Cygnus Review Autumn 2016

Autumn 2016, Issue 3

www.cygnusreview.com

Cygnus Review HEAL YOUR BODY ❖ FEED YOUR SOUL ❖ FREE YOUR MIND ❖ LOVE YOUR PLANET

Special 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Members and staff share their memories and favourite books

❖ EDITOR’S PICKS Learn to Grow Your Spiritual Capital by Pam Grout Coping With Being HighlySensitive in an Insensitive World Inspired by Ilse Sand

Advice to Speed You on Your Inward Journey by Louisa Crisp Abundance and the New Paradigm by Maddy Harland The Beauty of Being No One Special by Simon Austin

Plus!

❖ NEW Candlelight Cinema Film ❖ Cygnus Community News ❖ Directory of Cygnus Cafes

A WELCOME FROM ADAM GORDON taught the stories behind them and in our minds there are connections between points of light above us which are themselves millions of miles from each other and “literally” have nothing to do with each other. Except that we make it so.

‘I am lucky in a way to be new still to the ways of Cygnus. Even though I’ve been connected to it as a friendly outsider for a long time...’ ... it’s only now that I feel a bit closer to its beating heart, and every day I am surprised by how people react to it and how members draw energy from its simple existence. It’s a constant thrill.

It’s twenty-five years old now and Geoff has had the great idea of asking for people’s favourite related products. Usually it’s a book that a member bought from Cygnus but we have also been blessed with generous tributes to the spirit of Cygnus from many of you. Some of them we have included here on the Chat Page, but meanwhile we will treasure everything you have contributed along with the daily comments we receive during casual phone conversations here in our London offices. I am sure Jordan would also say the same from the office in Wales.

But what is Cygnus really? What does it consist of? It’s not the legal document that states the person or people who own it. It’s not those

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of us that now run it, it’s not Geoff and it’s not the members. It’s not the books and other products that have been bought and sold over the years, although that I think brings us closer to the true nature of this amazing phenomenon, in that there’s a kind of matrix that links us all as people, along with everything that we have learned together and all the stories we have told each other. That then becomes something that we pass on to others.

Literally of course Cygnus is a constellation in the sky, of stars millions of miles away that to some people at some time was a reminder of a swan (as I am sure you know, Cygnus is “swan” in Latin). It’s something so far away from us that – on one level – none of us can really be touched by it in any scientific way. On the other hand, when we enjoy that amazing feeling of being enveloped by a night sky that isn’t affected by urban light pollution, it’s not long before we learn something about all the constellations and we are

Cygnus is based on a vision that Ann had many years ago. She is not here anymore, but in a way we know she actually is. The stars above are not consciously forming patterns, but of course they do, at least from our place on the surface of the earth. It’s like Twenty Questions: is Cygnus animal, vegetable or mineral? I think it’s like a big story that we are all telling each other all the time. It’s everything, like a matrix of all the books we read, the stories we hear, the conversations we have all the time, everything we have been building over the years. You can take away the phone lines and the magazines and that energy would still be there. In the end I don’t think I am any closer to being able to articulate exactly what Cygnus is, but actually I do know full well….and there is absolutely no doubt there at all. I hope you all feel the same.

With Every Best Wish,

Adam

MEET THE TEAM Publisher

Etan Ilfeld

Editor

Geoff Napier

Co-editor

Adam Gordon

Design

Karen Smith

Customer Care

Jordan Mitchell

Advertising & Sales Vicky Hartley Orders

Gemma Lucia Lucy Jillian

CYGNUS BOOK CLUB 355 Goswell Road London EC1V 7JL Cover Photography Janet Baxter

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PAM GROUT - SPIRITUAL CAPITAL

W

e are all born with huge reserves of spiritual capital. Very few of us maximise its potential or allow it to appreciate. Nowhere is the return greater.

So why have we relegated our spiritual capital to the back of the dusty vault, hardly ever registering its existence? Here are the top three reasons: Somewhere along the way spirituality took an uncool turn.

It got co-opted by a bunch of fundamentalist religions who turned God into a judgmental p****. They introduced us to a God of “don’ts” and gave us a list of rules and commandments that rein in our natural impulses.

The perks got pushed into the future. Self-appointed spiritual purveyors also forget to mention that God (or the Divine Energy) is available to enjoy and use now.

Asking us to wait for the bennies is to miss the whole point.

It’s, well, invisible. It sounds insane. Trusting in an invisible force.

Turning your life over to something that’s nothing to the eyeballs.

My current favourite definition of spirituality comes from Rainn Wilson, the actor who played nerdy paper salesman Dwight Schrute on NBC’s The Office. His website SoulPancake (Spirit Taco was taken) was created to, as he says, “chew on life’s big questions”.

Here’s how he described it on a recent podcast: We humans have a whole bunch of things in common with monkeys.

We both enjoy bananas, groom each other, spend a lot of time on our hair. We both have a pecking order, form tribes, and sometimes when we’re really mad, we throw faeces.

There’s really nothing wrong with these things per se. But spirituality is everything we don’t have in common with monkeys. It’s that part of us that creates beautiful works of art, that has inspiring conversations, that contemplates meaning, that strives to be in service to other people.

‘Never doubt what to do next or what path to follow’ So how do you connect with this non-monkey part of yourself? You follow your joy. You move toward your impulse of bliss. If you follow that path, invest your energy in the invisible force that powers the universe, there is never any doubt about what to do next or which path to follow.

Because we’re taught just the opposite (get good grades, make sure people like you, stop running around and whooping like a wild banshee), we spend our lives wondering: What does God want from me? What am I supposed to do with my life? It’s all there in living colour.

Spiritual capital is getting in touch with what I call the field of divine potentiality. Others call it God. Or Buddha. Or Divine Intelligence. It matters not one whit what you call it. What matters is that you call it forth. That you recognise its immense power and real-time practicality. ❖

THANK AND GROW RICH

by Pam Grout It’s extremely exciting to get a new book from the author of E-Squared and E-Cubed, and this is, as expected, an energetic ride which always remains on the front foot. Stay on the wavelength of gratitude and joy and you will get what your heart desires. It’s not selfish or greedy but it’s making sense of the true workings of a universe which is always on your side. Packed full of ideas and exercises, it’s either for the extrovert reader who likes to share in an upbeat spirit, or for the introvert who prefers to be eased joyfully out of her or his shell. But be prepared, as she says in the extract above, to end up “running around and whooping like a wild banshee”.

240pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260301 Cygnus price: £6.99

E-SQUARED

by Pam Grout

192pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 231009 Cygnus price: £6.99

E-CUBED

by Pam Grout

240pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 241118 Cygnus price: £6.99

❖ Extract from Talk and Grow

Rich, courtesy of Hay House, 2016

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BOOK REVIEWS — Celebrating NAME OF25 WRITER years XXXXX of Cygnus Books ❖ We asked you to send the most influential titles you have had from Cygnus. Here are the ones that have most frequently launched your journeys into your inner world. Some titles may seem simple but they have initiated profound changes in many of you. They have also withstood the test of time. You may have relations or friends who are just becoming open to self-enquiry themselves and might appreciate one of these as a gift. We'd be happy to send them a gift Cygnus Review too, just ask when ordering.

ANAM CARA: SPIRITUAL WISDOM FROM THE CELTIC WORLD By John O’Donohue This book has helped me to communicate, express and recognise deep unconditional love, to be there for each other no matter what. In more recent times of austerity I still feel it is relevant, as it has provided me with the drive and determination to succeed, to grow spiritually, and to stay focused on unconditional love despite the current climate.

I experience challenges and discrimination in society on a daily basis as a disabled person, and books like Anam Cara provide a framework for learning and spiritual growth that help us to stay focused.

Unconditional love cannot stay in a vacuum and in my case is bursting to be expressed.

Review by Cara Miller-May. 288pp, 198 x 127mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 085121 Cygnus price: £6.99

THE CELESTINE PROPHECY

By James Redfield This book was the start of my life journey. After reading it I gave it to my daughter who was away at college at the time. After we had both read it I then bought The Celestine Prophecy An Experiential Guide. I would write out the questions and post them to my daughter. One evening each week I would phone her and discuss our answers to the life questions that we had had to think and write about.

This brought us together in such a lovely way. We had to discuss about our childhoods and upbringing and then the current situations in our lives.

We are now still very close and continue to live our lives thinking of the whole picture.

Review by Dorothy Roberts 282pp, 198 x 127mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 085069 Cygnus price: £6.99

MESSAGES FROM WATER AND THE UNIVERSE

By Masaru Emoto Masaru Emoto’s extensive years of study have given him the background to discuss what water is, how it has been implicated in the creation of the universe, and why a perfect ratio of Love and Gratitude can help this energy go on infinitely.

This fascinating book explains how our prayers, goodwill and positive words heal us humans - as well as viruses and the universe as a whole - through water. This book lives in the top drawer of our treatment room.

Not only is it instrumental in keeping our own awareness heightened, but it is also invaluable to many of our clients, as when appropriate we take it out and highlight some of the pictures.

Review by Val Schenn 208pp, 176 x 134mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 260302 Cygnus price: £5.99

Author in the spotlight

THE POWER OF NOW

By Eckhart Tolle I have learnt so much from The Power of Now. In the past I suffered from depression and anxiety. Though I had largely learnt how to keep myself afloat having had a lot of therapeutic help over the years, the book taught me how to use the Present in a way I had not come across before. It was particularly helpful in how to deal with the Pain Body and how to help with relationship difficulties. I have read this book many times and it never fails to help if something is going wrong or if I just need an extra boost.

Review by Sharron 192pp, 197 x 131mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code:100301 Cygnus price: £6.99

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A NEW EARTH: CREATE A BETTER LIFE

By Eckhart Tolle Four years ago my Dad was coming to the end of his life on Earth and I had to go to him at fairly short notice. I just threw various items into a suitcase as I wasn’t sure how long I would be at my parents’ home and one of those items was this book. After my Dad’s passing, I spent two weeks with my Mum and every morning and evening, I would read this book in bed. Despite my huge sadness, I felt a profound sense of inner peace as I read this book. Eckhart’s words just seemed to make such sense to me and helped me to accept what had happened, at a deeper level.

Review by Elizabeth Payne 336pp, 198 x 129mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 151006 Cygnus price: £6.99

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CHAT PAGE

We asked you for your

most influential Cygnus titles and some of your favourites are here on pages 4 to 7. However, we had so many other messages and responses to that question, and it seemed right to us to share a few of them here. Some of the correspondence is so touching and it truly brightens our day here in the office: thank you so much for making the effort and for making all the routine stuff so worthwhile. I always make sure Geoff sees the best of it.

After all, Cygnus is inspired by him and Ann on a daily basis.

Adam ❖ There are many books that have had a profound impact on my life, but during the busiest years, when I was working full time, caring for family at both ends of the age spectrum, dealing with physical illness, mental illness and bereavements, I simply didn’t have the time or energy to read them.

Intuitively I had kept all the back copies of Cygnus Review and kept them scattered around my home.

They were there waiting for me like an old friend... in the bathroom, the office, the bedroom, the kitchen, because in the odd moments I could grab, I had just enough time to read a page or two of excerpts and reviews, of titles both familiar and new. It was always enough, always gave me what I needed, to either remind me of books I had read in the past when I had had the time or the words and images about titles new to me gave me uplifting insights and courage.

The genuine voices and love of the authors, editors and reviewers spoke to me from the pages of your magazines. I felt connected and engaged. The Cygnus Review itself has my vote for the Number One most profoundly helpful title!

Jane Launchbury ❖ I am a person of few words so would find it impossible to write much on any subject - all I can say

‘Letters and poetry from Cygnus members’ Panning for Gold It’s like panning for gold, seeking your starborn self, only the finest few grains glimpsed among soil and rock dust, unanticipated crumbs inside this earthborn, this egoity, webwork, where the tasks we set outside time are tangled and knotted in soul struggle. ❖ Dare to ask: who is it says ‘I’ to yourself? the one who dimly remembers the brief you gave yourself, and the gift of knowing, before the earthquake of birth, fragmentation of loss. ❖ Only provisional, all these centuries, this we have been, predominantly.

Can you mother this ‘I’ now, this gold, the one who looks out at you from the mirror, the beauty that chose to be you?

Jehanne Mehta ❖

is a big thank you to you and Ann for producing Cygnus. I have been a member for many years - nearly as long as you have been in production and Cygnus has helped me one hundred per cent in my spiritual growth - I cannot choose just 3 books as I have read so many inspirational books from Cygnus that for me it is an impossible task. Without your magazine each month I would not have known where to begin - so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Best wishes. Bobby Light ❖ Being able to borrow a hard copy of the Cygnus magazine just over a decade ago made a fundamental change to my life: no longer was I struggling to find resources to support my quest for more information on spiritual development. HERE IT WAS - easy to read, using words I had never heard before but immediately understood as though I had heard them before. Cygnus lit up my life, reignited my soul and put me on the path to where I am now, a fledgling complementary therapist who openly discusses astral travel, parallel universes, other lives, that time is not linear and that DNA is not the reason that some of us contract life threatening diseases. Joy Harvey ❖ Reading can definitely be most therapeutic. I regularly recommend particular books to my patients in addition to medication, as I find they provide a useful resource of information and offer much comfort.

The one book that sticks in my mind is ‘Self Compassion’ by Kristin Neff, which expounds the theory that all human life is valuable, unique and beautiful in all its imperfect entirety.

I read this book after a failed suicide attempt and have never looked back since. If I feel my mood plummeting I reach for this book and it uplifts me in a way that medication on its own cannot. I have bought it for many friends who are experiencing the same darkness that is depression at its worst. What better thing can you do but exchange darkness for mindfulness? Many thanks. Meena ❖

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BOOK REVIEWS — 25 years NAME of OFyour WRITER mostXXXXX life changing books

BE MORE TREE

by Alice Peck This book delves into the history of trees, their origin and how they got their names, as well as explaining both medical and spiritual uses of particular types of trees. Each tree is accompanied by a gorgeous illustration and beautiful quotes from poetry, letters and novels throughout history. Every page details fun exercises for how to honour and appreciate trees, making it a great gift for any nature-loving reader who wants to know a bit more about the greenery around them.

144pp, 235 x 190mm, Paperback, RRP £12.99 ❖ Code: 260303 Cygnus price: £8.99

YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE

By Louise L Hay This book taught me that the only power you have is the thought you are thinking in the present moment... so make it a positive thought: it will attract the circumstances to mirror it. What a useful tool to rescue us from our own darkness and malaise! I didn’t realise I had choices until I read Louise’s exciting, uplifting words. With her affirmations I got the home and career I wanted, and healed myself from mental illness and chronic pain. I have so much gratitude for the message of liberation and empowerment Louise has brought to us. With the power of our thoughts we can lovingly change our lives, our health, our happiness, our futures and even the future of our planet. – Review by Lesley Raphael

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA Paramahansa Yogananda was the first great master of India to live in the West for an extended period. Sent by his guru to America in 1920, he was to introduce tens of thousands of students to the science of yoga and the subtle mysteries of reality. Since its publication in 1950, Autobiography of a Yogi has become an undisputed classic in its field. Paramahansa Yogananda’s story is interwoven with reflections on the religious and scientific foundations of both Eastern and Western culture, and with descriptions of his meetings with such spiritual leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, Babaji, Therese Neumann and Rabindranath Tagore. In his introduction to the book, W. Y. Evans Wentz says: `His life document is one of the most revealing of the depths of the Hindu mind and heart, and of the spiritual wealth of India, ever to be published in the West.’

“This is one of those rare titles that ‘takes you’ to the perspectives of the author. Just 5 minutes with this volume can lift you out of your everyday concerns, sometimes into the realms of peace”.

By Geoff Napier 604pp, 180 x 110 mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 180426 Cygnus price: £7.49

253pp, 213 x 137mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 140408 Cygnus price: £7.49

CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD 1

by Neale Donald Walsh Neale Donald Walsh was experiencing a low point in his life when he decided to write a letter to God, venting his frustrations. What he did not expect was a response. As he finished his letter, he was moved to continue writing - and out came these extraordinary answers to his questions. They will amaze you with complex paradoxes that make perfect sense, profound logic, and astounding truths. Here are answers that bring together a deeper meaning behind all beliefs and traditions. Here are answers that will change you, your life, and the way you view other beings. For good.

240pp, 197 x 129mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code:085064 Cygnus price: £6.99

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THE DALAI LAMA’S CAT

by David Mitchie This is such a fun read, but still gives lots of life lessons.

It paints a beautiful picture of life in the temple with the Dalai Lama. I read this at a time when I was going through lots of health problems, waiting for results and it really helped me through this. Anybody interested in Cats, Buddhism and the Dalai Lama, would love this book and equally anyone else! By Julie Coates 240pp, 197 x 130mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 260332 Cygnus price: £5.49

FEEL THE FEAR & DO IT ANYWAY by Susan Jeffers This book is about reaching up and touching the highest part of yourself. The simple yet powerful advice it contains has helped millions of people to turn their anger into love, and their indecision into action. What are you afraid of?

Whatever your fears are, this book will help you to transform them to your advantage and live your life in the way - deep down - you really want to live it.

272pp, 198 x 126mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 051040 Cygnus price: £6.49

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25 years of your most life changing books — BOOK REVIEWS watkins masters of

watkins watkins masters masters ofof wisdom wisdom

wisdom

‘masters of wisdom’ – selections of inspiring and memorable writings and teachings from celebrated sages, seers and leaders of the modern age

alan Jacobs, the editor of this book, has made a lifelong study of comparative religion and mysticism, and is a regularly published author and poet. He is an accomplished anthologist – compiler of Poetry for the Spirit and Peace of Mind and the author of When Jesus Lived in India (all published by Watkins).

He is the president of the Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK.

‘When I visited Costa Rica earlier this year, I saw how a country can develop successfully without an army, to become a stable democracy committed to peace and the protection of the natural environment. This confirmed my belief that my vision of Tibet in the future is a realistic plan, not merely a dream.’

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is arguably the most important living spiritual leader in the world today. This book brings together a generous collection of eloquent, moving and uplifting extracts from his many writings and lectures covering the keynote Buddhist themes of kindness, love, compassion and altruism, as well as such topics as Tibet, world peace, the environment, science, women and education. Also included is his Nobel Prize speech, a sampling of his interviews, and several complete poems and prayers. The selection has been made to represent the many facets of this great man’s teachings as well as the warmth, humility, depth, gravity, wit and literary skill that have won him such universal love and admiration.

Jacket image: Thomas Imo / Alamy

www.watkinspublishing.co.uk

GENE KEYS

By Richard Rudd The Gene Keys, 64 in number like the mystical I Ching, are an inner language whose central purpose is to transform our core beliefs about ourselves, thus raising our lives into a higher consciousness. The book’s system is used to generate a unique sequence of Gene Keys that relate to many aspects of your life, including the underlying genetic patterns governing relationships, finances, health and life purpose. The Gene Keys is a blend of Ancient Wisdom and 21st Century knowledge - it guides and inspires the reader to discover the hidden potential waiting to be released within our DNA. 576pages, 235 x 191mm, Paperback, RRP £19.99 ❖ Code:230515 Cygnus price: £12.99

STANDING ON MY BROTHER’S SHOULDERS

By Tara J Lal Tara Lal’s life was shaken to the core when her beloved brother commited suicide, but as she delved into their history and the letters he left behind she found that while she would never really know why he took his own life, she could turn her grief and her trauma into something that could help her grow and something that she could use to help others.

208pp, 216 x 135 mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 260305 Cygnus price: £4.00

TEN ETERNAL QUESTIONS

By Zoe Sallis In this really insightful book Zoe Sallis asks some of the world’s leading spiritual leaders and thinkers, as well as writers, activists, and artists, to answer ten questions about God, faith, karma, destiny, their personal journey, wisdom, ecology and more. Their answers range from the direct to the whimsical but there is always something there that gives you a pause to think.

224pp, 185 x 123 mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 260306 Cygnus price: £4.00

HIS HISHOLINESS HOLINESS THEDALAI DALAILAMA LAMA THE Infinite forfor an an imperfect world Infinitecompassion Compassion Imperfect World

US $12.95 Can $14.95 UK £8.99 the ‘masters of wisdom’ series offers beautifully presented writings and teachings from great spiritual thinkers of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries – for all of us who seek profound truths and values to live by

SAVE 45%

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has dedicated almost his entire adult life to propagating kindness and compassion, and providing practical and spiritual advice on the eternal questions that trouble humankind.

This book captures the humanity, wisdom, humour and courage of the Dalai Lama in an anthology that presents a selection of inspiring pieces from his many books and speeches – as well as interviews and poetry. The teachings are arranged thematically in 25 chapters, beginning with Compassion and the Individual and concluding with The Essence of Wisdom. Other themes include The Stages of the Path, Tibet, Environmental Awareness, The Purpose of Buddhism and The Monk in His Laboratory. The Nobel Peace Prize Lecture is given in full. Unexpectedly, there is A Short Essay on Mountains. His Holiness has written a Foreword especially for this edition.

WATKINS

Body, Mind & Spirit

(from the Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 1989)

If you’ve enjoyed this book and would be interested in joining our mailing list or browsing our catalogue, please visit us at www.watkinspublishing.co.uk

SAVE 35%

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

tenzin Gyatso was born in 1935 to a farming family in a small hamlet in Amdo province, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, and duly became His Holiness the 14th dalai Lama, the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet.

In 1959, a decade after the Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet, he escaped into exile and for more than half a century he has lived in Dharamsala, in northern India. During that time he has worked tirelessly – visiting more than sixty countries and meeting many heads of state – as a spokesperson for world peace and ecumenical understanding. He has written more than seventy books and in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Although he is one of the most widely recognized people on the planet, he continues to describe himself as a simple Buddhist monk.

w

MASTERS OF WISDOM

By HH The Dalai Lama Gathered from previously unpublished speeches and writings, this wonderul little compendium brings His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wisdom on compassion in modern life alive. Engaging and really accessible, this is a brilliant book to dip in and out of whenever you need to give yourself a little lift. It’s also the kind of book that is perfect to give to a friend who needs some of His Holiness’ wise words in their lives. There are other books in this little series from Osho, Gandhi and Thereau.

240pp, 197 x 125 mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 260304 Cygnus price: £3.00

BOOK OF MIRDAD

By Mikhail Naimy Mikhail Naimy, in a similar style to his friend Kahlil Gibran, unravels one layer after another, showing that the words of his message have descended from some mysterious source. The book is essentially a set of questions and answers between Mirdad and his disciples, especially his chief disciple, Naronda.

Mirdad’s teachings cover all the important life issues such as love, creative silence, money, the cycle of time and death, repentance, old age, and so on. Mirdad’s words read like the words of an enlightened Sufi master.

192pages, 197 x125mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 210606 Cygnus price: £4.99

WHEN THE SHOE FITS

By Osho This is one of Osho’s “classics”, although previously little known.

He brings his unique perception to the world of Tao, and offers his penetrating and illuminating comments on these original sutras - the wonderful stories of the Taoist mystic, Chuang Tzu. As always, his inspirational anecdotes and stories illustrate the points he makes about the spiritual search, love, acceptance and true peace and happiness. With wonderfully irreverent humour, Osho sets out to pierce our disguises, shatter our illusions, cure our addictions and demonstrate the self-limiting and often tragic folly of taking ourselves too seriously.

272pages, 216 x 135cm, Paperback, RRP £14.99 ❖ Code:141028 Cygnus price: £5.99

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HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE

I

now been able to manage all sorts of tricky situations and don’t feel like a misery guts when I feel I want to leave a party a bit earlier than the person I arrived there with.

I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but when I think about the American author and psychologist Elaine Aron I could get down on my knees in gratitude for her perceptive work.

In the 1990s, and especially with her book The Highly Sensitive Person, Aron started a discussion around a personality type that allegedly includes one in five people. I am sure the subject has been touched on before – I would imagine, to take one example, in what C.G. Jung said about introverts and extroverts – but Aron’s research on highly sensitive people walked a tightrope better than most, by reassuring people that their reactivity to repetitive noise, feeling pressurized in crowds or long queues or spectacular empathy when it comes to other people’s suffering was not just grumpiness, irritability or lack of backbone, but could be much more down to their physical or mental hardwiring.

In my case I started noticing how I myself was different, because of my reactions to loud sudden noise and how I could actually feel pain when I was watching You’ve Been Framed (not ashamed to admit it!), suffering for example from psychic pain when someone fell off their bike or bounced badly off a trampoline onto the lawn in their back garden.

Adam Gordon reflects on Ilse Sand’s book I couldn’t figure it out at first but then I noticed other phenomena like withdrawing from social settings a bit earlier than most and I started to see a pattern. This was then backed up by reading Elaine Aron’s book and seeing many other manifestations in my daily routine of having a sensitive disposition.

This has been a great help as I have

There are many other aspects of this condition, which you can read about in Ilse Sand’s book or in any of the other excellent books on the subject, or via inspiring community websites like SheepsDressedAsWolves.com.

There are many and varied causes for it I am sure – I happen to think it was to an extent something I was born with – but usually I believe it’s just enough to know you have it and to take the appropriate precautions.

Of course there are some people for whom it can lead to mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and obviously in these cases more drastic steps need to be taken, but for most of us it’s good to know it isn’t just how we are and that we are not grumpy, anti-social or weird, but that we need to watch out for certain situations; and that, more than anything else, we have to be kind to ourselves and not beat ourselves up if we slip quietly away from the wedding, need twentyfour hours to make a relatively straightforward decision or ask people when they are visiting us at home roughly when they think they’ll be leaving again.

Adam Gordon ❖

HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE IN AN INSENSITIVE WORLD

By Ilse Sand I am sure there are many of us in the Cygnus community who have issues around high sensitivity, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to them. Ilse Sand is a Danish former parish priest and current psychotherapist who is herself a highly sensitive person. The book is written in a cool, unshowy Scandinavian style, just telling brief stories and providing cogent observations. It’s not full of exercises but just points out all the manifestations and effects of high sensitivity and then offers clear tips on how to cope with them and make ourselves more resilient. It’s not too long, it’s easy to dip in and out of, and the text is laid out beautifully. It includes a short questionnaire, which will help us clarify whether or not we are highly sensitive. It’s a great point of departure and steady voice of encouragement to us all.

160pp, 197 x 131mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 260307 Cygnus price: £8.49

8

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Body Wisdom — BOOK REVIEWS

CRYSTAL WISDOM HEALING ORACLE KIT

by Judy Hall This oracle tunes in to the reader’s life path, creating access to karmic and ancestral information and evolutionary intention. The cards can be used for healing, soul guidance and self-understanding, either in the traditional way as shown in suggested layouts, or by being placed directly on to the body or chakras. There are five suits of cards or vibrations which access different factors – earthy, healing, cosmic, integration and interactive. Each card, its vibration, its crystal, its insight and meaning for divination is detailed in the guide section of the booklet. This is a beautiful thing to own or to give as a gift for lovers of crystals.

120pp,175 x 124 mm, Card Deck + Book, RRP £14.99 ❖ Code: 260308 Cygnus price: £7.99

REVERSE YOUR DIABETES DIET

By Dr David Cavan Dr Cavan, a leading clinical expert of diabetes, has written this second title following on from his first successful book. He describes diabetes as the 21st century plague, and this new book provides comprehensive lists and tables to help readers understand how to control and potentially reverse the condition. In the opening chapters he argues that the rapid increase in cases around the world must be due to lifestyle changes and that adopting a healthier lifestyle can therefore reverse type 2 diabetes. He backs this up with examples of scientific research into the effects of increasing physical activity and restricting the intake of foods that cause blood glucose levels to rise.

Three quarters of the book is given over to recipes which support expert advice..

256pp,1216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260309 Cygnus price: £7.99

THE CRYSTAL HEALER

By Philip Permutt This gentle book lifts us out of the frantic modern world and opens up a magical concept of a finely tuned life and balanced energy fields.

Whether you actively seek this for yourself or just dream of how good it might be, this book is a joy to browse through. Probably few of us in the 21st century would choose to hold a peridot to our gallstones rather than seek out a surgeon, but perhaps we could all benefit from a greater awareness of subtler forms of healing such as that offered by crystals. This beautifully illustrated book is a comprehensive guide to the use of crystals for healing the environment and our physical ailments and to bring us spiritual enhancement and also an excellent reference for learning more about the different types of crystal.

DYING TO WAKE UP

By Dr Rajiv Parti This skilful doctor paints himself as a shockingly materialistic, acquisitive and abusive individual. During a 7th operation for cancer whilst dying of sepsis he found himself being ejected out of his body. He describes journeys to both hell and heaven. He meets his father and grandfather reliving the cruelty he suffered as a child, but this time with their emotions too, so he discovers the fear and shame that drove them to such acts. He is shown past lives that were earlier repetitions of his addiction and his abusive nature.

After his near-death experience, he awakens a new man. He gives away his mansion, and opens a wellness clinic. His frank honesty about himself is a lesson for us all. Dissolving self-deception is a prerequisite for any of us setting out on the spiritual path.

224pp,229 x 152mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260310 Cygnus price: £6.99

THE COMPLETION PROCESS

By Teal Swan Teal Swan provides us with information about how we become branded by highly charged emotional events and then, from personal experience, she offers us a healing process she has developed giving us the practical tools to apply to our lives. This is a technique that goes to the core of deeply seated problems, where much suffering begins in our lives. The Completion Process unhooks us from those past experiences and integrates our fractured aspects, rejoining us with our present day self. Deep-seated unacknowledged emotions continue to have a huge impact on our lives, and only by facing them, accepting them and releasing them in the right context can their gifts be released.

208pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260311 Cygnus price: £6.99

WARRIOR GODDESS TRAINING

By Heatherash Amara Too often in this world, women measure themselves against those around them and define themselves by who or what they have in their lives. Now is the time to change that - learn how to change from being outer-focussed to inner-focussed, and concentrate on what is important to you and what makes you the powerful, perceptive and perfect woman you are. Celebrate what makes you, you, and know that you are the one you’ve been waiting for. These lessons are taken from the wisdom of generations of strong women, mixed with inspiration and easy exercises from the author.

192pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260312 Cygnus price: £6.99

144pp, 235 x 190mm, Paperback, RRP £12.99 ❖ Code: 170521 Cygnus price: £6.99

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9

w

GEOFF NAPIER

Why did we begin Cygnus and what is it’s intention now?

Welcomes you to the Cygnus Community news pages

25 years ago this month Ann Napier and I set out to create a book club that might become a companion on the road less travelled. We wanted to explore the paths that would lead us towards a spiritual life encapsulated in the Golden Rule, “Do as you would be done by”. It was an experiment that we hoped would help us find others who were walking that way too, treading the paths towards living a life of Unconditional Love.

Recently I found myself having to spell out as clearly as I could what makes Cygnus unique - why we might select one book over another - and thus create some guidelines for our contributors. In business terms, I was trying to answer the question. What is our niche? What is our uniquely special proposal that distinguishes us from any other magazine? This is what I wrote and please tell me if this does not ring true for you - we need to know!

Most of us, most of the time, are fully immersed in what can be described as a shared worldview or paradigm, which might seem totally real and complete. Some of us, though, sense that we are actually sleepwalking in a collective nightmare which is apparently constructed out of pairs of opposites: financial lack sat alongside phenomenal wealth, personal isolation with a craving for community, millions starving while millions overeat, fantasy war films and tales of terrorist bombs fill our homes. Somewhere deep inside we know that we are all one, that we are all connected, that this nightmare need not be happening. This growing group struggles to wake up to a different worldview, where everything can be seen as part of one seamless whole.

Our intention is that Cygnus reviews and features speak to your heart, and to your spiritual essence which is in no doubt about this experience of oneness, rather than to your mind which is drowning in information or by appealing to your ego which primarily experiences life as one long parade of threats, fears and lack of control.

OUR GOAL AS CONTRIBUTORS TO CYGNUS Whatever we write, whether it be a book review, story, letter or extract, it must always include the potential to give at least one reader an AHA! Moment. We aim to provide readers with insights or perspectives that you can identify with from your core, that will help you let go of some part of the mental straitjacket or web of misconceptions that hold you back.

Above all, we must be authentic, rather than contrived or formulaic.

Don’t worry, our members can tell the difference a mile off! Every piece will need to pass the test, “Is this written from the heart to the heart”?

Remember, we are not intending to add to our members’ burden of knowledge, which will need to be shed sooner or later when they decide to walk through the eye of the needle.

So writing just to give some “interesting” gossip about an author, or to appeal to the ego, have no place in Cygnus. There are hundreds of gossip magazines that will do a far better job than we can.

Titles or blurb might give you some clue, as to when the writer is appealing to the ego, to heal its woes, make it feel secure or promise it a measure of control. Instead we are looking for extracts and articles that have the ability to inspire and fan that inner fire we all possess. Our readers are longing to distinguish and peel away what is false within them, to dissolve the layers of protection constructed by the ego and by our conditioning to reveal the source of the Light Within.

Before suggesting what we think makes Cygnus different, let’s just look at how the world is normally presented to us. ❖ The world of duality is characterised by pairs of

opposites some of which we have already described.

❖ We use judgments to decide upon good or bad, fault or

blame, for me or against me.

❖ Our ego experiences separation and isolation, me and

mine or “not” me and mine.

❖ Most of our time is spent getting things or doing things,

Our intention is that Cygnus reviews and features speak to your heart....

10

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WELCOME

while just being our authentic selves is considered nonproductive and thus does not attract brownie points from our culture.

CYGNUS IS AIMED AT ANOTHER NICHE This is the one that our core readership is most attracted to. The following statements I suspect make sense to readers of Cygnus: “ We are all from one source”, “E=mc2 (every thing is energy)” Since we are all from one source, we already possess the Light within us. If we cannot see it, it will still be there, like that treasure in the myths and legends, which heroes like us need to find. ❖ The Light is not “out there” it is actually “in here, in my own (treasure)chest”. ❖ The Creator is within everyone. ❖ Everything is an expression of the Source, and contains varying degrees of consciousness.

In these times, we are all caught up in a breathtaking time of transformation, the scope of which is so vast, it is completely understandable if we can’t grasp it. But once we connect the dots that are there all around us, we will never look at things the same way again.

We have the potential to be Human Beings - not the Human Doings or Human Havings our culture conditions us to be.

NON-DUALITY / ONENESS AUTHORS You will often find authors in the pages of Cygnus who are expressing oneness in some form or other. These include Eckhart Tolle, Bede Griffiths, Andrew Harvey, Lao Tzu and Sufi teachers such as Rumi, together with scores of others.

Tim Freke (pictured above) reminds us that we are individuals rooted in matter, yet we are capable of becoming aware of the Oneness. That it is not a matter of either spirit or matter. We can choose to be the mixing vessels for both spirit and matter. We can choose to become the empty vessel, where spirit marries matter - consciously.

How large is the community that thrives on Oneness?

I wonder….?

Well, Cygnus alone has a pool of 70,000 members across the UK who have never returned a magazine or asked to be taken off our mailing list and there will be many others out there who have not heard of Cygnus at all. Remember, we are all connected, so imagine what would happen if we all became aware of this!

How different that would make our everyday stream of consciousness. We are never alone; we may be lonely, but we now know we are not alone, wherever we are!

We are a community without walls, dogmas or a fixed set of beliefs, connected through our hearts and by openness to the highest good.

Namaste!

Geoff

Geoff Napier and the whole team at Cygnus

❖ Tim Freke above and team Cygnus at the One World festival.

❖ Brett Moran at the Cygnus marquee.

Cygnus at the One World Summer Festival

I had the pleasure in the first week of August of attending the One World Summer Festival in Somerset with about a dozen other Cygnus Volunteers. Between us we manned a Cygnus book stall, the Cygnus Marquee, where authors gave talks and people came to chill and chat, and a quiet space we called the Cygnus Circle, used for Cygnus Cafe sessions as well as open discussions on various topical subjects from ‘nutrition on the spiritual path’ to ‘Spirituality, holistic health and the NHS’.

It was a delight to spend time with like-minded people, with many interesting chats and discussions. It was also lovely to see 30 or more Cygnus members join us, creating the feeling of a Cygnus family at the event. We shared some special days which I expect we will all remember for some time to come.

Nikki Brown - Cafe Coordinator, Milton Keynes Throughout the week some 300+ workshops, talks and events took place. From drumming and singing to eminent facilitators like Michael Rossoff and Tony Mills. A flying visit from a young man, Brett Moran who changed his life of drugs, crime and prison into health, love and service and whose energy alone could fuel a spiritual revolution proved a popular talk. The Cygnus marquee, bookshop and meditation room provided quiet havens in an otherwise exciting and sometimes hectic week. There were films, music, dancing and wonderfully accepting and loving energy from everyone present. As a finishing flourish we had Tim Freke show us vividly how we could consciously live the paradox of being both an individual and also become part of the ALL, as is outlined in his new book Lucid Living (see page 15). Each evening Ingrid Slack guided all who wanted to come to a wonderfully arranged sequence of Biodanza sessions for us all to participate in at the College’s large gymnasium.

Liz O’Shea

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11

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COUNTY Birmingham, Tamworth Avon, Bath Somerset, Glastonbury Somerset, Yeovil Dorset, Bournemouth Hove, East Sussex West Sussex, Littlehampton Eastbourne South Glos, Thornbury Bristol, Bishopston UK Cumbria, Penrith Cambridge UK Rhondda, Pontyprith Cheshire, Chester Mold Wirral, Merseyside Cheshire, Ellesmereport Surrey, Croydon Surrey, Caterham Warwickshire, Leamington Spa Warwickshire, Leamington Spa Staffs, Stratford Upon Avon Sandbach Warks South Yorks, Doncaster Dorset, Sherbourne Staffordshire, Stourbridge Herts, Cheshunt Devon, Barnstable Devon, Barnstable Lancashire, Lytham, St Ann's Glos, Nailsworth Surrey, Guildford Surrey, Shere Hants, Alershot W Yorks, Holmfirth Herefordshire, Mordiford Rosshire, Conon Bridge Surrey, Cobham Thurso Merseyside, Liverpool, Thornton Merseyside, Liverpool, Woolton Lancashire, Lancaster Leics, Newtown Linford Leics, Hinkley Leics, Coalville South Gwynedd, Theatr Harlech North Gwynedd, Dinorwig Manchester, Sale Bucks, Milton Keynes Tyne & Wear, Wallsend Northumberland, Bamburgh Northants, Earls Barton Oxfordshire,Witney Norfolk, Fakenham Plymouth

CONTACT Jo Greaves Mari Batholomew Colin Simmonds Suzy Langdon Georgie Fox Simon Annette Seaman Valerie Abl Mrs Maggie Jeffery Martin Harvey Jackie Lewis Penny Brown Louisa Mills Lynn Alexander Helen Rushforth Carol Carter Barbara Hendy Valerie Williams John Sleeman Maria Reece Sarah Orchard Gaynor Godiva Karl Grey David Steare Sandra Edwards Niki Cassar Suzanne Taylor Monique Elton Mrs Viv Easton Lynne Clement S Qualter/A Cowgill Patsy Freeman Vali Drummond Linda Sewell Hazel Cornwall Leanne Ainley Averil Clother Shenagh Leiper Mary Hartnett Fiona Shepheard Sue Massey Pamela Langley Catherine Hunt Debra Davis Anne Booth Cheryl Colpman Maria Lamburn Maria Lamburn Rosemary Plunkett Nikki Brown Christine Peek Anthea Jackson Linda Bing Cindy Gumm Gemma Challis Ann Kader

TELEPHONE 07738 216 429 01225 840 889 07811 539 963 07762 314 319 07759 724 008 01273 220 159 07977 737 038 01323 726 652 01454 413 535 01179 425 460 to come 01223 467 672 01244 951 753 01244 8311 63 0151 334 6617 0151 356 7305 0208 654 0615 01883 340 025 07795 202 168 01926 420 809 07966 182 546 07450 499 284 01332 661 102 07773 173 919 01963 371 695 01384 936 227 07710 099 600 01271 375 303 01271 374 025 07928 632 976 01453 839 303 01483 810 843 07850 839 472 07947 344 140 01484 680 126 07875 665 015 07721 656 668 07866 574 104 01955 611 332 0151 924 6240 0151 421 1772 07957 861 408 07748 274 373 01455 444 518 01530 831 798 01286 872 115 01286 872 115 0161 962 4123 07972 257 004 0191 262 0305 07794 944796 07881 957 572 07525 267 817 07576 365 214 01752 267 600

EMAIL jo.greaves@talktalk.net mari@sulis-health.co.uk colin.sadhu@gmail.com suzysoo62@hotmail.co.uk blessgeorgie123@gmail.com info@tolcentre.com annetteseaman@gmail.com valerie@talentshift.co.uk maggiejeffery2@hotmail.co.uk m_harvey@phonecoop.coop jackie.lewis@lewissurveying.com penelopebsnell@gmail.com cygnuscaferct@aol.co.uk. lynnalexander@talktalk.net h.rushforth@uwclub.net carolcarter100@btinternet.com reiba106@ntlworld.com angelicgreetings2u@yahoo.com jjsleeman@aol.com maria@mariareece.co.uk longman.sarah@googlemail.com gaynor_godiva@hotmail.com karlgrey@hotmail.co.uk david.steare@ntlworld.com sandra579@btinternet.com mail@nikicassar.com suzanne@auraveda.co.uk moniqueelton@outlook.com easton866@btinternet.com lynneclement@hotmail.com simonequalter@yahoo.co.uk freeman.49@btinternet.com hapivali7@gmail.com lindasewell@hotmail.co.uk hazel__cornwell@hotmail.com info@holmevalleywellbeing.com averilann68@gmail.com leipershenagh@gmail.com maryhaertnett@live.com fionashepherd18@googlemail.com suemassey60@yahoo.com pamelalangley@hotmail.com info@therelaxationroom.co.uk reikidebra@hotmail.co.uk withane.anne@googlemail.com cheryl@cherylcolpman.co.uk galeritonic@googlemail.com galeritonic@googlemail.com rosieglow3@icloud.com nikki-nutrimed@hotmail.co.uk christinepeek23@gmail.com antheajackson@hotmail.co.uk puffl@hotmail.co.uk cinjken420@hotmail.com gemma@thenorfolkretreat.co.uk hutt1944@yahoo.co.uk

❖ There was so much to see and do at the One World Festival.

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COUNTY Cornwall, Port Isaac West Sussex, Bosham Berkshire, Bracknell Basingstoke West Sussex, Whiteman's Green Derbyshire, Chesterfield Barnsley Swansea Carmarthenshire, Carmarthen Wiltshire, Salisbury Dorset, Gillingham Tyne & Wear, Sunderland Essex, Southend Essex, Wickford Staffs, Stoke-on-Trent Staffs, Newcastle-under-Lyme Somerset, Taunton Berwickshire, Eyemouth Ironbridge Kent, Hildenborough Kent, Ashford Cornwall, Truru Cornwall, Port Isaac Cleveland, Saltburn Devon, Newton Abbot London, Ealing Worcs, Evesham Worcs, Malvern Worcs, Tenbury Wells West Midlands, Wolverhampton Yorkshire, York UK North Yorks, Scarborough North Yorks, Selby North Yorks, Whitby

CONTACT Ann Fanstone Kathryn Bingham Ms Debbie Lewis Lowri Rylance Judy Sharp Phoebe Alonso Peter Bexon Matthew Rayner Dorothy Morris Mrs Letty Rowan Jan Coppins Angela Cousins Pauline Poole Jan Westall Nathan Smallman Rosemary Stephenson Robin Littman Maggie Cole Romella Jones Liz Wright Sylvia Nichols Jane Goodall Anthia Tounsend Kathryn Luczakiewicz Carol Courtier Christina Tett Elizabeth Payne June Walters Hilary Foxwell Jas Bassi Helga Imisson Helen Marriott Val Turner Daphne Wright

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EMAIL fanstone@phonecoop.coop office@thehamblinvision.org.uk bumblebee.holistic@outlook.com judysharp123@gmail.com info@pddevelopment.co.uk peterbexon269@btinternet.com 2humphreystreet@gmail.com dorothy_morris@hotmail.com janesnowflake@gmail.com coppins_janet@yahoo.co.uk angelacousins7@gmail.com papoole36@gmail.com jan.westall@btconnect.com nathan.smallman@btinternet.com rosemary@celestiallighthealers.com Robin@resource-me.com rebecca66south@hotmail.com cariadtherapies@outlook.com e_lizwright@hotmail.com viastjames@icloud.com janegoodall@live.co.uk info@saltburnwellbeingcentre.co.uk carolcourtier@msn.com guinevere006@yahoo.co.uk elizabethann.payne@tiscali.co.uk mpower4you@gmail.com hilaryfoxwell@hotmail.com Info@jasbassi.com helgaimisson5@gmail.com info@fountainscourt.com valdert@btinternet.com dwright05@hotmail.com

Dogma-free zones... for heart-to-heart contact MORE CAFE COORDINATOR MEETINGS Later on in August a group of Cafe coordinators gathered together In Chester for the day to compare experiences and give support and encouragement to those just getting started with their own group. If you would like get together with Cafe Coordinators in your region, Geoff Napier is happy to come over and share what we’ve learned in other parts of the country. We are just waiting for a date to be fixed for the next Coordinator Meeting which looks like it will be held in the North East. In fact everyone is welcome to these meeting, whether you have begun a group yet or not, just drop Geoff an email.

❖

As you know Cygnus Review has relaunched as a membership magazine.

We already have 3-4,000 supporters, which is really wonderful. However, we have some way to go before we can meet our minimum sustainable costs. Our initial goal is to aim for 12,000 subscribers. This will enable Cygnus Review to be self-sustaining, so if you haven’t yet renewed your membership this year or you have a friend or relation that would like to begin receiving it again please invite them to become a supporter. On the back page you’ll see some of the benefits of membership.

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13

LOUISA CRISP - Hints to speed you on your inward journey

O

ne of the most common questions I get asked is, “Why am I here on this planet?” If I ask a client why they believe they are here they almost always reply, “To help people”.

This common misconception is unhelpful because if we focus on helping others we tend to take the focus off ourselves.

We are here to heal ourselves. We cannot heal others.

We might help others as we journey, that is a bonus, but the main focus needs to be on our own journey and our intuition will guide us in every moment, if we listen.

Here are a few of the most helpful guidelines that come up on a daily basis as I talk with fellow seekers of the truth.

As you search for answers your intuition will give you one of three answers. A definite yes means, ‘go for it’ a definite no means ‘don’t go for it’. Not sure means ‘ask the universe / God to show you the way’. Never ‘go for it’ unless you have a very definite yes. Asking to be shown after a not sure can lead you on a very helpful journey and save you much heartache, keeping you safely on track.

If you feel the intuitive pull to go for a massage, reflexology or similar experience, make sure you ask the universe to allow only energy of the highest nature to influence you as you receive the treatment, Then work with your therapist. As you are treated

‘We are here to heal ourselves’ LOUISA CRISP

observe your thoughts and emotions.

Ask the universe to show you what the energetic block in your body is trying to show you. A treatment is not very helpful if you end up needing another one for the same reason the following week. If you have asked to heal, you will heal.

If you come across the memory of a past life, either spontaneously by yourself or gifted from someone else,

THE SURRENDER EXPERIMENT By Michael A Singer Michael Singer was prepared to forgo everything for the Highest Good. He went to live in the woods in a simple shed to meditate by himself rather than begin a profession. Since he had resolved to surrender his will to the will of the Highest Good he found himself doing things that he would never have chosen for himself.

Within a few years life found him running a software business worth $350m, his hut had transformed into a retreat centre covering hundreds of acres and finally he surrendered to being called a fraud with the FBI hounding him for 7 years before they admitted that the accusations were groundless. What, dear friends, are you prepared to surrender, to go through the eye of the needle? Your intuition will teach you. I found this a deeply instructive book, no theory, no belief system, just simple, total integrity. Review by Geoff Napier.

272pp, 199 x 130mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 NEW EDITION ❖ Code: 260313 Cygnus price: £6.99

14

there is a reason for it. Your body is trying to release the energetic memory from it. Use past life memory as much as you can. Go into all the emotions that you feel and ask for any that are hiding to be shown to you. So many of us run from seeing the important part of the memory. Be thorough.

Then ask for forgiveness for anything you have done wrong and forgive those who have wronged you. Release the emotions from your body so that you do not have to carry them around any more. Enlighten yourself!

If you find yourself having a strong reaction to something, use it!

Don’t just back off and say “That’s not for me”. The strong reaction is trying to prompt healing. Start asking questions. “Why do I feel like this?

What emotions are at the bottom of it all? How do I let them go?”

As you search for your truth every day, so many avenues of help appear.

Each of us needs different avenues.

Don’t be tempted to try one because your friend is or because it’s local.

Try one because your intuition tells you it’s what you need. This simple act can save you years of wasted journeying.

The universe is only interested in helping you heal. Therefore one of the most important factors is to trust it. If you struggle to trust, search for reasons. Ask for answers.

But whatever you ask for, only ask once. If you ask many times you are not trusting and so are blocking the universe from helping you. Ask once and let go of the question. The answer will come, when you are ready.

As you read this magazine, trust your intuition to show you which books will serve you in the highest possible way.

You are part of a massive journey to enlightenment. Enjoy your journey. As you let go of all that has held you prisoner for so long, you remember more and more of your original purpose. You are part of a fascinating experience on earth. Take the fastest road you can. It’s time.❖ ❖ Louisa Crisp www.cotswoldhealingretreat.co.uk

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Wonderings & Wanderings of the Mind — BOOK REVIEWS

THE INNER CAMINO

By Sara Hollowey & Jill Brierly The Camino de Santiago is a famous pilgrim route across Spain which thousands have followed over the centuries.

The Inner Camino of this book is a pilgrimage to the Inner Self in which the guide is Intuitive Consciousness. This is a book for the serious seeker of change who is prepared to undertake a life changing journey.

224pp, 228 x 155mm, Paperback, RRP £11.99 ❖ Code: 240717 Cygnus price: £9.99

GATEWAY TO THE HEAVENS

By Karen French Simple geometric shapes and symbols combine to make the universal, powerful and sacred model Karen French calls the Gateway to the Heavens. In this book Karen explains the meaning and purpose of these shapes, how they mould our reality and perception of it, and how they have a direct bearing on what you are and why you are here.

These shapes and symbols contain messages that have been consistently represented in religion, philosophy, mythology, mysticism, the arts and sciences.

Their messages are built into our genetic make-up and we recognise them instinctively.

240pp, 244 x 190mm, Paperback, RRP £14.99 ❖ Code: 240508 Cygnus price: £7.99

LUCID LIVING By Tim Freke Tim has written 30 books on the wisdom traditions around the world and he has distilled all he has learned so far into this compact pocket book. It’s dynamite. He wants you to grab your to life by the lapels and wake it up to the magic of awareness. He’s desperate to help you become conscious, moment by moment to the mystery, the paradox that is you. What if you were asleep now and that in reality the world was inside you? What if this life is a dream? He has prepared 8 insights that will wake you up throughout the day. These insights will introduce you to a way of thinking about life that will utterly transform your experience of living by changing your perspective.

And you can read it all in a couple hours.

Author in the spotlight

96pp, 160 x 119mm, Paperback, RRP £4.99 ❖ Code: 260314 Cygnus price: £2.99

BUY BOTH for £14

THE HIDDEN GEOMETRY OF LIFE By Karen French Karen is an artist, writer and scientist and her passion is to vivify the underlying patterns of nature and our shared universe.

This volume is nothing less than a source of inspirations, insights and food for the eyes and the soul. She takes us on pictorial journeys through numbers, shapes & sounds. She illustrates music, mantras and rythms and shows how we resonate, reflect and amplify the patterns of life embedded all around us. I am savouring the marriage of words and images before watching my imagination take flight, making connections between the patterns of my own life. - Geoff Napier 232pp, 244 x 190mm, Paperback, RRP £16.99 ❖ Code: 221019 Cygnus price: £7.99

THE MYSTERY EXPERIENCE

By Tim Freke What is The Mystery Experience?

Traditionally described as 'spiritual awakening' or 'enlightenment', it spontaneously arises when we become conscious of the breathtaking mystery of existence.

Refreshingly funny, down-to-earth and authentic, this book makes the awakened state available to all. A recognized authority on Gnosticism and the ancient Mystery Schools, and what Tim does in this book is bring the age-old perennial wisdom of the mystery teachings right into the 21st century. The result is a compelling kaleidoscope of inspiring ideas. Wherever you are coming from, you’ll find this book rewarding and - yes - enlightening!

352pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £12.99 ❖ Code: 220605 Cygnus price: £7.99

THE GLOBAL MIND AND THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION

By Carl Johan Calleman Ph.D. This remarkable study takes in our understanding of consciousness, physiology, history and the Mayan calendar to offer up an integrated theory of human evolution that brings together the mind and body, and shows how this evolution has been shaped by history.

Essentially each rebirth of civilization has been matched by a leap in the evolution of our collective consciousness.

320pp, 229 x 152mm, Paperback, RRP £16.99 ❖ Code: 260315 Cygnus price: £13.99

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15

ABUNDANCE & THE NEW PARADIGM by Maddy Harland

T

he celebrated Buddhist scholar and activist, Joanna Macy once told me that becoming a non-consumerist is the most subversive thing we can do. We effectively stop supporting the unravelling of our social and ecological systems and focus our resources and attention on what she called ‘The Great Turning’ towards a saner, more peaceful ecological society. This does not mean that we stop buying things entirely, but that we make a profound change of emphasis. Material goods are no longer the sparks that fire us. Instead, we support ethical, independent stores that pay their staff a fair wage, and we buy locally, organically and fair trade. We actively disinvest – we choose not to invest our money in companies that support the fossil fuel and nuclear economy. We buy clean, renewable energy and support a low carbon economy.

Non-consumerism is about developing skills, awareness and resilience. It is an adventure of the spirit where we explore our deeper connection with the natural world: wild swimming and camping, walking, conservation volunteering, tree planting, bird watching, seal watching, running, growing food, making art and crafting, propagating, grafting and sharing plants, saving and sharing seeds, upcycling … and many more satisfying and creative activities.

The key to this is stopping, not shopping, reconnecting to simplicity and abundance and freeing ourselves from the conditioning that we can only satisfy our wants by acquiring more material goods, whether they are the latest gadget or an epicurean treat.

We actively reframe our experience of abundance and measure wealth in terms of sunsets, a proliferation of pollinated flowers, a glut of courgettes, a murmuration of starlings … rather than in yet more ‘stuff’.

As we use up our planet and raise the human population above an unprecedented seven billion people, it is difficult for the majority

16

‘We have to find the wild in smaller places...’

MADDY HARLAND

of us to find true wilderness in large landscapes so we have to find the wild in smaller places too … watching a bee pollinate flowers, seeds germinating, plants growing, the emergence of the new moon … anything that immerses and reconnects us to the irrepressible growth and abundance of Nature. We learn of Nature’s power during storms (I particularly enjoy the grandeur and drama of thunder and lightning) and see how little our lives really are. Our impermanence is humbling but it can also be reassuring. This great planet and its turning will continue in some form or another long after we are forgotten. We are just visitors passing through on a cosmic journey that is far greater than any one species.

When we understand the grandeur of our cosmos and the wonder of the natural systems that surround us, what we do arises from a perspective of respect and awe. The realisation of true abundance is in our deepening relationship with the great and incontrovertible power of Nature. ❖ ❖ Maddy Harland is editor of

MIRACULOUS ABUNDANCE - ONE QUARTER ACRE, TWO FRENCH FARMERS, AND ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED THE WORLD

By Perrine and Charles Hervé-Gruyer Charles and Perrine, having travelled the world and gained many insights into right livelihood, decide to settle down and live a simple, rural existence growing food on their smallholding in Normandy with no previous experience.

At first their parched and unfertile plot is challenging but, trawling the internet, they discover permaculture. It helps them design not only a growing system but their lifestyles, giving them a framework of ethics, principles and techniques. Their book is part story, and part practical permaculture in action. It is already a best-seller and I highly recommend it if you are seeking a new life nearer the soil!

320pp, 229 x 152mm, Paperback, RRP £16.99 ❖ Code: 260316 Cygnus price: £11.99

ACTIVE HOPE

By Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone If you feel somewhat overwhelmed when you think of the current world situation, this wonderful book will strengthen you in body and mind, not just to face the challenges that lie ahead, but to really, constructively, find a way of overcoming them. As you will learn, Active Hope is something we do, rather than have. Joanna and Chris shares their experience of inspiring people to take a knife and fork to the spaghetti which is modern life.

256pp, 222 x146mm, Paperback, RRP £14.99 ❖ Code: 220615 Cygnus price: £10.99

Permaculture - www.permaculture.co.uk

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NAME BOOK OF WRITER REVIEWS XXXXX & CANDLELIGHT CINEMA EVERYDAY MATTERS 2017 BUY BOTH DESK DIARY & POCKET DIARY By FOR Dani DiPirro £8.99 Organise your thoughts and aspirations, as well as your dayto-day activities, with these uplifting diaries from positivity blogger, Dani DiPirro. Full of inspiring quotes and happiness exercises on every page to help you get through the week in a more positive way. Every month focuses on a new theme, which includes: Love, Positivity, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Hope, Inspiration, Joy, Appreciation, Authenticity, Adventure, Empathy and Freedom. At the end of each month, there is also a dedicated ‘overview’ page where you can list the things that you have been grateful for, as well as your hopes for the coming weeks. What a wonderful way to stitch the fabric of your life together consciously with these themes this coming year! Who would you like to share this journey with this year and compare your new insights to?

❖ 2017 Desk Diary ❖176pp, 249 x 178mm, Spiral Bound, RRP £12.99 ❖ Code: 260317 Cygnus price: £5.99 ❖ 2017 Pocket Diary ❖ 176pp, 155 x 107mm, Hardback, RRP £6.99 ❖ Code: 260318 Cygnus price: £3.49

ROAD TO PEACE This award-winning film offers a radical vision of how we can create lasting peace within ourselves and on a global level.

Complete with rare behind the scenes access and a candid personal interview, this fly-on-the-wall documentary is as close to a flesh-and-blood encounter with the Dalai Lama as you can get. As we follow His Holiness on the road around Britain during his last visit before stepping down as the exiled Political Leader of Tibet, the film offers an intimate portrait of the man behind the myth with his remarkable warmth, integrity, humility and playful sense of humour.

1hr 4mins, DVD, RRP £12.99 ❖ Code: D260320 Cygnus price: £10.99

ONE TRACK HEART: THE STORY OF KRISHNA DAS In 1970, Jeffrey Kagel walked away from the American dream of rock ’n’ roll stardom— turning down the lead singer slot in the band that would become Blue Oyster Cult. He sold all his possessions and moved from the suburbs of New York to the foothills of the Himalayas in search of happiness and a little-known saint named Neem Karoli Baba (or Maharajji). It follows his return, his struggles with depression and drug abuse, and his eventual emergence as Krishna Das—the world-renowned spiritual teacher, chant master and Grammy-nominated recording artist.

1hr 12mins, DVD, RRP £16.99 ❖ Code: D260321 Cygnus price: £14.99

HAPPINESS & OTHER SMALL THINGS OF ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE

By Haim Shapira We all want to be happy, but what is happiness?

Haim Shapira navigates the terrain of happiness, exploring and contemplating an eclectic range of theories and insights into the conflicts we face on our journey to creating our own happiness. Drawing on literary and philosophical sources ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Nietzsche, Haim invites us to challenge our perspectives on happiness and provides us with alternative ways we may view what is important. The book itself is a small format, it would easily fit in a larger coat pocket and so could prove a great travel read and has a value way beyond its small size.

192pp, 1185 x 127mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 260319 Cygnus price: £3.00

❖ Treat yourself and your community to an evening of inspirational films shared together. We have carefully sourced these films and showed most of them at the recent One World Festival.

OCCUPY LOVE DVD ❖ Code: D250221 Cygnus price: £14.99 FINDING JOE DVD ❖ Code: D220733 Cygnus price: £14.99 THE FAIRY TRAIL DVD ❖ Code: D250222 Cygnus price: £14.99 THE CURE IS DVD ❖ Code: D260126 Cygnus price: £14.99 Buy any 2 DVDs on this page and Save another £1 - use the code DVDSPECIAL during checkout, by mail or by phone.

ORDER & CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE ❖ Phone: 02078 594 375 Email: advertising@cygnus-books.co.uk ❖ Website: www.cygnusreview.com

17

BOOK REVIEWS — Body NAME Wisdom OF WRITER XXXXX

CLEARING EMOTIONAL CLUTTER

By Donald Altman It can feel good to de-clutter our home, but this book addresses the huge benefits of decluttering the mind so we can exist more mindfully in a freed up emotional space. Lifestyle tools are provided in this book to help the process along, and in particular there is support in dealing with problems stemming from toxic families and friendships that may go back years, even generations.

Dialogue, free will and letting be are just some of the many practical things this book suggests, it is a useful guide for anyone who feels it is time to throw off the past.

256pp, 213 x 140mm, Paperback, RRP £13.99 ❖ Code: 260322 Cygnus price: £9.99

EVERYBODY TELLS A STORY

By Liz Kalinowska & Daska Hatton This book is about craniosacral therapy, a form of treatment that can seem quite mysterious.

Following the story of a fictional client and therapist, the reader learns how the healing process progresses. Moving from the initial feeling that the therapist ‘didn’t seem to be doing anything’, to discovering the therapist senses tension where there is a problem and waits for silence and safety, this is a very subtle way of encouraging responses in the body. An interesting view of a journey through treatment with its own subtle rhythm and timing.

200pp, 229 x 152mm, Paperback, RRP £14.99 ❖ Code: 260323 Cygnus price: £12.99

BREAKING DOWN IS WAKING UP

By Russell Razzaque There is so much being spoken now about the outward psychological crisis, which is actually a spiritual transformation. This is one of the earlier mainstream books on the subject, written by an eminent London-based psychologist and one of the pioneers in the field in this country. Russell is in a strong position to look at this phenomenon from the scientific angle and he has lots to say about human development and how that might have an impact later on during the crisis.

Unlike other authors, he has not himself undergone such a crisis but all his work as a mental health professional has enabled him to come up with similar penetrating insights on how to negotiate one. He has a masterful overview of all the different therapies available, plus deep experience in meditation within the Buddhist tradition, and as a consequence the book is both wise and compassionate.

272pp, 216 x 135 mm, Paperback, RRP £ 9.99 ❖ Code: 250229 Cygnus price: £4.99

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ADULT ADHD: HOW TO SUCCEED AS A HUNTER IN A FARMER’S WORLD

By Thomm Hartmann Anyone worried about ADHD should read this book which spins around negative perceptions and focuses on how to use the condition in a positive way. People who are easily distracted and find it difficult to focus, with short attention span, are what the author calls Hunters. In wilder times they needed to be constantly scanning to survive, but in a colonised world you need to focus for long periods, a difficult environment for a Hunter. To succeed, they need to resist structure and go for independence and creativity. This book provides strategies for making the most of ADHD as an adult, particularly in the workplace and business fields.

144pp, 229 x 152mm, Paperback, RRP £11.99 ❖ Code: 260324 Cygnus price: £8.99

DOWSING FOR CURES

By Wilma Davidson This book speaks with firm confidence about the benefits of dowsing for health.

Anyone can tap into universal knowledge and diagnose problems using a pendulum.

The A – Z guide of common ailments offers instructions to the dowser on such things as where on the body to dowse, how to identify geopathic stress and selecting the correct remedies or supplements using the pendulum. Perhaps this is not a book for beginners, but for those who have already developed a feeling for this method of healing. The book is packed with useful information.

256pp, 229 x 152mm, Paperback, RRP £12.99 ❖ Code: 181109 Cygnus price: £8.99

THE STRESS SOLUTION

By Arthur P Ciaramicol The author of this is a psychologist and there are endorsements on the cover from two medical doctors and a PhD, which is a very good sign. He is tackling all the destructive side-effects of stress, especially in terms of anxiety and depression, using all the latest techniques, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and empathy.

Because the publisher is New World Library, the text is full of wonderfully helpful stories and observations, which make this serious issue much more approachable for the general reader.

272pp, 216 x 140mm, Paperback, RRP £16.50 ❖ Code: 260325 Cygnus price: £11.99

BOOK YOUR AD TODAY ❖ Phone: 02078 594 375 ❖ Email: advertising@cygnus-books.co.uk More information: www.cygnusreview.com/pages/advertising

* Extra Special Offers from Cygnus *

THE C LIST

by Rachel Bown Poignant, practical and downto-earth, this guide to dealing with the realities of cancer from a two-time survivor is never preachy but gives great advice on how to cope from diagnosis all the way through treatment.

The section on how to tell your children really touched me as the mother of an eight year-old.

Both Rachel’s own cancer story and the advice she shares can make a difference to sufferers and their families alike.

256pp, 216 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260326 Cygnus special price: £5.00

BE YOUR OWN FAIRY TALE

by Alison Davies The archetypes used in fairy tales have fascinated and delighted us for centuries, in this beautifully designed little hardback book Alison Davies sheds light on how we can use them to sprinkle magic into our lives. Whether that’s by storyboarding your own fairy tale, devising a quest to build your confidence, identifing your inner hero or learning to be your own fairy godmother - there is something to help bring the changes you want into your life!

160pp, 190 x 140mm, Hardback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260328 Cygnus price: £5.00

BAY TREE HOME DELI COOKBOOK

by Emma Macdonald Emma Macdonald started The Bay Tree company in her mother’s kitchen, now it’s on supermarket shelves across the country. I often look at their amazing jars and wonder how I could use those ingredients, but I don’t need to wonder anymore as this recipe book features over 70 recipes all with a deli ingredient as the hero.

224pp, 252 x 191mm, Hardback, RRP £20.00 ❖ Code: 260327 Cygnus price: £5.00

CALL ON YOUR ANGELS

by Claire Nahmad Claire Nahmad is one of the best teachers when it comes to facilitating angel communication and this book is no exception.

Often our messages to our angels can go unheard because we haven’t got ourselves into the right state of consciousness, but Claire reveals in this book just how we can overcome these difficulties so we can have a direct line to the angels and get their messages as and when we need them.

224pp, 197 x 180mm, Paperback, RRP £8.99 ❖ Code: 240501 Cygnus price: £5.00

STORE CUPBOARD MIRACLES FOR HEALTH, HOME & BEAUTY Buy 1 for £3, 2 for £5 or all 3 for £7

UNEARTHING VENUS BY CATE MONTANA What does it mean to be a woman? If we do lean in will we start to lose that identity? Cate Montana spent her life in the male dominated film industry but when she was challenged on retreat to define what it meant to be a woman she paused, realising that she didn’t know.

In this fascinating book you get swept along on Cate’s journey to connect with the sacred feminine and recognise what it truly means to be a woman.

256pp, 215 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £9.99 ❖ Code: 230927 Cygnus price: £4.00

WRITE FOR YOUR LIVES BY JOSEPH SESTITO The art of creative writing has long been used as a form of therapy, and psychotherapist Joseph Sestito has used this techniques with his clients. In this engaging and authoritative book, Joseph mixes Buddhism with CBT to create a unique system that makes you both a better writer but also helps you become a better person unlocking your hidden writing talents along the way.

192pp, 214 x 135mm, Paperback, RRP £10.99 ❖ Code: 260330 Cygnus price: £5.00

These practical and accessible little guides offer helpful information on how to make the most from some of nature’s most useful products - in cooking, health, cleaning and beauty.

MIRACLE OF HONEY 144pp, 182 x 120mm, Softback, RRP £6.99 ❖ Code: 230310 Cygnus price: £3.00 MIRACLE OF TEA 144pp, 182 x 120mm, Softback, RRP £6.99 ❖ Code: 231209 Cygnus price: £3.00 MIRACLE OF GARLIC 144pp, 182 x 120m m, Softback, RRP £6.99 ❖ Code: 260331 Cygnus price: £3.00

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19

THE BEAUTY OF BEING NO ONE SPECIAL BY SIMON AUSTIN

H

aving worked in South East London as a plumber for over 30 years I’ve noticed the pressure on everyone is rising, and there’s more to do but less time to do it. People seem to live in their own bubbles and are so focused on their destinations that they are missing the journey, the here and now. The community I work in is broken, yet what most need is to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. We place huge expectations on ourselves in our daily lives in an attempt to ‘prove’ we are super human. Is this the same where you live?

I don’t read much and most of what I have learned is from my personal experience. Sometimes, the only contact with a customer is “This is the problem, can you fix it?” that’s as far as it goes. However, during the past few years I’ve noticed customers changing.

They are beginning to appreciate the more natural offerings of the world. The main change they are making is to their diet and general attitude to health. I am often working in properties when the groceries turn up and there is a lot more responsibly sourced food, organic and free range. Becoming aware of what food they were eating served to awaken a deeper level of thinking, and they question the life they were being drawn into, the quick fix, the throwaway, uncaring lifestyle. More often now, they make time to talk about what is becoming important for them. They feel incomplete and lost.

They’ve noticed changes in me too. They notice I am more open and interested in their lives. They ask me why I am interested in these subjects now. I do have to declare that I am not religious and don’t belong to any cult that chants whilst dancing around trees! I’m just a plumber.

However, 6 years ago my wife was told about a retreat in the Cotswolds.

The first time we pulled into the drive I immediately sensed a peace within that I felt vaguely familiar with. It was like a little piece of heaven with its

20

‘We place huge expectations on ourselves...’

SIMON AUSTIN

own energy and complete tranquillity.

Meeting other guests there over the years has helped immensely to develop my own spirituality and sense of self. I don’t feel alone in my search as I did and I feel tuned into a higher energy. I have learnt to observe my own thought process and beliefs and to trust my intuition more. This I do whilst at work - I don’t have time for Yoga classes or workshops.

I have noticed books and magazines appearing in peoples’ homes which indicate their search for a sense of community. They are more open to talking about it and not so worried I may find them strange. The conversations I have now are mutually reassuring, that we are like-minded, we just want a better, more connected world filled with light and love, without judgement.

My developing beliefs have enabled me to be more open about what I experience so when I do have discussions with my customers they are curious to learn more, they ask questions and want to listen with their heart. They are not asking out of politeness.

There are the little things I do now that I didn’t imagine doing before, like I always leave love and light at each job I do, believing they will benefit from it even if they never know!

Coming into people’s homes now is a constant source of surprises. It used to be that I was seen as a useful pair of hands in an emergency, now it is just as likely to be an opportunity for really deep, authentic conversations about topics that matter to both myself and my customers.

Next time you meet some neighbour, tradesman or shopkeeper, you could choose to be open to what your intuition suggests. You might be surprised. ❖

SELF COMPASSION by Kristin Neff PhD Kristin Neff is a professor in human development whose 10 years’ of research forms the basis of her timely and highly readable book. What gives this book authority is the fact that before she embarked on this research, she suffered from depression, anxiety and destructive self criticism that culminated in a messy divorce.

So she needed to find a powerful solution for combatting her own version of the current malaise that comes with living in a pressured and competitive culture. Through tried and tested exercises and audio downloads, readers learn the 3 core components that will help replace negative and destructive measures of self worth and success with a kinder and non judgemental approach. Kristin Neff’s expert and practical advice offers a completely new set of personal development tools that will benefit everyone.

320pp, 234 x 155mm, Paperback, RRP £14.99 ❖ Code: 210602 Cygnus price: £10.99

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IRENE - ‘BEAUTY FROM WITHIN’

NOTICEBOARD

Have you tried IRENE Royal Jelly?

The Queen took it, Prince Phillip took it, Princess Diana took it, Sarah, Duchess of York took it when trying to get pregnant and was successful; Margaret Thatcher took it, and so do many high-profile figures and athletes to this day.

Royal Jelly is a highly nutritious substance known for its seemingly endless health benefits. The secretion is produced in the glands of worker bees exclusively for the consumption of the queen bee who is much larger in size, lives 50 times longer than other bees and unlike the others, is fertile, producing an average of 2,000 eggs a day.

In humans, this substance provides a source of energy and revitalisation and was introduced to the western world by one woman only, Irene Stein.

In her 40 year career, Irene has established two very successful companies and has been instrumental in developing her unique Royal Jelly formulation for consumers worldwide.

A blend of completely natural and herbal ingredients, the vitamin and mineral-rich formulation is ten times more potent than any other formulations available today and is known to promote a significant effect on health and well-being. It has been shown to: improve the condition of hair, nails and skin; strengthen the immune system; promote age-defying abilities; improve eyesight, stress management and fatigue, and relieve allergies. Other benefits include improved memory and concentration and a quicker recovery from operations. In children, Royal Jelly has been shown to improve eczema, asthma and hyperactivity and has great effects on learning difficulties.

In fact, the IRENE Formulation has also been known to prevent hair loss and promote hair re-growth in its natural colour. So beneficial is Royal Jelly, that thousands have taken it throughout the world including Irene, her mother, two daughters and two granddaughters! Thanks to Royal Jelly, Irene, at 77 does not have a single grey hair and her mother, Sophie completely reversed the greying process!

For more information on IRENE Royal Jelly or to read more articles on the known health benefits, please visit www.irenesteinrj.com.

To enquire, please email: ireneroyaljelly@gmail.com or call 07831 641199.

For more information on Irene Stein, IRENE Royal Jelly and its many benefits or to read more articles, please visit www.irenesteinrj.com, email ireneroyaljelly@gmail.com or call 07831 641199.

WATKINS BOOKS (est. 1893) Esoteric Bookstore in the Heart of London

BOOK S / TA ROT / CRYSTA LS / I NCENSE / J EW EL L ERY / FI L MS We Are Open Every Day! Address: 19-21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ (Nearest Tube: Leicester Square) Website: www.watkinsbooks.com - Enjoy Free U K Shipping on Web Orders over £30!

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21

NOTICEBOARD S p i r i t ua l Co m pa n i o n S inspiring personal Development For accredited courses and trainings, 1-2-1 and peer circles

Bristol Anna Bianchi • anna-courageousliving.com East anglia Naomi Duffield • mangreen.co.uk Essex/ireland Chrissie Astell • angellight.co.uk Evesham Kate Bird • katebird.co.uk Harrogate Martine Moorby • martinemoorby.com london Margaret Law-Homewood • evolvingheart.org london/Glastonbury William Bloom • williambloom.com north lincs Carl Stonier • personal-potential.co.uk Somerset Sarah Jane Williamson • shapingwisdom.com

www.spiritualcompanions.org 01458 555008 EVENTS, COURSES & WORKSHOPS KARUNA REIKI ® (including Holy Fire Reiki) Next step for Reiki Masters (all lineages) seekers of Universal Truth and Compassion. Classes set in beautiful Peak District. (All levels of Usui Reiki taught). Tel 01629 733227 Email: peakspirit@ hotmail.co.uk; visit www.karunareiki.co.uk ANAM CARA RETREAT CENTRE, Scottish Highlands, Inverness. Residential workshops and retreats in Shamanism, Buddhism, Meditation, Yoga Training, Permaculture & Working Retreats. To request a brochure, tel. 01463 711702 email: welcome@anamcara.org visit: www.anamcara.org THE CRYSTAL ENLIGHTENMENT CONFERENCE Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th July. Hotel Metropole, Llandrindod Wells. Join a host of respected teachers and authors for a weekend full of crystal insights and inspiration.

Early bird prices until end of March 2016. T: 01597 822749 www.crystalconference.info

HEALING, COACHING AND READINGS CLAIRVOYANT, PAUL offers spiritually guided consultations in Brighton & Eastbourne and also by telephone. My work always helps those ready for change. Please telephone Brighton 01273 602929 for further details.

CLAIRVOYANT TAROT READINGS ON CD £25 Postal or Telephone. Looking for positive change? Making a tough decision? Gain clear direction and Answers. 35yrs Experience. Maria 01202 600756 help@totallyshamanic.com AKASHIC RECORD READINGS £65, releases patterns from the past, clears blockages, gives direction with life’s choices. face to face, email, Skype readings. Feng Shui, Healthy Home consultations tel: 07885 945008 www.fengshuilife. co.uk email: vickysweetlove@yahoo.co.uk

UNIQUE SPIRITUAL EMAIL READINGS by Jo Walker.

Individual, positive, healing advice. Over 20 years’ experience. Payment by donation. For more information or to request a reading email me at jcwalker888@yahoo.co.uk SPIRITUAL RESPONSE REMOTE HEALING clears karmic blocks, behaviour patterns and toxic buildings for clarity and peace. Also Yogic Meditation 4 month online courses, fortnightly sessions via Skype. Jenny 07801751244. jenny@living-lightly.co.uk www.living-lightly.co.uk IVY - GENUINE ROMANY CLAIRVOYANT & MEDIUM. Est.35 yrs. Is your future uncertain? I have the answers you seek! Immediate telephone consultations: 01843 866862 Not an agency!

AFFECTED BY NEGATIVE ENERGY? Professional remote scanning safely releases negative thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, pastlife issues, spirit attachments, cutting ties for people and property. Contact Margaret Payne 01458 835317, Facebook.com/negativeenergyrelease ASTROLOGICAL CHILD PROFILE – UNIQUE GIFT Beautifully presented in a luxury silver hardback cover, this detailed 45 plus page report will help all parents to understand their children better. Tel: 01540 661828 SOUL CONTRACT READING - Spiritually guided consultations. Align with your Soul Blueprint, uncover your best future potential. Empower yourself, overcome challenges, grow your strengths, manifest your dreams.

Contact Marion M:07975782998 marion.soul.destiny@gmail. com ANGELIC GUIDANCE WITH MICHAEL – Welcome positive change into your life. Please telephone Eastbourne 01323 365751 for further details. mikeallone@talktalk.net CHANNELLED READINGS AND MEDIUMSHIP Phone sessions densely packed with clear, accurate, waffle-free information,pointers to your growth and development, healing messages from family, pets, loved ones. Corinne Jeffrey 01594 829491/ +44 1594 29491 www.lovebeingyou.co.uk REMOTE SOUL HEALING – Realign your soul to its optimum purpose. Past life blockages, negativity, spirit attachment, removed from you and your property. Enjoy an Akashic Record Reading. Contact Gill 07900 300828 gill@light2life. co.uk SHIFT YOUR LIFE! Let experienced coach, therapist/ energy transformer, Rosemary, boost you. Art/ Writing/ Music. RHYDYWENNOL CENTRE. Idyllic magical garden location in rural Wales. M4 access. rosemary.graham7@ virgin.net. Autumn/Spring. Individuals/groups. www. http//:thelifeawakeningcoach.weebly.com

PSYCHIC LYNNE, very powerful, the best tarot and medium reading that you will ever have. 0113 278 4222 all cards welcome. Pay by phone 0913 5300003 £1.02 per minute, mobiles may vary.

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BOOK YOUR AD TODAY ❖ Phone: 02078 594 375 ❖ Email: advertising@cygnus-books.co.uk More information: www.cygnusreview.com/pages/advertising

NOTICEBOARD RETREATS MINDFULNESS SELF-MASTERY RETREAT. York Gate Garden, Adel, Leeds LS16 8DW. First Saturday of month 9.30 - 13.00. Cost £25. Contact Deborah Snowden 07798526319, email:efthealingandgolf@gmail.com. www.efthealingandgolf.com PEACEFUL HILLSIDE RETREAT North Wales. Healing space to reflect, rest and rejuvenate. Beautiful mountain views. Lovingly prepared meals. Personalised retreat: soulcounselling, meditation, Reiki, labyrinth, spiritual library, walks.... www.soul-life.co.uk Helen 01352 780281 HEALING RETREAT WEEKEND FOR MIND BODY AND SPIRIT in the beautiful Pennines of West Yorkshire August 26th-28th including a workshop “enhancement for your PersonalSelf” www.thursthousefarm.co.uk 01422 822820 07759 619043

WANTED BACK ISSUES OF CYGNUS If you have been keeping the Cygnus Reviews and would like them to find good homes bring them with you to the One World Summer Festival. We will use them to raise funds for the Cygnus Cafe network. We would like to display a complete collection at the summer camp. Offers to: volunteers.admin@cygnus-books.co.uk

Tree Of Life Inspiration • Wellbeing • Vitality Inspiring events to nourish your mind, heart & spirit in Birmingham

Tim Wheater & Cherub

Lorna Byrne

Lucinda Drayton Bliss Concert

Music, Mantra & Magic Concert

Sat 17 Sept

Sat 1 Oct

Fri 28 Oct

An Afternoon with the Angels

www.treeoflife-events.co.uk

0121 449 4086

GLASTONBURY, LUXURY PROPERTY TO RENT

beautiful Grade II house sleeps 6/8, 3 en suite bedrooms, breakfast kitchen, meditation room, spiritual artwork throughout, large private garden with Tor view, central location minutes from High Street, Chalice Well, Tor and Abbey Grounds. Wonderful peaceful energies!

Call Julia 07540697239, Email BlakeHouseRetreat@yahoo.co.uk, www.BlakeHouseRetreat.co.uk.

HOME FOR THE CYGNUS REFERENCE LIBRARY We are looking for a home for the reference set of books that have appeared in Cygnus. There are approximately about 6000 titles. If you know of any retreat or conference centre that might appreciate such a treasure trove please contact Geoff.

THE INCREDIBLE CHI MACHINE (Beware of imitation Chi Exercise Machines!)

The original Sun Ancon Chi Machine and the only one to have been the subject of extensive clinical trials and medical research.

The iMRS Mat which has been shown by NASA to be the most effective for joint/muscle pain, circulatory, respiratory and digestive problems The Amethyst Bio Mat – a breakthrough in medical science for the cardiovascular system, the immune system, pain, stress, and toxin removal.

For further info or advice on these and other products contact:Tricia Dickens CMH,CHyp Tel: 02392793720 www.alternativehealthuk.com

COLOUR THERAPY

Do you want to stand out from the crowd?

Be more creative and innovative?

Regain health, wealth & happiness?

Discover more at www.colourtherapytoday.com Contact: June McLeod

ORDER & CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE ❖ Phone: 02078 594 375 Email: advertising@cygnus-books.co.uk ❖ Website: www.cygnusreview.com

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Jill Purce Pioneer of Sound Healing, Family & Ancestral Healing

HEALING VOICE

Explore the Magic of your Voice, Overtone Chanting, Mantra and Sacred Chants, Living Mandala Ceremonies.

HEALING FAMILY & ANCESTORS RESONANT FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS Find the keys that set yourself, family and children free; transform clamorous ancestors into powerful guides.

Weekends London.

Week Intensives Somerset / London: 29 Apr., 17 Jun. & 29 Oct. www.healingvoice.com Tel. 0207 435 2467 info@healingvoice.com

Become a Cygnus supporter Cygnus is on a journey of transformation. At its heart is a group of supporters who share our vision. Help us realise the potential of this growing community – join Cygnus today for £25 (UK) and £35 (overseas)

Become a Cygnus Supporter and enjoy: Guaranteed copies of Cygnus Review, four times a year – Carefully selected titles, tried, tested and reviewed just for you Free annual subscription to Watkins Mind Body Spirit Magazine – delivered with your Cygnus Review Discounted entry to a number of events throughout the year – save £30 off the One World Summer Festival Limited edition Cygnus pen – Perfect for when you want to make your words matter

Free gift

Access to the Cygnus Café network – Meet up with local Cygnus supporters for mutual growth and support Three 10% discount vouchers to use in the Cygnus Shop – Save even more off your favourite books, DVDs and resources

Special Offer

GIFT THE GIFT OF A MEMBERSHIP! Buy a membership for yourself and treat a friend for a combined price of £40 (UK only) - saving £10 Join online, by phone or by post www.cygnusreview.com or call 02078 594 375

* Please note your membership pack will be sent with the next issue of the Cygnus Review, details of your discounts codes will be sent with your confirmation email or letter within 2 weeks of purchase.