Books about Mind, Body and Spirit ... Click here to read this newsletter online Welcome to the Inspired Living eNewsletter from Allen & Unwin: November 2009 As the year draws to a close we have some wonderful Christmas offerings. First the discovery of a remarkable fairy archive from Findhorn that was almost lost to the world, Meeting Fairies, which is already causing quite a sensation. And, for anyone who loves horses Candida Baker's The Infinite Magic of Horses, a rich collection of stories of tiny miracles, feats of courage, acts of sacrifice and much, much more! -- Maggie Hamilton, Publisher of Inspired Living books |
New this month
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Meeting Fairies
If there's one thing those who love fairies wish for, it's to see a fairy or to hear from someone who has. Almost 45 years ago, something rather special happened. R. Ogilvie Crombie, or Roc as he was affectionately known by friends, went for a walk in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, and had an experience there that proved life-changing. "Suddenly I saw a figure dancing round a tree about twenty yards away from me -- a beautiful little figure about three feet tall. I saw with astonishment that it was a faun, the Greek mythological being, half human, half animal. He had a pointed chin and ears and two little horns on his forehead. His shaggy legs ended in cloven hooves and his skin was honey-coloured. I looked at him in amazement, and even did the obvious: I pinched myself. I was awake." |
The Infinite Magic of Horses
Even if you're not a horse person, you can not fail to be moved by this collection of people's remarkable experiences with horses. Linda Walker's account of the rescued horse that nourished her in a time of deep depression will have you in tears, while Katherine Waddington's heartwarming account of the filly Sophie's joyous greeting of her half sister after a two year separation will bring a smile to your face, as will Candida Baker's tip on how to catch a horse that doesn't want to be caught (a skill she learned from the great horse whisperer, Monty Roberts). This is a book to dip into, to lose yourself in the wild and wonderful world of horses, and if the stories aren't enough to turn you into a horse lover, the gorgeous photographs surely will.
Q:What is it about the horse that you love so much? A: It's almost an indefinable thing really -- it's got something to do with what they represent symbolically -- freedom, movement, beauty, those sorts of qualities, and then also the reality of the relationship you enter into with a horse -- trust, commitment, responsibility, love -- sounds like a good marriage, doesn't it? In fact, in a way it's probably easier than being married because if you're mad at them you can just walk away. |
Q&A with Candida Baker
Following on from her enormously successful and much loved previous books, Buddhism for Mothers and Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children (previously called Buddhism for Mothers with Lingering Questions), Sarah Napthali continues the journey in her third book, Buddhism for Mothers of Schoolchildren. As she did in her first two books, Sarah focuses on the needs of the mother, recognising that when mothers are in good form, they can only be wiser and more skilful mothers and this benefits their children. Some of the questions that Sarah Napthali grapples with in Buddhism for Mothers of Schoolchildren include how, as mothers of schoolchildren, can we bring our best selves to the task of mothering so that we are not at the mercy of daily frustrations, fears and anxieties?; how can we rise above habitual reactions of irritability, stress and impatience?; and what are the most reliable sources of contentment for us? Written with her trademark clarity, warmth and refreshingly honest voice, Sarah shows that Buddhist teachings can bring enormous benefit to the lives of mothers. |
Be inspired...
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... by Andrew Bienkowski & Mary Akers, authors of Radical Gratitude
'I was touched by this story of courage and sacrifice, blended with gems of wisdom reflecting the author's many years as a psychotherapist. I found myself highlighting many excellent points throughout its pages.' -- DAN MILLMAN, author of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives Thanks so much to Allen & Unwin for paving the way!" Cheers, |
"We've been having great success with Radical Gratitude ever since Allen & Unwin first took a chance on us. Since our debut in Australia and New Zealand, the book has been published in the UK, Canada, Germany, Poland, and is forthcoming in the US in January. We're honoured to have received some wonderful endorsements in the past few weeks. Here are three of the latest:
'What we make of the adversities with which life inevitably confronts us determines whether we have anything useful to say to those who follow us. Andrew Bienkowski passes the test with this extraordinary story of his childhood exile to Siberia and the lessons he learned there about loyalty, perseverance, gratitude, and love.'
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... by Melinda Hutchings
'I am going to visit my niece this afternoon and show her your book,' she said. I picked up my latte, smiled and wished her well. As I watched her walk away tears filled my eyes. The process of writing my book was as intensely emotional as it was rewarding - and random encounters like these warm my heart because it's proof that my book is out there helping people." |
"Monday: slightly bleary eyed, I was ordering a takeaway coffee in my local coffee shop when a lady tapped me on the arm and said 'I read about you in (the Sunday Telegraph's) Body & Soul a few weeks ago', and produced a copy of my book Why Can't I Look the Way I Want from her bag. I was amazed to notice the array of crooked post-it notes sticking out from the pages. She went on to tell me how her niece had suffered anorexia for three years and the family were devastated because nothing seemed to be working. She said the section in my book 'Helping Someone You Love' had given the family some much needed guidance in terms of what to say - and importantly, what not to say - and the stories about people who had suffered through the turbulent and lonely existence of an eating disorder and then gone on to create happy and successful lives was also inspiring.
... by Ellen Whitehurst
Look, every month has some kind of poop energies attached, and, well, this one won't be any different. I mean we're not living the Thousand Years of Peace yet. But the majority of November holds golden and russet opportunities to spend quality time around good friends and quantity time around good food, which is why, I would guess, that the Feng Shui Masters say you have to get out and exercise as much as possible. I guess we'll muscle our way to great fortunes and good gravy. Put on the sneakers and get out of doors for a POWER WALK. Clear the head. The heart and cholesterol will presumably follow. Want to know what else those wise and wily Masters have to say about November 2009? Well, it's the month of the Wooden Pig so the influence of the heavy earth element should ever sooo slowly start to weaken making the stock market grow ever sooo slowly stronger. Have I steered you wrong yet? Nope! That would be because this stuff is eerily accurate.
To find out what this month has in store for you, see YOUR Shuistrology at www.ellenwhitehurst.com You'll be oh so glad you did! |
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Simply send an email to enewsletter@allenandunwin.com with 'Meeting Fairies competition' in the subject line and tell us in 25 words or less why you believe in fairies. Competition is open to enewsletter subscribers, residents of Australia and New Zealand only. Entries must include a name and postal address and must be received by 18th December 2009. |
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