The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Review by Margie Donde
"I wrote the prose poem, "The Invitation" one night after returning home from a party. I don’t usually attend parties but on this occasion, berating myself for being anti-social, I made an effort to go and be friendly. I returned home feeling frustrated, dissatisfied with the superficial level of the social interaction at the party. I longed for something else. As I write in the beginning of the book The Invitation is ". . . a declaration of intent, a map into the longing of the soul, the desire to live passionately, face-to-face with ourselves and skin-to-skin with the world." It is the story of a very human woman who longs to live fully awake. It is the story of the human heart’s capacity and longing to live intimately with all of it-the joy and the sorrow, the hope and the fear." - Oriah Mountain Dreamer
The first time someone read "the Invitation" to me a wept. It spoke directly to my heart and the longing I felt to be real, to go deeper, to hold my pain with dignity and honor for as long as it took for the learning to emerge. I was so tired of feeling that I needed to hide my sorrow and pretend that everything was ok. I treasure this book and have bought it for many friends to help them through their trying times!
To read the poem "the Invitation" click here
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D.
Review by Margie Donde
Clarissa Pinkola Estes is a Jungian analyst and collector and teller of stories. Woman Who Run With the Wolves is about the archetype of the Wild Woman. This archetype is not small, correct, perfect or intellectual like modern woman tends to be. Rather she remembers how to listen to her heart, her body, her intuition.
Best read in small chunks, ruminated on, digested, regurgitated and eventually seeping into your bones this book will change your life not because you understand it intellectually but because the archetype of the wild woman will seep into your soul. It will show you where you have lost touch with your own heart, your creativity, your wildness—in essence yourself! The stories she presents, and the analysis of those stories, will gently guide you to wholeness. It gave me a longing for authenticity, and pushed me to find my wildness, to be free, to be truly alive, to be truly a woman!
Living Loving and Learning by Leo Buscaglia
Review by Margie Donde
Living Loving and Learning is a delightful collection of Leo Buscaglia's amusing lectures, which were delivered worldwide between 1970 and 1981. Written with gentleness, humour and so much love this book will inspire you to share the love that is in all of us with our fellow human beings. He has written many other books but this one is my favorite.
This book found me during a time of my life when I was depressed, dejected and believed that I was worthless. This book allowed me to start loving myself again. Leo’s loving, caring and utterly gentle love for life, humanity and his ability to see the good in everyone is a refreshing read when you need a pick me up and to be reminded of the greatness in all of us. For more information go to http://www.buscaglia.com/
Dark Nights of The Soul By Thomas Moore
Review by Margie Donde
Every human journey is filled with times of extreme emotional trauma, hardships and disappointments. Thomas Moore's uses his extensive knowledge as a psychologist and theologian in this book about honoring those times of trauma as opportunities to delve into the soul's deepest needs to provide healing and understanding of the meaning of life. Reading the dark night of the soul allowed me to realize that the pain of life is so necessary for true growth and change. The dark night that we all face sooner or later in our life allows us to open up to the mystery of life itself and to know that being forged in the fire of pain and suffering of life is necessary to become ones authentic self.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, written by Richard Bach is a classic novel about a seagull who cant be bothered with the little things in life. He is not prepared to fight over food like the other seagulls but rather is seized by a need to become more, to push himself to his limits, to fly as high and as fast as he can. It was recently named as one of "The 12 top titles that booksellers must always stock" by the British Daily Telegraph.
This book for me is a classic! I have read it many times. It’s easy to read for anyone from teenagers to old age and is an inspiring message about living life fully.
One Child by Torey Hayden
Review by Margie Donde
“Sheila came into Torey Hayden’s class for “special children” at the age of 6 after having tied a 3-year-old child to a tree and critically burned him.
ONE CHILD is Torey Hayden’s story of her attempt to tap the unbelievable capacity of this tortured child.
Parts of this book – the savage sexual molestation – will enrage you. Parts of this book – Sheila’s quiet description of her anger and fears and doubts – will make you cry. And parts of this book – Sheila’s gradual realization of her own potential – may make you cheer.
Whatever your reaction, I think you will agree that it has been a long time since you have read a book with the sheer emotional impact of ONE CHILD”
New York Times Book Review. �www.torey-hayden.com
I have read every single one of Torey Haydens books. They are fascinating tales of her life as a teacher working with children with special needs. I find her books inspiring and they are a must read for anyone interested in education, children, communication and love for each other
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior – Dan Millman
Review by Margie Donde
This best seller that has been translated into 22 languages worldwide is an inspiration. Part fact, part fiction it tells the story of a young man, Dan, who meets a “spiritual warrior” called Socrates who guides him through life’s challenges.�
I read this book many years ago and have passed it on to many of my friends. An unforgettable book it’s an easy read and I recommend that you pass it on to your teenagers after you have read it.
Comments by Dan:
“Way of the Peaceful Warrior began my own journey as a writer and teacher. I've been blessed by thousands of letters I've received over the years. When I wrote it, I had no idea that so many people, young and old, from different walks of life, would find my story so inspiring. Over the years I've asked myself why. I believe it's because my story also touched upon universal themes-our common quest for meaning and purpose and direction. Somehow it reminds readers of what they had always known but forgotten -- the bigger picture and essential perfection of our lives unfolding.” http://www.danmillman.com
Iron John Robert Bly
Review by Margie Donde
Robert Bly is a poet, editor translator, lecturer and amazing storyteller. Iron John is a book about the man’s journey in life. A must for all men, I recommend that all women read this book also. It provides deep insight and understanding into the journey on male initiation, the role of the mentor and the need for ritual to mark the progress from boyhood into manhood. This book offers insight into why some men may stay stuck in the comfort of the tough guy mode, or mommy’s little boy and the journey needed to become a man that can honour the masculine and feminine energies within himself .. .
You may also be able to find the audio tapes of The Pin and The King Bear with Marion Woodman and Robert Bly which are an absolute delight to listen to. They tell the story of the inner masculine and feminine with humour and enchantment. www.robertbly.com
The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Review by Margie Donde
"I wrote the prose poem, "The Invitation" one night after returning home from a party. I don’t usually attend parties but on this occasion, berating myself for being anti-social, I made an effort to go and be friendly. I returned home feeling frustrated, dissatisfied with the superficial level of the social interaction at the party. I longed for something else. As I write in the beginning of the book The Invitation is ". . . a declaration of intent, a map into the longing of the soul, the desire to live passionately, face-to-face with ourselves and skin-to-skin with the world." It is the story of a very human woman who longs to live fully awake. It is the story of the human heart’s capacity and longing to live intimately with all of it-the joy and the sorrow, the hope and the fear." - Oriah Mountain Dreamer
The first time someone read "the Invitation" to me a wept. It spoke directly to my heart and the longing I felt to be real, to go deeper, to hold my pain with dignity and honor for as long as it took for the learning to emerge. I was so tired of feeling that I needed to hide my sorrow and pretend that everything was ok. I treasure this book and have bought it for many friends to help them through their trying times!
To read the poem "the Invitation" click here
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D.
Review by Margie Donde
Clarissa Pinkola Estes is a Jungian analyst and collector and teller of stories. Woman Who Run With the Wolves is about the archetype of the Wild Woman. This archetype is not small, correct, perfect or intellectual like modern woman tends to be. Rather she remembers how to listen to her heart, her body, her intuition.
Best read in small chunks, ruminated on, digested, regurgitated and eventually seeping into your bones this book will change your life not because you understand it intellectually but because the archetype of the wild woman will seep into your soul. It will show you where you have lost touch with your own heart, your creativity, your wildness—in essence yourself! The stories she presents, and the analysis of those stories, will gently guide you to wholeness. It gave me a longing for authenticity, and pushed me to find my wildness, to be free, to be truly alive, to be truly a woman!
Living Loving and Learning by Leo Buscaglia
Review by Margie Donde
Living Loving and Learning is a delightful collection of Leo Buscaglia's amusing lectures, which were delivered worldwide between 1970 and 1981. Written with gentleness, humour and so much love this book will inspire you to share the love that is in all of us with our fellow human beings. He has written many other books but this one is my favorite.
This book found me during a time of my life when I was depressed, dejected and believed that I was worthless. This book allowed me to start loving myself again. Leo’s loving, caring and utterly gentle love for life, humanity and his ability to see the good in everyone is a refreshing read when you need a pick me up and to be reminded of the greatness in all of us. For more information go to http://www.buscaglia.com/
Dark Nights of The Soul By Thomas Moore
Review by Margie Donde
Every human journey is filled with times of extreme emotional trauma, hardships and disappointments. Thomas Moore's uses his extensive knowledge as a psychologist and theologian in this book about honoring those times of trauma as opportunities to delve into the soul's deepest needs to provide healing and understanding of the meaning of life. Reading the dark night of the soul allowed me to realize that the pain of life is so necessary for true growth and change. The dark night that we all face sooner or later in our life allows us to open up to the mystery of life itself and to know that being forged in the fire of pain and suffering of life is necessary to become ones authentic self.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, written by Richard Bach is a classic novel about a seagull who cant be bothered with the little things in life. He is not prepared to fight over food like the other seagulls but rather is seized by a need to become more, to push himself to his limits, to fly as high and as fast as he can. It was recently named as one of "The 12 top titles that booksellers must always stock" by the British Daily Telegraph.
This book for me is a classic! I have read it many times. It’s easy to read for anyone from teenagers to old age and is an inspiring message about living life fully.
One Child by Torey Hayden
Review by Margie Donde
“Sheila came into Torey Hayden’s class for “special children” at the age of 6 after having tied a 3-year-old child to a tree and critically burned him.
ONE CHILD is Torey Hayden’s story of her attempt to tap the unbelievable capacity of this tortured child.
Parts of this book – the savage sexual molestation – will enrage you. Parts of this book – Sheila’s quiet description of her anger and fears and doubts – will make you cry. And parts of this book – Sheila’s gradual realization of her own potential – may make you cheer.
Whatever your reaction, I think you will agree that it has been a long time since you have read a book with the sheer emotional impact of ONE CHILD”
New York Times Book Review. �www.torey-hayden.com
I have read every single one of Torey Haydens books. They are fascinating tales of her life as a teacher working with children with special needs. I find her books inspiring and they are a must read for anyone interested in education, children, communication and love for each other
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior – Dan Millman
Review by Margie Donde
This best seller that has been translated into 22 languages worldwide is an inspiration. Part fact, part fiction it tells the story of a young man, Dan, who meets a “spiritual warrior” called Socrates who guides him through life’s challenges.�
I read this book many years ago and have passed it on to many of my friends. An unforgettable book it’s an easy read and I recommend that you pass it on to your teenagers after you have read it.
Comments by Dan:
“Way of the Peaceful Warrior began my own journey as a writer and teacher. I've been blessed by thousands of letters I've received over the years. When I wrote it, I had no idea that so many people, young and old, from different walks of life, would find my story so inspiring. Over the years I've asked myself why. I believe it's because my story also touched upon universal themes-our common quest for meaning and purpose and direction. Somehow it reminds readers of what they had always known but forgotten -- the bigger picture and essential perfection of our lives unfolding.” http://www.danmillman.com
Iron John Robert Bly
Review by Margie Donde
Robert Bly is a poet, editor translator, lecturer and amazing storyteller. Iron John is a book about the man’s journey in life. A must for all men, I recommend that all women read this book also. It provides deep insight and understanding into the journey on male initiation, the role of the mentor and the need for ritual to mark the progress from boyhood into manhood. This book offers insight into why some men may stay stuck in the comfort of the tough guy mode, or mommy’s little boy and the journey needed to become a man that can honour the masculine and feminine energies within himself .. .
You may also be able to find the audio tapes of The Pin and The King Bear with Marion Woodman and Robert Bly which are an absolute delight to listen to. They tell the story of the inner masculine and feminine with humour and enchantment. www.robertbly.com