Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Category: Books

Genre: Fantasy / Fiction /

Author: C.S. Lewis


Ever since I was a child, I was a fan of his(C.S. Lewis) books, specially the most acclaimed Chronicles of Narnia. It's enchanting and very creative.

It would make you imagine a different world. Though some people may not see it, their lives (the kids in the book, and the characters too) are somewhat related to how we live today. It's a picture language... of reality, and has deeper meanings ... but i dont wanna spoil everything.. you have to find out the deeper magic(reality) within the dream.  :)

More reviews each book to come as I re-read them for this blog-review of mine.

After Earth - 2013

Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Drama

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Writer: Gary Whitta, M. Night Shyamalan

Producer: Columbia Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment, Blinding Edge Pictures

Cast: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, David Denman, Sophie Okonedo, Zoe Kravitz, Glenn Morshower, Kristofer Hivju, Sacha Dawan, and more

Tagline: Danger is real. Fear is a choice.


I didn't realise this was an M.Night Shymalan ... until I saw the credits... on the first opening scene! Wooot.

One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind's new home.  Cypher Raige returns from an extended duty to his family and ready to father his son, Kitai, but then a crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help.

I loved the film!

I first read about the film about an article saying this film's got something to do with Will Smith's dedication to Scientology. Well, it pretty much looks like it.

Scientology or not... it strikes a chord for us who just attended IkePono. This reminds me of the Pono battle. How to just connect with your pono, thus eliminating fear. Specially, the ending.

The kneeling part is one way of getting grounded, and being in touch with self and going back to Pono.

Also, it has elements of LES (Doc Andre's seminar), about staying in the present moment, becoming aware of everything around you. And a bit of a Peaceful Warrior. Elements of Workshop:Courage and Aletheia was also shown.

This is once again something about the future, yes, another apocalyptic view, about fathers and sons, childhood traumas, getting out of the box, relying on intuition, and well, pretty much the journey of the hero. :)

Photo source: HD Wallpapers

Life of Pi - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Adventure / Drama

Director: Ang Lee

Writer: David Magi and Yann Martel (novel)

Producer: Fox 2000 Pictures, Haishang Films, Rhythm and Hues

Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Ayush Tandon, Gautam Belur, Tabu, Ayan Khan,

Tagline:

An Indian storyteller Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) was visited by a writer and asks him to tell a story. He talks about a time in his life where he survives a disaster at sea and set on an epic journey of finding himself and discovering his beliefs. While cast away, he forms a connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.


Well, even if we are in the middle of Liwanag frenzy, I managed to sneak in with a movie with my family. Great film actually, (such a shame I wasn't able to read the book first. busymuch). I watched it on 3D and it was super! Great cinematography.. and it also moved me to tears every now and then. Oooffff. I find it memorable. One of those films, that you can always watch over and over again.I love the night scenes with all those glow in the dark plankton. The characters in the film also played their part well and you find yourself actually being drawn to how the story goes.  It's also a layered film, like an onion there's always something else hidden that only you can interpret and discover.

In the end, it would give you a question that would make you still think or wonder about the film.

Some people would say this is a metaphor of Pi's belief and in the end will also spell out what you believe in - spiritually.

Photo Source: 400 Club

The Red Tent - Anita Diamant

Category: Books

Genre :Historical Fiction

Author: Anita Diamant

In the Bible, Dinah's life only hinted a brief and violent detour in the book of Genesis. This exquisite novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob.


One of the best novels about the feminine I've ever read. Although, it's pretty much a historical fiction, you can't help but consider that, maybe just maybe it can be true.

It fills you with love and can sometimes crush your heart as what Dinah has to go through... ahhh i love it. I had my bouts of crying and most of the time wonder of the olden times as I read and devour the book. I enjoyed the often mystical way of passing on the tradition about womanhood. Anita Diamant is also a very good story teller and I love how she strings the words and stories.

Photo Source: Sluiternation

A Thousand Words - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Inspirational

Director: Brian Robbins

Writer: Steve Koren

Producer: Saturn Films, Dreamworks SKG, Varsity Pictures

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Cliff Curtis, Kerry Washington, Emmanuel Ragsdale, Jill Basey, Greg Collins, Robert LeQuang, Michael Wilkinson, Cliff Curtis and more

Tagline: Make every word count.

Just to make the deal with a spiritual guru, literary agent Jack McCall stretches the truth, and when he got home finds an unusual Bodhi tree on his property. It is teaching him a very important lesson about every word he speaks, he finds out that everytime he speaks a leaf drops off of the tree and he would die if all leaves fall out.


I found it quiet corny at the beginning and was looking like it is a mock-up of "spiritual" gurus, but then it turned out fine right in the middle towards the end. I actually enjoyed it. Eddie Murphy, was just that at the beginning - LOUD! It's a good balance between comedy and drama... and it's got a nice message built into the story which is one of the reason why I enjoyed the film.

Photo Source: Pinoy Technologies

Aleph - Paulo Coelho

Category: Book

Genre: Literature / Drama


Author: Paulo Coelho



This book describes the journey Paulo Coelho took from March to July 2006 via the Trans-Siberian Railway to meet his readers across Russia. Coelho had mentioned that this has been one of his most personal novels to date. It starts with Coelho asking his master "J" about his struggles and the spiritual crisis he is going through and he feels stuck in his spiritual growth.This is also similar to the beginning of his previous work: The Valkyries.

I finished reading this while listening to Tomatis (an audio therapy I am taking).

It's an interesting read this time about his journey to the past. And its not just about the past which happens in the current life but of something regarding a previous lifetime, that still haunts him. It's about the mystical term called the "Aleph", a Jewish Kaballah mystical term. It mixes different spiritual traditions as always with a Coelho.

This book also makes me want to go on an outward journey on my own to make my inward journey unfold! The question... where to? :P

The Men Who Stares at Goats - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / War


Director: Grant Heslov

Writer: Peter Straughan , Jon Ronson

Producer: BBC Films, Smoke House, Westgate Film Services

Cast: Ewan McGregor, George Cloone, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang, Robert Patrick, Waleen Zuaiter, Stephen Root, Glenn Morshower, and more.

Tagline: No goats, no glory.

After his marriage fails, a reporter, Lyn Cassidy (McGregor) in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime, after meeting a special forces agent (Clooney) who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit called the U.S. Army's New Earth Army whose goal is to end war as we know it using paranormal powers in their missions.


At first I had fun with all the new age-y feel one can get from the movie. But, I have a feeling its some sort of a new age spoof. There's a lot of quotable lines and special relevance to the Star Wars.. and the Jedi way.. all of which are tagged to the "New Age". Well, just enjoy it... at least it delves and looks into a possibility where soldiers will fight using non-invasive ways. no bombs, no guns.... just love and flowers and indigenous music. Hippie Military eh? Why not? :)

Realms of the Earth Angels - Doreen Virtue

Category: Book

Genre: Spirituality / Angels

Author: Doreen Virtue


Remember when Jesus said: "In my Father's House are many mansions?" I think he was referring to the different realms and dimensions of the Universe. And this book actually explains the different realms where we might have come from.

She talks about the different characteristics of each beings, Incarnated Angels, Elementals, Star People, Wise Ones and more.

I really enjoyed this book. (Anything by Doreen Virtue I really enjoy!!). It's actually just a small book which is an updated version of her previous book entitled: " Earth Angels: A Pocket Guide for Incarnated Angels, Elementals, Starpeople, Walk-Ins, and Wizards".

I love reading about elementals and "mythical", mystical beings. :)

Eat, Pray, Love - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama

Director: Ryan Murphy

Writer: Ryan Murphy, Jennifer Salt, Elizabeth Gilbert (book)

Producer: Columbia Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, India Take One Productions

Tagline: Let yourself Go this August

Cast: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, Hadi Subiyanto,Viola Davis, Bily Crudup, A. Jay Radcliff, James Franco, Tuva Novotny, Rushita Singh, Christine Hakim and more.

You would think that Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman dreamed to have. She is married, they built their own home and she has a successful career as a writer. Yet, she is still confused and lost wanting a divorce. And when she did she tries taking a year off to journey to Italy to India and then end the year at Bali.


I guess the reviews about the movie kind of made me expect more about the movie. The first time I watched it... I didn't enjoy it much. But, the second time.. I began liking the movie.

I did enjoy the "Eat" part of the movie, where she goes to Italy to learn about the language and how to speak Italian with your hands. I enjoyed that part. Also the dolce-far-niente. The sweetness of doing nothing. Ahhh.

And when I watched it the second time around I enjoyed her encounters with Ketut in Bali... and the uh love story in Bali itself. :)

Quote I Love:

In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you.

Luca Spaghetti: Americans know entertainment, but they don't know pleasure.

Indigo - 2005

Category: Movie

Genre: Spirituality

Directed by: Stephen Simon

Writer: Neale Donald Walsch and James Twyman

Cast: Neale Donald Walsch

This is a fictional story of the redemption of a grandfather(Neale Donald Walsch), through his granddaughter, who is an indigo child.

Indigo Children is a label given to children whose parents believe they possess special, unusual and/or supernatural traits or abilities. They are usually empathic, curious, and strong willed.

I like this simple story of the indigo kid. Eventhough it is a low budget flick it sure can uplift your spirit in positive ways. It is a wonderful story. :)

Quotes from the Movie:

What makes you think imagination isn't real? Something needs to be imagined before it can be created right?

Child: I'm not making anything up. You are just dementially challenged. you don't believe in anything unless you see it with your own eyes. There's lots of things I can't see with my eyes but I know they're real.

Child: Fastidious. Means diligent and pays attention to things.

Peaceful Warrior - 2007

Category: Movies

Genre: Non-Fiction, Based on a True Story

Director: Victor Salva

Writer: Kevin Berndhart, Dan Millman

Genre: Drama, Sport,

Tagline: There are No Ordinary Moments

Overview and Review of the movie Peaceful Warrior

This is based on a book "The Way of a Peaceful Warrior". It is about a young overachiever in gymnastics named Dan Millman who met a stranger at night in a gasoline station whom he named as "Socrates".

It is great for them to come up with this memorable movie of a lifetime. With great many aphorism and lessons to learn such as living in the moment, and more.

Very very inspiring. I could gush over this movie the whole day!! I actually watched it.. mhmmm around 10 times already? That's how great the movie is!

This is a no nonsense film... but a wonderful film that could inspire you to stay in the present moment! :)

Memorable Quotes:

Socrates: A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does

---

Dan Millman: The journey is what brings us happiness not the destination
Dan Millman: The ones who are hardest to love are usually the ones who need it the most.
Dan Millman: A warrior is not about perfection or victory or invulnerability. He's about absolute vulnerability.

A Woman's Worth - Marianne Williamson

Category: Books

Genre: Self-Help / Feminism / Spirituality

Author: Marianne Williamson

This is a review and summary of the book A Woman's Worth by Marianne Williamson

One of the female authors in the world of "self-help" that I adore is Marianne Williamson. Her books changed the way I view the world, love, life, and women. Her words really ring true and I admire the way she writes.... If only I could write like her. *swoons*

This book is a call to all the women of the world and the lovers of women. :) This honors all types of women and what we bring to the world in our own way. What we thought was weak is honored in this book. Absolutely one of the books i recommend women read. :)

Sex, Love and Dharma - Arthur Jeon

Title: Sex, Love, and Dharma

Category: Books

Genre: Self Help / Sex & Love / Spirituality / Non-fiction

Author: Arthur Jeon


" Will I ever be happy in love?" "Why do I always fall in love with the wrong person?" "How can I stop sabotaging my relationships?" and "What's the secret to a passionate sex life?".

Found this book on sale at NBS. Though, I'm not really the type who would buy a book that screams "sex" in black.. but when I read the overview at the back and read the first few pages.. I told myself: "This is different". Indeed it is. It is very practical and modern. I love it!

This book personally helped me while I was going through things in my personal relationships. How to distinguish whether it's real or mere neurosis. from love the feeling to love the action.

Still reading it now and then....

Happier than God - Neale Donald Walsch

Category: Books

Genre: Spiritual

Author: Neale Donald Walsch

Overview and Review of Happier than God by Neale Donald Walsch

The title of the book may sound blasphemous but you see "All great truths begin as blasphemies", as George Bernard Shaw would have it and he is right. This idea of being Happier than God is revolutionary. And so, a lot of people tried to resist this great truth. A lot of people denied and pushed this GREAT TRUTH that we can truly be Happier than God.

But, fret not... here is the answer to our question.. here is the affirmation: that we can be Happier than God. Isn't that great?

I enjoyed reading this book... it talked about a lot of things and it clarified a lot of teachings of the phenomenal "Law of Attraction" message. It speaks to your heart and warms your heart more than a love story can. Really. GREAT. GREAT. GREAT.

The Valkyries - Paulo Coelho

Category: Books

Genre: Spirituality


Author: Paolo Coelho

Overview and Review of The Valkyries authored by Paolo Coelho.
This is an autobiographical book, but told using the third person.

Why do we destroy the things we love? It was the question Paolo asked during this journey.
This journey involved looking for angels and in order to see them Paolo with his wife Christina must seek out the advice of The Valkyries who roamed the area. They traveled to the Mojave Desert for the 40 day Quest. An authentic story of being in the darkness, seeking out the light, and having a mentor.

This is a nice book about finding your angel and a wonderful spiritual journey at that. An enlightening book and a delightful read. You would cherish all the words that you would read next. There are a lot of "symbolical" events in the book as well. This book is a lot of things really. Its about love, light, angels, life, death, darkness, fear, rituals, and very spiritual it is. It can certainly touch your heart, mind and soul. A modern day magical, enchanting adventure..



April 30, 2008

The Prisoner in the Third Cell - Gene Edwards

Category: Books

Genre: Christian / Spiritual


Author: Gene Edwards

Overview and Review of The Prisoner in the Third Cell authored by Gene Edwards.

First Page is a Quote:

"It has been said that it is impossible to forgive a man who deliberately hurts you for the sole purpose of destroying or lowering you. If this be true, you have but one hope: to see this unfair hurt as coming by permission from God for the purpose of lifting your stature above that place where you formerly stood."

Prologue First Sentence:

"The new prisoner has arrived, Captain."

The Prisoner in the Third Cell is about John The Baptist. Jesus' cousin. It talks about a moving story of comfort and a very unforgettable drama in the New Testament.

There are always things in life we don't understand and of course there are stories in the Bible that tells us there are things that we are not meant to understand but we must always remember that there is SOMEthing bigger than us and that there are many universes in the world. "In my Father's house are many mansions". Mansions might mean different dimensions and universe.

I've always been a fan of Gene Edwards. I've read his books ever since I was 15 or 16. I like the way he writes "Bible stories" in a modern way. He makes everything very light to read but you learn lots of lessons from it. He is truly a great storyteller! I love all his books!!

The Angel is Near - Deepak Chopra and Martin Greenberg

Category: Book

Genre: Spiritual / Fiction

Author: Deepak Chopra and Martin H. GreenBerg


Overview and Review of The Angel Is Near by Deepak Chopra.

If you are born with wings, do nothing to stop them from growing.

The story started with two soldiers in a small village in Kosovo who heard about a strange sound coming from an old abandoned church and once inside they were struck down by a flash of blinding light. A story about an American Doctor named Michael Aulden who found himself in an event so different from what he calls REAL. He is living two situations at the same time. He was able to separate himself from his body and he was given the chance to re-create his current reality.

The first "Deepak Chopra" book I have read.

Though it is fiction it is also very enlightening. It brought me once again to light. It reminded me once again to just be in the light when one is in the dark. This basically talks about guides and angels.. very nice. I like the "Angel's Voice" part here.

Living Magically - Gill Edwards

Category: Books

Genre: Self-Help

Author: Gill Edwards

Overview and Review of the book Living Magically by Gill Edwards

I have this thing for fantasy and magic. Well even though it's not really the "magic" as in David Blaine it was equally MAGICAL. Super Super.

I like the way Gill Edwards wrote the whole book. It was laid out wherein you would really get her point. It has lots of magical words that I really adore. It's a book filled with love and for you to realize that you can create your own reality.

It has a lot of exercises for you to conquer your fears and blockages. Also for reaching out for your Higher Self and Guides. Very helpful.

It would wake you up from this Dream... and begin creating your Reality.

Lovely. Lovely. :)

Must-Read.

What Dreams May Come - Richard Matheson

Category: Books

Genre: Adventure

Author: Richard Matheson

Review and Overview of the book What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson.

THE BEST. THE best original love story. A love unending. Literally SOUL MATES. *hayy* *dreamy sigh*

This is a story about a man named Chris Nielson who died in a car accident leaving his wife mourning about him. Chris took quite a long time to progress because it's actually hard for the dead to progress if someone they cared about is having a hard time accepting they are dead. Specially if that someone happens to be your wife you love - oh so dearly.

It's a great story about Death, Life after Death, Heaven and Hell.

His writing makes you imagine about the paradise. Wooo.. how he paints it right with his words. I love the essence and the principles of Life After Death.

Great! Great! The Besssssst! Super Super. Love the book to bits!!!