Aromatherapy & Subtle Energy Techniques: Compassionate Healing with Essential Oils
by Joni Keim Loughran & Ruah Bull

ISBN: 1-58394-015-4
Published by: North Atlantic Books, P.O. Box 12327, Berkeley, California 94712
Subject: Aromatherapy
Subject: Reiki
Subject: Chakra
Subject: Essences and essential oils
Subject: Force and energy
Dewey Decimal: 651.321 LOU
252 Pages, paperback

The book is broken into 7 core chapters, like the seven chakras described within it.

First: I am going to describe to you the fundamentals: "Introduction to Subtle Energy Therapy"

Second: I want you to smell, the wonders of aromatherapy: "Introduction to Aromatherapy"

Third: I manifest to you through the oils: "The Subtle properties of essential oils."

Fourth: I love you and with that love I will heal.  "The Basic Techniques of Subtle Energy Therapy"

Fifth: The truth is that oils will assist in the therapy. "Using Essential Oils as Subtle Energy Therapy"

Sixth: I see, I understand now how to heal myself. "Helping Ourselves"

Seventh: I am one with the divine and together we will heal others.  "Helping Others."

The book takes very little time in exploring what subtle energy is all about.  The chapter on subtle energy should either just be used as a very rudimentary primer, or should be ignored completely and one should find a book solely on that topic.  This is a wonderful topic to cover, but the authors appear to be concerned only with letting the reader understand the framework for which they will discuss later topics.  The information is necessary to test the pre-existing knowledge of the reader to prepare them for more in-depth subjects.

The aromatherapy covered through the rest of the book takes a leisurely view of the reference material, but beautifully covers the topic.  It becomes noticeable that there are two writers involved with the project as the style shifts slightly in the topics covered, from giving rote lists of materials, to expand upon all written text. 

I am not sure how much of the material I will later utilize, but I am glad to have had the opportunity to read this book.  It opened possibilities— subtle differences in ways to do things.

reviewed by Neal Levin

Reiki and the Healing Buddha
by Maureen J, Kelly

ISBN: 0-914955-92-6
Published by: Lotus Press, PO BOX 325, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin 53181
LCCN: 00-090029
Subject: Reiki
Subject: Buddhism
Dewey Decimal: 651.321 KEL
216 Pages, paperback

This book seem to be unique in that it goes further into the train of thought that Mikao Usui (The "inventor" of Reiki) was a Buddhist and so extrapolates the knowledge of Reiki using Buddhism as the core.  It truly puts a different perspective from what other Reiki books have been teaching.  This book changes the focus of Christian Teaching and Reiki to ones of Buddhist teachings.

I came to the conclusion after reading chapter’s 2 and 3, which covered the Symbols of Buddha and the Healing Buddha Pantheon, that I needed to learn more about Buddhism.  While I feel I may have gained basic knowledge from the chapters, the topics covered seemed to be more advanced than the knowledge I had on the subject. 

The symbols explored in this book introduce new symbols for reiki, as well as explores the uses and meaning of old ones.  Many Reiki enthusiasts will no doubt find the description of symbols as controversial as Ms. Stein’s books on Reiki.  The difference I find in this books’ explanation is that Maureen Kelly does not just toss out a symbol and let you use it.  Mrs. Kelly brings up a huge topic for discussion that I think Reiki Masters the world over may be arguing over. 

So pick up a good book on Buddhism, call your local Reiki Master over for tea, and then schedule this book somewhere in your reading list. 

Healing Society: A prescription for Global Enlightenment
by Dr. Seung Heun Lee

ISBN: 1-57174-189-5
Published by: Hampton Roads Publishing Company Inc., 1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Copyright 2000
LCCN: 00-110245
Subject: Enlightenment
128 Pages, paperback

I find it somewhat ironic, that the book begins talking about the dawn of the new millenium.  While the book was written in 2000, I’m here reading in the beginning of 2001, which is when I consider the new millenium.  I sat there and wondered whether there was some symbology in this being the first book I was reviewing in 2001.  Now, I think there is a true source of enlightenment.

The author of the book tries to help us understand the concept of enlightenment, the concept of self throughout the course of the book.  He explores the principles of love, of hate, of regret through short but highly motivating analogies.  This is one of the best books on spiritual enlightenment that I’ve read in a long time.  While it seems to explore some Buddhism, it is mostly a non-denominational form of spirituality.

The author seems to think that through enlightenment we will all be healthier.  Whether I knew what enlightenment was before the book or not, I know I’ve heard that health can be improved by lessening stress.  The author equates lessening of stress through enlightenment, and in such helping healing.    It would be nice if we could solve all the world’s ills with just a few stress free moments.  Whether we can or not, you can at least get a few stress free moments while reading this book.