Introducing Intimacy's Best Books Register

Because of my great love for books, today I create Intimacy's Best Books Register.  

As you read the titles below with their brief introductions, consider these book titles the next time you need a unique and special gift.  Be sure to write back and let me know what you think of the selections!  InJoy!

Soul Sisters: Women in Scripture Speak to Women Today

This book receives Intimacy's Infinite Circle Award as one of the best books I have ever read.

Mr. Louis Glanzman, one of America's most acclaimed portrait painters, created twelve paintings of women who were near Jesus: Elizabeth, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Anna the Prophetess, the Widow's Mite, the Infirm Woman, the Daughter of Jairus, the Woman with Hemorrhage, the Penitent Woman, the Samaritan Woman, and the Adultress. The light in their eyes speaks volumes to anyone who has ever seen them.

Ms. Edwina Gateley, after seeing the portraits, was inspired not to just write about them but for them and other women she knew.  She travels the country and world sharing the portraits with women. It was at one such gathering that I met Edwina in 2002 and was touched by her passion and compassion.

Before we go to the remainder of the titles on the register, let me introduce you to the first Intimately Endearing Classic:

From Superman to Man

This masterpiece by J. A. Rogers was first published in 1917.  The following are some comments made by readers of Mr. Rogers' book:

This is historically the best book I've read since, "Sister outsider". In only 129 pages you will find the history of the world. Historians will truly enjoy this witty and humorous text. It reminds one of the teachings of Fanon.
When I first read this book I just couldn't believe it. The most searing, personal, rational explanation for and dissection of "unexplainable" racism ever. J. A. Rogers' deceptively simple work should be a must read for every American graduating from our school systems. Extraordinary...timeless. International, universal in scope and importance.
I had this book for five years before I finally picked it up to read and to my surprise, it was magnificent...an exciting verbal exchange between a politician whose knowledge regarding people is negligible and a porter whose knowledge of people is extensive. The two strike up a conversation first as servant to customer then ending as teacher informer to student learner. Its very passionate, engrossing and will keep your interest.

Now for the remainder of the list:

Selu: Seeking the Corn-Mother's Wisdom
This extraordinary work by Marilou Awiakta is rooted in the stories of the Cherokee Corn Mother, Selu, and of the teacher of hunters, Awi Usdi (Little Deer), these stories, essays, drawings, and poems revolve around the fundamental Indian concepts of respect and balance. Awiakta, who grew up in the postwar community of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the product of Cherokee and Scotch-Irish Appalachian roots, tells how the stories of Selu and Awi Usdi can be applied in all areas of life, from political activism to interpersonal relations. Touching on issues like the Tellico Dam controversy (when the Cherokee's ancient capital was flooded), the reunion of the Eastern and Oklahoma Cherokee, science and technology, government, and diversity, this wide-ranging collection offers true insights into Native American philosophies and how to apply them to contemporary problems.

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
The struggle to make sense of the modern world can seem overwhelming without some kind of guidance. In this simple yet deep-reaching book, author Don Miguel Ruiz presents a framework through which the reader can create a smoother path through life.  Rooted in traditional Toltec wisdom beliefs, four agreements in life are essential steps on the path to personal freedom. As beliefs are transformed through maintaining these agreements, shamanic teacher and healer don Miguel Ruiz asserts lives will "become filled with grace, peace, and unconditional love".

The Invitation
Visionary author and retreat leader Oriah Mountain Dreamer brings to life the wisdom of her beloved poem, "Invitation", which has touched hearts everywhere with its fresh and spirited call to live life more deeply, honestly, and well.

Pillow: Exploring the Heart of Eros
Poems, excerpts, quotes, and exercises for two to remind intimates how to be intimate.  This is a must have by author Lily Pond.

I Will Not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion
One of the most charismatic teachers and thinkers of today, Dawna Markova speaks from her heart. Twenty years ago, faced with a life-threatening illness, Dawna Markova began a journey of rediscovery. This book follows her path to finding deeper meaning in life.

The Best Gift Is Love: Meditations
This book with meditations from the heart of Mother Teresa of Calcutta will bring you closer to the spiritual vision of this courageous woman. In its pages you will encounter her passion for God, her way of life, her way of love.

The Little Book of Letting Go: A Revolutionary 30-Day Program to Cleanse Your Mind, Lift Your Spirit and Replenish Your Soul
The author of "Spiritual Notes to Myself" (Hugh Prather) offers a simple, three-step process for shedding prejudices, preconceptions, and prejudgments and facing each moment with openness and enthusiasm.

How Much Joy Can You Stand: A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True
Suzanne Falter Barnes is the author of this little book of wisdom for how to get started when they can't get going and how to keep going when they get bogged down, "How Much Joy Can You Stand?" teach readers how to make the things they really want to happen.

Higher Taste: A Guide to Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking and a Karma-Free Diet
This book is just in time.  Gandhi made a comment during his life that bares reflection even today:  I do feel that spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we should cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily wants.

The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship
Using teachings from the three Toltec Masteries (Awareness, Transformation, and Love) as a foundation, don Miguel brings to light the fallacies and misplaced expectations about love that permeate most relationships. He gracefully shares his wisdom through delightful and engaging stories that clarify each point and bring his message to life.

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
In this best-selling book, psychiatrist Howard C. Cutler interviews the Dalai Lama about the topic of happiness. How can we be happy? Why can't we stay happy? What causes unhappiness? In a series of thought-provoking conversations, Cutler coaxes some answers from his subject. The answers are simple, but the prescription is not easy.

Days Like This

When my firstborn was 20, I wondered aloud where he was going with his life. We even discussed how there is a discrepency between the yearnings we have to become the best person that we can possibly be and the actual growth we have made toward that position at the moment of observation.

We concluded that in order to hasten the process of self-discovery and improvement, it is best to turn our attention to the way in which we function in our daily life -- our every interaction, conversation, public and private decision, belief, and private thoughts... Every action and decision has something to tell us about our own character and the principles by which we choose to act. We agreed that we have discovered the power of quiet reflection -- no matter how short the duration -- and its importance in adding peace to our lives.

Yesterday, as I listened to him tell a group of strangers "I'm grateful for my Mom," I was humbled by the tone and depth of sincerity with which he made the statement. Watching him develop and assisting in that development (as he allows and however I can) is becoming increasingly more exciting and we plan to have many more days like this.

In the Silence

There has been much and mass death of late.

On a single day 10 October 2005, it was reported that 32,000 people died in two mass incidents.

The thought of all these souls brings to me only Silence

In the silence are our thoughts and our thoughts are prayers – and we are always praying.

Our thoughts are prayers – be careful what you say.  

Seek a higher consciousness – a state of peacefulness and know
that God is there in the Silence – always there – in the Silence.

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Hold On!

This is a profound prayer that I intentionally took with me when I traveled to Kenya this spring.  While there, on two occasions, I had the opportunity to share it with others when using it as an opening to my presentation.

The word "profound" is sometimes overly used.  So, I want to remind you and me of what the word means.  

Profound is an adjective and comes from the Latin 'profundus' which broken down equals pro- meaning before plus fundus meaning bottom.  So that in order for something to be "profound", it has to have depth characterized by intensity of feeling or quality; extending far below the surface.

When you join me in reading this prayer, you will know where we are – in the deep.

Hold On

Hold on to what is good
even if it’s a handful of earth.

Hold on to what you believe
even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do
even if it’s a long way from here.

Hold on to your life
even if it’s easier to let go.

Hold on to my hand
even if I’ve gone away from you.


(Hold On is a Pueblo Indian Prayer)