Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Raffle Event

2012-01-21T07:28:00.000-08:00

KUAN YIN STATUE

She is gracing the stage in The Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa right now, and she is Kuan Yin, one of the most universally beloved of deities in the Buddhist tradition, and we are giving her away in a Stepping Stones Books and Gifts raffle event. She is the embodiment of compassionate loving kindness. As the Bodhisattiva of Compassion, she hears the cries of all beings. Kuan Yin enjoys a strong resonance with the Christian Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the Tibetan goddess Tara.

This Kuan Yin statue is pouring a stream of healing water, the "Water of Life," from a small vase. With this water devotees and all living things are blessed with physical and spiritual peace.

Her left hand is poised in the Vitarka Mudra which symbolizes one of the phases of the preaching of the Buddha, that of discussion or teaching of the dharma. The circle formed by the thumb and the index, a complete form, having neither beginning nor end, is that of perfection; it resembles the Law of the Buddha, which is perfect and eternal.

It is said that anyone who calls on her will be rescued from harm and bad health. When placed in a room she cleanses the home of negative influences, including arguments, marital problems and illness. Kuan Yin is also the protector of all children and women, and brings compassion and love into your home. She is a must for anyone looking to strengthen or enhance a relationship with their partner or children. She also is said to enhance fertility.

We will begin selling raffle tickets for the Kuan Yin Statue Sunday, February 5, and the drawing will be held on Sunday, March 11, at 1:30pm.

Written by Sanna Rosa, RScP

March Program

2012-01-19T09:59:00.000-08:00

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Presents a Free Seminar

Connecting the Dots

between a Health Community and Food

Date: Friday March 2, 2012

Time: 7:00pm

Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa, 2075 Occidental Road

The statistics are telling: 1 out of 2 men and 1 out of 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer this year. What can we do about it?

The authors of Nourishing Connections, the Healing Power of Food and Community address the link between what we eat and our health, with simple suggestions about how to improve your own diet with whole foods. With the experience of cooking for seriously ill people, many of The Ceres Community Project's teen chef volunteers are doing just that.

Join Cathryn Couch, Ceres Project's Executive Director and JoEllen DeNicola, Ceres Project's Nutrition Director, for this inspiring talk. There will be sample treats from the cookbook for you to enjoy.

Cathryn Couch, M.B.A., is a professional chef and activist. Her work centers around helping people connect with local, seasonal and whole foods, discover the joy of cooking for themselves and others, and find meaningful ways to engage in their communities. She is the founder and executive director for The Ceres Community Project, a non-profit organization working to restore whole, local, and organic food to its place as the foundation of health for people, communities and the planet. Cathryn's past experience includes 10 years running an organic home delivered meal service and 4 years as the Director of Communications for The Hunger Project-U.S., an educational organization focused on changing our understanding of the causes of, and solutions to, hunger in the world.

JoEllen DeNicola, BS,NE, is the Nutrition Director for The Ceres Community Project, a respected speaker, teacher and the author of Nourishing Connections, the Healing Power of Food and Community. Her educational background as a certified Nutrition Educator and Polarity Therapist, along with 30 years of organic gardening experiences, provides her the experience to assist people in making healthy dietary choices for longevity. JoEllen developed and teaches the Healing Foods Cooking Courses for The Ceres Community Project. She has presented for Kaiser Permanente Oncology Unit, West County Health Services, the Fermentation Festival, and Macy's.

More information about the The Ceres Community Project may be found on the Ceres Project website.

February Program

2012-01-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Presents a Free Seminar

The I AM Foundation

Building Life Skills for Life

for Children and Adults

Date: Friday evening, February 3, 2012
Time: 7:00pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, 2075 Occidental Road

Come and hear authors Steve Viglione and Dr. Marilyn Powers who will be presenting an introduction to their book The Bridge: A Seven-Stage Map to Redefine Your Life and Purpose and sharing about The I AM Foundation.

Steve Viglione (pronounced Veal-Yo-Knee) and Dr.Marilyn Powers are Co-Founders of The I AM Foundation and Co-Creators ofThe Love~Wisdom Series which is designed to help children and adults build lifeskills for life.

Steve Viglione is the Founder and CEO of The I AMFoundation, whose mission is empowering children and adults worldwide throughpublishing and gifting The Love~Wisdom Series. Since 1998, his vision has ledThe I AM Foundation to gift and distribute over 1.1 million books around theglobe.

Steve Viglione’s love for childrenand his unwavering commitment to building a positive self-esteem are at theheart of his mission. He is a global visionary who desires that all childrenthroughout the world know their self-worth, that they are part of the globalcommunity, and that their talents and gifts are of vital importance to thefuture of the planet.

Dr. Marilyn Powers is Co-Founder of The I AM Foundation.She has her Ph.D. in psychology and religion. She studied psychology at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland and at the Gestalt Institute inCleveland, Ohio. She is a graduate of The High School of Performing Arts andstudied dance at the Juilliard School of Music. Marilyn Powers is a visionaryleader, author, and speaker.

Marilyn believes that when children discovertheir value they bring their value to the world. Equally true, she believesthat when parents, teachers, and adults discover their value, they bring theirvalue into the family, the classroom, and the community.

More information about the I AM Foundation may be found on The I AM Foundation website.

Book Review: It’s Easier Than You Think - The Buddhist Way to Happiness, by Sylvia Boorstein

2012-01-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

This is a very sweet little book at 145 pages and Boorsteinbrings the Buddhist way right into daily life by sharing short vignettesillustrating the dynamics of mindfulness and illumination in simple, routineactivity. Within each chapter are 1-2 page stories and writings that are veryeasy to read. This works well for me because my reading style is to read acouple of pages, then put the book down to assimilate what I have read.

She gives examples of the Buddhist Way through her storiesthat has a way of staying with you. I will always remember her story about hergrandfather, who in his 90s had a routine of walking everyday around the block.While this was a short walk in distance, it was a long walk in time due to hisfrailty. The author joins him on one of his “long” walks and asks him, “What doyou think about when you walk?” His reply illustrates the Buddhist Way when hesays, “What do you mean, what do I think about? When I walk, I walk!”

The author does us a great service by bringing the spiritualway to earth, to our humanness. No person who walks in illumination or wisdomleaves his humanness behind by doing so. She shows us this. I feel a sense ofrelief as I read her book as she removes the separation between those weconsider “spiritual” and those who have yet to see themselves in this samelight. This book is like a friend who in easy conversation levels the field ina way that eliminates any sense of “other” on the spiritual path.

Youwill enjoy reading It's Easier Than You Think.

Review by Sanna Rose, RScP

Spiritual Seeds

2011-12-29T17:14:00.001-08:00

Dr. Edward Viljoen and Dr. Chris Michaels have co-created a packet of Spiritual Seed Thought cards which are now available at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Each person attending services on January 1, 2012 at any of the three morning services will receive a free copy of the product.

After that you will be able to purchase them at our store, and I think you’re going to enjoy them enough to want to give them as gifts.
Happy New Year.

This packet contains 30 spiritual seeds. Read one seed per day and open your mind to new possibilities. Repeat daily for best results. Select Seed Maintenance from the tabs above for additional free resources to support your personal spiritual seed thought development. When planted into your consciousness, these spiritual seeds will produce healthy results. The more often the seeds are read and contemplated, the more active they become in mind and assimilated into your routine thinking. When you have used these seeds for 30 days, plant them in the soil and water regularly. You will begin to see the physical manifestation of the spiritual seeds you have been planting in your consciousness.

Book Review: What’s Happening In 2012

2011-12-29T17:10:00.001-08:00

“A New Design for Living”
Written by Ernest Holmes
Edited and Compiled by Willis H. Kinnear

Dr. Edward has chosen this book as the basis for our theme at the Center for 2012. (See a list of the 2012 Themes and Topics). His first talk on Sunday, January 1, has been titled “Discover New Worlds” which is a subject heading inside the first chapter. We are in for a powerful journey through the Science of Mind and how to apply it and live it in our own lives in the coming year with Rev. Edward as our guide. Copies of this book are currently available in the Stepping Stones Gift and Bookstore. Might it be wise to procure your copy now before the rush? This one looks like a keeper.

In the Introduction: “A New Design for Living was written by Ernest Holmes near the end of his long and distinguished career as a spiritual philosopher, author, minister, speaker, and teacher. Published the year before he made his transition, it offers the fullness of his thinking about and application of the principles of Science of Mind to the conscious creation of a new and renewed life. In the book we witness a clarity of thought and precision of expression that make every sentence important, meaningful, and valuable to take within, contemplate, and then prove in daily living. We get here some of the best of what Ernest Holmes offers to the spiritual awakening of humankind.”

From a book review by By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat: A New Design for Living is one of the preeminent works by this founder of Church of Religious Science, second only to The Science of Mind. In 23 chapters, Holmes lays out a plan for redesigning our lives that includes probes on everyday wonders, our partnership with the Infinite, making the most of our creativity, the law of correspondence, the process of attracting what we think, the need of faith, the idea that life is not against you, the abundant universe, the power of love, harmonious relationships, and spiritual mind treatment.

Financial Recovery: Developing a Healthy Relationship with Money. Karen McCall

2011-12-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

After healing her own unhealthy relationship with money, and transformingher financial disaster into prosperity and security, Karen McCallcreated a recovery program she has now used for more than twenty yearsto help individuals, couples, and businesses large and small. In the midstof her money troubles, she saw a need for something other than financialplanners, accountants, and credit counselors. Stepping Stones Books and Gifts presents Financial Recovery: Developing a Healthy Relationship with Money featuring Karen McCall in another free author event at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

Friday, April 13, 2012

7 pm

Karen McCall,founder of the Financial Recovery^SM Institute, has revolutionizedthe financial counseling industry with her highly acclaimed Financial Recoveryprocess — a compassionate, comprehensive system that liberates people from thecore beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that keep them stuck in a self-defeatingrelationship with money. This highly acclaimed system, which was developed byKaren after she struggled for years to heal her own crippling relationship withmoney, has saved thousands of people from the nightmare of financial ruin andgiven them the insight, understanding and tools they need to sustain financialstability for the rest of their lives.

Today Karen runs and owns the Financial Recovery Institute, whichshe founded in 1988. The Institute trains mental health care professionals andentrepreneurs in how to use the counseling processes and practical tools ofFinancial Recovery to help people transform their relationship with money andcreate life-long financial well-being. Successful graduates are certified FinancialRecovery counselors. A nationally recognizedspeaker and financial expert, Karen is often quoted in publications such as Entrepreneur,Money Magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Bankrate.com, BottomLine, Women’s Day, Working Mother, and USA Weekend. Inaddition to her most recent book, Financial Recovery: Healing Your Life byExploring Your Relationship with Money (New World Library), she is the author of It’s Your Money:Achieving Financial Well-Being and is creator of several MoneyMinder®products. Karen lives in Petaluma, CA, where she spends her limited spare timegardening and spoiling her grandchildren.

A Special Homegrown Community Event

2011-12-15T21:41:00.001-08:00

After all of the holiday celebrations fade away we joinwith Dr. Edward in pairing his birthday on January 4 with a full out concertand raffle celebration that benefits and supports our Center. We join him inthis selfless giving by donating incredible gifts and services for a raffle.This is our love in action for the Center and for our senior minister and allthat he models for our community.

Written by: Sanna Rose, RScP

Our concert this year will be on Friday, January 6, andfeatures Singer/pianist/songwriter Michael Gott , a performer you won't soonforget. From his background in such disparate musical disciplines as gospel,pop, opera, musical theater, classical piano and jazz, he has developed his ownunique and exciting performance style. He has been compared to many of the greats,but Michael is truly an original.

Michael is very much in demand for conferences and otherspecial events. In recent years, he has shared the stage with suchinternationally known personalities as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra,Marianne Williamson and others.

Tickets are on sale in the social hall on Sundays andthrough our Book & Gift store. Children under 12 years of age are admittedfree, and teens ages 13-19 years of age are asked to pay only $5. Adult priceis $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

On a personal note: Dr Edward will be 51 years young in2012. He states: "To combine my birthday with a community fundraiser forthe Center has been a blessing and turns out to be making up for all thebirthday parties I never had." He emphasizes that this event is not reallya birthday party per se, but more of a community celebration of Life, of eachother, and of course of our Center.

I asked Dr. Edward:

What is the proudest moment in your life? "When an 8year-old son of a childhood friend asked his parents if he could have me as hisgodfather."

If you had a million dollars, what's the first thingyou'd buy? "The iPad3 and then I'd pay off the Center's mortgage - afteragreeing to a giant raise. Grin."

What's your greatest word of wisdom at age 51?"Trust your natural born kindness. It won't fail you."

Join us on January 6 for a Happy Birthday and Center celebration onbehalf of our Dr. Edward.

Financial Freedom - Where to Start

2011-12-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

You've decided to get control of your financial future. Prosperity books are on your reading list. But what's the first step? How can you get a clear picture of your current position to map the direction to financial freedom?

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

is offering a Free Seminar titled

FINANCIAL FREEDOM - WHERE TO START

Date: Friday evening, January 13, 2012
Time: 7:00pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road

Ken McCauley, CPA, CVA - and a partner in AL Nella and Co, CPAs - will provide you with tools and step-by-step training to clarify where you are now in order to accelerate your financial growth. Additionally, Ken will discuss case examples from his extensive work with individuals and businesses. Common financial terms will be explained, like net worth, net case flow, and liquidity.

Ken specializes in financial reporting, cash flow and tax planning forindividuals and businesses. After graduating from the University of Michiganwith a degree in accounting, Ken gained professional experience working forseveral multinational companies: He first served...
as senior auditor at thenational CPA firm, Main Lafrentz &Company and then as a financial analyst of international operations for CooperLaboratories in Palo Alto. Subsequently, he became the manager of financialforecast at Genstar Corporation in San Francisco.

His experience atthese companies gave him an excellent background in the development ofaccounting controls and procedures as well as budgeting and forecastingsystems.

Ken started hisown firm before merging with AL Nella & Company where he has gained over 20years of substantial experience working with small and medium sized businesses. Ken is currently the partner in chargeof the audit and accounting services, aswell as the business valuation service.

Ken is a memberof the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the CaliforniaSociety of Certified Public Accountants. He is very active in communityservices and has served on the boards of the Golden Gate Business Association,18^th Street Services, the Stop AIDS Project and the San FranciscoHistorical Automobile Society, and he currently serves on the Board of Trusteesfor the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.

New at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

2011-11-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts has three new books available now in the store and on our website.

Have you ever tried to explain one of the Hindu Gods or Goddesses to someone else? Or, tried to understand for yourself what “Hare Krishna” really means? Now you can get the explanations in The Little Book of Hindu Deities by Sanjay Patel.

Or, perhaps you just want some help to simplify your life by organizing all that stuff you’ve been accumulating for years. Get a copy of Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider, and start cleaning up all that clutter.

Most of us have had pets that became close friends and members of our family. The Kingdom of Hearts journal by Dr. Patty Luckenbach provides both a way to express, and to release, our grief when one of our pet friends passes away.

You can always see our newest additions by going to our home page and clicking on the New Items tab.

Have you checked out our Web Specials lately?

We have eight exciting Web Specials available for November and December, including Rickie Byers Beckwith’s Let My Soul Surrender CD and book set. These eight items are discounted 20-40%. Take advantage of the savings now.

To see all of our current discount selections click on the Specials tab on our home page.

FREE SHIPPING

Last, but not least, Stepping Stones Books and Gifts is offering Free Shipping to addresses in the USA for all items purchased on our website through the end of 2011. Take advantage of this promotion to get your Christmas gifts or, even better, for something you have been waiting for an excuse to purchase for yourself.

GOOD AT WORK - A Free Event

2011-10-06T08:56:00.001-07:00

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Presents

An Evening With

Dr. Edward Viljoen and Dr. Joyce Duffala

Friday November 4, 2011 - 7:00 pm

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

How was it that two people who hardlyknew each other started to work together to produce Seeing Good at Work,followed by the CD “Rise in Joy, Sleep in Peace”?

In this presentation, the good doctors sharewhat inspired them to write together, as well as some of the meditative musicand affirmative language from the CD they co-created.

Come and join us in this free, fun and informative evening.

Book Review: Let My Soul Surrender - Grace Notes of A Journey

2011-09-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Author: Rickie Byars Beckwith

Reviewer: Lee Boyack – Member, Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

A surprisingly funny and honest book about writing spiritual music—WITH an upbeat CD of the songs behind the stories!

I was not familiar with Rickie Byars Beckwith, the Music and Arts Director of Agape Int’l Spiritual Center and the wife of Michael Beckwith. But the excitement generated by the announcement of her December 2nd, 2011 concert in Santa Rosa, moved me to buy her new book that comes with a CD of her music. Wow! I was not misled by the congregation’s anticipation of her appearance. I feel I have been given a gift of peace and joy at a moment when it was greatly needed.

The CD has 14 songs that have the kind of lyrics that move me into a calmer, more peaceful and joyful space. But, unlike some of the “spiritual” music CD’s I’ve bought before—I like ALL of the songs on this CD and would listen to them even if they didn’t have a spiritual message. To me, the music is a mix of R&B, Motown, and Jazz. Sometimes Rickie’s voice reminds me of Tina Turner. Sometimes the sound seems like Carlos Santana. There is a lot of variation in tone and beat which keeps me continuing to listen.

The book describes the stories behind the creation of each of the songs. I love the surprising honesty of Rickie’s communication. For example, the title song, “Let My Soul Surrender” was created at a meditation retreat Rickie considered a semi-annual “ordeal.” “Sitting in silent meditation for three days…has never been

my idea of a good time,” she says. (I love this woman! That’s just how I would have felt.). But from that place, she opened herself up and received a song that begins “What am I to do? What am I to feel?”… and continues to discover that the answers lie in surrendering to God.

Another song was created by being hurried and running into a glass window! Another was created from being frustrated that it didn’t seem her prayers were being answered when three close friends passed away. The situations in her life are easy to understand. She doesn’t seem distant or removed. And the music is very entertaining.

I think this is a great book/CD and recommend it. I have already purchased it as a gift for several friends and will probably purchase more for Christmas gifts.

Enjoy!

Book Review: Let My Soul Surrender, Grace Notes of a Journey, by Rickie Byars Beckwith

2011-09-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

Review by: Bette Smith, Professional Prayer Practitioner

Rickie Byars Beckwith has been inspiring me with her songs since the mid 90’s when I first heard her sing at a concert in Marin. I remember she was directing the choir with no shoes on. She started the evening with little sandals, but soon they were off her feet and she was barefoot. I could relate to this woman right away. That night I remember hearing “Use Me” and I loved the lyrics. Audience members began to mimic the choir members with arm movements. It really felt like I was giving myself over to God as I sang “Show me all that I must do.”

Shortly after that I went to the Agape Church in Los Angeles and heard Rickie and Michael in person. What a glorious service that was. She played “I Release” and I got to sing along with the congregation and really tune into what it can be like to let go and turn it over to God. It inspired me...
to look at life in a new way by letting Spirit run my life and allowing blessings to come to me.

I attended my first Revelation conference in 2001 in Los Angeles and was very inspired by her music again. As a choir director she pulls the very best performances from all of the choir members and nurtures various solo voices who have since put out their own CD’s. In “Had a Revelation”, Otis Freeman and Tony Novell sing solos that are very moving performances.

In her newest CD and book, Let My Soul Surrender, Grace Notes of a Journey, Rickie tells us how the Spirit works through her. With humble gratitude she explains how each song was born. I especially love the song Mabel, which honors the wise women, the mothers and grandmothers who include prayer their daily lives.

She writes about her grandchildren, her children, her mother and her husband, the Rev. Michael Beckwith founder of Agape Spiritual Center. She has a trim, slight build, but her voice is full and rich. And it is filled with soul from her roots growing up on gospel and singing R&B in nightclubs. She is a powerful woman who has done her work. She constantly tells us how thankful she is for all that she has been given. Her selfless service and humble grace comes through her writing.

I’ve got my ticket for the concert in December. Don’t wait too long to purchase yours. See you there.

Bette Smith

Asilomar Conference Center Mobile Bookstore Packs Up

2011-08-13T16:59:00.001-07:00

After two weeks of serving Centers for Spiritual Living Summer Conference at Asilomar, staff and volunteers pack up the remaining inventory and head on home to Santa Rosa.

The room is empty!

And now it is time for lunch.

Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, Centers For Spiritual Living

2011-08-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

Centers for Spiritual Living are holding their annual summer conference in Pacific Grove, California on the historic Asilomar Grounds. Stepping Stones Books and Gifts is providing the mobile bookstore experience for conference goers. Speakers in the main hall are available for book signing after their presentations in our books and gifts store - and during the day between sessions you can find friendly conversation, games and puzzles on the deck outside the store.

Here is the Stepping Stones Books and Gifts store volunteer crew under the direction of manager, Martha Salazar. Week 2

Rickie Byars Beckwith at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

2011-08-05T11:00:00.001-07:00

Rickie Byars Beckwith appeared at the Asilomar conference grounds where our mobile Stepping Stones Books and Gifts store is hosting the bookstore for the conference. She signed books and gracious got photographed with our staff, Manager Martha Salazar and volunteer, Rev. Ruth Barnhart.

Rickie’s products are available online from our store too.

Books and Gifts store crew ready to serve!

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Offers Specials

2011-08-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Stepping Stones Books and Gifts offers special pricing on some of our popular items? To find our current discount selections simply go to our home page and click on the Specials tab.

Right now we have eight items priced at a 20% discount through September 30, 2011. Books, Music, and more!

Our Mobile Bookstore in Pacific Grove

2011-07-31T11:31:00.001-07:00

The truck is unloaded and there are more around the corner.

Karen Drucker stopped by to lend a hand.

Metaphysical practioners seeing good in the “thick of it.”

2011-07-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

SEEING GOOD AT WORK, a review by Julia Vose McClung

One day a small, wheat-gold book, with red and black letters, called to me from a bookstore shelf: SEEING GOOD AT WORK—52 Weekly Steps to Transform Your Workplace Experience, by Reverend Doctors Joyce Duffala and Edward Viljoen, Assistant and Senior Ministers at Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, California. At last, I found that sage mentor I so long to turn to when I need a course correction by morning, or by afternoon-- slim enough to slip into my purse, keep in my car, or skim off a bedside table to read in bed. Unbiased, this work quotes wisdom from modern and ancient ages.

We labor at work or school for our livelihood in the tides of ambition, risk-taking, competence, accomplishment, mistake, failure, goals gained and goals recalibrated; in the interpersonal “sandbox” of creative cooperation, productive alliance, or jealousy and competitive threat. In any relationship context, the good at work between us is vitally about me, and also about you-- us! We know this intuitively, yet the tightness in our chest or stomach makes us search for how.

SEEING GOOD AT WORK is no glassy-eyed tome of recycled self-help themes. Inherent in the 52 weekly lessons is a respectful, shoulder-to-shoulder connection made by Duffala and Viljoen to the reader—to me and you personally. They speak to us, without question, as centers of awakened intelligence to move from powerless victimhood, to seeing the shared common humanity and bridge-building opportunities available to us as metaphysical practioners at seeing good in the “thick of it.” Each week illuminates a fresh aspect of me and you in the workplace (as easily the home place, group place, or one-and-one place): a luminary’s potent quote preceeds the one-page chat that seeds your awareness for the week; Application Exercise deftly captures our attention to the theme; and completed by a Remind Yourself, such as, “When I am willing to really listen, I open myself to a new world of understanding.” I’ve given this book to four young people so far, and they were grateful as I am.

Book Review: The Soul of Money: Transforming your relationship with Money and Life, by Lynne Twist

2011-07-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Soul of Money: Transforming your relationship with Money and Life was recommended to me by Rev. Deborah Johnson. It is a potent read written by a woman who has life experience as a global fundraiser and activist. The reader is taken on a deep journey into the soul of money. She contrasts non-currency cultures with our own money-dominant culture. She offers an invitation to confront our challenges, fears, addictions, attachments, remorse, regrets and hurts around money, and then to embrace it all for our personal growth. In this, she says, we give money its soul.

Deep in the Amazon rain forest live the Achuar people. This village has no culture based in money, have not used currency of any kind that exchanges hands for goods or services. When a child gets married both families come together and build the new couple their home. All they will need to begin their lives together is provided by their community. When a hunter brings food back from the jungle all the people gather to feast and share the food. No one is left without support and sustenance. She contrasts this way of life with the life of our modern monetary culture by sharing the experience of a native of the Achuar who lived with them in the US. to learn our language and the culture of money. Our entire culture, purpose in living, and relationships as a community, is based on the accumulation and value of money and consumerism. A person's value is based on their relationship and success with money. She articulates quite a contrast that leads one to the very soul of money.

Consider these Chapter titles:

· Scarcity: The Great Lie

· Sufficiency: The Surprising Truth

· Money is like water

· Collaboration Creates Prosperity

· What you Appreciate Appreciates

This one packs a punch.

Sanna Rose

Building Literacy and Self-Esteem for Children - October 21, 2011

2011-07-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

Press Release - October 21, 2011 - Free Event - 7 pm at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

In a Time of Transition for Millions, An Organization Offers A “Bridge” for Adults While Gifting Books that Build Literacy and Self-Esteem to Kids

Sonoma, CA - In these uncertain economic times where millions of people find themselves in transition, a “Bridge” is being offered that can help adults as well as children, teens and young adults.
The Bridge: A Seven-Stage Map to Redefine Your Life and Purpose is a book which offers support to those going through significant life changes such as job or career loss, retirement, illness, loss of a loved one or even surviving a natural disaster.

“Because of the enormity of change happening nationally and globally, people are being forced out of their comfort zones. They have a need for clarity and to be empowered in a new direction in their lives.” says author of The Bridge, Dr. Marilyn Powers of The I AM Foundation, an educational 501c3 non-profit. “The Bridge” says Dr. Powers, “…is a map to help them move forward.”

While The I AM Foundation is supporting adults move through transition with The Bridge, they are also empowering children by gifting them with books that help them face their fears and challenges, inspires them to feel strong and confident while they may be going through their own difficult times growing up.

The I AM Foundation gifts a book to a child, teen or young adult for every copy of The Bridge that is purchased either online or at one of their book signings. One of the books they gift is their signature book, The I AM! Affirmation Book which is endorsed by The First Lady of Sri Lanka and has over 165,000 copies in print.
It is being translated into 50 languages and been gifted in over 50 countries.

You can receive A 50 page sample of The Bridge or you can order The Bridge at www.iamfoundation.org. The Bridge (ISBN 978-0-9645224-5-9) is also available at selected book sellers and www.amazon.com. For each copy of the Bridge sold (hard copy or eBook) The I AM Foundation gifts a book to a child, teen or young adult.

Media and organizations may contact the author for interviews, speaking engagements and book signings to help impact their local community. The I AM Foundation is a 501c3 educational non-profit based in Sonoma and La Jolla CA. Established in 1998, it has gifted and distributed over 1 million books and products worldwide. For more information, please visit www.iamfoundation.org.

CD Review: Dancing Into Silence, R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton, and Will Clipman

2011-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

There are several book reviews appearing on our blog and I'm grateful to all the writers--I thought I might try my hand at sharing a different kind of review, an instrumental CD R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton, and Will Clipman's Dancing into Silence.

Dancing into Silence is a very nice soothing instrumental CD that I like to have playing in the background while I am working in the bookstore. The music features Carlos Nakai on the Native American flute beautifully played along with a mild drum and harp guitar. The rhythm is not so fast that it makes me jittery and not so slow that it lulls me into a non-productive meditative state. The CD plays a continuous easy sound that smoothly changes one song to the next without any notice on my part.

Some people love complete silence for their meditation practice, others prefer the gentle backdrop of music, still others love to be outside with the sounds and sights of nature. If you are one of those who has a list of favorite meditation music, or favorite music-to-do-things-by, please leave a comment below and let us know what you listen to. We'd love to hear from you.

love, Martha Salazar

What Is The Enneagram? Free Event

2011-06-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Douglas and Olivia Rosestone will be hosted by Stepping Stones Bookstore on Friday, July 22, 7 pm at the Center and they will be presenting an Introduction to the Enneagram.

So, what is an Enneagram? There is a lot of information about this system of understanding and working with personality types. Here is some general information to get you started.

As you think about your personality, which of the following nine roles fits you best most of the time? Or, to put it differently, if you were to describe yourself in a few words, which of the following would come closest?

Everyone emerges from childhood with one of the nine types dominating their personality, with inborn temperament and other pre-natal factors being the main determinants of our type. This is one area where most all of the major Enneagram authors agree—we are born with a dominant type. Subsequently, this inborn orientation largely determines the ways in which we learn to adapt to our early childhood environment. It also seems to lead to certain unconscious orientations toward our parental figures, but why this is so, we still do not know. In any case, by the time children are four or five years old, their consciousness has developed sufficiently to have a separate sense of self. Although their identity is still very fluid, at this age children begin to establish themselves and find ways of fitting into the world on their own.

The Enneagram can help us see what prevents us from remembering who we really are, the truth of our spiritual nature. It does this by providing highly specific insights into our psychological and spiritual makeup. The Enneagram also helps us by giving us a direction in which to work, but only as long as we remember that it is not telling us who we are, but how we have limited who we are. The enneagram does not put us in a box, it shows us the boxes that we are already in—and the way out.

This event is free, and you are welcome to bring a friend.

Sanna Rose, RScP

Book Review: Words That Heal Today, by Ernest Holmes, Forwarded by Dr. Michael Beckwith

2011-06-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Words That Heal Today, by Ernest Holmes, forwarded by Dr. Michael Beckwith, is a delightful, and powerful, immersion in the teachings of Jesus as paraphrased by Holmes, as seen through the lens of metaphysics and New Thought. I have owned this book for a couple of years and I have yet to read the entire book. This is because the teachings of Jesus are so powerful, and Holmes articulates them in such an accessible way that I have to put the book down and take it all in for awhile. The wisdom of Jesus, the Spiritual Master, offers very simple steps to follow, that as a person in the 21^st century I feel like I can do this, I can practice what he is proposing; I can love, forgive, roll away the stone of the past, and the certainty and enthusiasm of Jesus’ words as presented by the confidence of Holmes will support me, and back me up. This book is a keeper for the long haul, and I keep it within my reach.

A sample: “In the exalted concept of the Illumined One no weary journeyings of the soul were necessary to gain the heavenly Kingdom, no pain other than that produced through ignorance, no series of incarnations dragging themselves out through endless eons of monotonous drabness. Jesus said: Open the door of your mind and the heavenly light will enter. Open it today! You could have opened it yesterday. You may defer the divine event until tomorrow. Someday somewhere, you will open the door and the floodlights of eternal life will flow through you.” (Pg. 20) Ahhh….men.

Sanna Rose, RScP.

If you have read Words That Heal Today, please leave us a comment or email your own review to martha@cslsr.org. We'd love to hear from you.

Another Review: All is Well-29 Stories of Guts and Grace, Courage and Compassion

2011-06-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

Dr. David Bruner presented from his recently published book All is Well-29 Stories of Guts and Grace, Courage andCompassion at the Stepping Stones event on June 24th. David Bruner is the Senior Minister at the Center for Spiritual Living, San Jose. This was an interactive evening in which David spoke passionately about taking action to move through despair in order to achieve transformation, also the common theme in the 29 stories. David Bruner will be appearing at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa on July 17 as a guest speaker and workshop presenter. Tickets for the workshop are available at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts online and in the store.

Stepping Stones has been presenting free events to the community since October 2010. These events have included published authors, story tellers, singer/songwriters, and an in depth look into professional music recording. These Friday night monthly venues provide a relaxing atmosphere where folks can enjoy quality entertaining and informative events.

Watch this space for upcoming free events. The next one is in July, An Introduction to the Enneagram. Click here for more information.

All Is Well Event Review

2011-06-26T08:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Martha,

Lucky me to work in the bookstore the night of the event for book, All Is
Well, edited by David Bruner and Lee Hartley, for I got to join the pre-event buzz in the bookstore with Reverend David Bruner of CSL San Jose. Buzz is the word for his inimitable presence, for as each new person came into the store, David hailed them, and got their name and got them folded into a sudden story hive.

At his talk in Grinton Chapel, seat belts should have been issued, for his particular brand of storytelling and audience contact had us laughing like we were on a roller coaster, and yet the truths defined in the intimate stories from his congregants, chosen from All Is Well, were inviting, moving, hard-earned and healing.

Each tale in All Is Well is preceded by a beautiful, defining quote, and then followed by an inquiry for the reader to take the work of the story into the work of their own lives. These inquiries, each unique to the particular story, are written by psychotherapist, Lee Hartley, and sparkle with invitation to self-discovery.

This is an exciting portrait of the like-no-other atmosphere created by David Bruner at CSL San Jose. David is one of ten children, and he brings from that experience the natural activity of a family reunion--good fun and "we all belong." What a night of We Are One, Martha!

--Julia Vose McClung

All Is Well - June 24 - Free Event

2011-06-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts presents Dr. David Bruner, co-creator with Lee Hartley of the exciting new book All Is Well.

Dr. David will be appearing on Friday, June 24, at 7 pm to talk about the creation of this book and how it has enriched his Center community.

All Is Well is a book of true stories of guts and grace, courage and compassion. Each of the 29 stories was written by the man or woman who lived it. Every one of them tells how they found a way to create forward momentum as they experienced intense difficulties in their lives. They did it by changing their mind. Even though the decisions were difficult, they made them. The moments of choice are truly turning points that were crucial to each of them, and to all of the positive experiences they’ve had since then. The stories are exhilarating. Each story shows that they have experienced the fullness of the precept of change your life by changing your mind.

The questions that follow each story encourage the reader to share the gifts of each author’s learned lessons, potentially saving the reader from having to pay the same price that the storyteller did. The step-by-step questions are thought provoking and gently help to expand the mind away from a previous comfort zone to new potentials and other possibilities.

You feel upbeat after reading the book and come away with the belief that “if he or she could do it, so can I!”

Book Review: Why Faith Matters, by Rabbi David J. Wolpe

2011-06-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, where do I begin to summarize Why Faith Matters by Rabbi David Wolpe? Well, Wolpe begins by sharing how he catapulted out of his religious beliefs in his teen years into despair after seeing film footage of the holocaust. He completely lost his faith in God, and came to the conclusion that God didn’t exist. His journey back to faith grew out of his intense, and what seemed like a desperate relationship with the atheist Bertrand Russell and his writings and philosophy. I was intrigued as I read about his journey back to faith through asking questions out of genuine seeking and curiosity.
He finds Einstein and his two choices: “You can choose to see everything as a miracle, or nothing as a miracle.”

Wople discusses prayer; “Deep prayer is an experience like music or love—indescribable to one who does not pray.” He writes about Free will, Gratitude, the Bible, What is Religion, and the Mystery, to name just a few topics. He uses relevant quotes, and shares personal experiences of how life is not fair, and examples of his own suffering and pain. He brings his experience of faith to the reader by example, by entertaining perspectives that introduce faith to be strong and true in service to the human experience.

The parable of the twins (Pg. 151) has been used by Rev.Edward at the pulpit in referencing the experience of the Afterlife. Wolpe quotes Milton Steinburg (Pg.131) “The believer in God has to account for the existence of unjust suffering; the atheist has to account for everything else.”

This book will take you on a journey and will pique your interest in your own insights into the faith you have or the faith you question. I say it is a worthy investment.

Sanna Rose, RScP

Book Review: Seeing good at work helps see good in LIFE!

2011-06-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Seeing Good At Work by Dr. Edward Viljoen and Dr. Joyce Duffala

Review by Jennifer E. Mann, RScP.

This little book is accessible, handy, mindful and delightful. It aids in harmonizing relationships, learning to recognize what IS WORKING at the office and metes out the useful information in 52 small bites--one for each week. It helps AVOID depression, situations that could turn into possible crises, and reduces the need for authoritarian style interventions in the workplace.

It is so universal in its approach, that the exercises and the philosophy of the book apply to life outside the workplace as well. This book makes a great gift for Human Resources/Organizational Development Departments or offers a fruitful weekend retreat centerpiece for building community among your colleagues.

For more information, reader reviews, example exercises, a peek at the text, visit Seeing Good At Work's blog.

Book Review: Gandhi, the Man, by Eknath Easwaran

2011-06-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

Gandhi, the Man, by Eknath Easwaran is a most beautiful work on the life of an icon of spirituality in action. Easwaran has written a tender story of the man we know as Gandhi by combining the timeline of events in history, bold, beautiful photographs, and the spiritual beliefs and practices he adhered to, taught, and preached to his followers.

I learned that Gandhi was a very punctual man, to the minute, that he created a number of communities where he taught non-violence with the understanding that his students would need time to adjust to the teaching, time to unlearn the violent way of responding taught to them throughout their lives and culture.

This is a story of Gandhi’s personal development as a spiritual figure and a political innovator. An appendix by Timothy Flinders is titles “How Nonviolence Works” and has many quotes by Gandhi. This book is by far my favorite on Gandhi. A must for every library.

By Sanna Rose, RScP

More titles by Ecknath Easwaran here

Book Review: I Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope & Joy, renderings by Hafiz, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky

2011-06-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Poems of Hope & Joy:This prize has been on my bedside table for awhile now, and I have been flipping to a page before I sleep so that I can take the warmth of his words with me into my dreams. There are 60 or so poems translated by Daniel Ladinsky with a short biography of Hafiz and a bibliography at the end. Some poems in I Heard God Laughing I have seen in other works and some I have not. Here’s one I flipped to just for you:

Manic Screaming

We should make all spiritual talk

Simple today.

Gos is trying to sell you something,

But you don’t want to buy.

That is what your suffering is:

Your fantastic haggling,

Your manic screaming over the price!

By Sanna Rose, RScP

How To Stimulate Conversation: Powerful Motivational Words - Affirmation Cards

2011-06-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

While working on the newly designed Stepping Stones Books and Gifts I came across some of the product that I have perosnally used in my past and remembered the powerfully worded motivational cards that we carry. The Wisdom Cards by Louise Have have come to my assistance in class room settings when I used them to stimulate deep conversations among the students. I let them choose a random card and ask them to share with a partner what the motivational words on the cards mean to them. I encourage teachers to consider the Power Thoughts for Teens Cards for similar exercises with teens. Thoughts for Teens is a deck of 50 Affirmation Cards to "help teens develop their inner power." It's wonderful to listen to what young people say when asked to comment on the thoughts on the affirmation cards.

Personally, I find that using these cards can stimulate spiritual practice and creativity during those 'blah' times. I select one of the cards randomly from the deck and give myself quiet time to think about the inspirational symbols and motivational words on the cards. I have also used these and similar affirmation cards at parties and have not yet been let down by the fascinating conversation that is stimulated whe people are asked to share what they think.

It's a whole lot more interesting than.... oh dear, I better stop right here.

Edward Viljoen

Book Review: This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes

2011-06-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

Whenever I need a gentle reminder of how it feels to be in unison with the oneness of Creation, I often turn to This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes. I am inspired by the many positive mental statements in this book which are meant to bring about the reader’s awareness of his or her own innate creativity, abundance, happiness, and well-being.

This is one of the most positive books I have ever read on being comfortable within the human condition. I enjoy the affirmations reinforcing the principle of Spirit within and also the words one can use to release the stumbling blocks that sometimes get in the way.

Allan Yeager, Trustee

Book Review: True Meditation, by Adyashanti

2011-06-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

True Meditation, by Adyashanti is a tiny book that is very large in content and is a gem for your spiritual toolbox. At first the title threw me off because I tend to resist anyone claiming their way is the one true way. However, what Adya presents here in his book, and on the very helpful meditation cd that comes with it, is the reminder that we must let go of the meditator, of effort, of manipulation in meditation.

The beingness, the stillness, the awareness within that he brings our attention to in his narration is the same that we can all come to regardless of the technique, mantra, or visualization that we may use or have been trained to practice. “The art of meditation is allowing everything to be as it is.” There is a very rich experiential of “being” within this book/cd. I highly recommend it.

By Sanna Rose, RScP

Book Review: The Ernest Holmes New Thought Dictionary edited by DeVorss Publications

2011-06-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Ernest Holmes's New Thought Dictionary is a gem. Whether taking a class or reading New Thought philosophy on your own, the vocabulary or jargon can sometimes by mysterious or misunderstood.

Having this accessible guide has enlightened me in many a passage or conversation. For example the term ‘subjective mind’ always crossed my eyes. In this little pocket book, there are 14 definitive descriptions of subjective mind, clarifying my confusion very easily.

Jennifer Mann, RScP

Book Review: How To Live In The World And Still Be Happy by Hugh Prather

2011-06-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

How to Live in theWorld and Still Be Happy is a book that I picked up well over 15 or maybe 20 years ago. I remember that edition’s sky blue cover and how it became worn with constant use, and also from being dragged around with me to work and to the beach. Now the spine is almost illegible as the book sits on my shelf.

Particularly useful in this book were the exercises to help getting through the day and staying on purpose. One of them included an invitation to make a list of every contact I had with the world in one day, including those activities such as background television before work, phone calls, and the drive to work. At first I thought the exercise was pointless and was tempted to move on to something else more spiritually and intellectually engaging. However, one day I took the time to map out a typical day so that I could apply the second part of the exercise: to cut back on some of the activities.

What a revelation Hugh Prather’s exercise brought to my awareness and how much more living, actual living, I started to enjoy. I recommend How To Live In the World And Still Be Happy to anyone who is feeling dragged down by life, appearances, work and who is looking for some gentle direction and support in living as a happy person.

There are chapters on money, work, relationship and one of my favorites “What is a Happy Person?” where I found this keeper: The rule is, do not allow the criticism to leave your mind; remove its source, and repair the damage to your mind quickly.

Edward Viljoen

Book Review: This I Believe - The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

2011-06-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman
In Association with NPR

Who knew that eighty essays written by politicians, nurses, artists, construction workers, athletes, parents, and students would capture my attention so completely? This I Believe did. As I read through these short and interesting stores by unknown people as well as famous people, I found myself dipping into what each author believed, and what principles they used to guide their lives and the result was that I felt reinvigorated to look at my own beliefs.

One of the essays that stuck in my memory is the story of how a pizza delivery dude should be treated. I know, hilarious! However, I learned something from “Be Cool to the Pizza Dude.” I was reminded by the simple philosophy of practicing humility and how it can lead to forgiveness, empathy and so much more. I learned how easy it is to take people for granted. I remembered how much better my life works when I am kind.

I recommend this beautiful book for the essays themselves, and also for the short biographies of the authors at the end. I found those to be as interesting as the stories, with the details of their personal experience, current job situation and more.

For a romp in honest sharing by ordinary people, This I Believe, the Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women is the sort of book you take with you on vacation. I would love to hear from you if you have read this book. Please use the comment form below to let me know what you think.

Martha Salazar

Book Review: All is Well, 29 Stories of Guts and Grace, Courage and Compassion

2011-06-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

Editors: David Bruner and Lee Hartley

All is Well is a beautifully crafted book of true life stories shared by 29 individuals. These are real experiences told with honesty, openness and sometimes humor. Each of the 29 individuals is connected to the Center for Spiritual Living, San Jose. These individuals tell their own stories of how through the support and love of their spiritual Center they were able to move through the painful experiences of pain, loss, drug and alcohol addiction and other traumatic events.

These stories are told with grace and courage. There is a generosity of sharing an inside look into the human condition. And the photo attached to each story shows the light and joy of how lives were changed by changing their minds.

We would love to read your comments if you have read this book. Also, please consider following this blog, or registering for email notification, if you would like to be notified when new posts and reviews appear.

Book Review: Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson

2011-06-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Stones Into Schools
Promoting Peace With Books, Not Bombs, In Afghanistan And Pakistan
by Greg Mortenson

Picking up where Three cups of Tea left off in late 2003, Stones into Schools traces the CAI's efforts to work in a whole new country, the secluded northeast corner of Afghanistan. Mortenson describes how he and his intrepid manager, Sarfraz Khan, barnstormed around Badakshan Province an the Wakhan Corridor, moving for weeks without sleep, to establish the first schools there. Those efforts were diverted in October 2005 when a devastating earthquake hit the Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan.

Under Sarfraz's watch the CAI helped with relief efforts by setting up temporary tent schools and eventually several earthquakeproof schools. The action then returns to Afghanistan in 2007, as the CAI launches schools in the heart of Taliban country and as Mortenson helps the U.S. military formulate new strategic plans in the region.

We would love to read your comments if you have read this book. Also, please consider following this blog, or registering for email notification, if you would like to be notified when new posts and reviews appear.

Hand-carved Buddha from Bali

2011-05-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

Wood carving is an art and skill that is taught to children from an early age in Bali. Whole villages are dedicated to a particular craft, such as wood carving, or stone carving, or painting and so on. Because of the lightness of the material, a hand-carved Buddha is one of the items that can travel home easily with visitors. But for those of us who don't have travel to Bali in our near plans, we can still have an inspirational bit of Bali's spiritual art tradition in our home.

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts features beautiful art work from Bali and other places in the world. From time to time we like to offer an item in a raffle and our current raffle features the beautiful Buddha carving in this photograph.

Purchase raffle tickets in Stepping Stones Books and Gifts when you next visit the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa and you may be the new owner.

Drawing to be held on Sunday July 24 at 1:00 pm.

May Bookstore Event

2011-05-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

At the Mic
An Artist's view of the recording process
with Christopher Fritzsche

What does it take to create a classical vocal recording?
Have you ever wondered?

Christopher Fritzsche will take you on a behind the scenes look and "listen" into his career in the world of recording.

Come and hear excerpts from and the "inside story" on tracks from studio and location recordings. You'll also hear tracks from recently released live recordings of his work in the men's vocal ensembles Chanticleer and Clerestory.

From choosing the music to selecting the producer, engineer, instrumentalists, instruments and recording venue, he will also share his experience of co-creating with soprano Marguerite Krull, their recently released recording of Pergolesi's masterpiece, the Stabat Mater, for soprano, alto and Baroque Orchestra, as well as two Sacred Cantatas by the French composer Andre Campra.

Friday May 20 at 7:00 pm

Stepping Stones Bookstore

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

2075 Occidental Road

707 527-8372

This is a free event

March Bookstore Free Event - Melissa Phillippe

2011-02-10T21:28:00.000-08:00

Join us for an uplifting evening with singer/songwriter Dr. Melissa Phillippe. Melissa

will guide us through a journey of inspiring songs, thoughtful chants and transformational

exercises. Come along for the ride!

Friday March 11, 2011

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

2075 Occidental Road

Please join us for this free event

Here If You Need Me, A True Story by Kate Braestrup

2011-02-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

Here If You Need Me is the story of Kate Braestrup's remarkable journey from grief to faith to happiness - as she holds her family together in the wake of her husband's death, as she pursues his dream of becoming a minister, and as she ultimately finds her calling as a chaplain to search-and-rescue workers.

Her story is dramatic, funny, and deeply moving - an uplifting account of finding God through helping others and of the small miracles that happen every day when a heart is grateful and love is restored.

February Author Event

2011-01-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents...

Wendy Millstine, co-author of

Five Good Minutes In Your Body

In all of the hustle and bustle of every day life it is not often that we take time out to be mindful of our bodies, or even to understand what that means.

Wendy Millstine, NC, is a freelance writer and certified holistic nutrition consultant who specializes in diet and stress reduction.

Wendy will also be reading from Five Good Minutes in the Morning and Five Good Minutes with the One you Love.

Friday, February 4
7 to 9 pm
Admission Free

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road

Book Review: Learning To Breathe: One Woman's Journey of Spirit and Survival

2011-01-07T14:29:00.000-08:00

Learning To Breathe: One Woman's Journey of Spirit and Survival is written by Alison Wright, the renowned photojournalist. Alison had spent a lifetime traveling the world to document endangered cultures. In the first few days of the new century, she found herself on a packed bus in the winding mountains of Laos in Southeast Asia.

And then, in one instant of crushed metal and shattered glass, her life utterly changed: on a dangerous blind curve, the bus collided head-on with a logging truck, nearly killing her. In unbearable pain, and barely able to breathe, Alison lay by the side of the road and drew upon her years of meditation practice, concentrating on every moment as if it would be her last...

January Author Event at Stepping Stones

2010-12-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

If you’re ready to use every weapon to fight cancer, you’ve come to the right place. From Cancer to Power gives you a mind-body-spirit approach that kills cancer cells and keeps your body functioning efficiently.

From Cancer to Power is a five-step coaching program that shows you how to heal—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The steps in this book will help you transform the emotional energy that makes you sick into your key for life-long wellness. Each chapter includes in-depth exercises and meditations that will teach you how to use your emotional state as a barometer, release limiting beliefs, and set goals to live a long, rich, and fulfilling life.

Author Judy Mattivi Morley uses her own experience with cancer to create an informative, integrated, and inspiring approach to the disease. She shows that it’s possible to do more than just survive cancer—you can thrive from it!

Judy Morley, Ph.D., RScP, is the Communications Leader for United Centers for Spiritual Living. In that position, she is the publisher of the monthly magazine Science of Mind: A Guide to Spiritual Living, as well as the director of community events, marketing, and media relations. Morley is a licensed Religious Science Practitioner and is currently attending Holmes Institute to become a Minister of Religious Science. She is the author of multiple books and articles, including From Cancer to Power: Five Steps to Heal Your Life, and has been featured in several documentaries, most recently, MPower: Empowering Women in Business and Beyond. In addition, Morley holds advanced degrees in history and communications.

Friday January 7, 2010 7 - 9pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road

Please join us for this free event

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents

2010-11-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

Rev. Julie Interrante, MA, is the founder of The Compassionate Arts Project in Sacramento where she teaches the art of living through embracing change. Rev. Julie has many years of experience in working with change, transition, loss, and the unexpected as a hospice and hospital chaplain, counselor and fellow human being. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Power of a Broken-Open Heart, Life-Affirming Wisdom from the Dying.

Join Rev. Julie in a discussion about risking everything including our long-held beliefs about what life means and what death is in creating a new paradigm for living. This discussion and book signing promise to be lively, informative and fun. (I promise!)

Friday December 3, 2010

7:00-9:00 pm

Center for Spiritual Living,

Santa Rosa

2075 Occidental Road

This is a Free Event

Book Bites

2010-10-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

Twelve By Twelve
A One-Room Cabin Off The Grid & Beyond The American Dream

by William Powers

Why would a successful american physician choose to live in a twelve-foot-by-twelve-foot cabin without running water or electricity? To find out, writer and activist Willam Powers visited Dr. Jackie Benton in rural North Carolina. No Name Creek gurgled through Benton's permaculture farm, and she stroked honeybees' wings as she shared her wildcrafter philosophy of living on a planet in crisis. Powers, just back from a decade of international aid work, then accepted Benton's offer to stay at the cabin for a season while she traveled. There, he befriended her eclectic neighbors - organic farmers, biofuel brewers, eco-developers - and discovered a sustainable but imperiled way of life.

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents and Evening of Music

2010-09-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Claire Victor & Ron Atchison

Ron and Claire will be playing music off of their CD "Richly Blessed and Highly Favored", sharing some new songs, and talking about songwriting and recording.

Come share the music. We'll sing to you, you'll sing to us and we'll all sing together.

Saturday October 2nd
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Admission Free

2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents

2010-09-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Photographer - Jim Thomason

September 17th 7:00 pm, Friday
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road
Admission is Free

The show will include history, geography and climate of the region, along with what is happening there today. The images you will see are focused on the wildlife and landscapes, which exist there, and, in many cases, nowhere else.

My love of photography and nature goes back many years. Today my photography is concentrated on images of landscapes, wildlife, flowers and other natural subjects.

In 2006 I realized my long time dream of visiting all the seven continents on this planet. Of all the locations I have photographed, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean particularly captured my heart. To experience this remote area of the planet, along with numerous species which have adapted - and prospered - in this often hostile environment, is truly spiritual. Simply sitting down and watching a penguin colony for a little while is akin to meditation. One can see and hear virtually every aspect of life carried out all around you.

Thank you Sage Bennet!

2010-09-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful journey through the pages of Wisdom Walk!

Stepping Stones Bookstore at Asilomar 2010

2010-08-19T10:44:00.002-07:00

A great team of helpers

Packed and ready to go

2010-08-19T10:44:00.001-07:00

John Brown loading 14' of boxes into a 10' truck

Good buddies!

2010-08-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

Dr. Edward and his godson Fabian

A great place to hang out

Daniel and Stephen

Karen Drucker at her book signing

2010-08-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

Taking a break

Ministers and a Godson having a good time

Rev. Sage Bennett ready to sign her book Wisdom Walk

2010-08-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Toni sharing her box making skills with Ruth

Kathy Hearn shopping in our store

Ruth, Linda and Kelly

2010-08-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

Toni shared her box making skills with Ruth

Daniel and Stephen

Taking a break

2010-08-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Santa Rosa Contingency

A great place to hang out

Roger always there to help

August Author Event

2010-07-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

About Dr. Sage Bennet

Dr. Sage Bennet has been an educator for over twenty-five years and is a leader in new paradigm education-lifelong learning for the soul. She has taught courses in philosophy, world religions, ethics, multicultural diversity, women's studies, and spiritual development at several Universities and the Holmes Institute.

Sage Bennet is the author of Wisdom Walk: Nine Practices for Creating Peace and Balance from the World's Spiritual Traditions. Dr. Sage Bennet offers an enlightening glimpse into some of the most powerful practices from a variety of religions and traditions. "Knowing about the breadth of spiritual traditions," she writes, "opens the door to tolerance and appreciation of others' religions-and the oneness that runs through them.

Sage Bennet will be reading from her book Wisdom Walk and will be available to sign books directly following the event.

Friday August 27, 2010
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidenta Road

This is a free event

July's Author Event: Breaking the Argument Cycle

2010-06-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 23 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road

Sharon M. Rivkin, M.A., M.F.T author of
"Breaking the Argument Cycle" How to Stop Fighting Without Therapy

In BREAKING THE ARGUMENT CYCLE, Sharon outlines in the book and workbook, her three-step System for argument and conflict resolution that uses a couple’s first argument as the source for uncovering critical information from the past that can break the argument cycle and ultimately save a relationship that's in danger of collapsing.

Here is an excerpt from that book: "...we learn that the very thing we dread and avoid - the root of our conflict - is also the source of our healing."

Rev. Georgia presenting at her Author Event

2010-06-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

A great crowd

2010-06-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Powerful or Powerless

2010-06-12T09:26:00.001-07:00

Fran and Toni helping shoppers

2010-06-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Signing Books

2010-06-12T09:16:00.001-07:00

Signing Books

2010-06-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

Rev. Georgia and Martha

2010-06-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents...

2010-05-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Rev. Georgia Prescott will be speaking and reading from her newly released book Powerful or Powerless.

Rev. Georgia is the founding minister of the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento, CA and has been involved in the recovery movement for over 35 years.

www.steppingstonesbookstore.org

A dynamic and humorous speaker, gifted teacher and compassionate counselor, she is known for her storytelling and down to earth style.

Rev. Georgia will be available to sign her book Powerful or Powerless directly following the event.

Friday June 11, 2010 7 to 9 pm

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

2075 Occidental Road

Admission Free

What's New at Stepping Stones?

2010-04-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

Please stop in and have a look. We have new products for sale and a new look in the store.

In addition to our existing statuary we have beautiful new Buddhas.

Dr. Karen Drucker shares stories and songs...

2010-04-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

.....from her newly released book Let Go of the Shore.

Let Go of the Shore is filled with humor, insight and heart. You will not want to miss this Fabulous Evening with Karen Drucker.

This is a free event. Let Go of the Shore will be available for purchase and Karen Drucker will be signing books directly following the event.

Friday, May 7, 2010 7:00-9:00 pm
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
2075 Occidental Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

A Free Event on Healing Foods.

2010-04-15T13:03:00.001-07:00

Friday, April 23 7:00-9:00 pm

JoEllen DeNicola, one of the Authors of Ceres Project Cookbook Nourishing Connections will be presenting information on Healing Foods and reading from their fabulous cookbook.

Food samples will be provided.

Original Stories as told by .....

2010-04-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Join us for an entertaining evening of Original Stories as told by Luanne Wolff, Susan Hagen, and Barbara Stafford.

Luanne's tales are rich with heart and humor as she shares stories of growing up on a large ranch in Wyoming.

Susan tells stories illuminating and exploring the human experience.

Barbara combines humor and spirituality in the telling of quirky short stories.

Friday, February 26 7 to 9 pm

Event Feedback:

Martha, Yes, "Lighthearted..." was a beautiful event. And the writing was rich and evocative, touching many notes of perception, feeling, healing, beauty, and stellar wit! I attended as a patron, and came away thrilled. I attend many readings of poetry and fiction, and this one stands up with the best of them, and better than some. Must be the work of love and consistent conscousness work. Oh, what a surprise, tsk. Well done, Martha!

Ten Percent Tuesdays

2010-04-15T12:48:00.001-07:00

Did you know...Stepping Stones is now offering 10% Tuesdays

Stop in to find out which items are discounted, different items each week.

To our Followers

2010-04-15T12:45:00.001-07:00

Our site is under construction today. Please forgive repeated notifications of new articles as we rearrage the layout ouf or blog. We will return to normal shortly.

Regards,

Stepping Stones Bookstore

Amazon Books Store Front for Us

2010-04-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Did you know Stepping Stones has a store front on Amazon.

Just follow the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/shops/steppingstonesbookstore

We are excited! Stepping Stones is now selling used and new books on Amazon.

YOu can also go to Amazon.com and look for the
Seller: SteppingStonesBookstore.

And remember, when you go to Amazon via the link on the website http://www.steppingstonesbookstore.org/ the Center benefits from your purchases.

Practice the Presence

2010-04-15T11:14:00.001-07:00

Daily Spiritual inspiration in a Journal for you to record your insights and thoughts. Purchase your copy online here.

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Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Raffle Event

March Program

February Program

Book Review: It’s Easier Than You Think - The Buddhist Way to Happiness, by Sylvia Boorstein

Recommended Reading for 2012

Spiritual Seeds

Book Review: What’s Happening In 2012

Financial Recovery: Developing a Healthy Relationship with Money. Karen McCall

A Special Homegrown Community Event

Financial Freedom - Where to Start

New at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

GOOD AT WORK - A Free Event

Book Review: Let My Soul Surrender - Grace Notes of A Journey

Book Review: Let My Soul Surrender, Grace Notes of a Journey, by Rickie Byars Beckwith

Asilomar Conference Center Mobile Bookstore Packs Up

Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, Centers For Spiritual Living

Rickie Byars Beckwith at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts

Stepping Stones Books and Gifts Offers Specials

Our Mobile Bookstore in Pacific Grove

Metaphysical practioners seeing good in the “thick of it.”

Book Review: The Soul of Money: Transforming your relationship with Money and Life, by Lynne Twist

Building Literacy and Self-Esteem for Children - October 21, 2011

CD Review: Dancing Into Silence, R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton, and Will Clipman

What Is The Enneagram? Free Event

Book Review: Words That Heal Today, by Ernest Holmes, Forwarded by Dr. Michael Beckwith

Another Review: All is Well-29 Stories of Guts and Grace, Courage and Compassion

All Is Well Event Review

All Is Well - June 24 - Free Event

Book Review: Why Faith Matters, by Rabbi David J. Wolpe

Book Review: Seeing good at work helps see good in LIFE!

Seeing Good At Work by Dr. Edward Viljoen and Dr. Joyce Duffala

Book Review: Gandhi, the Man, by Eknath Easwaran

Book Review: I Heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope & Joy, renderings by Hafiz, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky

How To Stimulate Conversation: Powerful Motivational Words - Affirmation Cards

Book Review: This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes

Book Review: True Meditation, by Adyashanti

Book Review: The Ernest Holmes New Thought Dictionary edited by DeVorss Publications

Book Review: How To Live In The World And Still Be Happy by Hugh Prather

Book Review: This I Believe - The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

Book Review: All is Well, 29 Stories of Guts and Grace, Courage and Compassion

Book Review: Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson

Hand-carved Buddha from Bali

May Bookstore Event

March Bookstore Free Event - Melissa Phillippe

Here If You Need Me, A True Story by Kate Braestrup

February Author Event

Book Review: Learning To Breathe: One Woman's Journey of Spirit and Survival

January Author Event at Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents

Book Bites

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents and Evening of Music

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents

Thank you Sage Bennet!

Stepping Stones Bookstore at Asilomar 2010

August Author Event

July's Author Event: Breaking the Argument Cycle

Rev. Georgia presenting at her Author Event

A great crowd

Powerful or Powerless

Fran and Toni helping shoppers

Signing Books

Signing Books

Rev. Georgia and Martha

Stepping Stones Bookstore Presents...

What's New at Stepping Stones?

Dr. Karen Drucker shares stories and songs...

A Free Event on Healing Foods.

Original Stories as told by .....

Ten Percent Tuesdays

To our Followers

Amazon Books Store Front for Us

Practice the Presence