What I’m Reading by PARI NOSKIN TAICHERT:
“THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF: STORIES OF PERSONAL TRIUMPH FROM THE FRONTIERS OF BRAIN SCIENCE” by Norman Doidge, M.D.
When people talk about fun summer reading subjects, neuro-plasticity isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. I’d like to change that right now! For as long as people have known about the brain, they’ve tried to figure out how it works . . . or doesn’t.
During the last few decades in particular, the brain has been viewed as a complicated machine that slows with age and can’t be repaired. In addition both the scientific community and general society have drawn a huge divide between the brain and the mind: One is a machine that governs bodily functions; the other is something insubstantial . . . the stuff of dreams, emotions and thoughts.
THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF bridges this gap beautifully. It delves into the latest research on how brains function, heal, compensate and change. Through stories of people who’ve lived remarkable lives because of their brain injuries or challenges, the author explores the wonders of this incredible organ.
One of the most astounding ideas in the book for me was the scientific and verifiable proof that thoughts and feelings actually change the brain’s architecture.
I finished this book feeling incredibly optimistic and joyous about our potential as both intellectual and spiritual beings.
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[DOTS is honored to have Pari Noskin Taichert be part of our team. She is a critically-acclaimed writer whose works include many great reads, among them the Sasha Solomon mystery adventure series: THE CLOVIS INCIDENT — now available on Kindle and in other e-book formats, THE BELEN HITCH, and THE SOCORRO BLAST. (Also available at Amazon.com and bookstores everywhere!)
To learn more about Pari, go to: www.parinoskintaichert.com AND/OR www.leftcoastcrime.org/2011 AND/OR www.murderati.com]
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WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING by Nicole Millar:
“I have never met anyone so passionate and dedicated to a belief as you. It’s so intense that sometimes it’s blinding.” — Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) to Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovony) in “The X-Files”
Because the scorching Florida heat has successfully drained me of my will to do much of anything outside of my job, I will shamefully hang my head and admit that I have not read any new and exciting stories as of late. I have, however, re-kindled an old flame in the form of a beloved ex-television series. Ah, summer flings!
The pilot episode of The X Files aired on September 10, 1993. All throughout elementary school, I would hide behind the couch and watch the show in secret as my parents stared anxiously at the TV screen. I watched every episode with the same feverish excitement that a child gets every Christmas morning. It was romance, thrill, drama, conspiracy, horror, science-fiction, and thanks to Agent Mulder’s signature sarcasm, it was even humor at times.
It was one of those interests that turned from a habit into a hobby, and over time, grew into a passion. In general, I think these passions give spice to our daily lives and add edges and shapes to our sense of “being.” For me, watching reruns of The X Files makes me feel like a child again — makes me feel energized and alive! And I love it.
To those of you who look back at your old hobbies or interests and wonder if you should give them another go, I say ahoy and all hands on deck! You might find that your love wasn’t lost, just forgotten in the passing of time.
The X-Files is currently running on the “Chiller” channel at 7:00 EST and is running chronologically from the very beginning of the season. If you think you might be interested in checking it out, don’t worry. As of August 2010, they’re only on season two.
Happy Summer, and Happy Watching!
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[NICOLE MILLAR is a valued contributing writer for Dance of the Spirit. Nicole obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Creative writing from the University of Central Florida in 2010. She worked as the production manager and as a fiction editor for the university’s Cypress Dome Literary Journal and has taken a year off to pursue various internships and writing opportunities before returning to school for her Master’s Degree. Nicole believes that the most important thing to remember, and the easiest thing to forget, is that we must always live for our own dreams and never let the disbelief of others overpower the magic that we are capable of.]
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What I’m Reading By SANDRA CLINE (DOTS executive editor):
While on my working vacation in Montana (yes, I know that’s an oxymoron!), my husband and I both read a non-fiction page-turner entitled: “Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives” by Michael Newton, Ph.D.
Here’s an excerpt from the book’s “Product Description” at Amazon.com:
“Using a special hypnosis technique to reach the hidden memories of [hundreds of] subjects, Dr. Newton discovered some amazing insights into what happens to us between lives.
Journey of Souls is the record of 29 people who recalled their experiences between physical deaths. Through their extraordinary stories, you will learn specifics about:
*How it feels to die
*What you see and feel right after death
*The truth about “spiritual guides”
*What happens to “disturbed” souls
*Why you are assigned to certain soul groups in the spirit world and what you do there
*How you choose another body to return to Earth
*The different levels of souls: beginning, intermediate, and advanced
*When and where you first learn to recognize soulmates on Earth
*The purpose of life
Journey of Souls is a graphic record or “travel log” by these people of what happens between lives on Earth. They give specific details as they movingly describe their astounding experiences.
After reading Journey of Souls, you will gain a better understanding of the immortality of the human soul. You will meet day-to-day challenges with a greater sense of purpose. You will begin to understand the reasons behind events in your own life.”
From a Dance of the Spirit perspective, I would give this book my Highest 5-star Recommendation!
“Of course you don’t die. Nobody dies. Death doesn’t exist. You only reach a new level of vision, a new realm of consciousness, a new unknown world.” Henry Miller
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[As the founder of DanceoftheSpirit.com, Executive Editor SANDRA CLINE holds a basic belief about the wonder of life: that there is no sensation more magical or mystical than the surprise of loving and being loved.
Sandra is also the author of the critically-acclaimed novel, PUG SHERIDAN.
After publication, “Pug Sheridan” quickly became a cross-over genre, appealing to teens AND an adult, mainstream audience.
Print reviews for Sandra’s book have been more than kind, for example: “The book’s believability kept me reading late into the night. The human element rings true, as does the mystical.”
If you’re interested in reading Sandra’s book, QUICK CLICK: HERE AND/OR HERE ]
