifts the veil between worlds to illuminate how our soul’s unlimited perspective and boundless love create lessons of deep purpose, meaning and promise. Reading this wonderful book is an invitation to awaken to the greater gifts, grace and blessings inherent in even the most challenging circumstances we experience , and to know the deeper love that is woven into our soul’s plan.

The first in a series, it is followed by Your Soul’s Gift: The Healing Power of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born (2012) and Your Soul’s Love: Living the Love You Planned Before You Were Born (2021).

The Power of Receiving: A Revolutionary Approach to Giving Yourself the Life You Want and Deserve »

by Amanda Owen
Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2010 225 pages

“You are not doing this by yourself.  All of the help, information and abundance in the universe cannot get through to you if you have a negative belief  about receiving”  —  Amanda Owen

In this book, readers are invited to move beyond myths and distortions to a fresh perspective on receiving as an essential aspect of wholeness and happiness.  Beginning with an overview of 24 receptive states (including listening, observing and accepting the present moment),the author vividly explains what healthy receiving is and isn’t, and why it is crucial for living a life of well-being, thriving and mutually-satisfying relationships.  Rather than being selfish or an expression of dependency or weakness, becoming skilled in receiving enables one to gather important information for self-awareness and outer world discernment, replenish and energize, and become even healthier givers and manifesters of goals and dreams.

For those who find themselves stuck or continually experiencing roadblocks to satisfying relationships, manifesting goals and dreams or enjoying a fulfilling life, The Power of Receiving offers a helpful roadmap for getting back on track to living an authentic, juicy and satisfying life.  Filled with true life examples, self-awareness inventories, exercises and easy-to-follow steps, this book makes the journey of self-discovery an inspiring and engaging one.

Emotional Intimacy: A Comprehensive Guide for Connecting with the Power of Your Emotions »

by Robert Augustus Masters, Ph.D.
Sounds True, Inc., 2013  291 pages

“The more deeply we know our emotions, the deeper and more fulfilling our lives will be.”  — Robert Augustus Masters

Our emotions are a key aspect of our internal guidance system.  They provide essential information about our present experience, and what our inner guidance system is wisely directing us to pay attention to in the present moment.  Yet, often we are unaware of how they are contributing to our present experience because we are not recognizing, sensing or understanding them.  This book is an excellent primer on the nature of our emotions, and how we can experience true intimacy with them in a way that wisely informs our relationships with self and others.   Dr. Masters expertly guides readers through this exploration, illuminating why “relating to our emotions, rather than just from our emotions” is so important.

Written in clear, easily understandable language, the book shares four essential steps for developing emotional intimacy and an excellent guide to each of the primary emotions (fear, collective fear, anger, shame, joy, disgust, surprise, sadness and grief).  Also discussed are additional emotions such as schadenfreude, combination emotions such as contempt and emotional states such as self-doubt.  Helpful practices are included that give readers the opportunity to reach a deeper understanding and ability to work with each of these.  The final section of the book guides readers into an even deeper understanding of the emotions and emotional intimacy, including how to work with numbness and collective overwhelm.

Readers may find themselves returning to this wonderful book again and again as a lifelong resource to guide their inner exploration, personal growth, and relationships with others.