Inside You: The Twenty Four Lights Anna Moulsdale 169pp £15.99 www.twentyfourlights.com Tibetan Pulsing Healing is a system of holistic healing that works with twenty four energy centres in the human body, each containing their own set of emotional and psychological components and representing twenty four different aspects of the human condition. It can be used to restore physical and emotional well-being and also as a practical and spiritual guide on the evolutionary path of consciousness. Tibetan Pulsing Healing was devised by an American, James Murley, later known as Dheeraj, who, like many initiatory healers, intuited the system through his own powerful need for self healing - in his case suffering from pancreatis. He found that by touching his pancreas and feeling the pulse beat, his pain stopped. He gradually became aware of the twenty four energy streams and through meditation developed correspondences of music, sounds, colours, mudras and much else besides. These correspondences build up a picture of the mood, energy, emotional issues, relationship dynamics or challenges for a particular energy centre. Meditations, mudras, vocal toning and affirmations are used to transform imbalances in the energy centres and these are given for the reader to experiment with. At the same time, the advantages of consulting a trained practitioner are apparent, given the complexity of the system and Inside You is a handbook for practitioners as well. An innovative and refreshing approach to healing with a strong emphasis on emotional and psychotherapeutic wellbeing. Recommended reading!

Qi Gong: Learning The Way Simon Bastian 151pp £12.99 This is an excellent introduction to Qi Gong and the core principles of Daoism, which underpin not only Qi Gong, but also many aspects of Chinese culture including the arts, acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet, astrology, feng shui, I Ching and martial pursuits. Western esotericism has sought to create a similar integrated structure as found in Daoism and key elements of the Western Mystery Tradition, including Qabalah, are used here to explore and contrast with the Chinese concepts of Yin/Yang, Five Element theory, the eight trigrams, the meridian system and much else besides. Both Western and Chinese esoteric systems are essentially studies of energetic change in the macrocosm and the microcosm - as above, so below - and the approach this book takes makes for a very different experience from the normal Western tendency to rationalise, fix and limit the movement of Daoist thought and practices.. The heart of the book looks at Qi Gong exercises that work with the congenital meridians. It is undoubtedly difficult to learn physical exercises from a book, but the basics can certainly be understood and practised from the information and wealth of accompanying photographs given here. If you have little knowledge of Daoism, this is a really great book to start with and if you have some knowledge, you will certainly be entertained. Available from the Wild Hunt, 7, Benedict St. MJ

Simon Small O Books 362pp £12.99

An ellipse of brilliant light is pulsing over Niagara Falls and it is no random occurrence because telescopes and radar have tracked its passage to the planet since first appearing over the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. Earth has an alien visitor and whilst many are entranced and uplifted in its presence, many watching television broadcasts from afar are deeply disturbed and disorientated.

This absorbing novel explores the very human need for fixed anchors in an uncertain world and the alien arrival is definitely not helping. The unlikely protagonist of the novel is an Anglican vicar, who is remarkably free of certainties, and his journey describes the opening of mysteries to those who are prepared to let boundaries of thought and belief dissolve.

It would be unfair to reveal the plot as it is a delight and full of synchronicities. One of the more unusual pleasures is that this a book that celebrates Christian mysticism in an authentic and uplifting way, crossing into areas not normally associated with Christianity, but familiar to spiritual seekers of all persuasions. The whole novel is infused with a deeply contemplative spirit that envelops the reader to wonderful effect. With echoes of Aldous Huxley, this book is highly recommended and available in all good Glastonbury bookshops!

Michael Vincent Authorhouse 2010 Paperback, full colour on acid free paper ISBN 978144 909 7578

This book is delightfully presented in all aspects. I found the look and feel of the book immediately set a relaxed tone. The size and clean layout are easy on the eye offering the opportunity to focus on the content without undue distraction. The text is interspersed with relevant quotations and a selection of images taken from Michael’s extensive portfolio of original artworks created during his lifetime as a painter. Each quotation and image offers the reader an opportunity to pause and reflect before continuing.

Sri Ramana Maharshi offered Self Enquiry as silent Satsang. It soon became apparent to him that many of his students were not “getting the message” as they were unable or unprepared to sit with the silence. Faced with this fact verbal communication was started, much of it recorded by his devotees later to become the basis of texts. From here, the author explains, there has become an almost exponential increase in verbiage, particularly in the West, as Self Enquiry becomes more popular. It is the proliferation of differing words and the accompanying complexity or confusion that Michael seeks to address.

As readers, invited to work at our own pace, we are led through each section with simple and uncluttered explanations. I found that when approached in a relaxed and open way I absorbed the material with more and more ease. Following his desire to keep matters as simple as possible Michael’s book follows a path offering a measured journey through each of the areas addressed.

At only 80 pages, including images and quotations, some recommended reading and three pages at the end left empty for personal notes, it is clear that Michael has accomplished what he set out to offer : a simple guide to Self Enquiry devoid of surplus verbiage. John Emery

£14.99 544pp

Avalonian Aeon Publivations

Those of us familiar with Paul Weston’s talks in Glastonbury in the late nineties have long been waiting for this account of his occult journeyings during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. I am happy to report that it surpasses all expectations, starting with the early acid fuelled misadventures and developing into the main body of the book featuring epic vistas of psychic questing across the Glastonbury Zodiac and points further afield.

Paul has always been wonderfully perceptive in his exposition of magical and mystical sources and Avalonian Aeon contains insightful studies of John Cowper Powys, Katherine Maltwood, George Gurdjieff and a host of other influences. It seems unlikely that any of these influences could have envisaged the kind of voyage Paul chose to launch upon.

The demented early days rarely allow for boundaries and the purple hazed initiation of Solstice Eve at Stonehenge free festival in 1979 sets up a repeating cycle of especially intense Solstices throughout the eighties - an inspired all nighter up the Tor is particularly memorable, where Sufis, Wiccans and bongo crazies conspire happily together in creating serendipity.

Psychic questing is an unaccountable phenomenon whereby information is psychically received, directions given to specifically described locations leading to the discovery of physical objects such as swords and gems, as well as apported objects, and further information.Paul was working in a group that included Andrew Collins, who has written extensively on the phenomenon, but much of the material in Avalonian Aeon has not been published before.

A vast mass of Arthurian, Sumerian, Egyptian, Mayan and other historical/mythical sources creates an ever evolving matrix out of which further adventure happens. I cannot remotely give justice to the intensity and richness of the material. The appearance of Trebor the Follet, a Cornish Sprite, might give you a flavour: Trebor offers plenty of useful guidance, but has an unhelpful habit of fusing electrics and bursting plumbing, as one might expect from a sprite.

And then of course, there is the Essex cultural background to deal with. For it is the Company of Essex trooping across the misty Vale of Avalon - hailing from Southend and all points East - very much in the tradition of Cowper Powys, where mystical ecstasies are counter-pointed by foul smells. Quests are deliberated upon in smoky pubs, excessive alcohol consumed and revelatory nights flow into breakfast at Little Chefs. Reaching for the stars and scaring themselves shitless in the process.

This is a superb book, an indispensable addition to the Glastonbury canon, full of inspiration and bound to lead to further synchronicities and connections. The Glastonbury Zodiac is currently gaining much more attention and Avalonian Aeon is an invaluable source book for those interested in exploring its terrestrial esoteric initiations. The book does of course carry the usual health warning Not for those of a tender disposition but you may have worked that one out for yourselves already. Too much for me to absorb in one week’s reading and I will be reading it in more detail again. But it sent me well doolally for the few days leading up to Solstice Eve 2010, so job done.

Mike Jones

Abbey Press 272pp £10

available from The Pilgrim Reception Centre

The idea that Glastonbury itself might offer a spiritual or tranformative process might seem unlikely to the casual visitor or indeed many residents, but for many others the thought is perfectly normal. This book is an autobiographical account of one person’s perception of the process, written in an unpretentious and honest way that may yet be extremely challenging to those holding to empirical belief sytems.

The first section of the book begins with the Call to Glastonbury, which in Barry’s case came more as an intimation that he was “being called to do something useful in Glastonbury”. However, guidance became much more specific on walking within the Abbey when he experienced a vision of the Abbey populated by chanting monks accompanied by a voice informing him that the task was to work with others “to recreate the lost spiritual heart of the town; to recreate the Abbey, but this time in a form suitable for today”. On consulting other people in town, he found that such guidance was not entirely uncommon and that it was often considered to come from the Company of Avalon, a group of discarnate souls overseeing the spiritual reemergence of Glastonbury.Following this guidance resulted in a 25 year journey of practical creativity giving the lie to the notion that spirituality is not grounded.

Community organisations that Barry has been involved in setting up include The Glastonbury Trust, Isle of Avalon Foundation, The Library of Avalon, The Pilgrim Recepion Centre, Glastonbury Online and the Glastonbury Community Development Trust. He has also served on the boards of Chalice Well Trust, the Chamber of Commerce and the Assembly Rooms and has given of his time as a volunteer or advisor to many other charitable and not for profit organisations. At all times he has held to the vision of developing Glastonbury as a centre of pilgrimage for all faiths and none.

The middle part of the book contain his reflections on how different projects have come into being and what are the particular opportunities and stresses that present themselves in Glastonbury - not the least of which is that a spiritually oriented voluntary sector is not a concept readily understandable to funding bodies. The last section of the book explores Barry’s understanding of spirituality as an integral part of one’s life, a path of personal transformation.

This book is highly recommended to both Avalonians and any other inquiring minds as this is a highly practical account of how a spiritual call can be answered.

Mike Jones

(Leaping Hare Press £7.99)

Sowing the Seeds of Meditation is the subtitle of a groundbreaking new book by Ark Redwood, Head Gardener for the last 11 years at Chalice Well and student of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and his worldwide Community of Interbeing.

A unique blend of Zen wisdom and horticultural insight The Art of Mindful Gardening is a journey through the cycle of the seasons, offering the observations and insights of a seasoned plantsman and a serious practitioner of mindfulness. Quotations, meditations, and practical advice illuminate many parts of the text.

In his introduction Ark says, “Gardening is a pastime that can give us a wealth of possibilities for mindfulness training” - and he shares his love and delight in growing plants from seed: “ Every springtime I am thrilled when I see the tiny seed leaves first appearing on the surface of the seed tray. There is something magical about germination, and I cannot see how anyone can fail to be delighted to welcome the manifestation of new life. I experience a tide of tenderness washing over me whenever I see those little green specks on the surface of the compost, and I make a silent vow to guide the infant seedlings to maturity, as if they were my own children. No wonder it’s called a ‘nursery’!...”

There’s plenty of practical wisdom wrapped up in the book too as in Spring he guides us into a Pruning Meditation, centering the breath and feeling the presence of the shrub to be pruned. In May we are instructed on the ‘Magic of Compost’ by a Master composter. “A well-made compost heap is truly alchemy in action...filled with life yet formed from death” and offered guidance on why ‘no dig’ horticulture promotes a healthy living soil.

In busy Summer, Ark asks us to practise walking meditation and breathe and relax into the present moment while contemplating ‘Suffering and the web of life’ and ending our wars against slugs and pests and diseases and instead cultivating ‘vibrations of love and attention’ to build up the health and immunity of our plants!

He celebrates the traditional cottage garden and the fact that flowers play a huge part in our folklore and history: “They link us with the ancestors and offer us their gift of healing” and observes through Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanhs words that just like flowers, “We manifest, then disappear. It is a game of hide and seek” but there is no real separation between gardener and garden – only the truth of Interbeing.

From Summer deadheading as a spiritual practice to the value of Copper Tools we move into Autumn and accepting impermanence. Soon we are contemplating why trees shed their leaves, learning to sweep leaves mindfully, plant bulbs adventurously, and embrace ‘the way of mulch’ to build soil structure and tilth, suppress weeds, retain moisture and insulate the soil from frost.

Ark celebrates the joy of harvest-time and offers us an ancestral meditation on abundance before considering frost and plant hardiness and planting bare root trees and connecting to our own roots as we go down into the darkness and death of winter.

It’s time for the garden and gardener to rest and to clean tools and sheds though characteristically Ark warns against extreme tidiness as “Gaia abhors uniformity and homogeneity”. With the return of the light and new resolutions in the New Year we turn full circle and begin to prepare the ground again as the snowdrop heralds Spring.

This book is destined to be a gardening if not a spiritual classic and Leaping Hare Press have done a beautiful job with its hardback arts and crafts cover and spacious design to complement an inspirational text making it a pleasure to read in every sense.

Anthony Ward