.SOMETIMES RAW.

Advance Reading Copy Disclosure:

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I have not read anything else by Keith Sherwood before but what drew my attention to this book the most was the cover and title. This does not affect my opinion of the content or the book in my review.

I am searching and trying to grow psychologically and spiritually and I love to discover new things. When I first found out about SEHES I thought that I want to know more. More about energy healing, Reiki, meditation and aura reading. So guess what? I read a ton about it. I have been at SEHES for a couple of months and then I traveled and came back to the States so I could not attend my Wednesday- Meditations anymore nor my weekly Reiki sessions with Uwe Meissner. I was very happy when I found the book “The Art of Spiritual Healing” by Keith Sherwood. This is the latest edition however that will be released in February 2016. I want to share upfront that the ebook was not easy to read because the pictures the author shared where apparently not meant to be read as an ebook. I think a book like this should be read in paperback or hardcover. Consider this before purchasing it. 

This book is very powerful. I do not want to become a healer and I do not think you can learn this by reading a book obviously but you get the chance to know what you as a person are all about. You will learn about healing energy and what is going on in your body. Healing energy is described and ways to meditate are offered so you enhance functions of your mind that you never know you had. You will get introduced to spiritual healing and consciousness. Many chapters go into a lot of detail so I think it is not a book for the absolute beginner – like me. Sherwood describes how to heal and laying on of hands on patients, breathing techniques and simply healing other peoples through Prana Healing. 

The chapter I enjoyed the most was Chapter 5 on Auric Healing. You learn about auric colors, how you can learn to see auras and how to focus and meditate. Advanced auric healing is also explained but this was again too much for me. Here I have to mention again the bad quality of the ebook. The way the body and aura is explained thorough pictures just does not work. The author goes on about mental healing and describes many exercises. What amazed me the most was that he mentioned cancer, depression or kidney stones can be completely healed through energy healing and laying on of hands. This book is not meant to be red in one sitting for sure. Rather chapter by chapter and once you mastered the exercises you can move on the next chapter. 

This book might be for you if you look for answers about healing your soul and spirit, about karma, trauma and very specific chapters with in-depth explanations of meditation techniques. The author also explains about restoring your won wellness and valuable preconditions for wellness in the first place. He also mentions how important it is to enhance the relationship to the physical environment – like eating the right things and not smoking and drinking too much and shares the benefits of fasting. Further physical exercises are explained in depth like Yoga (Morning Sun Meditation), self-acceptance and contentment and how important it is to just go outside and play in nature. When was the last time you have been at the beach or in the woods? 

You do not have to be a victim of poor health or disease to read this book. However, this book is great for someone who already works in the energy-healing field and knows how to heal others. I like how the author writes in concise and very clear manner. Keith Sherwood’s book is well written and thought through out and I highly recommend it. 

This is a continuation of my previous post on my Half-Hipster Lifestyle. Read part I here. 

It is always important to me to take a “greener approach” to food. I would love to grow my own veggies but I do not have the means yet but it is just a matter of time. I don’t usually like meat but once in a while I have it and then really enjoy it. There is nothing better than my mom’s chicken soup. Nothing! And just because of this soup I will never turn into a vegan/raw-foodist vegetarian. I do consider my eating habits healthy and I feel good about the way I eat. I love coffee and tea! I love Sushi and I love Fruit. And when my husband, my son and I were in Canada at the Chalet we BBQ’ed and even had marshmallows on a stick at the fireplace. <3 

It is important to be educated. Hands down. If you are a hipster or whatever you are. Being a hipster however almost requires it. Go to a college or university and study. Or sign up for courses or classes in something that interests you. I love that I learned about art, science, literature, writing classes, psychology and so much more. Education is just so important. Besides education – as you know by now – I read a lot. If you cannot afford the book go to your local library or simply go to the bookstore and read a couple of chapters there. Who cares right! I am about to start my Master Degree next year so continuous learning is key for me. I am also planning on taking photo-and writing classes. 

Just be yourself! I am doing my own thing. No matter what anybody says if I stand behind it 100%. Period! Whenever it comes to reading I am your woman! The key is you want to connect to others and know what you are talking about- especially when it comes to books. What I would recommend to read? The classics. Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer and Jack Kerouac to start. Then again, as long as you read you are good to go so to speak. Go and explore political science, sociology, anthropology or any other section in your local library or bookstore to simply broaden the horizon. 

I love to watch good movies. As I have stated previously, I am a huge Woody Allen fan. I think it is important to watch some foreign and independent films once in a while, see a musical or go to the opera. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for broadway shows. The off- or even off-off broadway shows are just as amazing. One of the best plays I have ever seen was off-off broadway – “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. I love to see great plays. Always have been – always will. Whenever you are in New York and have time go check out these movie theaters: Angelika Film Center and Lincoln Plaza Cinema. They show great independent movies. I have been to both several times and can recommend them. If you don’t have time for all this just watch this short movie about the poem Howl by Allen Ginsberg. 

I love good music. Usually the good old or independent stuff. I love everything from Queens, Bob Dylan, Serge Gainsbourg to Elephant 6. It is also important to be open to new things like Blogspot, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or WordPress and connect with others. 

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed these little insights. Share your questions and comments below. 

This has been one crazy fast week again. I cannot believe it is Friday – as I never can! We did so much together as a family and the time flew by like crazy. Sometimes I wish I could just turn back time and do it all over, you know. Especially knowing that my husband is leaving on Saturday. Sniff! Well, this is life I guess. Nothing you can do. So this is what we have been up to as a family this week:

Thinking about: My dear friend who’s husband had a terrible motorcycle accident with severe head injury yesterday and the doctors said that he might have a couple of hours or days left to live. It is all so strange how fast it  happens sometimes. We haven’t seen each other for quite some time. We studied together in college and met again about two months ago when I moved back to the States. My husband just met my friend and her husband last Saturday for a nice afternoon/evening for BBQ and awesome conversation at the fire place watching the stars at night. Life is not fair sometimes and throws you curveballs when you least expect it. I will help my friend with whatever she needs and will be there for her of course! My thoughts are with her now since I am still in Canada with my family. I wish her all the strength in the world. <3 I see you soon! 

Enjoying: Just being all together as a family. We enjoy the simple things we don’t really have so much these days. We spent some quality time together at the beach and celebrating my husband’s birthday. We went to the playground, ate together and have these awesome long conversations while driving up to Canada. Road trips are our favorite! 

Looking forward to: Going to Congo with my husband. I really love the idea of learning more about a culture and simply seeing something different and new. We have all our vaccinations done so yes! to a new adventure. 

Experiencing: A trip to Canada! We have been thinking about just staying in Connecticut for this week and exploring but decided do spend some days in Canada at Lake Grenier! We have been here several times and love it! It is a very peaceful, quiet place any time of the year. You can just book a flight to Montreal and then drive here. There are seven chalets for rent all year round at the waterfront. They even have an outdoor Jacuzzi – you can sit in it while looking at the lake. This place is really special to us with some awesome memories.  Click here for reservations.  Whenever you get the chance to visit Montréal you should go to the “Biodôme de Montréal”. We have been to the “Jardin Botanique and Insectarium” and it was amazing. Especially for kids! 

Eating: These days I am enjoying my husband’s cuisine. He likes to cook and I love his French Onion Soup. Whenever we are in Canada we love Tim Hortons.  The food is great but the coffee is even better. If you are on the road a lot – especially throughout Canada, this is the place you want to stop at. 

Watching/Listening: My husband and I are listened to Howard Stern in the car a lot so we wanted to know more about this man who made us laugh until our stomach hurt. We ended up watching “Private Parts” (1997) and we loved it. I am a huge Woody Allen fan but one movie I have not seen yet: “Everything you always wanted to know about sex” and I did not like it that much I have to admit. My favorite Woody Allen movie is by far “Annie Hall”. I have been listening to this song over and over because a friend posted it on Facebook. Damn, I love it so much. We also have been enjoying Satellite Radio Sirius in the car these days. 😉 

Reading: I will always read something – I have a book with me wherever I go because you just never know! I have finished my first two official book reviews for Tyndale and NetGalley and it was an awesome experience. I am looking forward to reviewing more and sharing it here on my blog. Otherwise I read “If I fall, If I die” by Michael Christie for an upcoming book review. I am also reading “Subliminal: How your unconscious mind rules our behavior” by Leonard Mlodinow . I also want to announce that I am reviewing for Springer Publisher now. Awesomeness! 

I hope you have a great Friday and an even better weekend. Enjoy and thank you for reading.