Title: Your Soul's Plan - Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born
Author: Robert Schwartz
Publisher: Frog Books
This is not the kind of book I would have readily pick up to read. Sheer curiousity at a moment in time got me to me intereested in this book when a friend of mine started to read it and shared some of what she was present to from the book on Facebook. The book was pointed to this friend of mine in a chat-group by someone I knew.
I realized that my local library holds copies of this book in ebook form, and borrowed a copy of the ebook to read.
This book will be quite a meaningful read for any one who will like a paradigm shift in the way he/ she looks at life-challenges. This book explores the concept of pre-birth planning. Thanks to the generosity of several individuals who participated in sharing their stories in this book, the book explored how the individuals involved could have planned their challenges, and the amount of courage it could require to live the plans.
I am choosing to remain open yet openly skeptical about the possibility of pre-birth plannning. At the same time, in this world where there are so many mysteries, this could be a book to read to open ourselves up to new paradigm.
For more information on Rob Schwartz and Your Soul's Plan, please refer to: https://www.yoursoulsplan.com
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Read: Sonia Choquette's Traveling at the Speed of Love
Title: Traveling at the Speed of Love
Author: Sonia Choquette
Publisher: Hay House, Inc
I was introduced by a friend, whom I have gotten to know when I was travelling in Boston, to the writings by Sonia Choquette. I borrowed this book from the local library, and found her writings to be accessible and exuding a sense of humour that is light-hearted and lively.
This book essentially communicates the message of choosing to live in a frequency of unconditional love. In a modern world when many of us travel at the frequency of fear and exist in a victim consciousnesss, her book encourages us to take our power back by travelling at the speed of love.
I like the way that this book has been written to demonstrate the power of her imaginative use of anecdotes and examples. A book that I will recommend. I will be happy to receive this book as a resource to my personal library in the near future.
Author: Sonia Choquette
Publisher: Hay House, Inc
I was introduced by a friend, whom I have gotten to know when I was travelling in Boston, to the writings by Sonia Choquette. I borrowed this book from the local library, and found her writings to be accessible and exuding a sense of humour that is light-hearted and lively.
This book essentially communicates the message of choosing to live in a frequency of unconditional love. In a modern world when many of us travel at the frequency of fear and exist in a victim consciousnesss, her book encourages us to take our power back by travelling at the speed of love.
I like the way that this book has been written to demonstrate the power of her imaginative use of anecdotes and examples. A book that I will recommend. I will be happy to receive this book as a resource to my personal library in the near future.
Thursday, November 01, 2018
Read: Redfield's The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure
Title: The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure (copyright 1993)
Author: James Redfield
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, New York, Boston.
This book was a recommendation to me. I felt very thankful that by sheer intuition, I went to a local library to borrow this book without first checking the catalogue and was pleasantly surprised that the very local library that I had gone to had stored one copy of the book, and it was available!
Essentially, the protagonist in this book undertook a journey to find and understand a series of nine spiritual insights that were found in an ancient manuscript in Peru.
The Nine Insights of The Celestine Prophecy have been listed in this site: https://www.gurus.org/dougdeb/Courses/bestsellers/Celestine/Insights.htm
The Third Insight speaks of an energy that forms the basis of all things. The perception of this energy by humans can be initiated with an increased awareness of beauty. The chapter on the Third Insight also pointed to how human beings can develop the capacity to notice when and how we give and receive the energy.
In the Sixth Insight, revelation about the different kind of "control dramas" which are patterns of causing others to give us energy were described. Essentially, to be in a state of love with the world on a regular basis, we have to let go of the pattern of behaviour described by these control dramas. The four of them are namely: The Intimidator, The Interrogator, The Aloof, The Poor Me.
The Eighth Insight illustrates about interpersonal ethics of relating to others.
The Ninth Insight speaks of the posibility that when humans continue to increase our vibrations to a certain level, we can become invisible o those who are still vibrating at a lower level.
A book worthwhile to read.
Author: James Redfield
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, New York, Boston.
This book was a recommendation to me. I felt very thankful that by sheer intuition, I went to a local library to borrow this book without first checking the catalogue and was pleasantly surprised that the very local library that I had gone to had stored one copy of the book, and it was available!
Essentially, the protagonist in this book undertook a journey to find and understand a series of nine spiritual insights that were found in an ancient manuscript in Peru.
The Nine Insights of The Celestine Prophecy have been listed in this site: https://www.gurus.org/dougdeb/Courses/bestsellers/Celestine/Insights.htm
The Third Insight speaks of an energy that forms the basis of all things. The perception of this energy by humans can be initiated with an increased awareness of beauty. The chapter on the Third Insight also pointed to how human beings can develop the capacity to notice when and how we give and receive the energy.
In the Sixth Insight, revelation about the different kind of "control dramas" which are patterns of causing others to give us energy were described. Essentially, to be in a state of love with the world on a regular basis, we have to let go of the pattern of behaviour described by these control dramas. The four of them are namely: The Intimidator, The Interrogator, The Aloof, The Poor Me.
The Eighth Insight illustrates about interpersonal ethics of relating to others.
The Ninth Insight speaks of the posibility that when humans continue to increase our vibrations to a certain level, we can become invisible o those who are still vibrating at a lower level.
A book worthwhile to read.
Saturday, May 05, 2018
Read: David Hawkin's Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender
Author: David Hawkin
Title: Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender
Written in accessibly manner, this book describes the steps to let of negativity. A book that has brought me comfort when I read it. A book that is suitable for anyone interested in the subject matter.
Sunday, February 04, 2018
Read: Power of Sound
Title: Power of Sound: Tune in to the Secrets of Joyous Living Using Himalayan Singing Bowls
Author: Dr Sujata Singhi
Publisher: Happy Self Publishing (2017)
Thanks to one of my friends, I learnt about Himalayan Singing Bowls and the work of Dr Sujata Singhi. When Dr Sujata Singhi was in Singapore last year, I attended one of the sound spa workshops that she has conducted and received a copy of her book.
Power of Sound, is a book on the healing power of sound, especially through the use of Himalayan Singing Bowls.
The first chapter of the book sets the context of what healing is about. This chapter also lends a glimpse to Dr Sujata Singhi's personal journey that led her to healing using Himalayan Singing Bowls.
Subsequent chapters discuss about concepts such as "chakras", the qualities of sounds, and more about the Himalayan Singing Bowls.
An accessible book to read.
More information on Dr Sujata Singhi's work is accessible from: http://sujatasinghi.com
Author: Dr Sujata Singhi
Publisher: Happy Self Publishing (2017)
Thanks to one of my friends, I learnt about Himalayan Singing Bowls and the work of Dr Sujata Singhi. When Dr Sujata Singhi was in Singapore last year, I attended one of the sound spa workshops that she has conducted and received a copy of her book.
Power of Sound, is a book on the healing power of sound, especially through the use of Himalayan Singing Bowls.
The first chapter of the book sets the context of what healing is about. This chapter also lends a glimpse to Dr Sujata Singhi's personal journey that led her to healing using Himalayan Singing Bowls.
Subsequent chapters discuss about concepts such as "chakras", the qualities of sounds, and more about the Himalayan Singing Bowls.
An accessible book to read.
More information on Dr Sujata Singhi's work is accessible from: http://sujatasinghi.com
Tuesday, October 03, 2017
Read: Kahn's A Beginner's Guide to Charting Financial Markets
Author: Michael Kahn
Title: A Beginner's Guide to Charting Financial Markets: A practical introduction to technical analysis for investors.
In an endeavour to understand technical analysis so as to have accesss to a tool that could be used to aid in investment decisions, I borrowed this book from the public library.
It is interesting how technical analysis is based solely on data generated by the market and by the actions of the people in the market.
One learning points that I have gained from the book is that technical analysis focuses on how stock prices are moving and how powerful the moves are. Essentially, the technical analysis is achieved by analysing price and volume, and the derivative measures, to ultimately measure supply and demand.
A systematic introductory book to read to appreciate technical analysis. I appreciate the illustrations made by the examples given in the book. At the same time, I felt there were something critical that I could be missing to fully gain sufficient confidence in reading the charts.
Title: A Beginner's Guide to Charting Financial Markets: A practical introduction to technical analysis for investors.
In an endeavour to understand technical analysis so as to have accesss to a tool that could be used to aid in investment decisions, I borrowed this book from the public library.
It is interesting how technical analysis is based solely on data generated by the market and by the actions of the people in the market.
One learning points that I have gained from the book is that technical analysis focuses on how stock prices are moving and how powerful the moves are. Essentially, the technical analysis is achieved by analysing price and volume, and the derivative measures, to ultimately measure supply and demand.
A systematic introductory book to read to appreciate technical analysis. I appreciate the illustrations made by the examples given in the book. At the same time, I felt there were something critical that I could be missing to fully gain sufficient confidence in reading the charts.
Monday, October 02, 2017
Read: David Hawkins' Power vs Force
Author: David R. Hawkins
Title: Power vs Force
Publisher: Hay House
This was a book recommended by one of my friends who so generously lent me the book to read.
A book that builds on applied kinesiology and behavioral kinesiology. I have found it profound and interesting to read. It took me less than a week to read this book.
Do have a good read of this book.
The Foreword in this book is already very inviting, "Imagine - what if you had access to a simple yes-or-no answer to any question you wished to ask? A demonstrably true answer. Any question... think about it."
Monday, August 21, 2017
Read: Secrets of Happy Couples
Title: Secrets of Happy Couples
Author: Kim Olver
Publisher: InsiderOut Press, Chicago, Illinois
This book is dedicated to those who want more love in their lives.
The author is a licensed clinical professional counsellor, life coach, founder of Coaching for Excellence LLC and creator of the InsideOut Empowerment process. This book was part of the results of the author spending two years compiling the research and survey data for "Secrets of Happy Couple". This book is about the secrets of happy, satisfied, and committed couples who had been together at least ten years.
So in essence, self-love is the secret ingredient to happy, thriving relationships.
In this book, the author referred to Dr William Glasser's "Eight Lessons for a Happier Marriage". These Healthy Relationship Habits are:
1. Listening
2. Supporting
3. Encouraging
4. Trusting
5. Respecting
6. Accepting
7. Negotiating differences
Yet this book is more than the Eight Healthy Relationship Habits. It sheds light on what the empirical data says about the secrets of happy, satisfied and committed couples. I was reading this book from a professional angle. Yet it is quite a good book to read for any layperson who's married or single, and wants to learn more about healthy relationships.
I am glad that I have finally completed my read of this book after putting it on a long one-year halt in between.
Author: Kim Olver
Publisher: InsiderOut Press, Chicago, Illinois
This book is dedicated to those who want more love in their lives.
The author is a licensed clinical professional counsellor, life coach, founder of Coaching for Excellence LLC and creator of the InsideOut Empowerment process. This book was part of the results of the author spending two years compiling the research and survey data for "Secrets of Happy Couple". This book is about the secrets of happy, satisfied, and committed couples who had been together at least ten years.
So in essence, self-love is the secret ingredient to happy, thriving relationships.
In this book, the author referred to Dr William Glasser's "Eight Lessons for a Happier Marriage". These Healthy Relationship Habits are:
1. Listening
2. Supporting
3. Encouraging
4. Trusting
5. Respecting
6. Accepting
7. Negotiating differences
Yet this book is more than the Eight Healthy Relationship Habits. It sheds light on what the empirical data says about the secrets of happy, satisfied and committed couples. I was reading this book from a professional angle. Yet it is quite a good book to read for any layperson who's married or single, and wants to learn more about healthy relationships.
I am glad that I have finally completed my read of this book after putting it on a long one-year halt in between.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Read: Turning Goals into Results
 |
| Source: Amazon.com |
Title: Turning Goals Into Results: The Power of Catalytic Mechanisms
Author: Jim Collins
Publisher: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation
A book the size of a note-book, this book is part of the Harvard Business Review series where each volume contains a groundbreaking idea that has shaped best practices and inspired countless managers around the world.
The catalytic mechanism is a codified term that Jim Collins named as 'the crucial link between objectives and performance... They make big, hairy, audacious goals reachable.' This term came out from his observation and study of a simple yet extremely powerful managerial tool that has helped organisations turn goals into results.
One question that one could ask in the formulation of a 'catalytic mechanism' could be: "What would it take to actually reach an ambitious goal?"
In this book, the author describes the various characteristics of a catalytic mechanism. He also illustrates examples of how catalytic mechanisms have been used to achieve big, hairy, audacious goals.
In summary, a catalytic mechanism share five distinct characteristics. These are:
1) Produces desired results in unpredictable ways
2) Distributes power for the benefit of the overall system, often to the great discomfort of those who traditionally hold power.
3) "Has teeth", it puts a process in place that all but guarantees that the vision of the organisation will be fulfilled.
4) Ejects viruses, i.e. it helps organizations to get the right people in the first place, keep them, and eject those who do not share the company's core values.
5) Produces an ongoing effect
In this book, the author also provides a few general principles based on his research that supports the process of building catalytic mechanisms effectively. These are:
- Don't just add, remove
- Create, don't copy
- Use money, but not only money
- Allow your mechanisms to evolve
- Build an integrated set
This book is an accessible read to expand one's perspectives on what it would take to reach an ambitious goal with a long time frame. Check it out: https://hbr.org/product/turning-goals-into-results-the-power-of-catalytic-mechanisms-harvard-business-review-classics/10099E-KND-ENG
Monday, June 12, 2017
Read: Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead
Title: The Fountainhead
Author: Ayn Rand
Publisher: Signet
In this fiction book, the author, Ayn Rand, explores and presents her vision of the following themes:
1) Independence: Thinking for oneself, Judging for oneself, Making Decisions based solely on one's own thinking and judgement.
2) Second-handers
3) The morality of individualism
4) Creativity
5) Central purpose: In The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark is motivated by the intellectual challenge of solving architectural problems and the artistic drive to create structures of beauty.
It appears that the theme of independence, individualism, creativity and central purpose could be related to the concept of "integrity" which was stated in page 313 of this edition as "the ability to stand by an idea". The protagonist, Howard Roark, was a representation of the 'ideal man' and a person of integrity.
I learnt that the author has eventually used the title to highlight that it is firsthand thinking of history's great creative minds that is the fountainhead of human progress. A book that urges me to think about what could the ideal man be and what it means to think independently for oneself.
SparkNotes Editors.(2002) SparkNote on The Fountainhead. has put up summaries and analysis of The Fountainhead. These can be available here: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/fountainhead/
Author: Ayn Rand
Publisher: Signet
In this fiction book, the author, Ayn Rand, explores and presents her vision of the following themes:
1) Independence: Thinking for oneself, Judging for oneself, Making Decisions based solely on one's own thinking and judgement.
2) Second-handers
3) The morality of individualism
4) Creativity
5) Central purpose: In The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Roark is motivated by the intellectual challenge of solving architectural problems and the artistic drive to create structures of beauty.
It appears that the theme of independence, individualism, creativity and central purpose could be related to the concept of "integrity" which was stated in page 313 of this edition as "the ability to stand by an idea". The protagonist, Howard Roark, was a representation of the 'ideal man' and a person of integrity.
I learnt that the author has eventually used the title to highlight that it is firsthand thinking of history's great creative minds that is the fountainhead of human progress. A book that urges me to think about what could the ideal man be and what it means to think independently for oneself.
SparkNotes Editors.(2002) SparkNote on The Fountainhead. has put up summaries and analysis of The Fountainhead. These can be available here: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/fountainhead/
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Read: Mycoskie's Start Something That Matters
Title: Start Something That Matters
Author: Blake Mycoskie
Publisher: The Random House Publishing Group.
When I was at Booktique looking for a book as a gift to one of my friends, Anthony of Booktique gave me several recommendations. Out of which, Mycoskie's "Start Something That Matters" stood out as the perfect gift. Anthony of Booktique shared with me that this was the book that had inspired him very much. To find out more, visit Booktique and read about the story of how Booktique started out.
Back to the book, after deciding to get the book for my friend, I felt I could get a copy too for myself. So I did.
An accessible read. Blake Mycoskie has a great gift of communicating his ideas and life experiences in simple and clear fashion. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to start something that matters, no matter how small or huge this 'something' could be.
The book weaves in Blake Mycokie's TOMS story and I could not help but want to buy a pair of TOMS from my local store if I could find out soon enough.
The book is weaved together by eight different chapters:
1) The TOMS story
2) Find your story
3) Face your fears
4) Be resourceful without resources
5) Keep it simple
6) Build trust
7) Giving is good business
8) The final step
While I was about to share which would be my favourite chapters, I realized that each chapter was a gift for me to deepen my understanding of how to start something that matters. I have enjoyed each chapter. A book to read and to keep.
Author: Blake Mycoskie
Publisher: The Random House Publishing Group.
When I was at Booktique looking for a book as a gift to one of my friends, Anthony of Booktique gave me several recommendations. Out of which, Mycoskie's "Start Something That Matters" stood out as the perfect gift. Anthony of Booktique shared with me that this was the book that had inspired him very much. To find out more, visit Booktique and read about the story of how Booktique started out.
Back to the book, after deciding to get the book for my friend, I felt I could get a copy too for myself. So I did.
An accessible read. Blake Mycoskie has a great gift of communicating his ideas and life experiences in simple and clear fashion. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to start something that matters, no matter how small or huge this 'something' could be.
The book weaves in Blake Mycokie's TOMS story and I could not help but want to buy a pair of TOMS from my local store if I could find out soon enough.
The book is weaved together by eight different chapters:
1) The TOMS story
2) Find your story
3) Face your fears
4) Be resourceful without resources
5) Keep it simple
6) Build trust
7) Giving is good business
8) The final step
While I was about to share which would be my favourite chapters, I realized that each chapter was a gift for me to deepen my understanding of how to start something that matters. I have enjoyed each chapter. A book to read and to keep.
Sunday, March 05, 2017
Places: Good OH' Holland Village 2017
 |
| Holland Village. the HDB flats. |
Please join me to explore one of Singapore's Oldest Bohemian Enclave, Holland Village, at the Good OH' Holland Village event. To find out more, please visit: Places: Good OH' Holland Village 2017
OH! Holland Village
Saturdays and Sundays
4 - 19 Mar 2017
Tours run from 4 p.m.
$25 for three 45-minutes tour
http://ohopenhouse.org/holland-village/
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Read: Sonia Choquette's Soul Lessons and Soul Purpose
Title: Soul Lessons and Soul Purpose: A Channeled guide to Why You Are Here
Author: Sonia Choquette
Publisher: Hay House (2008)
An accessible and clear book to read. This book is a book channeled by Sonia Choquette's spirit guides, The Three Bishops, as well as Joachim and the Emissaries of the Third Ray.
A loving book to read. The guides state that Earth is "soul school" and that we are here to master the basic 22 soul lessons in order to fulfill our purpose.
The soul lessons are as follow:
Learning to Use Your Creative Power
Soul Lesson #1: You are a Divine Immortal Being
Soul Lesson #2: You are a Co-creator with the Divine
Soul Lesson #3: Creation Begins with Thought
Soul Lesson #4: Engage Your Feelings
Soul Lesson #5: You Create in Pictures
Soul Lesson #6: Live in the Present
Soul Lesson #7: Divine Energy Flows Through You, Not from You.
Soul Lesson #8: Refine Your Reason
Soul Lesson 9: Follow Your Inner Voice
Soul Lesson #10: Open Your Heart
Soul Lesson #11: Detach
Working with Divine Law
Soul Lesson #12: All Is in Divine Order
Soul Lesson #13: Reverse Your Perceptions
Soul Lesson #14: Accept Death
Soul Lesson #15: Embrace Life's Tests
Soul Lesson #16: Temper Your Ego
Soul Lesson #17: Address Your Mistakes
Soul Lesson #18: Actively Meditate
Soul Lesson #19: Love Your Body
Soul Lesson #20: Regenerate Your Soul
Soul Lesson #21: Shatter Negative Patterns
Soul Lesson #22: Waste No Time
This is a book that I will be pleased to read again or to receive as a gift.
Author: Sonia Choquette
Publisher: Hay House (2008)
An accessible and clear book to read. This book is a book channeled by Sonia Choquette's spirit guides, The Three Bishops, as well as Joachim and the Emissaries of the Third Ray.
A loving book to read. The guides state that Earth is "soul school" and that we are here to master the basic 22 soul lessons in order to fulfill our purpose.
The soul lessons are as follow:
Learning to Use Your Creative Power
Soul Lesson #1: You are a Divine Immortal Being
Soul Lesson #2: You are a Co-creator with the Divine
Soul Lesson #3: Creation Begins with Thought
Soul Lesson #4: Engage Your Feelings
Soul Lesson #5: You Create in Pictures
Soul Lesson #6: Live in the Present
Soul Lesson #7: Divine Energy Flows Through You, Not from You.
Soul Lesson #8: Refine Your Reason
Soul Lesson 9: Follow Your Inner Voice
Soul Lesson #10: Open Your Heart
Soul Lesson #11: Detach
Working with Divine Law
Soul Lesson #12: All Is in Divine Order
Soul Lesson #13: Reverse Your Perceptions
Soul Lesson #14: Accept Death
Soul Lesson #15: Embrace Life's Tests
Soul Lesson #16: Temper Your Ego
Soul Lesson #17: Address Your Mistakes
Soul Lesson #18: Actively Meditate
Soul Lesson #19: Love Your Body
Soul Lesson #20: Regenerate Your Soul
Soul Lesson #21: Shatter Negative Patterns
Soul Lesson #22: Waste No Time
This is a book that I will be pleased to read again or to receive as a gift.
Sunday, January 08, 2017
Read: Mel & Joe: I play and Sing
Title: Mel & Joe: I Play & Sing
Authors: Mel & Joe Ferdinands
Publisher: Candid Creation Publishing, 2011
This was a thoughtful gift of a book from a friend. In essence, the book celebrates a musical journey of Mel & Joe Ferdinands in Singapore spanning 40 years.
The book began with narrating the humble beginnings of Mel & Joe. Music has been a major part of the Ferdinands' family. A book is about Mel & Ferdinands' love for music, and simply, Love.
For a copy of a book, please visit:
http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.aspx?SBNum=052613
Authors: Mel & Joe Ferdinands
Publisher: Candid Creation Publishing, 2011
This was a thoughtful gift of a book from a friend. In essence, the book celebrates a musical journey of Mel & Joe Ferdinands in Singapore spanning 40 years.
The book began with narrating the humble beginnings of Mel & Joe. Music has been a major part of the Ferdinands' family. A book is about Mel & Ferdinands' love for music, and simply, Love.
For a copy of a book, please visit:
http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.aspx?SBNum=052613
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