A Holy Shift – Holy Moves in the Right Direction – A Review of “A Holy Shift: 365 Meditations by a Course in Miracles” by Robert Holden, Ph.D.

A Holy Shift – Holy Moves in the Right Direction – A Review of “A Holy Shift: 365 Meditations by a Course in Miracles” by Robert Holden, Ph.D. (published by Hay House)
A Course in Miracles says that you are as God created you which is a loving heart, and open mind and an ability to transcend anything. A Holy Shift meditations or daily monthly readings are based on a Course in Miracles. The author provides daily inspiration, hope and joy. I believe that he (the author) summarizes the best of the best of all the materials from A Course in Miracles. Additionally, because of the short, simple yet profound excerpts, this book is immediately accessible to all. With the world seemingly going to “hell in a hand basket,” something like this reminds me that this is not necessarily so. The book reminds one to love yourself and others and says, “Be kind to it and yourself, and then be kind to Me. I ask but this; that you be comforted and live no more in terror and in pain. Do not abandon Love. Remember this; whatever you think about yourself, whatever you may think about the world, your father needs you and will call to you until you come to Him in peace at last,” Song of Prayer. IV 10:2-7. Another example of a profound aphorism is “Wisdom is not judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment,” Manual for Teachers. 10. 4:5. All this amazing wisdom and it is just taken from a page in May. A breath taking quote from June is “Your reality is only spirit. Therefore you are in a state of grace forever,” Text-1. III. 5:45-6. Then what follows is a beautiful, inspirational prayer that I shall end with.

Our Father, bless our eyes today. We are Your messengers, and we would look upon the glorious reflection of Your Love which shines in everything. We live and move in You alone. We are not separate from Your eternal life.
There is no death, for death is not Your Will.
And we abide where You have placed us, in the life we share with You and with all living things, to be like You and part of You forever.
We accept Your Thoughts as ours, and our will is one with yours eternally.
Amen.
This prayer almost brings me to tears. Get this book. I know you’ll like it. I sure do! God Bless you all!

“Daily Love: Growing Into Grace” is Smart, Urbane, Wise and Lovable (Sometimes it’s better when we don’t get what We Pray for)

“The Daily Love: Growing Into Grace” is Smart, Urbane, Wise and Lovable
(Sometimes it’s better when we don’t get what We Pray for)

“The Daily Love: Growing Into Grace” by Mastin Kipp and Published by Hay House– A Review

This is a story of a smart young man, Mastin, who follows all of society’s expectations of what success should be which lead him from rags to riches to finally destruction and ruin. This calls to mind the old saying, “Sometimes it’s better when we don’t get what we pray for.” His turning away from society’s destructive path and to the divine leads him to redemption and finally transformation and inspiration to millions of people.

Sometimes we must answer the call of a higher power bigger than ourselves. Mastin calls this power anything from uni-verse to Jesus. As a youngster Mastin was turned off to Christianity after being called “monkey boy,” for asking his teacher questions about evolution. Later on, Mastin turns back to Christianity after finding a kind and understanding Christian group.

Mastin begins by pointing out that Grace is the uncontrollable benevolent power of the Divine that we are all too busy to let in. Mastin is interested in Grace and spirituality. He likes the word Universe for his higher power because to him, it means, “one song,” in which everyone is a part of.  Mastin means to make the world a better place following his dad’s advice. When Mastin begins promoting bands like Limpbiskit; he soon finds out that he is very good at his job. He makes lots of money but quickly forgets his dad’s advice. He loses himself in the process. He soon finds his life is out of control.  He is often up all night partying.  He soon finds he is taking drugs just to stay awake. Mastin also drinks excessively and uses cocaine socially.  Ironically what is keeping him going is also destroying him.  Because of his drug habits he is fired from his lucrative position in the record business. Even so, he keeps on using. He finally stops only because he heard a voice in his head say, “If you do that line you’re cutting up right now, you’ll die.”

Mastin’s downward slide continues. He also loses a clothing business called “Love Yourself” he has with his friend Tim.  Unfortunately he also loses that friendship. Mastin was devastated but not defeated and found ways to get tapes of spiritual teachers like Caroline Myss and Wayne Dyer.  Mastin also admired Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey which says you must die and experience rebirth.

Mastin begins following his own calling (a kind of rebirth) which seems quite empty of lucrative promise but not of love. Mastin does a blog, “The Daily Love” known as “a place to love and be loved” really out of his pure heart of love for himself and his readers. It becomes obvious by reading “Daily Love” that Mastin really does this as a spiritual practice which yogis call sadhana. Commitment to one’s sadhana is an indicator of strength and devotion. In the end, Mastin becomes totally devoted to his sadhana of the “The Daily Love.”

Mastin embodies the “hero myth” by being reborn in this new way of life that reaches people’s hearts with his words in, “The Daily Love.” Because of this, “The Daily Love” has gotten bigger and bigger with more followers than ever.  What started the momentum was an endorsement by Kim Kardashian. Finally Mastin experienced victory as an official blogger on Oprah’s OWN. Definitely was he happy to meet Oprah who was gracious and kind however he was so nervous on what he was to do. As you can guess, he did fine. The rest is history.