Book Review: Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein

Spirit Junkie is the 2011 story of Gabrielle Bernstein's trip to finding her inner voice. She had fallen into the ego traps that many of us do, and was constantly looking for external fulfillment through work, drugs, and especially relationships. It took her hitting rock bottom a few times until she learned to ask the universe for help and found that she had the answers inside her all the time. 
   Gabby follows the guidance of the book A Course in Miracles to learn to ask for help, and then listen to and trust the messages she receives back. The course explains how to forgive the illusions of the ego in order to find peace and be able to trust one's self. Gabby traded her hard partying to dedicate herself to getting in touch with her inner guidance (what she calls ~ing) and followed the answers she received in more and more situations, until she was living her life by asking for clarity in all situations and being amazed at the answers she consistently received.
  This book is about breaking down the blocks or fears that are paralyzing us and keeping us from finding happiness. Through personal instances and small exercises at the end of each chapter, Spirit Junkie helps us see ourselves in similar situations, and helps us work though these blocks in our own lives.  A couple of tidbits that resonated with me:
"An unforgiving thought does many things...distortion is its purpose, and it sets about to smash reality, without concern for anything that would pose a contradiction to its point of view."
"Know that spirit has your back at all times."
"Prayer is the time to ask, and meditation is the time to listen."
"We are always being guided, even though we often block it."
"The universe wants us to be happy."
"Knowing that you are not your ego will help you stay connected to love."
  I really didn't expect to read this entire book, or even to like it, but I do recommend it.  And I've read a lot of books of this type. Gabby's explanations are very down to earth and the lessons are served up in easily digested bites without a lot of heavy philosophy or mysticism. Give it a try if you feel you are in a rut or just drifting without any real purpose. I'm sure you will be able to take a few things from Spirit Junkie that you can apply to your own life.   

Out of Time and Space Astrology

How many papers have an Astrology column?  Not that many that I've seen. Yes, there are plenty of horoscopes out there. Every women's magazine pretty much has to have a relationship advice section. Not astrology per se though.  Years ago, I lived in Kansas City and used to pick up The Pitch, which is the city entertainment news. There was an Astrology column in there called Out of Time and Space Astrology by Quan Tracy Cherry that was different. It always seemed to resonate with me for some reason. I was curious recently to see if it still existed so I went searching. When I read the Pitch was the pre-internet days.
  I was happy to see that Quan Tracy is still going, and his astrological musings still resonate.  Here is my current reading:

  "Aries, March 20-April 19, initiating spiritual (fire, visionary)
Flame thrower Mars sits in nervously analytical Virgo, creating perfect scenarios for work and service. You have been in the catbird’s seat of late. Taking no prisoners and suffering no fools gladly, it has been a whirlwind of self-awareness and confident self-expression. Your life not resemble these remarks? Well, then get to cracking. You have planetary signatures that demand (if they do not demand the planets cajole strongly) you perfect your craft, vocation or some aspect of your immense troubleshooting abilities. No whining about delays or maddening people who don’t do things your efficient way that’s better. You are better than a reactionary. Your enthusiasm is one reason we keep you around. Now, keep on inspiring us through your ability to at least attempt to recreate the wheel…"

Check out his website at  http://beliefisnotrequired.com/  You might find that his mix of horoscopes, astrology and down-home "I'm talking to you..." approach appeals to you on a body level also.

Photo - Creative Commons DH Parks