Summer Reading

Dear Reader,

Now that summer is finally here, with Fourth of July celebrations coming up in the United States next week, I want to give you a few suggestions to help kick off your summer reading. These are two of my go-to book recommendations. Both are engaging and thought-provoking; great reading for the beach, the park or the deck!

Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1 – Neale Donald Walsch

This book changed my life. I read it not long after it was first published in 1995, and it turned some of my thinking about spirituality upside down – in the best of ways. Over the years, I have met countless other people who had the same reaction in reading the book. I have re-read it several times, including at least twice out loud to my wife Louise.

You can understand why this one is often the first book I recommend, can’t you?

“CWG,” as all the books in the series are often lovingly called, is exactly what the name implies – an uncommon dialogue. Think about this for a minute…

What would it be like if you could talk to God? And what if that God had a keen intellect, a sharp wit, a huge heart, and no hesitation in talking truth?

What questions would you ask of a God like that? And how would he/she respond?

This book is all of that, and more. Covering all of the big topics – love, life, death, why we are here – this dialogue pulls no punches. And somehow, it leaves you laughing, crying, more hopeful and open than ever, and more deeply connected to what it means to be human.

Fuel for the journey, and a great summer read.

Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1

Mind to Matter: The Astonishing Science of How Your Brain Creates Material Reality – Dawson Church

Another brilliant book! And the word “astonishing” in the title is spot on. I happen to be fascinated by brain science, and have read several books with a somewhat similar focus. This one is a stand-out for me and very recent, published in 2018. It shares the implications of brain science for how our minds work and how we live, grow and change – or why we struggle to change.

The writing is accessible and engaging, with research and stories to illustrate the amazing power and flexibility we hold within us, whether we realize it or not.

As one example, the author shares research finding that one hour of focused concentration on a topic can double the number of connections in your brain in support of that subject. However, if you don’t reflect on and process what you’ve learned, those same connections can disconnect within hours or days.

Such an important insight for the learning process!

Dawson Church, a scientist, researcher, and EFT practitioner, goes beyond the mind to focus on the impact of energy and emotions on our DNA, our bodies and our perceptions. He also addresses the importance of accessing the power of your mind and bringing it all into alignment. Church cites research showing that roughly 95% of our daily thoughts are repetitive, and potentially 80% of those thoughts are negative! What could you accomplish if you could change your thinking over time?

Because you can.

That is one of the many powerful, positive messages of this book. Another good summer read, especially if you are curious about dipping into brain and energy research in an accessible format.

Mind to Matter: The Astonishing Science of How Your Brain Creates Material Reality

There you have it, two solid recommendations to get you started for the summer. And if you want more, I have a full page of recommendations you can browse at John Recommends.

Enjoy, and if you do read either or both, make sure to get in touch and let me know what your reading experience was like.

I honor your loving heart,

John

 

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