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Last month Tony recommended Murphy’s Laws of the Inner Life: the unauthorized adventures of a seeker, by Michael William Murphy. I would like to second his recommendation and urge readers to buy and enjoy this excellent book.

Murphy’s autobiography is not only fascinating, but it is brutally honest, and extremely fair and well-balanced in his treatment of TM and the TM movement during his many years as a meditator, TM teacher, and finally professor at Maharishi University. His personal evolution and experiences in the TM movement ring very true and capture the general trend of experiences so many have had practicing TM and in dealing with the TM movement or organization.

His descriptions of his experiences and the lifestyle and changes in Fairfield, Iowa do a fabulous job of capturing the feel of this very unique town. Whether or not you practice TM, whether or not you have ever lived in Fairfield, chances are you will enjoy this book as it has broad appeal and Murphy is an extremely skilled writer. (He taught creative writing for a decade, and his technical skills combine with his keen power of observation to craft a very deep, warm, and even humorous look at his 40 year quest for truth and inner peace.)

In addition to reading, I like to listen in my car to CD’s, mainly non-fiction and my tastes are quite eclectic. Often I pick up the CD’s at our store, but I also order from the Sounds True catalogue. Recently I placed an order which included the purchase of Robert Anton Wilson Explains Everything: (or Old Bob Exposes His Ignorance). I had never heard of Robert Anton Wilson, but I liked the title and besides I needed to add one more purchase to get free shipping.

This turned out to be a most fortuitous purchase. According to the CD jacket Bob Wilson grew up in an Irish-American ghetto in New York, wrote the underground classic The Illuminatus! Trilogy, and in this interview delves into such topics as futurist psychology, the paranormal, God, political conspiracies, the Eight Stages of Consciousness and how to obtain them, etc, etc.

This man is really insightful and brilliant. I cannot express how much I enjoyed these CD’s, how much I learned from them, how much they inspired me and how much they deepened my understanding of myself and other important issues.

I was totally blown away and highly recommend everyone get their hands on this incredible set of CD’s. I can’t believe I never heard of Robert Anton Wilson. This was a tremendous treat for me.

Len

A new Vedic Astrology text by the author Classical Muhurta and Core Yogas has just been published:
Graha Sutras by Ernst Wilhelm

“Graha Sutras is the first Volume of a series of texts dealing with the predictive methods and principles found in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. Three hundred and eighty four pages of Grahas, Grahas and more Grahas make Graha Sutras the most thorough text available on the Grahas.

“This book contains Sanskrit Sutras with original and precise translations that will bring the planets to life in a profound manner. Original artwork portrays the images of the planets in accordance with the precise descriptions found in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. There is even a chapter devoted to Graha Shanti — pacifying the planets.”

Also by Ernst Wilhelm a new software package: Compatibility Teller

“Compatibility Teller uses the lunar constellations to determine two people's affinities. These lunar constellations are known as Nakshatras and are similar to the fixed stars such as Regulus, Alderbaran, Antares, Spica and others. Nakshatras are the most ancient of astrological parts and are mentioned in the world’s most ancient writings - the Vedas. Yoga also had its roots in these very same Vedas. Just as many modern people are finding the ancient system of Yoga to be a cure for many modern stresses and ills, modern relationships are in just as much need for the ancient compatibility based on the Nakshatras.”

For Windows 98/2000/Me/XP

The Shiva Sutras is one of the most important spiritual treasures of the Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. The secret teachings and potent spiritual practices it contains are revealed for the first time in this translation by the great philosopher saint Swami Lakshmanjoo.Lakshmanjoo is a familiar name to many in the TM movement as he was respected by Maharishi and many TM teachers got to personally meet this exponent of Kashmir Shaivism… The ancient tradition of Kashmir Shaivism is a non-dual (advaita) school of philosophy.

Our store has just been introduced to a wonderful nugget of wisdom for parents of young ones: Always Kiss Me Good Night: Instructions on Raising the Perfect Parent.

The book contains advice by young children to their parents.

Some examples are as follows...

“I like the piano, but I would like to stop. Life is good when you’re a kid so you should have some fun.”

“Let me make a mess when I doing art”

“Kiss and hug me when I am not feeling 100%”

“If you get mad at me remember to forgive me”

“Think when you were a kid and not yell so much”

“say I love you once in awhile , not just when I’m leaving for school”

The quotes will make any parent laugh as well as cry.

A recent visitor to our store told me how impressed he was that a town this size could support an independent bookstore for over 20 years.

The comment got me thinking about the wonderful support we have received over the many years... For many at times it may seem a little more costly or less convenient to purchase from our store... But our customers are aware of the unseen value to this. And just like the subtle but real beauty of our Fairfield home, there is subtle but real value in supporting the people and places of this special town. It is a strengthening.. a nourishment that keeps this town unique and a special place to live. It is as if we are shouting with a joyous YES TO FAIRFIELD!

Over the many years our customers have become our very special friends. At the 21st Century Books & Gifts I have been privileged to meet so many smiling people with so many wonderful and intriguing stories and I have felt truly blessed, People who are family., who see the real you under the layers of the not so real you. For this I thank each and every one of you. You all have true beauty.

Tony