Saturday, November 25, 2017

Book Review: If You Know Who You Are, You will Know What To Do.


A TIMELY LOOK AT THE IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY


by Ronald J. Greer

Brick by brick, Ronald Greer lays the foundation for living with integrity in his book, If You Know Who You Are, You Will Know What To Do. He takes the question so often asked in our culture, ‘What am I to do?’, and underscores it with the ancient question, ‘who am I?’. Then he opens the doorway to discovering the answers to both, first by identifying who we are by our values, and our essential nature of being. He invites us each to look within to discover those values that are already rooted in ourselves. Then he walks us through examples of how these values determine decisions and directions that effect us in our lives. At the end of the book he presents some basic values that he holds and are common to us all and investigates them one by one. He wraps it all up with the theme and practice that is interwoven throughout the book, as we remember who we are, we know what to do. The whole book brings us home to realizing and remembering what already lives in us.


Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

If You Know Who You Are, You Will Know What To Do is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.



Sunday, November 5, 2017

Book Review: The Path to Wealth

SEVEN SPIRITUAL STEPS
FOR FINANCIAL ABUNDANCE

by May McCarthy

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them; one becomes a builder by building and a lyre player by playing the lyre.”  With these words by the great philosopher, Aristotle, May McCarthy opens her book The Path to Wealth. Chapter by chapter, she teaches us effective steps to realizing success and abundance in our lives. And she does it as the builder learns building, and the lyre player learns to play the lyre: brick by brick and note by note. With her clear directions, and empowering examples, she invites us into our own practice. We too can learn to have a fuller, more enriching life. This is our teaching in easy to understand language and in gentle directions and assignments that step by step lead to our greater next to be.

Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.


The Path to Wealth is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

a Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Free Event

 an evening with author
Elson Haas, MD

Date:   Friday, September 22
Time:  7 pm to 8:30 pm
Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road


Long-time Integrative Family Physician, Author and Teacher, Elson Haas will provide a health overview as it relates to lifestyle and nutrition, with the keys to experience true nourishment -- body, mind, heart and spirit. We are not just one mouth, but receive energy, health and healing through our many senses. Connection to life, people and spirit is part of true vital health. As a philosopher-physician, Dr. Elson will share what he has integrated from 40+ years of health study and practice, much of what is shared in his most recent book, Staying Healthy with NEW Medicine: Integrating Natural, Eastern and Western Approaches for Optimal Health.

Dr. Elson Haas is a practicing, health-focused physician since 1973 and is the founder and director of Preventive Medical Center of Marin, an integrative family practice in San Rafael.

Please join us on September 22nd.  This free event is sponsored by Stepping Stones Books and GiftsNo Reservations or Tickets are required. 

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Ordinary Goodness by Edward Viljoen

The book of the month for August at Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa is Ordinary Goodness by our own Rev. Dr. Edward Viljoen.  In February Rev. Ruth Barnhart wrote an insightful review of this book.  Here is her review:

Once again Edward Viljoen brings inspiration with his latest book, Ordinary Goodness. In his introduction, he quotes C. S. Lewis as saying, "To love is to be vulnerable." And in Viljoen's typical style, he draws on that vulnerability, that realness of just being human, as he explores living ordinary goodness. He tells stories about his experience with his grandmother, his early role model of love and acceptance. He tells how she would often  say, “Oh for goodness sake” when incidents would occur that might bring a more profane expression from others, and then he invites us into the deeper meaning of these words. After simply reading the introduction, I already felt inspired to strive to live from this higher perspective, to live more for goodness’ sake. Throughout the book, Edward shares personal stories to illustrate his points, both with experiences where he struggled and those where he brought his greater understanding. He also offers many points of wisdom from spiritual teachers from all traditions. And woven within each section are suggestions and simple practices to support the reader in finding and living from ordinary goodness. Here is a spiritual book that is not lofty or complicated, but written for ordinary people like us, living our ordinary lives, for goodness sakes.

Ordinary Goodness by Edward Viljoen is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Book Review: Gracism

The Art of Inclusion


by David A. Anderson

“Gracism, the positive extension of favor on other humans, based on color, class or culture.” This is the definition created by David A. Anderson, who wrote, Gracism, The Art of InclusionAs the minister of a large multicultural church, Anderson teaches how to live from and as grace in our interactions with any and all diversity. As an African American man, he understands racism but he also includes himself in the stories of our prejudices and challenges in accepting people different from us. 

As a Christian minister, Anderson relates stories and teachings from the Bible to illustrate his points and ground us in spiritual principles. This didn’t create any challenge for me. It was easy to see the parallel in Jesus’ call for us to love, and our own teaching's reminder that we are one and our nature is love. His approach is very practical, relevant to  our lives today.

At the end of each chapter he leaves us with questions to ponder about ourselves and our own behaviors. He presents positive suggestions for the opportunities we encounter to bring grace into our interactions with race as well as all expressions of diversity.

In these times of great division, with issues involving diversity extending into all areas of humanity, I find this book very informative, encouraging and empowering.

Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

Gracism is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Fanna-Fi-Allah Sufi Qawwali Concert

Date:  Saturday, July 8
Time:  7 pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road

The amazing Sufi Qawwali group, Fanna-Fi-Allah, is coming to the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa to draw us into their sung prayers. Led by Tahir Faridi Qawwal, the Canadian and American members of FFA have immersed themselves in the Chishti Sufi Qawwali ecstatic tradition of Pakistan and India for almost 20 years, and are recognized as the preeminent qawwali group outside of Pakistan. Tabla player Aminah Chishti is the first woman qawwali tabla player recognized in Pakistan as a master in her own right. Their main teachers have been members of the family and musical lineage of Nusrat Fattah Ali Khan.

Their voices are intense, their devotion deep, their musicianship is world class and their performances are inspiring! You'll be hooked from the first percussive "clap"! Included in the evening will be excerpted footage from their upcoming documentary film on qawwali in general and their journey of the last 17 years.

This concert is their only appearance in the North Bay for this tour.

Tickets are $20. Click here to order.
Tickets will also be available at the door.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Free Event: A Manual for the Modern Mystic

a Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Free Event

an evening with author
Rio Olesky

Date:   Friday, June 2, 2017
Time:  7 pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road


Astrology is an ancient symbolic language that helps us, individually and collectively, to connect to that which is greater than we are. It’s a mystical art that reveals ways to understand both our own internal dynamics as well as ways of developing consciousness and aiding spiritual growth.

Rio will introduce his book, A Manual for the Modern Mystic, which discusses 12 universal laws, each one associated with a sign of the zodiac. Rio uses stories and personal anecdotes as well as quotes or references to mystics throughout history. He discusses ways of working with these laws to enhance spiritual growth and consciousness development.

Please join us on June 2nd.  This free event is sponsored by Stepping Stones Books and GiftsNo Reservations or Tickets are required.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Don Miguel Ruiz family

The Four Agreements for a Better Life

Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, and two of his sons will be at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa on Saturday, June 24.  This will be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to hear don Miguel and his sons on tour together for the last time sharing wisdom of the Four Agreements and how to apply them in your everyday life. You can view the full information on the event at:

The Four Agreements for A Better Life

You will find nine of the Ruiz family's books and card sets, available on-line and in the store, at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts:




The Four Agreements  by don Miguel Ruiz
Wisdom from The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements Message Cards by don Miguel Ruiz
The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz
The Mastery of Self by don Miguel Ruiz Jr.
The Five Levels of Attachment by don Miguel Ruiz Jr.
The Circle of Fire by don Miguel Ruiz
The Mastery of Love by don Miguel Ruiz
The Voice of Knowledge Cards by don Miguel Ruiz

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Book Review: Daring Greatly


How the Courage to Be Vulnerable
Transforms the Way
We Live, Love, Parent and Lead

by Brené Brown


“To grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable.” This quote by Madeleine L’Engle is the core idea upon which Brené Brown bases her book, Daring Greatly. This is not a daring of risking life and limb but one of opening our hearts, exposing ourselves to the possibility of both hurt and great love and joy. We risk failure as we step into greater expressions of ourselves, taking risks to create, to be seen, to find success or love. She invites us to learn to live with the uncomfortable, to experience what our human hearts feel when they not guarded or closed.  Brown shows us the value of this way of being, and the steps to living it. It is living our authentic selves, bringing our whole being to life and allowing ourselves to feel the richness and fullness of our experiences. As in her other books, Brown anchors her book with her findings from her work as a researcher, bringing proof and power to her teachings. She also uses her own life to illustrate the challenges and power of this vulnerability. This is not about becoming fearless, it is about being willing to walk through our fears. She says, “Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do it just show up.” Daring Greatly is a fulfillment of our human desire to be free to be all that we are.

Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

Daring Greatly is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Book Review: Ordinary Goodness


The Surprisingly Effortless
Path to Creating a Life of
Meaning and Beauty

by Edward Viljoen

Once again Edward Viljoen brings inspiration with his latest book, Ordinary Goodness. In his introduction, he quotes C. S. Lewis as saying, "To love is to be vulnerable." And in Viljoen's typical style, he draws on that vulnerability, that realness of just being human, as he explores living ordinary goodness. He tells stories about his experience with his grandmother, his early role model of love and acceptance. He tells how she would often  say, “Oh for goodness sake” when incidents would occur that might bring a more profane expression from others, and then he invites us into the deeper meaning of these words. After simply reading the introduction, I already felt inspired to strive to live from this higher perspective, to live more for goodness’ sake. Throughout the book, Edward shares personal stories to illustrate his points, both with experiences where he struggled and those where he brought his greater understanding. He also offers many points of wisdom from spiritual teachers from all traditions. And woven within each section are suggestions and simple practices to support the reader in finding and living from ordinary goodness. Here is a spiritual book that is not lofty or complicated, but written for ordinary people like us, living our ordinary lives, for goodness sakes.

Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

Ordinary Goodness is available from Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Book Review: Discover a Richer Life


The Path to Health, Wealth, 
and a Life of Greater Meaning


by Ernest Holmes

“Is this not the essence of prayer? Just saying to Life, ‘Here I am. I let go of everything that does not belong to God.’” This is just one of the nuggets to be found in Discover a Richer Lifea compilation of articles written by Ernest Holmes for the Science of Mind Magazine, which he started in 1927. These short articles present Holmes’ brilliant teaching in easily digestible bites. The book is put together in a way that makes it fresh and enjoyable. Covering a myriad of topics from prayer, faith, and health, to successful living and our place and value in the universe, these writings are relevant for all of us. Leaving out much of his poetic language, he addresses us with a directness that serves to wake us up to our role as expressions living in oneness . “I am lame and blind and halt without inclusion. Unity permits no division.”  A most important message for today.

Review by Rev. Ruth Barnhart, a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.


Discover a Richer Life
 is available from 
Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Free Event: Ordinary Goodness

a Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Free Event


An evening with Rev. Dr. Edward Viljoen


Date:   Friday, January 27
Time:   7 pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road


Rev. Edward will be discussing his new book, Ordinary Goodness: The Surprisingly Effortless Path to Creating a Life of Meaning and Beauty.


"It’s excellent!!  — Ordinary Goodness received a coveted “Starred Review” from Publishers Weekly, the largest publishing trade magazine (an excerpt from the review is shown above). The book also has received many pre-publication endorsements.
"It’s pure Edward — reading through the book, you’ll be able to “hear” Edward’s voice throughout.  It’s filled with stories and amazing teaching, like being in a Masterclass with Edward. It’s for readers of books like “Kitchen Table Wisdom” by Rachel Naomi Remen, and books by Anne Lamott. The book is deep but accessible. I believe it will bring many people into our Centers, and will appeal to a broad audience of spiritual readers."
—Joel Fotinis

Please join us for this enlightening evening.  No tickets or reservations are required.


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