The Secret History of the World by Jonathan Black

A review by Colin Whitby.

This book was given as a Christmas present last year and it has taken me three months to read it through (although I have to admit I usually have 3 books on the go at one time, so that is not really how long it might take an average reader, just my preference for variety).

I had read before that a number of the world’s greatest thinkers were masters (that is to say spiritual masters that are now being channelled and reported on web sites like this one) and that many of their inspirations were guided by a greater consciousness. That said I have been reading materials like that for some years and so am not overly disturbed by these kind of assertions.

It was something of a surprise though that Jonathan Black has catalogued in some detail (and meticulously researched it would seem) how consciousness has developed over the lifetime of our planet, and how individual thinkers and groups have guided and assisted that development.

He skillfully tracks humanity’s development from the original open and loving creatures we once were, fully conscious of our spiritual heritage and living in complete harmony with our surroundings, right through to the current illusion of separation, and how we are now returning to those more awakened times.

The interesting thing for me, as Jonathan explains, is that the secret societies that we have been taught to fear and persecute were the very institutions that were here to assist with keeping our consciousness open and our freedom alive, rather than the pattern we have chosen over the years of fear and control.

Having just read one of the reviews of this book from the traditional press I can see that even a well researched and convincingly constructed argument will still leave some people unconvinced. I however loved the book as it filled in many of the gaps I had observed in other less thorough tomes.

If you like getting into some detail (and a good long read) and are interested in a different view of the world to the one you may be familiar with, then give yourself a treat and dive in, I think you’ll find its worth it.

For more information have a look at Jonathan’s own journal at Inside Out Thinking or Graham Hancock’s web site, where the book is discussed further.

Beyond Forgiveness: Spiritual Alchemy by Bonnie Starr Mandell-Rice

A Review by Colin Whitby

I’ve been reading Bonnie Starr’s lovely book Beyond Forgiveness:Spiritual Alchemywhere she shares some wonderful and intimate learnings from her own experience.

Having just read about her issues with dogs (read the book for more details) I began to ‘get’ this forgiveness thing, and did not have very long to wait before I experienced a deep healing through going beyond forgiveness, by going beyond and looking at my own behaviour and attitudes.

For some time I have been observing my wife and daughter standing in their own way (my judgement), each of them are so big (their energy field, and love) that they can only let small bits of themselves through at any one time (this is just my observation and opinion clearly). This manifests in many different ways which I will not go into here, as I was to discover this was not about them at all, it was about me!

So I’m reading Bonnie’s book on the train and as I change from one line to another I sit in a coffee lounge where I order (automatically) an Americano with milk (this will be number 2 for the day!). A quiet voice was saying I should choose something like a calming tea, but this was overruled by the person who was in control of all body functions, like voice, movement and so forth. I watch as my voice orders the coffee, and then as I consume the coffee satisfied.

Later on the next train I tune into myself and notice, as always, that the coffee has had it’s usual effect. Instead of my energy running effortlessly through my body giving me a feeling of bliss and contentment, it felt a bit sharp and edgy, like water flowing over a rocky river bed, the lumps and bumps in the river bed (or my cells) trying to stop the smooth flow and creating currents and eddies.

Then I asked ‘what does this mean?’ as Bonnie suggests, and I saw myself hiding behind a slightly open door. It was like I was looking out to see if it was safe, but always ready to close the door quickly lest someone saw me.

Mentally I reached out through my heart and asked for forgiveness ‘I am so sorry to hide myself away, so sorry, please forgive me (I love you). Then I had the realisation that it was myself behind the door and myself looking on who were both forgiving each other. At this point I saw a line of slightly open doors snaking out into space where aspects of myself were sneaking a look through slightly open cracks. At once I felt them all open, each one was a reflection being held for me by my loved ones and people in my life. Each one bowed and waved as then opened their doors wide and stepped through (it makes me cry just typing it).

Then as the end of this snaking image of doors was a bright bright light, as each door opened more of this light became visible. This was my own God self that I was opening to and allowing in, to shine without hindrance or sabotage, to be here fully, now.

What an amazing shift, because up to this point I had the view that I’m fine, I’m on my path and am shining out for all to see, it’s the others that need to connect and ‘get on with it!’.

Now I can see they were lovingly reflecting back to me that although I have come a long way I still have quite some way to go. Now I know much more clearly how to ‘see’ or ‘hear’ my messages, how to see my reflection in all around me, and how to begin to forgive myself more deeply than ever before.

Thank you Bonnie Starr, so much.

Postscript:- I since drank a further 3 cups of coffee, this habit is really established – and deeper and deeper I went – yet more forgiveness, yet more insights. Phew!

If you would like to buy a copy (it would make a great Christmas or Hanukah gift!) after October 31, 2009, please email Bonnie Starr at:  IAMbonniestarr@gmail.com  She still has a limited number of the books on hand at the $14.95 (plus applicable taxes, S&H) price, which is $10 off the retail price set by the publisher. 

The Other Side of Virtue by Brendan Myers

A Review by Anne Mills

Where our virtues really come from, what they mean and where they might be taking us

The author is a doctor of philosophy living in Canada who writes for Pagan newspapers, and takes us on an internal scrutiny of the defining of Virtue. What is meant by Virtue? Is it just all that is good in us or is there more to it? How are the qualities of Virtue identified and how can we use it to help us along our spiritual path?

He outlines its derivation from examples of heroism and historical figures in the past, and the how the act of storytelling is how we pinpoint what is regarded as good. After a general outlining, he throws down a handful of pithy quotes, which he calls fragments, but in my mind, it is like the casting of rune-stones, and from the arrangement of how the fragments fall or how they catch your eye, you pick out your destiny, and recognise the facets in yourself. So Virtue is not just stuffed-shirt piety and smugness, but a fulfilment of all our potential, and a equilibrium of qualities of both good and deprecatory. My favourite of his many quotes from literature, philosophers, and folklore is from "The Instructions of Cormac of King Cormac Mac Airt from ancient Irish scripts of the 9^th century

"Be not too wise, be not too foolish

Be not too conceited, be not too diffident

Be not too haughty, be not too humble

Be not too talkative, be not too silent,

Be not too harsh, be not too feeble…."

which epitomises the balance of the aspects of Virtue in my eyes.

He finishes the self-exploratory journey with a question which in short asks whether, following the path that the world has mapped out for you, could you regard yourself as a role model? If your answer is "no", now is the time to take the decision to evolve, towards that; and if the answer is "yes", you are on the way to true fulfilment.

I found the book meaty (even though I am vegetarian!); you can only digest small portions at a time, and so the book is neatly sectioned into five movements which are again broken down into small snacks, giving plentiful food for introspective thought.

Anne Mills

The Other Side of Virtue

The Promised Key by Michael White

Dear Friends,

1000s of years ago, in the ancient mystery schools, the codes for humanity’s future awakening and ascension were anchored to establish the ascension timeline we are now poised to enter. I am writing this letter because these codes have been entrusted to me to share with you, to catalyze our collective awakening. Once these codes have activated in your consciousness, a new process of brain evolution will begin and it will be easy to clear the resonance of fear about where human history is going.

In my article The Power of One - Humanity Decides, I explained how humanity has already averted one of three alternative timelines of fear. Now we are entering the time when we will have to face the other two fear potentials, starting in 2009, and it is in this context that we have been given the code to transcend these challenges and enter the upward spiral of ascension.

Over the last two and a half years I have been on a faith journey while receiving the revelations of a book called The Promised Key. I have been forced to trust in the unseen and surrender to the flow of miracles. Everything about this book, from the way the material was created to the way the resources came together has been miraculous. Now it is time to share this miracle with the world to support the shift into a new paradigm of oneness and cocreation.

The Promised Key is 101 chapters long. It was sparked by a message from humanity’s future that revealed this book as the primary vehicle to deliver the choice code for the timeline of planetary ascension. This is the book that informs us of how we transcended the challenges of this century to become a race of responsible stewards and galactic caregivers. The book was designed to counteract the effects of all of the manipulation that has distorted the code of oneness laid down by the prophets.

For the last several months, we have been building a field of group consciousness around the revelation of the codes in the material. A group of less than 30 people that we call the Key Council have come together to act as a human container for the revelations. Part of the miracle of these revelations is that they are embedded into the words and characters of the English language, so reading the book will cause you to experience language differently. Once the code is spinning in your consciousness, it begins to reveal itself all around you, and from within you. The book is merely the catalyst for a revelation that is awakening from within our DNA.

We have been guided to release the first 11 chapters of The Promised Key as a minibook. These first 11 chapters have a unique function to seed the revelations of the whole book into human consciousness. They were designed to prepare humanity for the newer levels of information that are coming. This minibook is now available and we have been given permission by Spirit to announce the book. It is 101 pages of extraordinary new information designed to spark the human imagination in ways that plug you into an emerging new field of group consciousness. We are certain that you will find that there has never been a book like this before.

Michael.

Below is a quote from the introduction, some testimonials and instructions for how to order:

From the Introduction

The Promised Key is a universal key that, when turned, unlocks humanity’s perception of simultaneous time and universal energy. More importantly, it unlocks what the book refers to as the Spiritual Equality Revelation, the key to unifying humanity and transcending the resonance of ego and superiority consciousness that is running rampant in the field of human energy. What could be more exciting!? The words and codes in these opening chapters continue to speak to me and reveal new levels of living information beyond what I originally saw. This, to me, is testimony of the prophetic nature of the book and its ability to shift human consciousness.

Testimonials

From the very first call and the very first chapters, I knew that these writings were the closest that I had ever heard articulated to expressing all the yearnings that I have been carrying in my heart and intuiting in my spirit for all of my life. I could not believe how many answers there were for so many of the questions and concepts that I have been mulling and musing and meditating on for years. And the more I read the more convinced I became that surely my future self must have been sending me clues and signs and events so that I would indeed recognize the truth of these writings when they were finally presented. Everything in my Being sings to the truth of the words that have come forth in The Promised Key. Thank You, Michael ~Theresa H.

As a lover of words, I am uplifted and amazed every time Michael reveals a new "code" within the English language. I was always clear that Words create the World (and not the other way around), but never did I realize the extent to which this works, undetected, into our being. I reside in wonder at the picture of life that Michael's work has illuminated. -- Lesley

"The Promised Key" is an outstanding book that I feel so fortunate to have had the honor to read. It is very profound and carries much insight as it probes into the deeper meaning that exists beyond surface appearances. I love the underlying foundation of deep love and respect offered to everyone and to all life, as well as, the personal experiences shared in the text. Great wisdom and insight provide the reader with much to ponder and to work with in his or her life. In my personal experience I have felt many openings, shifts, and changes while reading the book. The book speaks to me about oneness, unity and remembrance on many levels. This book is one that can be read again and again gleaning further insights and energetic openings that are appropriate for the reader in the moment. "The Promised Key" is a treasure that I highly recommend. – Theresa W.

Words and concepts of The Promised Key trigger or fire my codings. Nature has been doing this for years and now come the updates and filling in of gaps! – Sananjaleen

One of those rare works that reveals another layer of understanding every time you read it. – Greg

A spiritual powerhouse in the form of a minibook! An incredible life changing journey that expands and activates the reader. The keys to the universe are brought to earth through succinct codes, unlocking one’s multidimensional DNA and expanding one’s consciousness. This book gives confirmation of a divine plan and our intimate and eternal connection to the Creator which should inspire and clear away all doubts and fears of the future. A New Years present from God to humanity, filled with love, excitement and hope!--Susan

HOW TO ORDER

The Promised Key minibook, which includes chapters 1-11 plus additional commentary is available for $24.50 US dollars plus shipping. This link will take you to our paypal order page. For shipping costs you will need to enter your zipcode, or click on the link for "ordering outside of the U.S." to select your country.

Those who order the book will also be invited to participate in our weekly conference call series each Sunday evening with the Key Council, beginning again in January. The first 500 books will be autographed. 

www.thepromisedkey.com

Stepping into the New Reality

A Review by Colin Whitby

This month Karen Bishop sent out a notice that her new book 'Stepping into the New Reality' was available, and she sent through some attachments to whet our appetite.

I only needed to read through the introduction to know that here was a book I must read. So much of Karen's writing has already felt so right to me, so on the mark as far as my own experience was concerned, that I already knew this book was going to deliver a unique experience. Here's how she begins:-

'I feel so blessed to be offering this new book, Stepping Into the New Reality at this time. As we continue ever onward with our spiritual evolutionary process, or as some say "ascension" process, we continue to arrive in new territory with ever so many surprises, epiphanies, and certainly new challenges to face.

Because the entire planet and all her inhabitants are participating in this experience of expansion and journeying home, many are at varying levels and different phases of their journeys. Some are the fore-runners and way-showers, forging ahead and embodying within themselves new territory and new ways of being, while others are recently expanding and realizing that something vast, holy, and perhaps overwhelmingly confusing is indeed occurring.'

Karen is unusual in some respects to many of the 'authors' we feature in the Magic of Being, as she writes from her own 'higher self' rather than 'channelling' another being. (we are all one of course, but some material is clearly from another, whereas Karen is 'channelling' herself).

I love this approach, it is one I have been working on myself, although I mostly get energy rather than words, so when I read Karen's words I'm always grateful because she says what I sometimes struggle to articulate. I might have a thought about writing something, then one of Karen's energy alerts comes through saying exactly how I am feeling or what I have just experienced.

As each of us will experience this book uniquely and from our own perspective I do not want to go into each chapter to bring out specific points, as they may be mine today and then tomorrow they will no doubt change. However there was one section which really flowed and I felt myself touching into the very source of all creation with everyone as the words took me towards Heaven on Earth.

'The universe, our souls, and our loving non-physical guardians know exactly what they are doing. And innately, I truly believe that we want everyone else there with us. We are one at our core, and know that we belong with our brothers and sisters. In addition, those referred to as "lightworkers" are programmed to take everyone with them...it is part of the plan'.

I for one am programmed this way, and it brings tears to my eyes to think that we will stay until the last person (who chooses) is guided to the New Reality.

I cannot recommend this book more highly, it says exactly what I would have said, and much more. Thank you Karen so much for putting such an amazing concept into words in such an easy to understand way.

With Love,

Colin.

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