This book was probably the second book I ever read as a second
grader in 1945. It took me into a mysterious and fascinating world which captivated my imagination ever since. Subsequently I read every Bobbsey Twin book I could get my hands on. Extremely well done series by an outstanding children's author.

This was my first real book as a child. I didn't know about bookmarks yet, so every time I picked up this book, I started from the beginning. Soon enough, I had memorized the first chapter! I can still remember the first sentence:

"Let's have our fortunes told, Freddie!" said blond, curly-haired Flossie Bobbsey.

This was a terrific first book to read, and the Bobbsey Twins is a great way to start a big book collection. It's too bad that most are not in print anymore.

I spent many wonderful hours in my childhood reading these books. I would reccomend them for anyone with young readers. Just as entertaining now as they were 40 years ago!

About ten years ago I read Dr. Vaughan-Lee's book, THE LOVER AND THE SERPENT, in which he used Jungian terms to describe Naqshbandi Sufism and spiritual transformation. The simplicity and power of Dr. Vaughan-Lee's writing made a deep impression on me, and I looked forward to reading more of his writings on the subject. In THE BOND WITH THE BELOVED, Dr. Vaughan-Lee continues and elaborates on this Sufi tradition brought to the West by his teacher, Irina Tweedie. This book focuses on the stages of spiritual transformation, what the seeker can expect to encounter at each stage, and the practices that aid the seeker in the journey. He draws from both Sufi and Christian sources to illustrate that the mystical journey in any tradition is basically the same. In fact, he uses the four stages of prayer identified by St. Tereasa of Avila to illustrate what the seeker can expect to encounter. The practices Vaughan-Lee describes that put the seeker into the arena of transformation are very simple. He writes, "In our Naqshbandi group meetings we meditate, drink tea and discuss dreams. The lack of outer form or collective ritual (music or the chanting of the dhikr) emphasizes the individual inner journey." But he also stresses the powerful transformative effect of these simple practices - especially the stillness of meditation. "In deep states of meditation there is absolute stillness, darkness and nothingness. . . . We Leave the mind completely behind in order to enter the uncreated, dark light of God." He writes like someone who has been there. Though the methods Dr. Vaughan-Lee describes seem so simple, they were verified for me by the work of the renowned Jungian analyst, Marie-Louise von Franz, in her book, THE WAY OF THE DREAM. Her description of dreamwork, which she says she used almost exclusively with her patients, echoes the dreamwork and transformation that Vaughan-Lee describes in THE BOND WITH THE BELOVED. Another book that corroborates Jungian theory and Sufism is J. Marvin Spiegelman's SUFISM, ISLAM, AND JUNGIAN PSYCHOLOGY. All three books are excellent material on the inner dynamics of spiritual/psychological transformation. BOND WITH THE BELOVED. TABLE OF CONTENTS. (1)The Shadow Side of Spiritual Life (2)Pregnant with God (3)Stages of Prayer: The Birth of the Beloved (4)Stages of Prayer: Living in the Two Worlds (5)Stages of Prayer: Ecstasy (6)The Dhikr (7) Meditation.

My dad got this book back in the 70's and i never picked it up and read it until this year, and let me tell you... after reading it cover to cover, i now know so much more about all of the aspects of bonsai and trey landscapes. If you can get your hands on this book then buy it for sure, it is a must have for all bonsai lovers.

This is the first of several books I've purchased and it was a quick and fun read with lots of different receipes to try for baths/massages/etc. It will be a nice reference book to have in my aromatherapy library.

Whether you were a student of Pete's, or a student of his legacy, or want to learn, this is a great book about one of the finest people I ever knew. The book is as honest as the man. Good historical perspective and wonderfully personalized. Good reading for Native or non native alike.

Eliot Weinberger, in the jacket blurb to this book, says that Duo Duo's poetry constitutes "a mountain on the topographical map of contemporary world poetry". I couldn't agree more. The translations are not only accurate and polished but read like poetry in themselves. Lee's notes and introduction provide a really helpful insight into the craft and the difficulties of translating modern Chinese poems.

This book and the two that follow this book are esquisite! The story line is both inspirational for children and awe-inspiring for them to listen to! The illustrations are divine! My 4 yr.old and two yr.old adore these books! We discovered them at the library and I had to purchase them immeditately!

"Have a break to be richer! Best of all 'BREAK$' is full of simple, quick read tips that everyone can follow."