Category Book Reviews

Dana shares books she likes

Apr 23 2023

She Returned from Heaven to Help Others

Book Review by Dana Taylor

On the beautiful Niagara Falls evening of November 8, 2003, Dr. Yvonne Kason slipped on a piece of black ice and hit her head on the hard rock of the walkway. A flash of excruciating head pain quickly dissolved as she died. Her consciousness rose from her body and entered non-physical realms where she met her spiritual gurus and reviewed all her past lives.The tale of that Near Death Experience (NDE) would be riveting on its own. However, in Dr. Kason’s book, Soul Lessons from the Light, that story comes late in the book because it is the fifth NDE of her remarkable life.

Yvonne Kason was born and raised in Canada. Though her childhood included mystical experiences, she pursued a career as a medical doctor and planned to have a standard Family Practice when she graduated from medical school in 1977. Those plans were dramatically altered in 1979 when she survived a small plane crash on a medevac flight over the frozen wilds of northern Ontario. She had to escape the sinking plane and swim through frigid water in heavy clothing to reach a small sacred island, far from civilization. In that harrowing escapade, her consciousness slipped from her swimming body and watched the drama unfold, even as she also visited heavenly realms. That Near Death Experience eventually became the material for her book, A Farther Shore, published in 1994, and put her in the national limelight. Dr. Kason expanded her medical practice to counseling for people who struggled with Near Death or other Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STE’s), a phrase she coined that has been adopted into the common vernacular. She became a well-known speaker on talk shows, media interviews, and various conferences around the world.

While maintaining a high functioning professional life, Dr. Kason also developed a deeply devoted spiritual life through intense meditation practices and contemplative retreats. She experienced kundalini awakenings, visions, spiritual downloads, past life recall and pretty much all the clairs at one time or another. Thus, Soul Lessons from the Light is so much more than a spiritual memoir. It defines and explains a wide variety of mystical experiences. Chapter 10 lays out the abc’s of psychic/intuitive experience from “abstract intuition” to “UFO encounters.” Even though I’ve been studying mystical matters for decades, I had an ah-ha moment when I read her definition of a Kundalini Awakening and realized that was the name for something I experienced way back in 1983.

Because Dr. Kason has spent so many years helping people work through their life-changing spiritual experiences, she offers a perspective of professional guidance, even as she shares her very personal revelations.

Today, Dr. Kason is truly a walking miracle. For that 2003 fall on black ice caused a severe traumatic brain injury that left her disabled for thirteen years. The life she had carefully built, as a doctor, lecturer, author, and counselor completely disappeared. She struggled to perform basic physical and mental functions. Her income and ability to take care of her son became precarious. What she missed most was the ability to meditate and reach the blissful mental states she had known. Determination took her a long way toward recovery, but it was an eruption of liquid light in the center of her brain in 2016 during a meditation that healed her injury and allowed her to resume a high-powered life.

In 2020, she and Robert Bare, another NDE experiencer, were intuitively guided to co-found Spiritual Awakenings International (SAI), an organization dedicated to building a world-wide community of people who’ve had Spiritually Transformative Experiences. The SAI YouTube channel holds a growing library of fascinating people sharing their STE’s for the world to hear, often after decades of keeping their experiences a secret from family and friends for fear of being ridiculed or considered delusional. SAI’s third annual multi-speaker on-line conference is coming up on June 10-11, free to all (donations requested).

Soul Lessons from the Light opens the realms of heaven and earth for the spiritual seeker. As Dr. Kason says in her closing chapter:

Due to my personal experiences of multiple STE’s and miracles in my life, I know there is always hope for a better tomorrow. We must never lose hope. If we turn to the Higher Power in our hearts, the Divine hand might unexpectedly intervene, and invisibly reach out to offer assistance, healing, or guidance in our time of need.

Listen to Dr. Kason introduce her book and share the experience of her 2003 NDE at the Spiritual Awakenings International channel:

Find Soul Lessons from the Light at Amazon

Visit Spiritual Awakenings International

Feb 27 2023

Near Death Experience to Akashic Records

“There is more to life than meets the eye.” That’s the message Rev. Dr. Norma Edwards received for the world during her near-death experience at the age of 26. Now at age 80 she shares a lifetime of joy, pain, and spiritual wisdom in her autobiography, AWAKENING. Last month I happened to watch a Zoom presentation sponsored by a NDE group in Hawaii featuring Dr. Norma. The two hours went by quickly as she related not only her NDE, but also the insights into a life-long spiritual journey and destiny.

Born in Guyana, South America, her childhood was limited in worldly wealth, but filled with foundational influences of faith and integrity. Her father was a teacher who expected excellence in his daughter. Married by twenty, she and her husband took their infant child to London to pursue education and careers. The NDE at twenty-six fundamentally changed her, including the ability to then see auric colors of humans and music. A glimpse of her Akashic Records and several past lives took years to process. AWAKENING relates in an easy-read narrative all the milestones and miracles of her amazing life. Ultimately, she spent 27 years as a prison chaplain, teaching practical spirituality to thousands of American inmates.

Dr. Norma has risen to the level of wisdom keeper. AWAKENING is an inspiring tale for anyone interested in spiritual growth.

Jan 16 2023

Stacks–Sci-Fi Novel Page Turner

book review by Dana Taylor

Kathy J. Forti intrigues me. In 2015 I happened upon her autobiographical book, FRACTALS OF GOD:A PSYCHOLOGIST’S NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND JOURNEYS INTO THE MYSTICAL. In it she tells of her near death experience, astral projection, meeting new spirit guides, and the subsequent invention of a new healing energy device, the Trinfinity8. (See blog post here) As a Facebook friend, I have followed her expeditions to the pyramids of Egypt, her move to Maui, and the occasional revealing political post.

In 2022 I was surprised to see her release two sci-fi novels. Forti’s sudden turn as a sci-fi writer further intrigued me. I downloaded the first in the series, STACKS, with low expectations. First novels by indie authors usually have a lot of rough edges. But, the premise captured my interest, so I decided to at least read a couple of chapters. Well, I was hooked. I’ve finished both books and am anxiously awaiting the third in the series.

From Kathy J. Forti’s Facebook page, “Yes, there really is a portal in the Library of Congress!…I’d say these books are truly channeled and so much fun to write. I call them non-fiction sci-fi.”

STACKS and STACKS: AWAKENING TRUTH are complex, fast-paced, character driven books right out of my favorite Gaia/YouTube channels. The story centers on Zach Eldridge, a young Library of Congress librarian with Acquired Savant Syndrome and Synesthesia. Zach possesses unique psychic powers, high intelligence, and a strong moral compass. He might just be the right guy to save the world. A time-honored hero’s journey set-up. The great fun of this yarn arises from current events regarding the ruling Elite, Big Pharma, Aliens (good and bad), and just about every other conspiracy theory floating around out there.

Book One begins with Zach receiving an urgent message from his mentor, Roone Sawyer, to meet him in his office at the Library of Congress. Zach arrives to discover Roone has committed suicide (not). Having planned for his untimely demise, Roone left clues and instructions for his protege. Zach is soon sucked through a portal to another dimension to the Library of Truth (LOC), where otherworldly beings watch over the evolution of mankind and planet earth. A plot thousands of years in the making is about to overtake the human race unless Zach rises to all challenges coming his way.

The supporting characters are well fleshed out. Cali Caliveri is the hot-shot reporter eager to get big scoops, despite personal danger. Zach’s high-powered parents each play critical roles in world events. Meghan March, a Senator’s daughter, is Zach’s love interest. Her daughter, little Izzie, a crystal child, possesses psychic powers to rival Zach’s.

The story flows. Enough action to make it a page turner, balanced with sympathetic characters and growing relationships. And even some satisfying hot sex scenes. Both books end with dramatic moments and cliff hangers. I’ll definitely be one of the first to purchase book three when it is released in 2023.

Of course, underneath it all, I’m wondering–how much is fiction and how much is fact? Forti claims it is channeled material and dubs it “non-fiction sci-fi.” Hmmm. Very intriguing indeed.

Purchase at Amazon

Learn more at Stacks Library of Truth

Read Kathy Forti Interview

Aug 16 2022

Discover Revelations in the Akashic Records

by Dana Taylor

I’ve recently been nudged into returning to accessing the Akashic Records in my daily meditations. My friend, Helen Nibs of Ripples of Light, recommended reading the instructive book, How To Read the Akashic Records by Linda Howe. Spiritual development is an ongoing process. Howe’s book is a very good instruction manual for understanding the Akashic Records. She outlines steps for accessing the Masters, Teachers and Loved Ones charged with overseeing the Records, both for yourself and others.
I’ve delved into the records before, but it’s been a while. You can read previous posts here. On occasion I have turned to Helen for in-depth readings when faced with important life questions and decisions. The insights gained in those sessions have been illuminating. The Akashic Guides have a bigger perspective of our past experience, relationships, and future possibilities. Surprising insights to personal issues can bring breakthroughs. Past life connections often have tangible effects on the current life experience. Most recently I’ve been bothered with neck and arm discomfort, with nerve tingling in my right hand. It started last winter when I made the move to a much colder climate. I’ve done many things to address the issue—new pillow, buying a muscle gun, acupuncture, swimming and hot tub. Those things all helped. But, Helen provided the missing piece of my puzzle.
After reading Howe’s book, we decided to practice reading each other’s Akashic Records, though she is far more experienced and intuitive, than I. I asked her about a certain relationship. She saw us is an incarnation in Roman times.
She asked me, “Do you have a scar on your right arm? Are you worried about losing the use of your right hand?”
Surprised by the question, because I hadn’t asked about my arm, I replied, “Well, yes, lately, with all this tingling stuff that’s been going on.” Then I told her about my neck and arm.
She said, “I see you as an old man in a village that Roman soldiers were taking over. You ran out yelling at them. A soldier swiped at you with his sword and wounded your right arm. It didn’t heal well and you lost a lot of use of the hand and arm.”
That was an “ah-ha moment.” I know from reading and observation that past life health issues can suddenly materialize “out of nowhere” when a person reaches the approximate age that something significant occurred in another incarnation. Since Helen’s insight, I’ve worked on healing that past life experience in various ways during my meditations. My hand and arm are markedly better.

Life Purpose Revealed

One morning I opened the records and received a key insight through a vision and download of information. I saw many people in a foggy place. Children were the most visible, but a crowd of people beyond them kept going and disappeared into the fog.
Who are they? I thought.
Those are all your children, came the reply. Your main purpose in this incarnation has been to be a mother figure. Your influence goes beyond what you can see. You have not understood the value of this purpose, but it is significant.
Another Ah-Ha Moment. I was a young woman of the 60’s and 70’s in the United States, influenced by the women’s liberation movement. I wanted to be Mary Richards from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. An independent career woman. I loved the That Girl moment with Marlo Thomas. In college I embraced books like Betty Freidan’s Feminine Mystic and The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer.
My generation was supposed to change the world with exciting careers. Being “just a wife and mother” was a cop out, a fallback life for the weak and timid. So, even though I’ve had a lovely life, I’ve carried sense of failure for not breaking a glass ceiling or winning a seat in the good old boy’s club. I’ve mainly been, well, “just a wife and mother,” though I’ve written books, had jobs, and led organizations.
That moment in the Akashic Records changed my point of view. Being a strong mother is no small accomplishment and, frankly, has brought me my greatest joy. At this point in my life, I have two daughters and seven grandchildren. They give me purpose and and immeasurable happiness. Today our toddler, Caleb, helped me water plants and harvest tomatoes and cucumbers. Is there anything more precious than those moments? No.
“Nina” and Caleb
Beyond my personal clan, I’ve been “Mother T” to a prisoner in the California system for almost 20 years. Though we’ve never met or spoken, I’ve maintained a pen-pal relationship with a three-strikes-and-you’re-out drug offender, Russ. By encouraging him to live his best life, even incarcerated, there’s been a positive ripple effect to other prisoners, as Russ has gotten correspondent college degrees and leads 12-step groups.
Wherever I’ve worked, volunteered, or opened my time and energy to healing energy clients, I’ve been a mother hen. It’s just my way. With the insight of the Guides, I now see that trait as my core life purpose. So, I am not a failed feminist after all. Indeed, being a strong, nurturing mother is a role to embrace. Of course, being a CEO or President of the United States would be good. But embracing the Divine Feminine is something to celebrate and explore too.
We all need to follow our best life paths. Accessing the Akashic Records can bring personal transformation and insights. Get started for yourself by reading Linda Howe’s How to Read the Akashic Records and discover the immense help and wealth of information available to you. Find those amazing Ah-Ha Moments.

Bright Blessings,

Dana

Mar 4 2022

AWAKE ~ Inspired Sci-fi Adventure

Review by Dana Taylor
December 21, 2012 marked the end of the ancient Mayan calendar. If you recall, many predicted the end of world in some cataclysmic event. Others saw it as the end of one cosmic age and the beginning of another. Well, we’re still here, so the first camp of believers must have been wrong. Or were they? What if a doomsday device had been set to explode. What stopped it? And herein lies the intriguing set up to AWAKE: The Legacy of Akara by Dayna Dunbar and Julia Nadine Padawer. From the book jacket–
Akara is Home to A Civilization Far More Evolved Than Our Own. Long ago on Akara, a planet in the Pleiades cluster, The Ravaging Era raged. It was a time of toxic greed, rampant warfare, and environmental devastation. Akarans were on the brink of extinction. Out of the turmoil, a critical mass of beings experienced an awakening, which sparked a spontaneous shift in consciousness across the planet and ushered in the Rebirthing.
A Thousand Years Later. Mobius–a candidate for the Discovery Corps, Akara’s elite space program–stumbles upon an ancient relic. The artifact reveals that a rogue space commander from the Ravaging Era attempted to colonize Earth. The legacy of his reign now places Earth in jeopardy.
AWAKE does a cracking job of setting up a classic Hero’s Journey with young Mobius, a less-than-perfect Akaran, given the mission to save Planet Earth. The opening chapters of the book jump between the four-fingered, big-eyed Akaran crew and the drug infested jungles of Guatemala. Diego, a slightly crooked jungle ranger, emerges as a secondary hero. Two story lines ultimately converge when the earthlings meet the E.T.’s and race the clock and numerous bad guys to save the world.
This tale is fun on several levels. Mayan legends and visionary spirituality add dashes of spice and flavor to the sci-fi adventure. Mobius, Diego and their small collected team are all individually interesting characters. Dialogue and action is laced with humor. There’s even a little romance between Diego and the rich American girl, Jillian. A little something for everybody here.
As I write this review Earth seems on the brink of our own Ravaging Era, so the book becomes a timely cautionary tale. We can go the path of destruction, as the doomsayers predict. However, we live in a freewill zone. Hence, a Rebirthing Era is also a possibility, if enough humans Awake.
Author Dayna Dunbar shares a deeply personal out-of-this-world experience in Sedona that changed the course of her life and ultimately inspired the book. She met co-author Julia Nadine Padawer at the University of Santa Monica, a school known for spiritual exploration. This collaboration took seven years to complete. Their work honing AWAKE into a well-paced, layered adventure results in a real page turner.
Enjoy Dayna’s intriguing real-life experience and then click over to Amazon and purchase a copy. Currently only $1.99 as an ebook.

Available at Amazon in paperback, kindle and audio version.

Jan 18 2022

Otherworldly Humor in Sunnyside Up

Book Review by Dana Taylor
Rea Nolan Martin is not an ordinary writer, she is an extraordinary writer. Her progression as an esoteric visionary author (Mystic Tea, The Anesthesia Game) has been interesting to watch. Her new release, Sunnyside Up, takes her multidimensional writing to a new level. The novel revolves around the Somers sisters, Adelaide and Felicity, who run the Sunnyside Up Funeral Home of Outskirt, Kentucky. At first glance it appears Adelaide is the hard worker, trying to keep the 150 year old family business going while her sister, “Flitty,” is too fanciful and downright “touched” to be much good. Martin excels at writing engaging characterization, revealing Adelaide’s battered emotional state in her own words and thoughts. Kentucky colors the words and, indeed, it feels like maybe we’ve dropped into a macabre Mayberry.
Things are not as they seem. Felicity and Adelaide are caught up in a karmic connection, light and darkness spinning through time. It takes a while to figure out exactly what happened between these two. Layers of reality weave around them. Other characters who make up the tapestry of their lives ebb and flow. Mother, Julian (the forbidden love), assorted ghostly relatives, teachers and counselors all push the sisters to a climatic final reckoning.
What makes this a delight to read is the quirky humor laced throughout, including zany obituaries of the various family members now hanging out in the graveyard. Addie likes a good smoke and shot of whiskey. Flitty wears bizarre clothes conjured from the ether. By the end, Martin rips the veil between the earthly and heavenly realms. By facing their most traumatic moments, the sisters finally see deep truths and make their peace.
Rea Nolan Martin
Sunnyside Up is a unique and entertaining tale. Rea Nolan Martin continues to the pave way in the genre of visionary writing. Now available is several formats at Amazon.